Manix Abrera's 14

ABLAZE proudly presents "14", the second silent graphic novel created by Filipino comic artist, Manix Abrera.

This graphic novel is also his first work to achieve a National Book Award (Category: Wordless Graphic Literature) in 2015, awarded by the National Book Development Board and Manila Critics Circle.

14 tells the story of a human who mysteriously discovers a 13th floor on his building and finds himself in the middle of a storytelling session among different mythological creatures of Philippine folklore. Together with a partying crowd of supernatural beings, he listens to stories narrated by creatures such as the Manananggal, Diwata, Tikbalang, Kapre, Tiyanak, and even by a White Lady and a Doppelganger.

With each creature taking the stage, describing wild stories spurred by their unique, terrifying traits and abilities, 14 is a grand narrative of weird yet wonderful tales, humorous albeit dark and spooky, surreal but unarguably true to the emotions of the heart. Stories like finding love then losing it, searching for happiness, getting lost, staying trapped, wanting to belong, dying to be born again – may all sound too human, but are also being experienced by these mythological creatures.

Using absolutely no words in this graphic novel, Manix successfully tells the stories through careful planning of each scene and sequence. Frame by frame, panel by panel, Manix effectively renders each scene in detail and maximizes the power of images to completely convey the stories and emotions he wants to evoke in his readers. It is now up to you, the reader, to notice these details, to savor each frame, page by page until the big picture and meaning unfold sans the usual text balloons. Sounds mind-blowing!

Reading without words is like talking without a voice, almost supernatural but not impossible. Let Manix Abrera’s 14 talk to you visually and take you into a truly exciting and totally unforgettable literary experience.

AWARD POTENTIAL: Winner of National Book Award in 2015 for Wordless Graphic Literature in the Philippines.

AUTHENTIC VOICES: Told by Philippian writer/artist Manix Abrera, whose stories of folklore / mythological creatures comes from lived experience in the region and firsthand knowledge as they’ve been passed down through the generations.

DIVERSIFIES FOLKLORE SHELVES: Broadens understanding of global folklore beyond the overrepresented stories most frequently retold and reprinted.

STUNNING ARTWORK: Rendered in a beautiful simplistic style but with plenty of expression and personality.

THRILLING & EXHILARATING STORY W/ HUMOR: The Philippine mythological characters come alive making for a page-turning story. Each tale in 14 is "told" by a local mythological creature (i.e. Manananggal, Tikbalang, Duwende, White Lady, etc.). In the beginning of the book, a human being aboard an elevator mysteriously finds himself on the 13th floor of the building, where he witnesses the storytelling session of the said creatures. As the storytelling continues, each creature takes turns narrating their life stories—stories of loss, being lost, longing, and the need to belong. Toward the end, they notice the human being that has wandered into their midst, and compel him to tell his story. His story effortlessly wraps up all the other stories. Includes bonus material that includes behind-the-scenes info and bonus illustrations with short explanations about each creature and the beliefs behind them.

Manuel "Manix" Abrera graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines Diliman. His comic strip Kikomachine runs from Monday to Saturday in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and currently appears in twelve book compilations published by Visprint. His webcomic News Hardcore! appears weekly on GMA News Online. He also has wordless graphic novels titled "12" and "14". He has won the National Book Awards for his books "14" (2015) and News Hardcore: Hukbong Sandatahan ng Kahaggardan! (2016).