transliteration

Dynatica Comics' new book, TXTMen, is out at last, in full-color glory.

DC's head honcho, Jason Banico, put the creative team together, acting as EIC: Nikki Alfar (Words), Armand Roy Canlas (Art) and me (doing my first ever published Filipino translation, in a manga-esque book, nonetheless - Gerry will choke on his gardenias!). The first issue moves quickly, introducing various characters briefly before getting down to the exposition of what is going on (but not really - ah, read it).

The challenge here for me wasn't working with Nikki's script (no problem there as we have great synergy), it was the actual act of translation. I had to use a mix of vernacular and formal Filipino to get the point across - and in some cases opted to use Taglish (combination of Tagalog and English), and when it made sense, I used the original English - since reading English is not a problem with majority of the Filipinos.

Was it fun? Yup. Is it something I'd do again? Yes, with a thicker dictionary and talaverbo.

So give the book a chance - pick it up at National Bookstore, Powerbooks, Comicquest or Filbar's - P60 only (forgo your Big Mac Meal this time).