New imprints showcase Filipino and Southeast Asian visual storytelling

July 6, 2025

Vibal Foundation proudly unveiled its two latest publishing imprintsโ€”Grafika and Agimat Comicsโ€”ushering 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.

๐—š๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ณ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐—ฎ: ๐—–๐—ฒ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฏ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ด ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ด๐—ฎ๐—ฐ๐˜† ๐—ผ๐—ณ ๐—™๐—ถ๐—น๐—ถ๐—ฝ๐—ถ๐—ป๐—ผ ๐—ž๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐˜€

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.

๐˜•๐˜ข๐˜จ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ˆ๐˜ด๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜ด๐˜ข ๐˜”๐˜ข๐˜ฉ๐˜ข๐˜ญ ๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜‰๐˜ข๐˜ธ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜จ 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.

๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ฏ๐˜ข๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ, ๐˜š๐˜ข๐˜ต๐˜ถ๐˜ณ, and ๐˜‹๐˜ถ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜จ๐˜ช๐˜ต by the late, great Francisco V. Coching, National Artist for Visual Arts, long revered as the โ€œKing 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 Cochingโ€™s art and narrative can continue to influence generations of komikeros today.

๐—”๐—ด๐—ถ๐—บ๐—ฎ๐˜ ๐—–๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐˜€: ๐—ง๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜€๐—บ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ถ๐—ฐ ๐˜๐—ฎ๐—น๐—ฒ๐˜€ ๐—ณ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—บ ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐˜‚๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐˜„๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ

Agimat Comics channels the spirit of the agimatโ€”sacred amulets believed to hold powerโ€”by curating graphic novels from around the world that inspire, illuminate, and challenge. The imprint opens with three fresh and vibrant titles under foreign creators.

๐˜๐˜ณ๐˜ช๐˜ฆ๐˜ฅ ๐˜™๐˜ช๐˜ค๐˜ฆ 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, Engโ€™s quiet, beautiful visuals and heartfelt narrative speak to the uncertainties and aspirations of growing up in Southeast Asia.

๐˜“๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜จ ๐˜‹๐˜ช๐˜ด๐˜ต๐˜ข๐˜ฏ๐˜ค๐˜ฆ ๐˜Š๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ 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. Domingoโ€™s subtle style earned her the Grimmelshausen Fรถrderpreis fรผr Literatur Award.

๐˜Š๐˜ฐ๐˜ค๐˜ฌ๐˜ฎ๐˜ข๐˜ฏ 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—” ๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฏ๐˜‚๐˜๐—ฒ ๐˜๐—ผ ๐—ฐ๐—ผ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ฐ๐˜€ ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐—ฐ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ถ๐˜ƒ๐—ถ๐˜๐˜†

With the launch of Grafika and Agimat Comics, Vibal Foundation reinforces the enduring power of graphic storytelling. These imprints honor both tradition and innovationโ€”reviving beloved komiks while introducing bold, global voices to Filipino readers.

โ€œThese are not just comic books,โ€ said Gelo Lopez, Chief Product Officer of Vibal Foundation. โ€œThey 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 yearโ€™s 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 5โ€“6, 2025.