Gempak Starz
Logo of Gempak | |
Categories | Comics |
---|---|
First issue | June 1, 1998 |
Country | Malaysia |
Language | Malay |
Website | www.gempakstarz.com |
GEMPAK is a Malaysian comic/gaming/hobby magazine, published by Art Square Creation beginning in June 1998. The magazine's main motto is "One Issue, One Surprise". Being the first magazine in Malaysia to introduce local comic artists to an international audience, some have criticized the artists' skills as an imitation of the Japanese manga style. Others, however, claim that the artwork is completely different and introduces a new brand of manga, sometimes categorized as graphic novels. Gempak also has the distinction of being the first Malaysian info-comic magazine, offering news and articles about the ACG (Animation, Comics & Games) world in and outside of the country. Gempak magazine aims to encourage the local development of such industries, facilitating the global spread of Malaysian talent.[1]
History
Gempak debuted on June 1, 1998, at a time when Malaysia was attempting to recover from the 1997 economic crisis. The economic crisis brought a hard impact on the Malaysian comic industry.
In order to gain a place in the Malaysian comic market, Art Square Creation incorporated the "info-comic" approach, which became the main formula of Gempak's success, and the new standard format for many Malaysian comics. It took 18 months for their success to take off without any help from other media advertisements. Starting as a monthly issue for the first three years, it has come to be published bi-monthly (since June 2001), with many demands that the magazine should go for weekly issue.
Their concept of an info-comic magazine has become a trend followed by many recent comic magazines, including one of Malaysia's biggest publishers, Karangkraf Sdn. Bhd., who began releasing a new info-comic magazine titled Jom (later ceased publication). The success of Gempak also resulted in the success of its publisher, Art Square Creation Sdn. Bhd., who expanded to become Art Square Group with three subsidiaries: Art Square Creation Sdn. Bhd, Anjung Taipan Sdn. Bhd., and Gala Unggul Sdn. Bhd. All Art Square Group products are now labeled under their own brand "GEMPAK STARZ."
Gempak, under Art Square Creation, won the Persatuan Penerbit-Penerbit Majalah Malaysia (MPA) award under other category special Malay magazine ("majalah pengkhususan" (Bahasa Malaysia)) 2007.[2]
Subcompanies
Gempak has made over many bucks. They have sold many genres, like horror, romance, science fiction, adventure, and action. Their horror comics are called "Komik Seram" meaning "horror comic".
Komik Seram
Komik Seram is the name for their horror comics. They are most popular and bestselling in the company, although, minimum comics are sometimes sold out because of popularity.
Here is a list of horror comics sold by Gempak:
- Dari Alam Angker (by various artists)
- Warisan Puaka by Nizam Bachok
- Seringai Malam by Nizam Bachok
- Dajal Berbisik by KF
- Lawang Penamat by Maita Nao
Gempak Starz products
Besides magazines, Art Square Group publishes more than 200 products under the brand of GEMPAK STARZ. The products include graphic novels (including acquired foreign comics), T-shirts, caps, mugs, toys, posters, illustration books, stationery, and collection items.
List of Gempak comics Cartoonist
- Keith
- Lawak Kampus
- Lawak Kampus Connection
- Lawak Kampus Friends Edition
- Lawak Kampus League
- Lawak Kampus Move On
- Lawak Kampus Rebound
- Encore! Lawak Kampus Artbook
- Kuso High School
- Kuso High School Log In
- Kuso High School Teamwork
- Wasabi
- Zint
- 2 Dudes
- Bodyguard.com
- Boy's Scout
- GoGo Chacha Street
- Hero
- K.O King Conquest
- Kaleidoscoope Collection 01: Our Blue Sky
- Kaleidoscoope Collection 03: The Journey
- Kaleidoscoope Collection 04: Great Day
- Kaleidoscoope Collection 05: Woo Hoo!
