Interview

Q1. What is inspired you to be a professional comic artist? When and how the chance came to you?

I still remember my first sequential drawing in my early age (it's far before I read any comic books), one day I draw person riding a bike, and then I draw on another paper the same person and bike, but in a different pose. At that time I was fascinated by the ‘magic' I saw, with just paper and pencil, my still image drawing can tell a story in a set of sequential scenes.. Since that time I can't stop making sequential arts.

Q2. Who has influenced your comic? And which anime/manga you were watching at young age?

There were a lot of comic artist influenced me. I'm somehow lucky to be part of a generation that enjoy reading different style of comic tide that published in Indonesia, there were classic Indonesian comics, European Bande dessin, American super heroes comics, Hongkong kungfu comics, and Japanese manga. Japanese Manga getting published in Indonesia around 1990's but Japanese anime has made it's way in my country since 1980's. I liked ‘Voltes V', ‘Getter Robo' and all other giant super robot anime so much.

Q3. What are the most difficult things about being a professional comic artist? What are the best things?

It's always about deadlines, since I have other jobs as freelance illustrator and designer, I have to manage my time between one job and another. But I think the most difficult thing to be a comic artist in Indonesia is to change the Indonesian comic reader's mindset that local comic/manga can generate a good quality too. The best things of being a comic artist is when someone I never met before, approach me and said that he/she really enjoy my work.

Q4. Please tell us about your first comic entitled 'Wind Rider' (Shonen-sky-fantasy genre). What kinds of response have you elicited from the readers?

Wind Rider is my comic debut, it's a one shot adventure comic. Wind Rider tells a story about a world with civilizations built amongst the clouds, with cities in floating-gigantic steel structures, and people riding flying bikes, where the boundless sky is an ocean of stormy and hazardous acid-clouds, where the solid surface of the earth is full of mystery.

 
 
Preview Wind Rider!
Click the images to enlarge!

To support the manga, I create an anime trailer and flash racing game based on Wind Rider, so the readers can have a personal and deeper experience about the manga. You can play the game and submit your Best Time at: http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/545110. (see left)

Wind Rider made a good sales in Indonesia, and I got great feedback from readers. Many of comic readersin Indonesia didn't know that Indonesian manga exist before they read Wind Rider.

Q5. How do you do to relax when any idea doesn't come out?

Just like any other people: playing games, watching anime/ movies :)

Q6. What is your favorite movie/novel/music?

I like instrumental music a lot. I listening it when I'm drawing. I love Ghibli movies, recently I watched ‘Ponyo', I like it so much.

Q7. How Wacom products help you and your team to minimize work process?

Definitely the future gadget is in our hands! I can do inking, coloring and tone brushing more fast and efficient with Wacom.

Q 8. What do you expect from Wacom?

I hope Wacom held regular drawing classes/workshops, for introducing the gadgets to the larger audience, and nurturing new talents.

Q 9. What do you think you're going to do half decade later? And what is your goal?

My goal is to make best selling comic/manga series that have positive influence and impact for younger generation in my country to have courage in making their dreams come true.

Q10. If you are planning any kind of activity, please tell us about it. (of course, you can tell us about your new comic!)

Right now I'm working on 2 comic titles. One is a graphic novel, an adaptation from best selling novel in Indonesia, and they're going to make the movie version too. The other one is my current comic series entitled ‘Garudayana'. Inspired by my country's cultural heritage: Wayang (Mahabharata & Ramayana Epics), Batik designs, and great ancient places in Indonesia. Originally it's an experimented comic, I try to blend manga style and Indonesian Wayang ornaments, and it turns out that readers really likes Garudayana. I'm doing the 3rd volume of Garudayana right now.

Q11. Any messages for your fans and young people who aspire to be like you?

If you have a deep passion, and believe you can reach your dream, then just go for it, shape your own destiny.