''The Mythology Class'' is a Philippine

graphic novel A graphic novel is a self-contained, book-length form of sequential art. The term ''graphic novel'' is often applied broadly, including fiction, non-fiction, and Anthology, anthologized work, though this practice is highly contested by comics sc ...

written and illustrated by

Arnold Arre Clem Arnold Lawrence Arre (born September 2, 1971) is a Filipino comic book writer, artist and self-taught animator best known for his graphic novels '' The Mythology Class'' (1999) and '' Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat'' (2006). He was born in Metro ...

. It was originally published by Arre in four issues in 1999, and was collected into a special edition by Adarna House in September 2005. The latest edition is a reprint of the special collected edition, published in November 2014 by Nautilus Comics. The original series won a Manila Critics Circle National Book Award on September 11, 2000, and is the first to win in the Comic Books category. In November 2018, Arnold Arre announced he was making a direct sequel to The Mythology Class titled, The Children of

Bathala In the indigenous religion of the ancient Tagalogs, Bathalà/Maykapál was the transcendent Supreme God, the originator and ruler of the universe. He is commonly known and referred to in the modern era as Bathalà, a term or title which, in ...

. The first volume was released a year later on its 20th anniversary.

Synopsis

Summoned to a secret gathering one stormy night by the mysterious Mrs. Enkanta,

University of the Philippines The University of the Philippines (UP; ) is a Higher education in the Philippines#State universities and colleges, state university system in the Philippines. It is the country's national university, as mandated by List of Philippine laws, Re ...

anthropology Anthropology is the scientific study of humanity, concerned with human behavior, human biology, cultures, society, societies, and linguistics, in both the present and past, including archaic humans. Social anthropology studies patterns of behav ...

student Nicole Lacson finds herself face to face with tikbalangs, kapres, and all sorts of engkantos— Philippine mythical creatures—she had only heard about from her grandfather's stories. Together with newfound friends, she embarks on a quest into the realm of myth and folklore where she fights alongside heroes of her childhood against an age-old terror. Follow in their footsteps as their adventure takes them through the familiar streets of Metro Manila and into a world more fascinating than they had ever imagined. The story also invokes historical and mythological Filipino heroes like Sulayman and Lam-ang.

Plot

A group of students desperate for their thesis, including Nicole whose thesis was rejected, was summoned by a mysterious Mrs. Enkanta to solve a mysterious and horrible truth on myths.

Citation by the Manila Critics Circle

"This four-issue series is a landmark in itself: a comic book that combines Filipino myths and legends with modern humor, action and sensibility. The result is a quirky, enjoyable comic book series that is thoroughly modern and Filipino in its approach. Through his distinctive art and story, Arre imbues his young warriors with a spunk, spark, and whimsy that resonate with any reader. In ''The Mythology Class'', Arre gives us a glimpse of all that a truly Filipino comic book, drawing on all our multifarious influences, can become, all with a confident and unique style all his own."

Potential film adaptation

In October 2015,

Jerrold Tarog Jerrold Viacrucis Tarog (; born May 30, 1977) is a Filipinos, Filipino film director, screenwriter, producer, editor, and composer. He is best known for directing ''Heneral Luna'' (2015), ''Bliss (2017 film), Bliss'' (2017) and ''Goyo: The Boy ...

announced that he would direct a

film adaptation A film adaptation transfers the details or story of an existing source text, such as a novel, into a feature film. This transfer can involve adapting most details of the source text closely, including characters or plot points, or the original sou ...

of ''The Mythology Class'', and

Jade Castro Jade Francis Castro (born August 21, 1978) is a Filipino film director, screenwriter, and producer. He is best known for writing and directing ''Endo'' (2007), and ''Zombadings 1: Patayin sa Shokot si Remington'' (2011). Early and personal lif ...

came on board as his co-writer. The project was given the

green-light In the context of the film and television industries, to greenlight is to give permission to proceed with a project. It specifically refers to formally approving its production finance and committing to this financing, thereby allowing the projec ...

after Tarog successfully pitched the idea to the producers of ''

Heneral Luna ''Heneral Luna'' () is a 2015 Filipino epic war film starring John Arcilla as the titular character Antonio Luna who led the Philippine Revolutionary Army during the early phases of the Philippine–American War. Directed by Jerrold Tarog and ...

'', a film he directed the same year. He envisions the film as being divided into two cinematic parts. Tarog himself has praised the graphic novel, saying it "remains potent and exhilarating" since its first publication, and complimented Arre as someone whose "imagination and creativity soar to dizzying heights". Owing to its success, he hired Arre and his wife to design the poster for his film '' Senior Year'' (2010). In December 2016, Tarog told ''

Esquire Esquire (, ; abbreviated Esq.) is usually a courtesy title. In the United Kingdom, ''esquire'' historically was a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank, particularly members of the landed gentry above the rank of gentleman ...

''s Philippine edition that the project was still under way, reiterating that he and Castro had been working on the screenplay.

References

External links