You may read the first volume of ‘Trese’ komiks online for free

Can’t get enough of the “Trese” hype train? You can read its original komiks for free!

Before “Trese” drops on Netflix later at midnight, fans (and fans-to-be) may set their pre-game by going through the first volume of the award-winning komiks, titled “Trese: Murder at Balete Drive.”

Available on the Penlab reader platform, “Case 1” of the first volume starts with the titular character being called in by the cops to an unconventional crime scene: a ghost being “murdered” along Manila’s famed Balete Drive.

Fans looking to debrief themselves after watching tonight’s first episode are in for a treat. Immediately after the midnight premiere, Netflix will be presenting a special called “Trese After Dark” hosted by award-winning Kapuso journalist Atom Araullo.

Araullo will be sitting down with Liza Soberano, who voices Alexandra Trese, and some of the incredible people behind the show.

In an interview with GMA News Online last November, “Trese” co-creator Budjette Tan shared that the komiks were heavily influenced by his childhood in Quezon City.

“You need to say ‘tabi-tabi po’ if you see a mound of dirt near a tree kasi baka may duwende diyan. You need to hang garlic on your window kasi baka may aswang sa labas,” he said.

“In the ’80s there were newspaper headlines about a manananggal attacking Manila. So growing up and seeing and hearing these stories, I couldn’t help but feel like Manila is such a magical and very dangerous place,” Tan added.

You can begin diving into the supernatural world of “Trese” by reading about Alexandra’s first case on this link.

More original Filipino komiks may be found on Penlab.

Cover page of "Case 1: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street" | Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo

First page of "Case 1: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street" | Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo

Second page of "Case 1: At the Intersection of Balete and 13th Street" | Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo

– RC, GMA News