TITLE: The Mythology Class
AUTHOR: Arnold Arre
PUBLISHER: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 9780804855426
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
The Mythology Class: Where Philippine Legends Become Reality by Arnold Arre is a groundbreaking graphic novel. Tuttle Publishing is proud to be bringing the full omnibus of this multiple-award-winning comic back into print for the first time since 2014. As interest in Filipino urban legends and folklore increases in the West, it is wonderful to have one of the most accessible and exciting modern interpretations of classical folkloric creatures and stories available to the Western public once again.
Nicole, a young anthropology student at the University of the Philippines, is one of several unassuming young people who find themselves summoned to a secret meeting one stormy night by the enigmatic Mrs. Enkanta. Mrs. Enkanta explains that they have been chosen to help trap mythological beings, called engkantos, who have scattered themselves throughout all of time in our world, within jars to transport them back to their own universe. Tikbalangs, kapres, duwendes, and aswang are captured between these pages - and Nicole and her friends get to face them all.
As a reader unfamiliar with Filipino mythology, I braced myself for the unfamiliar territory of new folklore, but was pleasantly surprised to find it incredibly welcoming to a new reader such as myself. Those familiar with these stories will appreciate how the various engkantos adapt to modern Manila, without sacrificing aspects of their folkloric origins in the process. How might a sirena, for instance, be affected by pollution within the river systems of the city? Through Nicole’s eyes even those brand new to the culture get to learn a lot without being overwhelmed.
Arre’s art is stunning. Done in black and white, clever shading is used to heighten tension in some of the more action-filled sequences, and to create an intimate scene during more tender moments. The art is vibrant, never boring, and the detailed backgrounds create a sense of space and further draw the reader into the world of this mystical version of Manila. Likewise, the hand lettering does an excellent job of conveying the various personalities of the characters.
This book is full of adventure and romance, with a deep view to the history of Filipino folklore and belief. I was sad to leave it once the book was over, but I know I will be giving it a reread, the way many others have over the past twenty years. Arre is a force to be reckoned with within the comic world and he has done much to bring this rich folklore to a wider audience here in the West.
AUTHOR: Arnold Arre
PUBLISHER: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 9780804855426
PODCAST EPISODE: None
REVIEWER: Hilary Wilson
The Mythology Class: Where Philippine Legends Become Reality by Arnold Arre is a groundbreaking graphic novel. Tuttle Publishing is proud to be bringing the full omnibus of this multiple-award-winning comic back into print for the first time since 2014. As interest in Filipino urban legends and folklore increases in the West, it is wonderful to have one of the most accessible and exciting modern interpretations of classical folkloric creatures and stories available to the Western public once again.
Nicole, a young anthropology student at the University of the Philippines, is one of several unassuming young people who find themselves summoned to a secret meeting one stormy night by the enigmatic Mrs. Enkanta. Mrs. Enkanta explains that they have been chosen to help trap mythological beings, called engkantos, who have scattered themselves throughout all of time in our world, within jars to transport them back to their own universe. Tikbalangs, kapres, duwendes, and aswang are captured between these pages - and Nicole and her friends get to face them all.
As a reader unfamiliar with Filipino mythology, I braced myself for the unfamiliar territory of new folklore, but was pleasantly surprised to find it incredibly welcoming to a new reader such as myself. Those familiar with these stories will appreciate how the various engkantos adapt to modern Manila, without sacrificing aspects of their folkloric origins in the process. How might a sirena, for instance, be affected by pollution within the river systems of the city? Through Nicole’s eyes even those brand new to the culture get to learn a lot without being overwhelmed.
Arre’s art is stunning. Done in black and white, clever shading is used to heighten tension in some of the more action-filled sequences, and to create an intimate scene during more tender moments. The art is vibrant, never boring, and the detailed backgrounds create a sense of space and further draw the reader into the world of this mystical version of Manila. Likewise, the hand lettering does an excellent job of conveying the various personalities of the characters.
This book is full of adventure and romance, with a deep view to the history of Filipino folklore and belief. I was sad to leave it once the book was over, but I know I will be giving it a reread, the way many others have over the past twenty years. Arre is a force to be reckoned with within the comic world and he has done much to bring this rich folklore to a wider audience here in the West.