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fantakureader's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
**FAN-FREAKING-TASTIC**
Revisited the Trese Comics. Read the 5 volumes during my teenage years.
I am especially fond of this Filipino comic because it has my favorite concept, colliding myths & folklore with the modern world. Ever since high school, I've been obsessed with Greek and Norse mythology so it's not shocking that I also fell in love with this.
I will be a bit biased on my review.
Just an introduction, this volume is in episodic format but the stories hint at a larger & connective universe through dialogue and recurring characters.
1st Story: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street
The 2nd favorite of the four stories. Great introduction to the main character, Alexandra Trese and the setting is immediately unique and if you're a Filipino that loves mythology, it's for you. Also has the theme of equivalent exchange or more like karma in the Philippines.
2nd Story:
Rules of the Race
I kinda like it because the designs of the several creatures are unique but not over the top but the story is a bit bland. Not much I can say as it did not leave much of an impact compared to the others.
3rd Story:
The Tragic Case of Dr. Burgos
Romance and tragedy are my least favorite genres because I have a weak heart. Overall, a bit generic of a story but at least it revolves around new creatures.
4th Story:
Our Secret Constellation
I'm so in love with this because it revolves around a female superhero who is a very popular icon in Philippine movie and tv history. The unique flavor of this one is due to the author focusing on the superhero's younger brother (Filipino readers will now know who I am talking about) and his perspective on his sister's life as a superhero. I feel that the author gave respect to his character much more than some adaptations that have been made.
Overall, this volume is solid and provided an excellent opening to this new world.
themorbidarchivist's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
quillonon's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
innodavid's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 STARS
This is definitely one of the better graphic novels out there.
I wanted to read this because of the recently released animated netflix show. I really enjoyed that one, but with only 6 episodes, I wanted more material. And who knows when the second season would come out, so I bought the first three volumes to quench my Trese thirst.
It's quite different from the show, and some of Alexandra's mission in the comic were not included. Perhaps it was due to it having more mature/sexual content than what was appropriate. Don't get me wrong, the show had its mature, brutal, and gorey moments, but the sexual stuff might not be suitable for an animated series.
The art style was beautiful and dark. It didn't have any color, but there was never a dull moment.
My only criticism would go to the characterization. I just needed more depth from the characters. Alexandra and the Kambal weren't as fleshed out as the show, and the side characters were more interesting and their side stories were more engaging.
This is definitely one of the better graphic novels out there.
I wanted to read this because of the recently released animated netflix show. I really enjoyed that one, but with only 6 episodes, I wanted more material. And who knows when the second season would come out, so I bought the first three volumes to quench my Trese thirst.
It's quite different from the show, and some of Alexandra's mission in the comic were not included. Perhaps it was due to it having more mature/sexual content than what was appropriate. Don't get me wrong, the show had its mature, brutal, and gorey moments, but the sexual stuff might not be suitable for an animated series.
The art style was beautiful and dark. It didn't have any color, but there was never a dull moment.
My only criticism would go to the characterization. I just needed more depth from the characters. Alexandra and the Kambal weren't as fleshed out as the show, and the side characters were more interesting and their side stories were more engaging.
seenamac's review
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
4.0
definitely easier to follow than the netflix adaptation, way more fun and captivating!
alandd's review against another edition
4.0
Buenos días, gente bonita. Espero que tuvieran un buen fin de semana. Yo empecé un cómic que me sorprendió bastante y que se sale de lo que suelo leer. Aunque estaba al tanto de las historias de detective oculto, es primera vez que leo algo que entra en el género. Se trata de Trese Vol. 1: Murder on Balete Drive, por Budjette Tan y Kajo Baldisimo. ¡Gracias a la editorial por enviarme una copia a cambio de una reseña honesta!
No estaba del todo seguro sobre qué esperar con este cómic, así que todo fue una grata sorpresa. Aunque poco se revela sobre Alexandra Trese, la protagonista de cada caso, se mantiene como un personaje interesante, atractivo, y con más de un as bajo la manga. Justamente es el misterio que rodea su figura lo que la hace atrapante desde el primer momento. Una jugada arriesgada que salió muy bien.
