Writer: Jay B. Kalagayan Illustrator: Feriowind Creative Mussel, January 2026 St. Malo #1 opens with a clear sense of purpose, combining historical context, cultural identity, and horror without overcomplicating its premise. Written by Jay B. Kalagayan and illustrated by Feriowind, the comic draws from the real history of early Filipino settlements in Louisiana and filters it through a darker, supernatural lens. The book is rooted in the story of St. Malo, recognized as one of the first Filipino communities in what would become the United States. A brief timeline at the start, compiled with input from historian Makialani Kanewa-Mariano, lays out the journey of Filipino migrants who escaped servitude and established a life in the Louisiana swamps. While not strictly necessary to follow the narrative, this grounding in real history adds weight to the story and gives the setting a sense of authenticity that carries through the rest of the