Private Iris

I admit, I rarely patronize Filipino literature/entertainment stuff.   I respect the Tagalog romance pocketbooks (roll eyes here) but no way will I read them.  I am unfamiliar with most contemporary Filipino authors but I love reading the Summit Media books and enjoy the works of cartoonists like Pol Medina who have aimed to offer something new and very Filipino.  

Here’s a golden find. Enter Private Iris.  

From Komiklopedia:

PRIVATE IRIS is the first detective comic book series published by Blue Cow Co., Inc. Its maiden issue was launched on April 19, 2008 at Fully Booked, Bonifacio High Street. It is the most anticipated comic book for kids. It tackles mysteries to be solved by none other than the young detective Private Iris herself, as well as useful facts and money saving tips that are relevant for the youth in this day and age.

Private Iris is a mystery comic series that challenges kids of all ages to match wits with MacGuffin Plains’ brilliant but secretive super sleuth, Private Iris. When Danton, the most popular boy in school, joins forces with Private Iris, the most intelligent loner in town, you get a crime-solving team that can’t be beat! Iris’ genius level intellect and high-tech gadgets combined with Danton’s winning personality and his amazing athletic skills will show that there’s no case that can’t be cracked and no villain that can’t be caught. So join Private Iris and Danton as they right wrongs while discovering the importance of learning and friendship. 

Through a partnership with one of the leading financial companies, Private Iris offers a gift to parents and kids. Each issue of the comic book comes with a free code, which parents should use to spark their children’s money management skills. The free gift plus the financial fitness lessons embedded in the stories create a reading experience that is fun, meaningful, and practical for today’s generation.

Behind the unfolding mysteries and unbounded discoveries of Private Iris are two of today’s most brilliant minds in the local comic book scene. It is Jamie Bautista’s latest project lined up after a career in teaching comic book classes in various universities and the creation of the long-running comic series Cast. With him is critically-acclaimed graphic novelist, Arnold Arre, behind the award-winning graphic novels The Mythology Class (1999), Trip to Tagaytay (2001), After Eden (2002), and Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat (2006). Arnold is also busy doing art for Cast, which makes Private Iris another much-awaited collaboration of the duo.

Now 3 years old and 17 cases under her belt,  Private Iris has garnered a steady following.  Its comic launches are full blown and well attended by kids and their parents.  

Busy Boy discovered Private Iris when the author and artist had a book tour at LS. Busy Boy was lucky to be one of the winners of the first comic book, and the rest is history.  We’ve been scouring bookstores the past weeks to complete the issues. He is requesting for a subscription but part of the thrill of collecting a series is the anticipation, search, frustration and the elation of getting your latest copy.  We just missed out on the most recent launch in Powerbooks Greenbelt last July but we’re eagerly anticipating the launch of case 18.  

I have yet to try reading the comics.  Dad has read them and he says its great. Busy Boy is certainly hooked as he’s spending all his saved allowance and reward money to purchase a copy (P200).

So now, I’m diving in too.  :) And a thumbs up for our children’s literature :)

Now 3 years old and 17 cases under her belt,  Private Iris has garnered a steady following.  Its comic launches are full blown and well attended by kids and their parents.  

Busy Boy discovered Private Iris when the author and artist had a book tour at LS. Busy Boy was lucky to be one of the winners of the first comic book, and the rest is history.  We’ve been scouring bookstores the past weeks to complete the issues. He is requesting for a subscription but part of the thrill of collecting a series is the anticipation, search, frustration and the elation of getting your latest copy.  We just missed out on the most recent launch in Powerbooks Greenbelt last July but we’re eagerly anticipating the launch of case 18.  

I have yet to try reading the comics.  Dad has read them and he says its great. Busy Boy is certainly hooked as he’s spending all his saved allowance and reward money to purchase a copy (P200).

So now, I’m diving in too.  :) And a thumbs up for our children’s literature :)

For more details check out Private Iris here.