Gempak Malaysia's Comic!

>Title: KomiXklusif
>Price: RM6.50, RM7.50 SB/SWK
>Created by: Baba Chuah, Zint, Keith, Cicak, Taufan, Ageha, Bear, Oga, Kash, King Kong, Mr. Children, Noone and Slaium.
>Cover Page by: Margaret
>Published by: Gala Unggul Resources Sdn Bhd, January 2005
>Main characters: None
>Main language: Bahasa Malaysia + Rojak

A compilation of Malaysia's many talented illustrator/artist in one book. This book covers the whole genre available in the comic industry. Each theme differ from one artist to another and there are collaborations of stories in this graphic novel. So who's your favourite illustrator? Find most of them here in this comic.



There is nothing much to comment on this comic actually. The mixed work of the different artist causes all the short stories here to have a different theme and different stroke everytime. Hence, it varies from stories to stories. One thing's for sure, the drawing for this is simple and clear cut. Readers will like reading this graphic novel as it is presented nicely.

The panelling for this comic varies too but it is well-arranged and flow nicely so readers can breathe a sigh of relief.



Even with all the talented artist/illustrator in one book, the transition between one short stories to another doesn't go well. Reason? The stroke for each short stories are different interrupting the transitions. Other than that, most of the storyline in this graphic novel is quite dry. The only nice ones are the fantasy genre and there is not many in this book. The character personality can be improved because readers can't really feel how the atmospheres in the comic are suppose to be.



When it comes to a compilation of different artists/illustrators work, there are the ups and downs. It is hard to decide what is the factor that made it a good or bad graphic novel. Luckily the short stories here are entertaining. It is definitely worth readers' money. Apart from a few hiccups, this comic performs.

Pros: Many talented artists/illustrators work, different themes, great panelling
Cons: Difficult transition, dry storyline.

Rating: 7/10

Calv out!

>Title: 5 Elemen
>Price: RM6.50, RM7.50 SB/SWK
>Created by: Kash
>Cover Page by: Kash
>Published by: Gala Unggul Resources Sdn Bhd, 2003
>Main characters: Noel, Tasha, Chici, Huzie, Shiro and Theo
>Main language: Bahasa Malaysia + Rojak

Fire, Air, Wood, Gold and Earth. A oneshot action pack graphic novel by Kash. The setting of this story is in the future where the hunt for power is at it's peak. A power hungry Major, Theo, striving to be the most powerful man in the world evoking an unfinished battle 500 years ago with the main character, Noel. To know more, just read the book.

Full of combats and tragedy, this graphic novel will capture a few of the reader's attention.



A great try by Kash for this comic. The storyline for this is common yet Kash managed to breathe a new life into it. The stroke for this comic is simple and clean therefore readers will not have any problem getting drawn to it. That is basically all the good stuff about this graphic novel.



One of the main problems i had with this comic is that the character development is bad. Especially for the a few of the main characters because it was introduced quite late in the book. Even though with the clean strokes, the fighting scene is very messy and too quick, cutting the realism of this graphic novel. The final battle is disappointing as there is too little action causing the climax to drop very fast. Basically, the speed of the comic is too fast. Maybe Kash should had made it into a twoshot instead of one.

A lot of the panelling for this comic is confusing as it wasn't arrange nicely but it is bearable. Readers may not appreaciate the graphic effect of this comic as it is too simple and looked like it is done by an amateur. If the illustrator would had spent more time on the effects, it might made this comic looked better. Again, with the simple effect, there is no life in the comic.



In the end, this is just a fun read. Maybe people can just get it from a friend instead of taking this as a collector's item. This is where readers will just read it once instead reading it again and again. It lacks almost everything an action or even comic fan would want to see. Not one of my favourite comic. i'll give this a pass.

Pros: Clean stroke, presented differently.
Cons: Very unrealistic, bad panelling, terrible effects, too fast of a storyline, unbalanced characters development.

Rating: 4/10

Calv out!