Filipino comic book creator Tsambolero is using stories from Philippine folklore and a gay couple’s life as bases for his new comics, “Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise.”
THE artistic, literary, and folkloric imaginations of modern Filipinos are excellent subjects for various art platforms.
And artists regularly surprise us with trends and concepts that are fun and endearing.
This, as Filipino comic book creator Tsambolero decided to use stories from Philippine folklore and a gay couple’s life as bases for his new comics.
The gay couple is of a human (Leo) and an aswang (Tomas) – and that’s why the series is aptly entitled “Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise”.
The story concepts generally revolve around navigating the real and supernatural worlds together.
“Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise” was conceptualized and finally created during the lockdown.
It is semi-autobiographical, says Tsambolero.
He wanted to put a twist that was parallel to being gay in a Catholic country, and that was being an aswang.
Representation matters
There are very few LGBTQIA+ characters that are made protagonists of stories, especially in the local comic scene.
Artists like Tsambolero are committed to creating accurate and consistent representation in their works.
“Ang Jowa Kong Crosswise” is available for viewing on Penlab. It is an ongoing series with updates every now and then. (EFO)
Tags: #komiks, #Filipinomythology, #LGBTQIA+Community, #AngJowaKongCrosswise, #Tsambolero