Review by Karl Verhoven
Volumes of Trese can be read individually while building a bigger picture, so while it’s not the complete explanation, as a starting point it’s worth noting that Alexandra Trese is the current practitioner in a generational business of protecting Manila from supernatural threats. As such, she operates in a dark world encountering creatures from Filipino myths skilfully adapted as threats. What new readers should be aware of is Trese straddling a world of possibilities where much is not as it appears, so artist Kajo Baldisimo will switch between the realities as perceived by humans and those more attuned to the supernatural. Trese herself is an abrupt, not very friendly personality, never seen smiling, so the weight of her responsibilities is an ever present accompaniment. For all that, she cares, otherwise she wouldn’t help, and she’s powerful enough to deal with most threats, her reputation being enough in many cases.
Pretty much the entire background to the series was revealed in Mass Murders, leaving Last Seen After Midnight to feature new threats, starting with plant elementals, one of them seen on Baldisimo’s astonishingly atmospheric sample art. ‘Candena de Amor’ exemplifies Budjette Tan’s skilful plotting, introducing the threat before the solution, taking a visit to the supernatural, including a despicable real world blight and supplying a very satisfying solution. Along the way, as in the remainder, Tan includes creative, if gruesome, methods used by Trese to ferret out evidence. “From the flames of the great Binondo fire I call upon you o great Santelmo”. The language is a little less flowery, but at times she’s not far removed from Doctor Strange in such situations.
Baldisimo’s thoughtful approach to the creation of horror is indicated by pages that could be seen as ending a story symbolically, or separate to it. For the final story he creates one impressive demon after another. His more traditional pages are drawn in stark black and white, the panels often framed in black rather than white, emphasising the darkness of Filipino mythology. However, if an ordinary street scene is required, Baldisimo’s supplies recognisable locations in admirable detail.
Each story here is a delight. The possibility of a gang war follows the plant elementals, then a formidably obese demon that squats on people, with an exploration of boxing closing the collection. They’re creative, apply an understanding of human emotion and Tan’s a master at taking the path less followed, so nothing is ever predictable other than Trese coming out on top. If you’ve enjoyed the Trese animations on Netflix, you really should investigate the graphic novels. Midnight Tribunal is next.
