Punk.

RM3/USD 1, English language, photocopied A5 & 36 pages.
Pat, No. 7B, Blok 3, Seksyen 16, 40200 Shah Alam, Selangor, MALAYSIA
E-mail: punkpingponk@gmail.com

+ Info ni gua cilok dari Joe. Tengkiu...

Manga.

+ Image taken from One Manga.

It feels like ages I didn’t talk anything about manga. But right after one of my fiancée’s students suddenly sent me an e-mail contained with questions mentioned about it, I apparently answered those questions like I’m such a pro in that field. Well, I was… but presently I’m not sure whether I’m still in the right place to respond. Who cares anyway, right?

1. When you first worked at GempakStarz as an editor, did you know any comic artist that went to the international manga awards?
I didn't know that much of local artists that went to the international manga awards back then when I first worked at the GempakStarz. But as far as I'm concern there are only three of them who had been there, if I'm not mistaken, they're Kenny, Ayour and Slaium.

2. A lot of people said that our local graphic novel is adaptation from Japanese Manga, is it true?
The format that we have nowadays regarding to the graphic novel has a slightly a bit adaptation and as well with the imitation on the certain style of Japanese manga that can be recognizable. But when we take a look at the past, there were numerous graphic novels (compiling the whole series into one book) been produced even though Malaysian weren't familiar with manga at that time. For example, we have Ujang with his Aku Budak Minang, Aca, Atuk, Jibam etc graphic novels. Along with that we have Kerengge, Don, Aza, Datuk Lat, Allahyarham Rejabhad and many others with their own so-called graphic novels. But, the good thing about those graphic novels by those individuals aforementioned is we can feel that all of it been produced and delivered in very local taste; the Malaysian flavour which can be identified in their presentation and the brush stroke etc.

3. Is it true that our local comics cheaper than most international comics?
As in our local comics been published and marketed within the local market itself, therefore I reckon it's indeed cheaper than the most international comics. But I believe it will be a lot cheaper than we have now if the publishers can distribute the comics by themselves. I do think that distributors having benefits more than the comic artists/publishers by only distributing the comics. Publishers have a lot of thing to consider and money to spend: Salaries and royalties etc.

4. What do you think about our local comics; do you think our local comics can reach the international level?
Sure it can. But certainly a lot of effort must be taken to get that certain aim.

5. I understand that ben got a shorei award in international manga award 2007, is there any more local artist that got an award like him?
He's the only one that I know who achieved that kind of level. It would be great if we have more artists like him.

6. A lot of people like Japanese manga because of some ecchi stuff or erotic scenes inside the comics do you think it's true?
As I consider myself an otaku, thus I disagree with that. In fact, even if they took out the ecchi or hentai, I still think people will still stick to it. Plus, I can't deny the fact that manga has its own prominent style in its story telling and the drawing is undeniably awesome. Maybe I can put myself as an example, I've been attracted with manga since I watched Astroboy and My Neighbour Totoro… so, is there any ecchi or hentai included in these mangas/animes? As far as I'm concern, none of any scene in these mangas/animes having those erotic scenes.

7. There is a lot of doujins artist in Malaysia as I am one myself; do you know how to make these doujins artist to be known to the world like ben?
There are only three solutions according to this:
a) You have to join or send your manga to the well known company or famous publication like Shonen Jump etc.
b) You have to do it yourself. Make your own publication (the one that is professionally printed and widely well distributed) that surely will publish your manga weekly/monthly. So, it does surely will take a lot of effort and hard work.
c) Participate actively as much as you can in a lot of competition or convention so then you’ll be acknowledged among manga activists and fans.

8. Do you think that our local doujin artist can compete with Japanese doujin artist?
Yes, but our local doujin artists MUST have their own identity, their own touch. This is the polemic that haunted our local artists since aeons ago; the originality. It's okay to have a lil' bit of influences but the artists SHOULD implement their own style more than their references' style. We are aware that Japan has a lot of mangakas (with their recognizable touch/style), but why we must repeat it again and again? It's one day I'm so sure that people will get bored with this style, thus we have to search for another NEW style that could attract readers. Or else, our local doujin artists should be very good than the Japanese doujin artists in order to compete because manga is their style (and their life as well; it's in their vein), so how can we defeat them with their own 'weapon/skill'? Unless if we're VERY good in this field, so that will be another story.

