The Mother and Daughter Led Company Teams Up with an all-Asian, All-Female International Creative Team for an Epic Philippine Mythology-inspired Adventure
Timed to Women’s History Month, Kwento Comics, the trailblazing Filipino-American comic book publisher, is partnering with Clover Press for a Kickstarter campaign to publish the second volume of The Mask of Haliya, a dark urban fantasy graphic novel inspired by Philippine mythology. Written by Kaitlyn Fajilan, with art from Susan Bin and Vik Caedo, colors by Liz Buenaventura, lettered by Kiela Sibal, and edited by Arielle Jovellanos – The Mask of Haliya Volume 2: Echoes of the Forgotten Past follows Filipina-American teenager Marisol Reyes, as she grapples with the life-changing power of the magical mask she inherited from her great grandmother. The deluxe hardcover is available now on Kickstarter.
“Kwento Comics is rooted in the Filipino word kwento,meaning ‘story,” said Kwento Comics Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer Cecilia Lim. “We believe in the transformative power of storytelling to inspire, empower, and connect communities across the globe. Every story we tell, every panel we create, and every character we breathe life into reflects our mission: to uplift diverse voices and celebrate the richness of Asian heritage, culture, and identity.”
As darkness rises and family secrets are revealed, The Mask of Haliya: Echoes of the Forgotten Past plunges fans deeper into the soul of ancient Filipino mythology, where sinister forces stir and paths begin to intertwine. Haunted by fragmented memories, Isla races against time to unearth her buried past and protect the Mask’s new heir. Meanwhile, Mari grapples with her emerging powers and an awakening that thrusts her into unchartered territories. Deep within the forest, a malevolent organization’s activities draw suspicion as whispers of forbidden rituals and monstrous creatures surface. The Mask of Haliya: Echoes of the Forgotten Past will be available as a 192-page Deluxe Hardcover via Kickstarter.
“In this latest volume, Mari’s emotional journey takes quite the turn. As someone who has always maintained a very guarded front, Mari starts to emerge from her cocoon under Bella’s tutelage,” explains writer Kaitlyn Fajilan. “Slowly, her internal perspective shifts from that of worrying that all she does is hurt people, to believing that harnessing her ‘true’ self can allow her to *help* people. She dares to hope that she can make real friendships, win her mother’s approval, perhaps even fall in love. However, as the girl comes more and more into her own, that new sense of self begins to splinter. A *second* Mari emerges–a darker one, one that is simultaneously tumultuous and composed. A persona that that may or may not be connected to the moon goddess Haliya. The formation of this new identity is sure to bring about further complications and revelations, culminating in a seismic battle that launches us into the second half of this arc.”
Kwento Comics was founded by a mother and daughter team, Cecilia and Waverley Lim, who were inspired to create a solution to the lack of Asian American representation in media. Their goal in launching the company is to create lead Asian female characters on the page, while also highlighting the talented Asian women artists and writers in an industry that is heavily male-dominated. With the release of Kwento Comics’ second graphic novel, the company cements its reputation as a source of empowerment and inspiration for women in the arts around the world.
“It’s truly been such a special and rewarding experience working with an all female creative team not only because of all the beautiful work that our team puts out, but that I’m able to see Asian women at the forefront of creative and entrepreneurial endeavors,” says Kwento Comics Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer Waverley Lim. “It’s empowering knowing that we don’t have to ask for a seat at the table, when we can just make our own. We deserve to see ourselves in every space, including graphic novels, which has been such a wonderful way to visually show and immerse audiences in the mythology from our islands in the Philippines. The Philippines and its people are full of such color and life, so it was important that our artwork reflected this.”
“I’m so pleased to continue the MASK OF HALIYA series of books at Clover Press,” said Clover Press Publisher Hank Kanalz. “The ladies at Kwento are telling such a compelling story, and one steeped in mythology. We’ve all grown up hearing these stories from our parents, and Kwento is bringing them into modern light.”
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About Kwento Comics: Kwento Comics is a pioneering Filipino-American comic book publisher committed to amplifying diverse voices and celebrating the rich heritage of Filipino culture. Kwento Comics is the first all-women, all-Asian comic book company highlighting Filipino and Asian mythology through the medium of graphic novels. With their compelling stories, stunning artwork, and unwavering dedication to representation, Kwento Comics aims to inspire and entertain readers worldwide. For more information, visit www.kwentocomics.com.
About Clover Press: Headed by IDW co-founder Robbie Robbins and former DC executive Hank Kanalz, Clover Press publishes a wide variety of collected and original content ranging from re-mastered reprints of classic newspaper strips to horror graphic novels, and high-quality art books. Clover Press is working with a wide variety of creators including Kevin Eastman, Steve Niles, Gabriel Rodriguez, Ruben Bolling, Richard Bennett, Ray Troll, John K. Snyder III, Stewart Kenneth Moore, Aron Wiesenfeld, David Mack, Alex Maleev, David Nakayama, Russell Dauterman, Michael Allred, and more.
About Cecilia Lim: Cecilia Lim is a first-generation American Filipina. Her career spans the realms of law, business, and creative storytelling. As an attorney with over two decades of corporate law and technology expertise, she brings a sharp intellect and strategic mindset to all her endeavors. Driven by a passion for her heritage, she founded Kwento Comics, where she serves as CEO, aiming to elevate and reimagine Filipino mythology for a global audience. Furthermore, she also serves as Chief Business Officer and President of Halo Halo Corp. The Halo Halo app seeks to create an unforgettable digital experience by merging top-tier content with cutting-edge technology. Her unique blend of professional skills, community service and cultural passion defines her multifaceted career. Cecilia holds a BA in Economics from the University of Illinois and a JD from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law.
About Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan: Kaitlyn Fae Fajilan is an award-winning Filipina-American filmmaker, writer, actor, and musician. In addition to her work on Haliya, Kaitlyn is the head writer of the upcoming television show Dreamwalker: Awakenings, produced by 108 Media and based on the supernatural comic book series of the same name by Mikey Sutton. Past writing positions include being an independent contractor for the television network, ABS-CBN, and Director of Writing for Filam Creative, a Los-Angeles based organization dedicated to the advancement of Filipinx in media and entertainment. Kaitlyn’s directing filmography includes the indie rom-com, Fruit Fly, which won Audience Choice at the 2021 San Diego Filipino Film Festival, and other movies like Madeira (Best Music, 2018 Feedback Female Film Festival), Undie Run (Best Director Finalist, 2019 Women’s Comedy Atlanta Film Festival), and the upcoming One Pine.
About Waverley Lim: Waverley Lim is a Filipina-American actress and Co-Founder and COO of Kwento Comics. She recently graduated cum laude from UCLA’s School of Theater, Film, and Television. Seeing a need for more representation for Asian women, she co-founded Kwento Comics with her mother in order to provide opportunities for more Asian women creatives to shine in the arts. She hopes to bring more stories to life that honor the rich cultural landscape and diversity of the AAPI community.