📖 Overview
Budjette Tan is a Filipino comic book writer and creative director best known for co-creating the horror/crime comic series Trese with artist Kajo Baldisimo. The series, which began publication in 2005, combines Filipino folklore with detective noir storytelling.
Tan's work on Trese earned significant recognition in the Philippines and internationally, leading to the series being adapted into a Netflix animated series in 2021. Beyond comics, he has worked as a creative director in advertising and currently serves as Creative Director for LEGO Agency in Denmark.
His storytelling frequently draws from Philippine mythology and urban legends, weaving them into contemporary settings. Tan's other works include The Lost Journal of Alejandro Pardo and several other comic projects that explore supernatural themes within Filipino culture.
Tan has been credited with helping to revitalize interest in Philippine mythology through his modern interpretations and making these stories accessible to new generations of readers. His background in advertising and marketing has informed his approach to visual storytelling and brand development within his creative works.
👀 Reviews
Readers highlight Tan's skill at blending Filipino mythology with modern crime noir in Trese. Reviews emphasize how the stories make traditional folklore accessible while maintaining cultural authenticity.
What readers liked:
- Fresh take on supernatural detective stories
- Introduction to Filipino mythology for international readers
- Strong world-building and atmosphere
- Complex female protagonist
- Art style complements the dark tone
What readers disliked:
- Early volumes have pacing issues
- Some plot points feel rushed
- Cultural references can be hard to follow without Filipino background
- Limited availability of physical copies outside Philippines
Ratings:
Goodreads: Trese Vol. 1 - 4.1/5 (2,800+ ratings)
Amazon: Trese Vol. 1 - 4.5/5 (280+ ratings)
Notable reader comment: "It bridges the gap between old Filipino stories and modern urban fantasy perfectly" - Goodreads reviewer
The Netflix adaptation brought new attention to the comics, with readers noting they prefer the original material's darker tone and pacing.
📚 Books by Budjette Tan
Trese: Murder on Balete Drive (2005)
A horror-crime comic following Alexandra Trese, who investigates supernatural cases in Manila alongside two bodyguards known as the Kambal.
Trese: Unreported Murders (2007) Alexandra Trese confronts more supernatural entities while dealing with crimes that intersect with Filipino mythology.
Trese: Mass Murders (2008) The third installment sees Trese investigating a series of killings connected to ancient Filipino creatures and urban legends.
Trese: Last Seen After Midnight (2011) Four separate cases involve Trese with supernatural elements affecting Manila's nightlife and underground scene.
Trese: Midnight Tribunal (2013) Alexandra Trese faces one of her most challenging cases while the supernatural criminal underworld threatens Manila's balance.
Trese: High Tide at Midnight (2014) The sixth book in the series deals with conflicts between supernatural tribes and their impact on Manila's mortal population.
Trese: Unreported Murders (2007) Alexandra Trese confronts more supernatural entities while dealing with crimes that intersect with Filipino mythology.
Trese: Mass Murders (2008) The third installment sees Trese investigating a series of killings connected to ancient Filipino creatures and urban legends.
Trese: Last Seen After Midnight (2011) Four separate cases involve Trese with supernatural elements affecting Manila's nightlife and underground scene.
Trese: Midnight Tribunal (2013) Alexandra Trese faces one of her most challenging cases while the supernatural criminal underworld threatens Manila's balance.
Trese: High Tide at Midnight (2014) The sixth book in the series deals with conflicts between supernatural tribes and their impact on Manila's mortal population.
👥 Similar authors
Neil Gaiman writes urban fantasy comics and novels that blend mythology with contemporary settings. His work Sandman shares similar dark supernatural elements and folklore adaptations found in Tan's stories.
Marjorie Liu creates comic series focusing on supernatural creatures and Asian mythology. Her works like Monstress incorporate cultural elements and dark fantasy themes that align with Tan's storytelling approach.
Emil Flores produces Filipino comic books featuring local mythology and urban legends. He explores Manila's supernatural landscape through a modern lens similar to Tan's Trese series.
Mike Mignola develops supernatural detective narratives through his Hellboy series. His work combines occult investigation with folklore elements in a way that parallels Tan's detective-horror stories.
Carlos J. Ochoa writes horror comics based on Latin American folklore and urban legends. His work merges cultural mythology with contemporary settings in the same vein as Tan's stories.
Marjorie Liu creates comic series focusing on supernatural creatures and Asian mythology. Her works like Monstress incorporate cultural elements and dark fantasy themes that align with Tan's storytelling approach.
Emil Flores produces Filipino comic books featuring local mythology and urban legends. He explores Manila's supernatural landscape through a modern lens similar to Tan's Trese series.
Mike Mignola develops supernatural detective narratives through his Hellboy series. His work combines occult investigation with folklore elements in a way that parallels Tan's detective-horror stories.
Carlos J. Ochoa writes horror comics based on Latin American folklore and urban legends. His work merges cultural mythology with contemporary settings in the same vein as Tan's stories.