RHEMAUNG BERIH: To be launched on Sept 29.
KUCHING: Sarawak’s very first Borneo tribal manga, ‘Rhemaung Berih’, will make its debut on Sept 29.
Its creator Stalin Mark, 31, of Bidayuh and Iban parentage, spent 20 years illustrating and creating the Borneo-based non-fictional characters in various styles.
The father of two did some research before embarking on the project.
“During my younger days, I used to read about old school western comics illustration such as Conan the Barbarian, Spiderman, Avengers and any Marvel or Darkhorse illustration based comics,” he said during a press release.
Stalin’s interest in manga-type comics developed when he first read ‘Dragon Ball’, illustrated by Japanese-born Akira Toriyama. However, it was the drawings of the ‘Yu Yu Hakusho’ manga by creator Yoshihiro Togashi that caught his eye and inspired his pursuit of mangga illustration.
“I really fall in love with the idea and grotesqueness of Yoshiro illustration, living in a modern city like Japan probably made the creator saw a different side of life, as he channels his energy into his drawings,” he said.
His love for comics grew at the tender age of 11 when he created a series of homemade comics in his leisure time.
He also read comics from China such as the famous ‘Kung Fu Boy’ series and Hong Kong based comics translated into Bahasa Melayu as ‘Pendekar Laut’, ‘Wira Tunggal’ and ‘Dewata Raya’.
“There is no limit in art, especially artistes working hard to present the culture of their country by displaying characters through their style of drawing, turning it into an adventure for readers.
“Being in love with comics from a young age until my marriage, I feel glad that I can contribute my knowledge towards my roots by coming up with a Borneo-based Dayak comics,” he said.
He said in the 10 years since he embarked on the manga project, he came up with more than five comic storylines.
The next project which has been completed and will be illustrated are The Legend of Omen Birds’ (five chapters), ‘Blood Stained Rafflesia’ (10 chapters called First Arc), and the ‘Legend of Ribos’ (five chapters).
The first edition of the ‘Rhemaung Berih’ to be released will be titled ‘The Legend of the Red-Haired Warrior’ which Stalin translated as ‘The Red Tiger’.
‘Rhemaung Berih’ will be published by a Dayak-based company called Mad3sign.
“I am happy that Mad3sign director Felecity Uding Jarau has decided to be involved in this project,” said Stalin.
In conjunction with the launch to be held at the Curve at 2pm this Saturday is a ‘Pengkalan Metal Ensemble Full Metal Contact’ gig featuring bands such as Wynken Delirium from Johor and ‘Suicide’ from Mukah.
The first 30 guests to arrive at the venue will receive a free limited print of the comic.