A Quest to Fulfill
Set off in a mythological voyage with Kara Bodegon-Hikino’s Filipino folklore-inspired graphic novel.
Words Rica Mae Labbao
Photo courtesy of Kara Bodegon-Hikino
November 18, 2025
Kara Bodegon-Hikino with Squalo and Mage
Kara Bodegon-Hikino is ready to transport readers on a fantastical journey with Philippine mythical creatures in the upcoming launch of her graphic novel, Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa, on May 26, 2026, via HarperCollins/HarperAlley.
As the first installment in a duology, the book is Kara’s debut in the comic industry, which narrates a colorful and imaginative perspective of Filipino mythology and heritage.
It follows Mage and her best friend, who sailed along the high and low tides to fulfill the last wish of her deceased father—to find the legendary guardian of the sea, the Bakunawa.
Squalo and Mage Cover
Along the expedition, the best friends are relentlessly chased down by the Nightmare Maker, Ventrolio, and his monsters until they learn of the unfortunate realities the Bakunawa has been doing.
Together, they find a way to stop the Bakunawa and answer all the lingering questions they have after the tragic passing of Mage’s father.
According to Kara, the novel started out as a mini comic about a December Avenue song she often hears.
“Long story short, I pitched the idea of turning it into a graphic novel to literary agents, signed with my dream agent, and ultimately scored a book deal. Fully bringing it to life took me around five years, so this story isn't short at all,” she shared.
For her, this graphic novel is a tribute to the Filipino music scene by including sneaky easter eggs in-between pages of the novel—a little shout-out from her professional career.
Kara Bodegon-Hikino is a Filipino illustrator and semi-retired music journalist who previously wrote for publications like Billboard, Bandwagon Asia, and PULP Magazine. She is now currently doing PR for music acts from across Southeast Asia while living the life with her husband and son in Manila.
For interested customers, Squalo & Mage vs. the Rage of the Bakunawa is open for preorder here, while requests for galleys via Edelweiss and Netgalley will be open soon.
