Relationship Between Trese And Batman
This final paper tackles a psychoanalytic-feminist reading of Budjette Tan and KaJo Baldisimo’s “Trese” comics and its main protagonist Alexandra Trese. The main focus is on the standalone piece “Thirteen Stations” as found in Jessica Hagedorn’s “Manila Noir” anthology, with the other 26 issues in the six official volumes already in print as supplements. Alexandra Trese is placed in comparison to DC’s Batman/Bruce Wayne, a similar figure in Western popular literature, and Nicole Lacson from Arnold Arre’s “The Mythology Class,” another, earlier Philippine mythology-themed graphic novel.
In Philippine popular literature, Budjette Tan and KaJO Baldisimo’s “Trese” comics series is unique in that it somehow manages to create a balance between …show more content…
As one online review of the first Trese volume states, "Whenever she’s needed, Trese arrives, often called in by Captain Guerrero, the Commissioner Gordon to Trese’s unconventional Batman" (Bruton, "Trese - Dark Mysteries on the Streets of Manilla (sic)"). Captain Guerrero and Commissioner Gordon may be seen as mentor figures, though Captain Guerrero’s attitude towards Trese may also be seen as fatherly. Both Trese and Batman have faithful companions – the Kambal Basilio and Crispin, sons of the war god Talagbusao and the rebel Ramona, and Richard “Dick” Grayson, alias Robin, respectively. But while the Kambal act more as Trese’s bodyguards and their interactions sibling-like, Batman is a mentor to Robin and on occasion, a father …show more content…
But in order to lessen the character’s likenesses to similar male figures in Western pop culture, Tan thought of making Trese a woman instead, and thus Alexandra Trese was born. The name Anton Trese was kept, but this time for Alexandra’s father and predecessor.
So far, Trese’s gender has not played a particularly great role in the series, except for when her adversaries underestimate her, as in “Thirteen Stations” when the aswang clan “thought [Trese] was the appetizer. The hungry horde simply saw a little lady in the middle of the dining hall.” In “Case 17: Fight of the Year,” she is seen dressed up at a party, looking characteristically different without her signature coat. The fifth and sixth volumes hint at a possible romance between Trese and Maliksi the
In Philippine popular literature, Budjette Tan and KaJO Baldisimo’s “Trese” comics series is unique in that it somehow manages to create a balance between …show more content…
As one online review of the first Trese volume states, "Whenever she’s needed, Trese arrives, often called in by Captain Guerrero, the Commissioner Gordon to Trese’s unconventional Batman" (Bruton, "Trese - Dark Mysteries on the Streets of Manilla (sic)"). Captain Guerrero and Commissioner Gordon may be seen as mentor figures, though Captain Guerrero’s attitude towards Trese may also be seen as fatherly. Both Trese and Batman have faithful companions – the Kambal Basilio and Crispin, sons of the war god Talagbusao and the rebel Ramona, and Richard “Dick” Grayson, alias Robin, respectively. But while the Kambal act more as Trese’s bodyguards and their interactions sibling-like, Batman is a mentor to Robin and on occasion, a father …show more content…
But in order to lessen the character’s likenesses to similar male figures in Western pop culture, Tan thought of making Trese a woman instead, and thus Alexandra Trese was born. The name Anton Trese was kept, but this time for Alexandra’s father and predecessor.
So far, Trese’s gender has not played a particularly great role in the series, except for when her adversaries underestimate her, as in “Thirteen Stations” when the aswang clan “thought [Trese] was the appetizer. The hungry horde simply saw a little lady in the middle of the dining hall.” In “Case 17: Fight of the Year,” she is seen dressed up at a party, looking characteristically different without her signature coat. The fifth and sixth volumes hint at a possible romance between Trese and Maliksi the