MANILA -- Comic book creator Arnold Arre’s "Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat" is now made available in trade paperback form and just in time for Christmas as well as the impending release of the seventh "Ang Panday" film starring Coco Martin.

"Adong Agimat" was first published in 2006 but was recently compiled for a new audience by Nautilus Comics that also brought back Arre’s other works to print such as "The Mythology Class," "Trip to Tagaytay," "After Eden," and "Martial Law Babies."

What’s the relation to the "Ang Panday" film? Well, Arre’s work says it all – agimat. If you were steeped in the komiks (created by Carlo J. Caparas and Steve Gan of 'Star Lord' fame) and films of Ang Panday and the late Fernando Poe, Jr., then you get this.

"Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat" (or “The World of Andong Agimat“) is inhabited by super beings steeped in mythology yet with all the complexities and grittiness of the modern world.

A cult leader, Jun Ereteo, has captured the forest deity Mariang Makiling and is using her blood to transform his followers into a ravaging group of superhuman thugs out to kill innocent people and destroy the city.

Armed with his magic talisman, Ando along with a group of equally powerful friends must confront Jun Ereteo and his minions and rescue the goddess before time runs out.

The story has the feel of Neil Gaiman’s "American Gods" and "Neverwhere" as well as Mark Waid and Alex Ross’ "Kingdom Come" where the gods of myth and scions of superheroes and villains live in the world around us. The characters aren’t black or white. There’s a lot of grey matter; the anti-hero sort.

And for me, that’s the interesting part because you pretty much know where this is going. You aren’t even sure if you like Ando who is a gruff, Mad Max sort. That’s what I appreciate about Arre’s works and the characters within – they remind you of others, familiar faces. Yet they reel you in – hook, line, and sinker. There’s romantic tension, some traces of history, some really bad guys, and tortured anti-heroes while others remain steadfast in their view of the world and hope.

Like his previously aforementioned works, they take a page or chapter about our lives and real life that makes them poignant and even heartfelt. The 220-page tome is in glorious black and white yet the story has your mind wandering. It awakens your mind’s eye and you can envision and smell this dangerous world of Ando.

As such, "Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat" is Arnold Arre’s love letter to those Filipino classics.

If you love those stories and the graphic novel medium, then "Ang Mundo ni Andong Agimat" should have a place in your collection and bookshelf. Especially this Christmas.