Month: June 2021

Comics Zine ‘GAP/ช่องว่าง’ #01

On By Nicolas VerstappenIn Comics by CommDe Students, Faculty of Communication Arts (Chulalongkorn University), Non-Fiction, Programme in Communication Design (Chulalongkorn University), Silent (or almost), Thai Comics, Thailand, Zine Publishing1 Comment
GAP/ช่องว่าง #01 cover by MM. Kosum

Delighted to announce the launch of the bilingual (EN/TH) comics zine series GAP/ช่องว่าง, edited by yours truly. The main purpose is to offer a new/regular creative space to young -or seasoned- Thai cartoonists, showcasing critical, autobiographical and/or experimental narratives. Each issue will also feature a foreign guest, sharing about his/her bond to Thailand. For this first issue, the cover art is signed by talented artist MM. Kosum, with GAP title designed by Khwansubhanut Banlunara, and with stories by Applesoda, Ping Sasinan, Sasi Tee & Namsai K., and illustrations by Arty Nicharee and Brussels-based guest artist Abdel de Bruxelles. The A5-sized and 24-page zine is limited to 200 copies, and with a cover price of 100 baht (3 EUR; 3.5 USD).

For orders within Thailand: 100 baht + 20 baht for registered mail. Orders outside Thailand: 3.5 USD + 6 USD for registered mail [or 3 EUR + 5 EUR for registered mail]. Contact me at Nicolas.V [at] chula.ac.th

Comics submissions, from Thai artists, are welcome too at the same email address. Nicolas

GAP/ช่องว่าง #1, art by Applesoda
GAP/ช่องว่าง #1, art by Ping Sasinan
GAP/ช่องว่าง #1, art by Sasi Tee
GAP/ช่องว่าง #1, art by Abdel de Bruxelles (left) and Namsai K. (right)

GAP/ช่องว่าง #01 backcover and artwork by Arty Nicharee

Thai Autobiographical Comics (feature)

On By Nicolas VerstappenIn Academic Research, Non-Fiction, ThailandLeave a comment
Le Dessableur #2, CBBD. Cover art by Thai cartoonist Sa-ard (pic by Greg Shaw)

The second issue of the Centre Belge de la Bande Dessinée [Comics Art Museum – Brussels] magazine Le Dessableur has been released on June 2021, with a 10-page special feature on “Thai Autobiographical Comics” (composed by yours truly). Autobiographical graphic narratives are almost absent from the Thai comics production -even from its alternative scene- for various cultural and political motives. The feature -in French with Dutch translation- explores these constraints through the rare, remarkable and counter-cultural examples of Thai autobiographical comics. It spans from Sem Sumanan’s first self-representation in a 1924 Siamese comic strip and Isaan cartoonists’ regionalist memoirs, up to the contemporary zine scene and Sa-ard‘s 2020 daring and brilliant self-published graphic novel “Kan Sueksa Khong Krapong Mi Fa” (The Education of a Tin Can who had a Dream). Thanks Sa-ard for the cover art and the enlightening interview! And thanks Greg Shaw for the invitation; it was a pleasure! N.

Order information on: https://www.cbbd.be/fr/cbbd/le-dessableur

1924 comic strip by Sem Sumanan and paintings by Preecha Raksorn. In: Le Dessableur #2, CBBD.
Pages by Triam Chachumporn, Songwit ‘Seng’ Seakitikul and Wisut Ponnimit. In: Le Dessableur #2, CBBD.
Artworks by Tookkata, Prayoon Chanyawongse and Guinfalls. In: Le Dessableur #2, CBBD.