Kwento Comics and Clover Press Announce THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON Graphic Novel

Kwento Comics and Clover Press Announce THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON Graphic Novel

To celebrate Filipino American History Month, Kwento Comics, a pioneering Filipino-American comic book publisher, has partnered with Clover Press for an exciting Kickstarter campaign. The campaign aims to bring readers the graphic novel inspired by Philippine mythology, THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON. The 200-page deluxe hardcover YA graphic novel follows the journey of a troubled Filipina-American teenager who stumbles upon a mysterious mask at her great-grandmother’s wake.

The graphic novel is the result of the collaborative efforts of an all-Asian, all-female creative team from around the world. It showcases the talents of a diverse group of writers and artists, with a new cover by renowned comic book artist Haining.

Kwento Comics was founded by the mother-and-daughter team of Cecilia and Waverley Lim, who were motivated by the lack of Asian American representation in the media. Their objective in establishing the company was to feature Asian female lead characters, while also highlighting the skills of Asian women artists and writers within a male-dominated industry.

Recognizing the absence of Asian, and particularly Filipino, characters, roles, and mythology in film, television, and comic books, Cecilia Lim expressed:

“We wanted to be part of the solution and create stories that introduce Filipino and other Asian mythos to a wider audience.” Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer, Waverley Lim further emphasized the importance of representation and the significance of sharing stories and experiences through authentic female creators.

THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON marks Kwento Comics’ inaugural release, with a series of books planned for future publication by Clover Press. The graphic novel tackles themes such as mental health, intergenerational trauma, and corruption, placing significant emphasis on its female characters, all from the perspective of female creators.

The creative team behind THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON features writer Kaitlyn Fajilan, artist Renoida Renovilla, editor/art supervisor Jenapher Zheng, colorist Charlyn Duy, and co-founder/COO Waverley Lim.

To go into more detail about the story, seventeen-year-old Marisol Reyes is seeking a fresh start after facing expulsion from multiple schools due to her unsettling behavior. Sent to the Philippines by her overbearing mother, Mari’s hopes for a normal life are shattered when she discovers a mysterious wooden mask at her recently deceased Lola Talia’s wake.

This mask unlocks terrifying visions and abilities within Mari, setting her on a path of adventure and self-discovery. With new allies and formidable adversaries, Mari must navigate a world teetering on the edge of darkness to find her rightful place in the heart of Cebu. In the midst of it all, an ancient power awakens, and The Mask has chosen its new heir.

Clover Press publisher Hank Kanalz expressed his enthusiasm for publishing THE MASK OF HALIYA, acknowledging the significant contributions of Filipinos to the history of comics. He is thrilled to contribute to the representation of Filipino culture on the pages of comics.

The Kickstarter campaign for THE MASK OF HALIYA: HEIR TO THE WARRIOR MOON is currently live and will continue throughout Filipino American History Month.