- Kisah Pengembaraan Kroit
- Kijiya
- Kijiya Deux
- Kijiya Quatre
- Lawak Under 18
- MFEO (Meant For Each Other)
- Raiden
- Scarbot & Monky
- Sharkman the Hitman
- Si Penjual Aiskrim
- Under 18: Elite
- User
- Xpresi Tempur
- Kaoru
- After School With You
- Candy Series
- Cinta Untuk Dijual
- Cuma Kucing Yang Tahu
- Helios Eclipse by Kaoru[3]
- Lawak Valentine
- LOVE DRAMA
- Love For Sale
- Love Triangle
- Lost Diary
- Maid Maiden - Monday
- Maid Maiden - Wednesday
- Maid Maiden - Friday
- Maid Maiden - Saturday
- Maid Maiden - Sunday
- My Secret Bodyguard
- My Secret Boyfriend
- My Secret Buddy
- Nonetheless, I love You
- Only The Cats Know
- Strawberry Vampire
- Tell Me Your Name (New)
- Voice of An Angel
- Ben
- Fatal Chaos Turbo Ex
- Te@mare
- Le Gardenie
- Tadatada / Lee Kok Chen
- Good Morning Teacher!
- Hello Mei Mei
- Jejak Libasan Jaguh
- Monster Girl
- Paper Labyrinth
- Selamat Pagi Cikgu!
- The Prince and I
- Oga
- 5th Dimension
- Brother X3
- Oxer
- Stories After Dark Don't Turn Off the Light Korea (New)
- Taiko and Little Peach
- X-VENTURE: Titanoboa
- X-VENTURE: Ancaman Boa Purba
- X-VENTURE: Titanoboa Coils of Doom
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Perilous Peak
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kembara Puncak Maut
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Drifting Dead
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kebangkitan Mayat Hidup
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Skyfallen Safari
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kerajaan Langit
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Ferogious Fauna
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Jerat Berbisa Flora
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Meteoroid Mayhem
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Zombie Meteorit
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Mammoth Monstrosity
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Ledakan Epidemik
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Robot Rebellion
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kebangkitan Robotik
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Robot Retaliation
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Tentangan Robot
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Nuclear Nemesis
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Angkara Misil
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Graveyard Gorge
- X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Azure Abyss
- Xanseviera
- Lawak Fairy Godbrother
- Love Boat
- Love Terminal
- Neko Online.com
- Michael Chuah / C2V
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Build Memory and Focus
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Control Your Finances
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Expand Your Creativity
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Get Perfect Marks
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Manage Your Mood
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Maintain Good Friendships
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Reduce Stress
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Strengthen Self-Discipline
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Stay Healthy
- 3 Hour to Master: How To Surf Safely
- Gengkey
- Gengkey (Remake)
- Lawak OK-KO
- X-VENTURE: Kappa
- X-VENTURE: Misi Menyelamat Kappa
- X-VENTURE: Kappa Chaos
- Kenny Chua
- Jinggo Concluded
- Jinggo Replay
- Pop! Bang! Boom!
- Other
- Glock 17 by Ageha
- Mat Gempak (Remake) by Apoh
- Mat Gempak by Apoh and Botak
- Kishiro Budak Sihir by Bear
- Shadow Quest by Clay
- Falcon by Clay
- Jangka Attribut by Clay
- Jejak Neraka by Cicak
- Zaman Gemilang by Hang Sembilan
- Showtime! by Jo
- 5 Elemen by Kash
- Dunia Cahaya by Kash
- Gol Kraziee 2000 by Kash
- Red Fox by King Kong
- Dewi Remaja (Manhwa) by Lee Ju
- IT Ekspress by Neko (advertisement comic)
- Go Notty by Nizam Bachok
- Velocity by Puppeteer
- Evolusi Identiti by Puppeteer
- Jinggo (Remake) by Puppeteer
- Twisted Mind of Puyuh by Puyuh@Leong Wan Kok
- Student King by Stanley G
- Hotlink Warrior by Slaium (advertisement comic)
- Drak by Slaium
- Jackie Perang Pit by Taufan
- Fear Factor by Taufan
- Pahlawan Raja Alam by Taufan
- Experiment 105 by Totoro
- Detektif Hantu by Totoro
- Detektif Hantu (Remake) by Totoro
- G.R.A.V.E. by Totoro
- Journey to the West/Raja Monyet by Totoro
- Pelayan Rahasia
- Segi TiGA Rahsia
- Siri Maskaret Cinta by various cartoonists (permanent section)
- Dari Alam Angker/Komik Angker by various cartoonists (permanent section)
- Komik Eksklusif by various cartoonists (permanent section)
- X-Pax Channel Comic by various cartoonists (advertisement comic)
- Komik Antarabangsa by international artists (Outdated)
- Zoology by Stanley G, Neko, Jo, and Keith
- Taufan Pesaka, part 1, 2, and 3 by Hang Sembilan (parts 1, 2) and Kash (part 3)