'Pedro Penduko: The Legend Begins' will be the first locally-published graphic novel to be launched at the New York Comic Con, says Epik Studios

MANILA - A graphic novel starring a re-imagined "Pedro Penduko" will be launched at this year's New York Comic Con, introducing the iconic Filipino superhero to a wider audience.

Epik Studios made the announcement on Thursday, claiming that their launch will be the first time that a Filipino-created komiks will be released in one of the most well-regarded pop culture conventions in the world.

Prior to their grand launch, limited copies of "Pedro Penduko: The Legend Begins" will be available to Filipino fans at the upcoming AsiaPOP Comic Con happening from Friday to Sunday at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

As the title suggests, the book, co-published by Viva-Psicom, will be the first in a series focusing on the popular komiks character created by Francisco Coching, a national artist for the visual arts.

Not much is known about the book, except that it will be Epik Studios' first foray into graphic novels. The author and the artist of the book were not revealed as well.