Vibal Foundation proudly unveiled its two latest publishing imprintsโGrafika and Agimat Comicsโushering a new era in Philippine comics and visual storytelling. Under the imprints, a diverse lineup of seven titles by both celebrated Filipino legends and rising international creators were introduced during a grand launch at the Philippine International Comics Festival 2025 (PICOF) at the SM Megamall on July 6, 2025.
๐๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ถ๐ธ๐ฎ: ๐๐ฒ๐น๐ฒ๐ฏ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ ๐ผ๐ณ ๐๐ถ๐น๐ถ๐ฝ๐ถ๐ป๐ผ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ธ๐
Grafika pays tribute to the Philippinesโ rich komiks tradition by spotlighting iconic stories and visual artistry from Filipino creators. The imprint launches four new titles.
๐๐ข๐จ๐ข๐ญ๐ช๐ต ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ด๐ธ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ ๐ด๐ข ๐๐ข๐ฉ๐ข๐ญ ๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ข๐ธ๐ข๐ฏ๐จ by Randy Valiente and Aurelio Castro III: A gritty, socially-charged graphic novel that reimagines the mythical aswang as a metaphor for injustice, hunger, and systemic violence. With stark, evocative illustrations, this powerful graphic novel explores what it truly means to be monstrous in a fractured society.
๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐ฅ๐ฆ๐ฏ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฐ, ๐๐ข๐ต๐ถ๐ณ, and ๐๐ถ๐ฎ๐ข๐จ๐ช๐ต by the late, great Francisco V. Coching, National Artist for Visual Arts, long revered as the โKing of Komiks.โ These timeless titles, originally serialized in the golden age of Philippine komiks, explore revenge, rebellion, and identity with cinematic vision and masterful artistry. The republished comics under Grafika can also prove how Cochingโs art and narrative can continue to influence generations of komikeros today.
๐๐ด๐ถ๐บ๐ฎ๐ ๐๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ๐: ๐ง๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐บ๐ฎ๐ป๐ถ๐ฐ ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ฒ๐ ๐ณ๐ฟ๐ผ๐บ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฑ ๐๐ต๐ฒ ๐๐ผ๐ฟ๐น๐ฑ
Agimat Comics channels the spirit of the agimatโsacred amulets believed to hold powerโby curating graphic novels from around the world that inspire, illuminate, and challenge. The imprint opens with three fresh and vibrant titles under foreign creators.
๐๐ณ๐ช๐ฆ๐ฅ ๐๐ช๐ค๐ฆ by Erica Eng (Malaysia) is a coming-of-age story of a young Malaysian girl dreaming of a creative life abroad. Winner of the Eisner and Ringo Awards, Engโs quiet, beautiful visuals and heartfelt narrative speak to the uncertainties and aspirations of growing up in Southeast Asia.
๐๐ฐ๐ฏ๐จ ๐๐ช๐ด๐ต๐ข๐ฏ๐ค๐ฆ ๐๐ข๐ญ๐ญ by Sheree Domingo (Germany/Philippines) is set in a German retirement home, this intergenerational graphic novel weaves themes of migration, memory, and family with poignant restraint and visual lyricism. Domingoโs subtle style earned her the Grimmelshausen Fรถrderpreis fรผr Literatur Award.
๐๐ฐ๐ค๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ข๐ฏ by Kenfoo (Singapore) is a hilariously irreverent, genre-defying adventure featuring an interdimensional chicken-turned-antihero. Winner of the Singapore Literature Prize for Graphic Novels, Cockman blends absurdist humor with sharp satire and kinetic, madcap art.๐ ๐๐ฟ๐ถ๐ฏ๐๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐บ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ฐ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐๐ถ๐๐
With the launch of Grafika and Agimat Comics, Vibal Foundation reinforces the enduring power of graphic storytelling. These imprints honor both tradition and innovationโreviving beloved komiks while introducing bold, global voices to Filipino readers.
โThese are not just comic books,โ said Gelo Lopez, Chief Product Officer of Vibal Foundation. โThey are modern-day agimats that hold power, beauty, and truth. They reflect our world, challenge what we know, and ignite our imagination.โ
The Vibal Grand Launch was one of the highlights on the main stage on Day 2 of the Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) 2025 โ a vibrant comics convention gathering over 200 comic creators from the Philippines and across the globe.
This yearโs festival also includes three major exhibitions: the PICOF Official Selection Exhibit, the Mars Ravelo Exhibit, and the Palestinian Comics Exhibit. Visitors can also experience 14 Masterclasses taught by professionals, from local komikeros to international guests.
The event, organized by Komiket with support from the National Book Development Board and Vibal Foundation, was held at the Megatrade Hall of SM Megamall from July 5โ6, 2025.