Reviews
The Mythology Class: Where Philippine Legends Become Reality (a Graphic Novel) by Arnold Arre
_kael_'s review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Book language: English, 1 character speaking Tagalog, Engkanto-related text are written in baybayin, but I don't understand 99.99% of what is written
- Easy to remember characters
- Many diverse, memorable, imperfect, humorous and grounded protagonists. Reminds you of college friendship
- I usually don't appreciate low fantasy if my term is correct, but I appreciate the mixing of modernity and folklore in the book. It is effective for me in a magical way
- Nice build up, fast ending and romance. I didn't feel it that much. Action-packed focus, fast pased thicc graphic novel
- I feel like you will be quick to catch up if you pick the book up again mid-read
- I don't know why Bob is the only one speaking Tagalog
- Enjoyed it. Would keep for a while, maybe do a reread. Would read part two
- Easy to remember characters
- Many diverse, memorable, imperfect, humorous and grounded protagonists. Reminds you of college friendship
Spoiler
- The villains gave a generic feel which is somewhat unexpected due to the fact that they're aswang. If my knowledge is correct, they are the most feared engkanto in the entire PH in the past. But that is overshadowed by the protagonists personalities- I usually don't appreciate low fantasy if my term is correct, but I appreciate the mixing of modernity and folklore in the book. It is effective for me in a magical way
Spoiler
- Somewhat deus ex machina ending- Nice build up, fast ending and romance. I didn't feel it that much. Action-packed focus, fast pased thicc graphic novel
- I feel like you will be quick to catch up if you pick the book up again mid-read
- I don't know why Bob is the only one speaking Tagalog
- Enjoyed it. Would keep for a while, maybe do a reread. Would read part two
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Violence, Toxic relationship, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Murder, Physical abuse, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Genocide, Gore, and Gun violence
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Alcohol, and Animal death
feeling ko mas marami pa tong content warningsangiebarthel03's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
shelfcheckout's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
earldizon's review against another edition
5.0
The Mythology Class should be considered alongside Watchmen as a classic graphic novel. Originally published as single-issue comics in 1999 in the Philippines, Arnold Arre's masterpiece makes it US debut in this special edition.
Audacious and epic are just two words to describe this graphic novel featuring a hodgepodge collection of college students surprisingly and suddenly bound together to battle supernatural beings.
There are moments that were definitely signs of its times and doesn't age well yet there is a timelessness with the story that will leave readers enthralled and completely anticipating what comes next for the characters in the upcoming sequel The Children of Bathala.
Audacious and epic are just two words to describe this graphic novel featuring a hodgepodge collection of college students surprisingly and suddenly bound together to battle supernatural beings.
There are moments that were definitely signs of its times and doesn't age well yet there is a timelessness with the story that will leave readers enthralled and completely anticipating what comes next for the characters in the upcoming sequel The Children of Bathala.
itskathr's review
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
emmaraeempowered's review
3.0
When I saw this in the library I was instantly intrigued seeing that it was about Philippine mythology. I have never read anything about Philippine and this looked like a cool way to learn and see some visuals.
I liked the story line and thought it was really interesting, I liked the characters and how they all played an important role in defeating the enemy. I also really enjoyed the pace of this.
The one thing I didn't like was all the fatphobia within the story. This was written in 1999 and I was trying to keep that in mind when reading but it was excessive. One character is constantly being the joke of the group even her "love interest" constantly calls her fat, uses the word cellulite dozens of times, her friends constantly refer to her "weight problems" and how she needs to stop "pigging out". Even in one scene where a character has a godly power to whisk characters away from danger, theres a moment where it doesnt work and the character says something like "Ugh i've told her to handle her weight problem!!" Like...if you have a godly power how would weight effect that?
Anyway, I liked the artwork and am looking forward to reading other books about Philippine mythology and legends.
I liked the story line and thought it was really interesting, I liked the characters and how they all played an important role in defeating the enemy. I also really enjoyed the pace of this.
The one thing I didn't like was all the fatphobia within the story. This was written in 1999 and I was trying to keep that in mind when reading but it was excessive. One character is constantly being the joke of the group even her "love interest" constantly calls her fat, uses the word cellulite dozens of times, her friends constantly refer to her "weight problems" and how she needs to stop "pigging out". Even in one scene where a character has a godly power to whisk characters away from danger, theres a moment where it doesnt work and the character says something like "Ugh i've told her to handle her weight problem!!" Like...if you have a godly power how would weight effect that?
Anyway, I liked the artwork and am looking forward to reading other books about Philippine mythology and legends.
ganesteh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
booksandsunsets's review against another edition
5.0
I discovered this artwork when I read this during my HS days because it was a requirement. Past forward a few years when half of our house library was swallowed by termites, destroying my 2014 edition (which was also the last copy of Fullybooked at the time). Just last year, out of nowhere I remembered this book and I just had to get my copy. Good thing Chamber Shell still has the 2014 edition (which I prefer because of the nostalgia it gives me and the cover is just breathtaking). I have to wait for almost 2 months to get my copy due to Covid but the wait is absolutely worth it. Of course, I also have my copy of Trip to Tagaytay and Halina Filipina, which I can't find anywhere by the way.
Back to the actual review. This obra is just one of a kind. My backstory just shows you how this piece stayed with me more than 10 years after. I felt a lot of emotions while reading, from laughing at Misha and Rey to sitting at the edge of my seat during the attack of the Aswangs and from feeling butterflies due to Kubin and Nicole's kiss to tearing up with their final goodbye. The beautiful illustrations are truly amazing to witness. I love how the illustrations show the transitions from Nicole's present to a memory of her grandfather. I rarely get teary-eyed in any book but this book moved me to tears when the storyline goes to Nicole's grandfather. It's also beautiful how the romance between Kubin and Nicole enhances the storyline. The breakthrough of Gina gave me goosebumps as she, finally, stood up for herself after years of abuse. The story just gives a variety of characters where you can definitely relate to and be part of their adventure.
I'm just in awe of this creation and I recommend this to everyone. Get yourself a copy and "Don't forget these stories for who knows.. Maybe someday you might find yourself in one of them".
Back to the actual review. This obra is just one of a kind. My backstory just shows you how this piece stayed with me more than 10 years after. I felt a lot of emotions while reading, from laughing at Misha and Rey to sitting at the edge of my seat during the attack of the Aswangs and from feeling butterflies due to Kubin and Nicole's kiss to tearing up with their final goodbye. The beautiful illustrations are truly amazing to witness. I love how the illustrations show the transitions from Nicole's present to a memory of her grandfather. I rarely get teary-eyed in any book but this book moved me to tears when the storyline goes to Nicole's grandfather. It's also beautiful how the romance between Kubin and Nicole enhances the storyline. The breakthrough of Gina gave me goosebumps as she, finally, stood up for herself after years of abuse. The story just gives a variety of characters where you can definitely relate to and be part of their adventure.
I'm just in awe of this creation and I recommend this to everyone. Get yourself a copy and "Don't forget these stories for who knows.. Maybe someday you might find yourself in one of them".
book_telle's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
informative
inspiring
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? N/A
4.0
luciuh's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
ABSOLUTE BANGER OF A BOOK!! so much fun!!!!!! i don’t want to call it light-hearted but it rlly is such a fun fun read! amazing art and action scenes and very addictive! i will most certainly be rereading this!