MANILA -- The Leinil Yu variant cover of Aero #1, the Marvel comic book that features the origin of the publisher’s latest Filipina superheroine was released last Sunday, August 11, at Comic Odyssey at Robinson’s Galleria.

Aero #1 was released several weeks ago, but the Yu variant was delayed and only arrived in Philippine shores right before the weekend. The multi-part origin story titled, “Aero & Wave: Origins & Destinies” is written by Greg Pak and illustrated by Pop Mhan with colors by Federico Blee.

Over 300 comic book fans trooped to Comic Odyssey to have their copies of Aero #1 and Agents of Atlas #1 with variant covers by Filipino artists Mico Suayan, Carlo Pagulayan, and Yu signed. The variant covers are exclusive to comic Odyssey and Filbar’s.

“The signing for the Agents of Atlas #1 that featured the Mico Suayan variant cover was huge but this one was bigger,” noted Comic Odyssey owner Sandy Sansolis. “We expected a huge turnout but this was even better.”

Added long-time comic book fan Jason Inocencio: “For a Filipina superhero to be co-created by a Filipino, with her first appearance on a cover drawn by another Filipino, to be so welcomed in her own land by her fellow Pinoys, it is a testament to our desire to support a hero we can truly call our own. And Wave is that hero.”

“It is a great time to be a comics and pop culture fan,” said Rengie Galvez, who is one of the team managers for the La Salle Greenhills Greenies basketball team. “We have a lot of Filipinos gracing popular titles and making names for themselves. Overall, the excitement of the Marvel Cinematic Universe films and toys in general are making it a cool time for collectors, fans, and newcomers alike.”

Arriving in local comic book stores on August 14 is Age of Conan Valeria #1 that sports a variant cover painted by Jay Anacleto who is known for his lavish art on titles such as Image Comics’ Aria, and the latest issue of Batman and the Outsiders that features interior artwork by Dexter Soy.

This coming October, however, will see a deluge of output from local artists.

Books that will hit the racks include the highly anticipated release of X-Men #1 written by Jonathan Hickman with art by Leinil Francis Yu; and The Joker: Year of the Villain one-short with a story penned by legendary filmmaker John Carpenter with art by Filipino artist Philip Tan.

Tan is also doing a variant cover for the release of Marvel’s Marauders #1 that will also be released.

And lastly, artist Stephen Segovia’s work will also be showcased in Contagion, a five-issue limited series that is written by Ed Brisson.