9. What do you think about the progression of manga in Malaysia?
It's slowly reaching its own path of success. But a lot of the so-called Malaysian mangakas busily try to imitate the whole structure of Japanese manga, that's the only obstacle that we should break in order to get more chances to come in our way. There are a lot of story about tradition, urban legend and as well with the myth etc that should be adapted in our own manga on which will make these manga more sensible to Malaysian culture and its society at large.

10. What do you think can be done to improve our local graphic novels?
We should have built a strong organization that will taking care of the copyright issues, as well with the Intellectual Property thingies. Many Malaysian comic/manga artists are now striving to get the copyright of their own, instead of their works being owned by the company/publisher on which they’re working with. So, in order to get the good quality of graphic novels, we must take a deeper look on the benefit (or the welfare) of the artists itself in the first place before we pompously hurried to have the end product of it.

Sudah beredar!

Stupid Cunts!

"i dont understand about the increasing price of RM0.50 per card. i've waited for the design of the card and the amendments since end of April. There are not a lot of major amendments! This is frustrating. I've wasted weeks and found out at the end you charge me extra 50 cents? I should get a discount for your excuses..computer in the workshop, busy with events excuses , not replying my smses...but instead i receive this? I dont think i agree with this. This is not what i've expected after waiting one week for simple amendments.. Im cancelling the order. you guys need to be more efficient and professional in this business. I'm so not going to recommend your service to my friends..Such a waste of time."


+ Haha! Okay, the title that I put up there was so 'unprofessional' (ahh... fuck this word!), I know. But who cares anyway? This is my blog, I can put any title or whatever article that I want to put in here. If you don't like it, just make your own blog then. It'll be all yours, by the way.

And, IF you wonder what's with the quote up there actually all about. Just click here for further explanation.

But, before you read it, I want you guys to know that we're actually designers ourselves. The idea of getting another so-called 'designer' to do the work for us is actually it was the matter of time that we have to take care of another things that need to be done by ourselves. So, in having other people do it for us, we thought it was a good idea to lighten a bit our job. It was also an idea to honouring a designer like ourselves, plus by having the appropriate designer (with a handful of 'cool' designs) might seems special for both us. And it was also actually a way to support an independent designer (like us), with hope that they'll succeeded with their designing works and such. But, it was turned the other way round. And it's all been fukked up. Alrite, now you can proceed to read the link given up there.

Muchas gracias!

Revolution.

REVOLUTION

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
You tell me that it's evolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world
But when you talk about destruction
Don't you know that you can count me out
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you got a real solution
Well, you know
We'd all love to see the plan
You ask me for a contribution
Well, you know
We're doing what we can
But when you want money
for people with minds that hate
All I can tell is brother you have to wait
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right

You say you'll change the constitution
Well, you know
We all want to change your head
You tell me it's the institution
Well, you know
You better free you mind instead
But if you go carrying pictures of chairman Mao
You ain't going to make it with anyone anyhow
Don't you know it's gonna be all right
all right, all right
all right, all right, all right
all right, all right, all right


+ Few minutes ago, I was browsing the net with no specific reason. And then I stopped at this one site that includes this coolest lyric so far by The Beatles. The words are rather self explanatory instead of spouting whirling twisted hidden agenda; which can be directly understood by anybody. My interpretation towards the overall phrase is this lyric actually discussed about there’s always have time and space to laid back a bit, since most of us (who live in this world) trying so hard to achieve certain aim. Yet, our efforts sometimes were being pushed too far. So yeah, the moment will come… it’s just the matter of time and we have to wait. Now sit and think awhile, my fellow comrades.

Smash it real hard!

It’s ‘Konspirasi Bising (Antarabangsa)’ with their song, “Smash It Up”.

Enjoy!

