US-based comics creator in town for AsiaPop convention

OMAR Sy as Bishop in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”

“Thirty years ago, when I was drawing Marvel comics, hardly anyone paid attention to what we were creating every month,” US-based comic book artist Whilce Portacio tells the Inquirer in an e-mail interview.

“Now, the world knows and celebrates what we did then,” adds the artist, who made waves in the early 1990s when he illustrated Marvel Comics’ “Uncanny X-Men” and “X-Factor.” In 1992, he cofounded Image Comics, a company for creator-owned titles, with other ex-Marvel artists.

His presence in the American comic book industry and art style influenced many aspiring Filipino artists. He started an art school in SM Megamall in the late ’90s, mentored numerous hopefuls, and ran a graphic studio until his return to the United States in 2000.

Portacio created the African-American character Bishop during his “X-Men” stint. The mutant hero appeared prominently in the 2014 film “X-Men: Days of Future Past,” played by Omar Sy.

The veteran artist is  among the guests of the ongoing AsiaPop Comicon (APCC), alongside celebrities Colton Haynes, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Shada, Nathalie Emmanuel  and Chad Michael Murray.

The APCC will run until Sept. 20 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. For tickets and full schedule, visit asiapopcomicon.com/manila/.

OMAR Sy as Bishop in “X-Men: Days of Future Past”

What made this event appeal to you?

APCC is the perfect opportunity to show Manila the kind of people and standards necessary to create this kind of entertainment. I am hoping that the interaction will inspire a whole new wave of creatives.

What is the difference between Filipino comic books made then and now?

The Internet is a major new factor. There has always been talent in the Philippines; it has always been the problem of getting that talent showcased for the world to see. Many Pinoy artists currently working for companies abroad work and live in the Philippines.

What do you think of the “mainstreaming” of comic properties?

What American comics and movies give to the world is a universal way of telling a story that all countries around the world can understand, a form of storytelling that uses familiar themes. All sorts of stories can be told now.

What are you currently working on?

I am working on my new book, “Human Alien,” with my writer partner Glen Brunswick. This will be the first time that comic book content will be produced directly for the Internet. I will also draw it digitally.

How is your new Philippine studio project developing?

I’m building a studio that can discover and train the next wave of artists and writers for comic books, movie design, and concept design for games and toys. We are still in the planning stage.

How has content changed?

Because of the monetary success [of] comic books, movies, toys, games, and animation, it’s good that there is now a lot of money being poured in, allowing things to happen fast… movie producers want to go from waiting for comics to create the next new franchise, to creating it themselves, where they can own the concept from the start… But when a lot of money is involved, everyone gets conservative with what they think will work, so experimentation goes away.

What advice can you share with aspiring creators?

It’s a medium that allows us to experiment with new stories and concepts and test them out on our audiences. No other medium can do this so quickly, continuously, and cheaply… You must use the opportunity to create out of the box!