by Francisco Coching
First serialized in Pilipino Komiks in 1953 and now restored in its splendid black-and-white entirety by Gerry Alanguilan and Zara Macandili, El Indio is reissued for the first time as a full-length graphic novel.
Hoping to solve the mystery of his birth, young mestizo nobleman Fernando travels to the Philippines, where he clashes with Kapitan Martin Castillo over the love of the fiery Victoria. He joins a rebel group whose enigmatic leader bequeaths him the salakot that belonged to the infamous outlaw Barbaro. Ultimately, he discovers the truth behind his identity in a series of explosive revelations.
With new material including a foreword by the artist’s widow Filomena N. Coching, never-before-reprinted art pages, and an expanded character list, this is the ultimate edition of a modern komiks masterpiece.
One only needs to study Coching’s work in El Indio to fully grasp realistic yet dynamic figure drawing and layout. One of komiks’ best, ever.
—Leinil Yu, artist, Marvel Comics
The field of vision within every frame is deep, and the line is charged. The life force and confidence of form do not wane, the Tagalog is lofty, and the intricacy of cultural furniture very adept. The discourse of hybridity is fully articulated in this work of Coching.
—Patrick D. Flores, art critic
© 2009
177 pages
softbound