+ Related sites for this brilliant group:
• T(I)NC
• Refused 1
• Refused 2

Technology Bites

It was about 30 minutes ago, one of my colleagues showed me several websites featured articles about the hazardous of Crocs sandals. Most of the victims were children and it has been said that the usual humongous culprit of this case was the ever ‘useful’ escalator. Ironically the blame was on the Crocs itself alone. I’m not quite sure about the exact reason on how Crocs should be blame in the first place. And as a non-user of Crocs products without doubt I’m not get used to its mechanism and whatnots, thus this news definitely doesn’t affect me in whatever condition it may takes. But somehow is it really doesn’t affect me at all?

As far as I’m concern, it’s always being like this; when something failed to work properly then we’ll simply put blame on others just like it was flawless on the other side. So does with these escalators, when it was failed to be ergonomics for the certain footwear (like Crocs), then we blatantly put the blame on that footwear alone. Then the blame being extended to the users concerning to their attitude when they’re using the footwear and so on. How lame is that? It is now actually the time to scrutiny back about the certain dysfunctional matter of those stuffs related and allegedly the total action by any mean necessary should be taken towards the continuous hiccups.

Though, I do concern a lot about children and their behaviours; the aggressiveness, eager to learn and the keen to explore things that’s considered new to them. Yet, it wasn’t that surprising for me to hear/read such news like aforementioned.

Back to the old days when I was very young, I can be considered as one of the ‘extrovert’ kind of children. I deal a lot with the harmful of nature; climbing up the trees/hills, swimming across the river or even simply like playing whatever environment can offer me that time. Most of the scars that I have and still embedded until now were the result of my sort of hyperactive child I was back in those days. As a child, I was also aware about the danger that I would face in order to fulfil my satisfaction in every outdoor activities I was involved. And I know, those risks that I get from nature is actually a ‘gift’ resulted from my mischievous manners. It is nature and we know that anytime, anyhow we’ll back to it sooner or later. So, for me it wasn’t a big deal at all when I’m facing any circumstance cause by nature itself.

But then came with a question; how about the condition of the children of today? Do they deal the same situation like us back from the good old days? Do they playing around with nature as their playground like we did before? Do we share the same ground with them in terms of enjoying the childhood? The answer would probably no; we’re not sharing the same memory with this new kind of children. Almost all of them never ever touch the mud, feeling the breeze of countryside and don’t know how to differentiate between a cow and a buffalo. So forth most of them don’t even know that climbing up the hills is better and enjoyable rather than running up/down the escalator of our highly beloved ‘prestigious’ shopping centre. Now we can see that children of today are actually surrounded by the technology… the so-called modern world; concrete and machinery is their playground.

Different from ours, we dealt with nature. We have been pampered by the Mother Nature since the very beginning of our lives. The nature will not betray us, IF we take care of it as it’s should be taking care of in the first place. Will that works for those machines and as well with the technology itself? I’m still remember once I wrote in my old (self-published) publication that human is actually should own the technology, unlike nowadays that obviously the technology is squeezing humankind in its gluttony hand. Is it still usable to keep the old proverb that said, “The future is in our hand”?

Above all matters, then how about the children and future generations? Only we know the truth behind it all.

And please do keep in mind that whatever things written here about the polemic between the Crocs, the escalator and as well with the technology as a whole, it was actually never change my stance (even an ounce) towards Crocs that they’re actually the most ugliest (and non-practical) sandals/shoes ever invented no matter how fashionable people thinks they are. I’m also hoping that we’ll be having more user friendly and harmless escalators in the near future or else the existence of those escalators that we’re already have now will be demolished forever from this earth. Product designers, developers and those who have the certificate of Mechanical Engineering whatsoever, please do take note on this. Haha! Yes, finally I managed to laugh at this last phrase, on the matter of fact that I’ve finally made somewhat a ‘sensible’ joke for today! It works for me, at least.

Thank you.

+ A special thanks definitely goes to Tunku Syarila (a friend and a concern mother) for pointed out this topic at the first place. Gracias!

Pak cik menang motor?

"Gila aaa bro, macam Belalang Tempur. Caya la!", kawan 1.

"Tak lah, macam Street Hawk ni!", kawan 2.

Dan aku tersengih sambil melakukan aksi akrobatik di hadapan mereka berdua.



* Okey, yang part akrobatik tu aku tipu. Tak, aku tak memenangi mana-mana peraduan. Aku beli motor tu.

Sekian.