I finally got my copy of THE COMPLETE COPYBOOK TALES and was shocked to find out that J.Torres and Tim Levins ripped-off my life. Even worse, they wrote a more exciting version of my life. (Actually, I said the same thing after watching Kevin Smith’s MALLRATS.)
Each episode of THE COPYBOOK TALES happens in two timelines. It always shows the lead character Jaime Cruz, as a comic book fanboy in the 80s and as a struggling comic book writer in the 90s. And every little detail of his life just seemed to mirror my life.
Jaime Cruz had a barkada who loved comic books. They always rushed to the comic book store every week during New Comic Book Day. He had a younger brother who called him kuya and pestered him when they were kids. He wore a black jacket, which he never seemed to take off. He and his friends watched STAR WARS dozens of times and acted out scenes in public. He kept a journal, which he called his Copybook, which eventually became the source of his comic book, which is the comic book that I read. How very metafictional. (Oooh… big word, I haven’t used since college…. getting headache)
Then there’s Jaime Cruz in the 90s. In between odd jobs, he’s trying to pitch his super-hero comic book and at the same time trying to write a new one… trying to deal with his writer’s block, hoping that watching the next couple of TV shows would eventually inspire him.
That was me. Went through all that. Maybe he experience things that I didn’t and vice-versa. But the similarities are just uncanny.
If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll like this book.
If you grew up in the 80s and collected comic books, you’ll love this book.
If you were forced to take on the responsibilities of a grown-up in the 90s and struggled to make your dreams come true while doing odd jobs, then you really have to get a copy of THE COMPLETE COPYBOOK TALES.
I got my copy at Central Comic Headquarters. 3rd floor, FRB Arcade, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. Tel (632)433-0898. www.cchq.com.ph
Actually, I got their last copy. New copies will arrive in a week or two. Just give them a call.
Each episode of THE COPYBOOK TALES happens in two timelines. It always shows the lead character Jaime Cruz, as a comic book fanboy in the 80s and as a struggling comic book writer in the 90s. And every little detail of his life just seemed to mirror my life.
Jaime Cruz had a barkada who loved comic books. They always rushed to the comic book store every week during New Comic Book Day. He had a younger brother who called him kuya and pestered him when they were kids. He wore a black jacket, which he never seemed to take off. He and his friends watched STAR WARS dozens of times and acted out scenes in public. He kept a journal, which he called his Copybook, which eventually became the source of his comic book, which is the comic book that I read. How very metafictional. (Oooh… big word, I haven’t used since college…. getting headache)
Then there’s Jaime Cruz in the 90s. In between odd jobs, he’s trying to pitch his super-hero comic book and at the same time trying to write a new one… trying to deal with his writer’s block, hoping that watching the next couple of TV shows would eventually inspire him.
That was me. Went through all that. Maybe he experience things that I didn’t and vice-versa. But the similarities are just uncanny.
If you grew up in the 80s, you’ll like this book.
If you grew up in the 80s and collected comic books, you’ll love this book.
If you were forced to take on the responsibilities of a grown-up in the 90s and struggled to make your dreams come true while doing odd jobs, then you really have to get a copy of THE COMPLETE COPYBOOK TALES.
I got my copy at Central Comic Headquarters. 3rd floor, FRB Arcade, Katipunan Avenue, Quezon City. Tel (632)433-0898. www.cchq.com.ph
Actually, I got their last copy. New copies will arrive in a week or two. Just give them a call.