Komiks Review: Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium

I can describe the Quarterly Bathroom Companion Comics Compendium (QBCCC from this point on, the full name is quite a mouthful) as the 'big,bad wolf' of local anthology indies. 'Big' because what was supposed to be a 50 page volume turned into a 100+ pager, split volume due to the number of contributions. 'Bad' is mostly self-explanatory. The QBCCC is intended for mature audiences as it contains a lot of adult situations, nudity and sex, profanity (a whole story revolved around it!) and other themes not suitable for minors. And like a 'wolf' because it grabs the reader by the jaw and never lets go up until he/she finished the whole thing.

Volume 1's covers were done by the amazing Mervin Malonzo (of Tabi Po fame) both of which are (Alex) Niñoesque portraits that only he can deliver. As mentioned earlier, the volume is split into 2 because of physical limits and comes with a special pink bookmark with the QBCCC logo printed on it. Although the anthology is photocopied, the quality is top notch with each page coming crisp and mostly error-free.

As for the contributors, the line-up is stellar: Josel Nicolas, D.J. Legaspi, the aforementioned Mervin Malonzo, Adam David, Apols Sta. Maria, Hub Pacheco, Teddy Pavon, Jobert Cruz, Jim Faustino, Noel Pascual, Bugsy Garcia, Tilde Acuña, AJ Bernando, Pleasebury Doughboy, Ammathorn Norby Ela and the enigmatic 'Rex' are all in there.

QBCCC Vol.1 has that flavor akin to Heavy Metal (the adult magazine), MAD and Fangoria placed in a blender. A good mix of satire, toilet humor, gore, sex, weirdness and other unconventional genres go together. An unholy matrimony of the immaculate and foul, like shit in a sparkling clean toilet bowl as the authors would like to commonly represent the anthology. And that might be the what they are aiming for: a great read that's hard to put down and can be taken anywhere especially in the john. 

This one's a solid read no doubt. QBCCC's mature content may put off a lot of readers but then again, it is not for everyone in the first place. And the price might be a bit daunting for most buyers but it is reasonable: no other anthology has this much excellent content and suffice to say the covers and the bookmark are worth the purchase already.   

The QBCCC is coming up with a 2nd volume and promises to bring more than what they had from the first volume. You can follow the activities and hijinks of the gang through their official Facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/qbccc.