TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Indonesian Comic Association (Aksi) Chairman Faza Meonk argues that current comic books nowadays have an effect outside of the comic itself. “Comics have now transformed into the initiation of a creative industry,” said Faza in the “jagoan komik Indonesia” postage launch at CoHive Filateli in Central Jakarta on Thursday.

Faza argues that comics can become a vessel to further develop a culture, especially considering the backing it gets from the Indonesian government through PT Pos Indonesia, Communication and Informatics Ministry, and the Creative Economy Agency (Bekraf).

“Because movies, merchandises, games can be derived from comics, and up to taking the form of postages. This means that they (the government) agree that comic characters can be a cultural strategy,” said Faza.

Faza, the creator of the cartoon character “Si Juki”, is optimistic of the current comic development after it was left suspended in the 90s and early 2000s.

He attributed the resurgence of comics to technological advancements through the internet and social media, two platforms where comic creators have exclusively spread their work with help of “digital publishers” such as Line Webtoon.

“Comic artists can really rely on making a living solely from their comics,” said Faza, who underlined the fate of comic that has transformed from a hobby potentially into an industry.

MOH KHORY ALFARIZI