Reseña completa: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2022/05/comic-trese-vol-1-murder-on-balete-drive.html
Good morning, beautiful people. I hope you had a good weekend. I started a comic that surprised me a lot and that is out of what I usually read. Although I was aware of occult detective stories, this is the first time I read something that falls into the genre. Is about Trese Vol. 1: Murder on Balete Drive, by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this comic, so it was all a pleasant surprise. Although little is revealed about Alexandra Trese, the protagonist of each case, she remains an interesting, attractive character, and with more than one ace up her sleeve. It is precisely the mystery what surrounds her figure that makes her captivating from the first moment. A risky move that went very well.
Full review: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2022/05/comic-trese-vol-1-murder-on-balete-drive.html
No estaba del todo seguro sobre qué esperar con este cómic, así que todo fue una grata sorpresa. Aunque poco se revela sobre Alexandra Trese, la protagonista de cada caso, se mantiene como un personaje interesante, atractivo, y con más de un as bajo la manga. Justamente es el misterio que rodea su figura lo que la hace atrapante desde el primer momento. Una jugada arriesgada que salió muy bien.
Reseña completa: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2022/05/comic-trese-vol-1-murder-on-balete-drive.html
Good morning, beautiful people. I hope you had a good weekend. I started a comic that surprised me a lot and that is out of what I usually read. Although I was aware of occult detective stories, this is the first time I read something that falls into the genre. Is about Trese Vol. 1: Murder on Balete Drive, by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo. Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review!
I wasn't entirely sure what to expect with this comic, so it was all a pleasant surprise. Although little is revealed about Alexandra Trese, the protagonist of each case, she remains an interesting, attractive character, and with more than one ace up her sleeve. It is precisely the mystery what surrounds her figure that makes her captivating from the first moment. A risky move that went very well.
Full review: https://tintanocturna.blogspot.com/2022/05/comic-trese-vol-1-murder-on-balete-drive.html
scythefranz's review against another edition
4.0
It has similarities on concepts with the comics Fables by Bill Willingham (Vertigo) but I prefer Trese for obvious reasons.
ozinskaya's review against another edition
4.0
In general: The plots are interesting, a bit formulaic. The dialogue can improve to be more realistic. The art is well-suited to the mood of the book.
Case 1: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street - Right off the bat the idea of the underworld as a force that restores balance is intriguing. I'm expecting this to be a recurring theme throughout the series. Also, you can get? Love that. Just thought the perpetrator's motive seemed a bit flimsy for the gravity of what she sacrificed and the futility of it all, but well, I guess you never really know with people.
Case 2: Rules of the Race - I really like this one. The interpretation of the myth in question for the modern setting is so unique and I'm such a fan of how it was presented here. Who else would have thought of a like what? Ugh, Budjette Tan's mind. I love the art especially in the scenes with the .
Case 3: The Tragic Case of Dr. Burgos - First thing I notice is the art. Really stands out in this case in particular. Nothing much to say about the storyline. It was fine, I feel like I'm just not a fan in general of plots driven by that type of motivation like,!
Case 4: Our Constellation - What a twist about a certain character's identity! Just how wide is the scope of Trese's universe? Anyway, this one made me kind of sad. And the worst thing is the plot revolves around something that isn't at all confined in the pages of this book; these things happen in reality, and more often than not justice is left wanting. Some people just deserve to rot, and.
Just a thought: as someone who just got into Philippine contemporary fiction, it's so cool to read stories, especially of this fascinating genre and caliber, set in places I know or I've been to. Like it's very cool to visualize and to think, whoa, that's not so far away from where I am right now. I also thought of this partly because I've lived my entire life in the province until now, and not a lot of contemporary and easy-to-find published fiction is set where I'm from (something that will hopefully change in the future). I'm so excited to explore the rest of this universe with Alexandra Trese and her motley crew.
