has debuted the trailer for their upcoming exclusive animated series titled Trese. Set in Manila, Philippines, Trese offers a different approach to the supernatural detective trope that has surged in popularity in recent years, thanks to comic, TV, and movie properties following a similar template.
But what makes Netflix's Trese stand from the rest? We take a look at the nitty gritty details of the of the animated series's comic book inspiration and get insight from the horse's mouth (or should that be Tikbalang's mouth?) itself. Read on to find out more! Who and What is Trese?
When crime takes a turn for the weird, the police call Alexandra Trese.
So goes the tagline for the Trese comic book. Created in 2005 by writer Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, Trese (literally 'thirteen') is a supernatural horror and crime themed series, with the title referring to the main character's family name. The main protagonist is Alexandra Trese, one of the inheritors of a family line that monitors and investigates activities involving creatures of folklore and myth. These include an assortment of the usual ghosts and elementals, but also ones that are specific to the Philippine culture and history. On the surface, it is a detective or police procedural series with a supernatural twist, but the unusual flavor of Filipino culture gives Trese a distinctive spin.
Alexandra is primarily assisted by twin entities called the Kambal, who are the bastard offspring of a demigod of war. Other supporting characters include Alexandra's extended family, such as her brothers and close friends ranging from a Nuno (a gnomish creature) that makes his home in a sewer to a Tikbalang (a horse-headed humanoid) living on the penthouse of a high-rise building. When not involved in the crimes and underground politics of the supernatural community, she manages her bar, The Diabolical.