Case 1: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street - Right off the bat the idea of the underworld as a force that restores balance is intriguing. I'm expecting this to be a recurring theme throughout the series. Also, you can get
Spoiler
mermaid bones from aswangs running an underground crime ringCase 2: Rules of the Race - I really like this one. The interpretation of the myth in question for the modern setting is so unique and I'm such a fan of how it was presented here. Who else would have thought of a
Spoiler
tikbalang who wants to prove himself, so he disguises himself to participate in drag racingSpoiler
tikbalang chief and the race between Trese and the young tikbalang where his glamour was unveiledCase 3: The Tragic Case of Dr. Burgos - First thing I notice is the art. Really stands out in this case in particular. Nothing much to say about the storyline. It was fine, I feel like I'm just not a fan in general of plots driven by that type of motivation like,
Spoiler
dude you deserve better, just move on. Also stop killing random innocent people for that, the fuck. Then again, there's a reason why this type of thing (the cheating, not the killing) is so recurrent in plots and who am I to judge others, really. But also, if a person cheats how much does s/he really love the other person? I know it's not black-and-white but it's time we stop normalizing cheating and start normalizing communication if there are problems in the relationship or if you feel the urge to act on your attraction to other people, hello? Once again, don't cheatCase 4: Our Constellation - What a twist about a certain character's identity! Just how wide is the scope of Trese's universe? Anyway, this one made me kind of sad. And the worst thing is the plot revolves around something that isn't at all confined in the pages of this book; these things happen in reality, and more often than not justice is left wanting. Some people just deserve to rot, and
Spoiler
I'm glad the rapists got what they deserved in this one, but saddened at the cost. They got what they deserved not because of the (broken) justice system that favors the rich and powerful but because of a young boy's love and sacrifice for his sister and that's so fucked upJust a thought: as someone who just got into Philippine contemporary fiction, it's so cool to read stories, especially of this fascinating genre and caliber, set in places I know or I've been to. Like it's very cool to visualize and to think, whoa, that's not so far away from where I am right now. I also thought of this partly because I've lived my entire life in the province until now, and not a lot of contemporary and easy-to-find published fiction is set where I'm from (something that will hopefully change in the future). I'm so excited to explore the rest of this universe with Alexandra Trese and her motley crew.
kimyxbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Murder on Balete Drive | Budjette Tan, KaJo Baldisimo
When the night casts darkness over Manila, the mythical creatures such as Tikbalangs, White Ladies and aswangs are at work and causing trouble. One name is famed to solve such crimes: Alexandra Trese. She is deep at work to keep the balance between the physical and underworlds.
--
This is a compilion of four Trese comic stories of Tan and Balisimo. I love the work they've done to further and modernize Filipino mythology.
The entire book felt episodic. Only when I got to the Afterword that I understood why: this is a compilation, not a graphic novel meant to be taken as a whole. Even so, I am not familiar to the format, so my assessment to this piece is purely of enjoyment as a reader and vibes.
I enjoyed the folklore the most and the weaving of stories that are familiar and given a twist. The worldbuilding is entertaining as much as it is nostalgic. As a reader though, I wanted to know more anout Trese's character, and that is the most of what I am missing. She does cool things, but as a character in this first book, she feels flat because she seems infallible. She has the spunk for it and the confidence but I yearned for more background, more snippets about who she is as a character. Because without it gets predictable as time goes. She always seems to have the contacts, always seem to have the right leads. I kind of hoped there was more in those aspects in each story.
Saying that, I'm certainly in it for more of these.
When the night casts darkness over Manila, the mythical creatures such as Tikbalangs, White Ladies and aswangs are at work and causing trouble. One name is famed to solve such crimes: Alexandra Trese. She is deep at work to keep the balance between the physical and underworlds.
--
This is a compilion of four Trese comic stories of Tan and Balisimo. I love the work they've done to further and modernize Filipino mythology.
The entire book felt episodic. Only when I got to the Afterword that I understood why: this is a compilation, not a graphic novel meant to be taken as a whole. Even so, I am not familiar to the format, so my assessment to this piece is purely of enjoyment as a reader and vibes.
I enjoyed the folklore the most and the weaving of stories that are familiar and given a twist. The worldbuilding is entertaining as much as it is nostalgic. As a reader though, I wanted to know more anout Trese's character, and that is the most of what I am missing. She does cool things, but as a character in this first book, she feels flat because she seems infallible. She has the spunk for it and the confidence but I yearned for more background, more snippets about who she is as a character. Because without it gets predictable as time goes. She always seems to have the contacts, always seem to have the right leads. I kind of hoped there was more in those aspects in each story.
Saying that, I'm certainly in it for more of these.
bugboi32's review against another edition
5.0
I enjoyed volume 1. I had watched the Netflix series first and found the two to be different enough that both are thouroughly enjoyable. I really appreciate the pages set up like log entries that share more information on the mythological/folk creatures.