Neha Patil (Editor)

Gempak Starz

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Categories
  
Comics

Country
  
Malaysia

Website
  
www.gempakstarz.com

First issue
  
June 1, 1998

Language
  
Malay

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.

Contents

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.

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
    1. Lawak Kampus
    2. Lawak Kampus Connection
    3. Lawak Kampus Friends Edition
    4. Lawak Kampus League
    5. Lawak Kampus Move On
    6. Lawak Kampus Rebound
    7. Encore! Lawak Kampus Artbook
    8. Kuso High School
    9. Kuso High School Log In
    10. Kuso High School Teamwork
    11. Wasabi
  • Zint
    1. 2 Dudes
    2. Bodyguard.com
    3. Boy's Scout
    4. GoGo Chacha Street
    5. Hero
    6. K.O King Conquest
    7. Kaleidoscoope Collection 01: Our Blue Sky
    8. Kaleidoscoope Collection 03: The Journey
    9. Kaleidoscoope Collection 04: Great Day
    10. Kaleidoscoope Collection 05: Woo Hoo!
    11. Kisah Pengembaraan Kroit
    12. Kijiya
    13. Kijiya Deux
    14. Kijiya Quatre
    15. Lawak Under 18
    16. MFEO (Meant For Each Other)
    17. Raiden
    18. Scarbot & Monky
    19. Sharkman the Hitman
    20. Si Penjual Aiskrim
    21. Under 18: Elite
    22. User
    23. Xpresi Tempur
  • Kaoru
    1. After School With You
    2. Candy Series
    3. Cinta Untuk Dijual
    4. Cuma Kucing Yang Tahu
    5. Helios Eclipse by Kaoru
    6. Lawak Valentine
    7. LOVE DRAMA
    8. Love For Sale
    9. Love Triangle
    10. Lost Diary
    11. Maid Maiden - Monday
    12. Maid Maiden - Wednesday
    13. Maid Maiden - Friday
    14. Maid Maiden - Saturday
    15. Maid Maiden - Sunday
    16. My Secret Bodyguard
    17. My Secret Boyfriend
    18. My Secret Buddy
    19. Nonetheless, I love You
    20. Only The Cats Know
    21. Strawberry Vampire
    22. Tell Me Your Name (New)
    23. Voice of An Angel
  • Ben
    1. Fatal Chaos Turbo Ex
    2. Te@mare
    3. Le Gardenie
  • Tadatada / Lee Kok Chen
    1. Good Morning Teacher!
    2. Hello Mei Mei
    3. Jejak Libasan Jaguh
    4. Monster Girl
    5. Paper Labyrinth
    6. Selamat Pagi Cikgu!
    7. The Prince and I
    8. "The Golden Age Of Adventures"
  • Oga
    1. 5th Dimension
    2. Brother X3
    3. Oxer
    4. Stories After Dark Don't Turn Off the Light Korea (New)
    5. Taiko and Little Peach
    6. X-VENTURE: Titanoboa
    7. X-VENTURE: Ancaman Boa Purba
    8. X-VENTURE: Titanoboa Coils of Doom
    9. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Perilous Peak
    10. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kembara Puncak Maut
    11. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Drifting Dead
    12. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kebangkitan Mayat Hidup
    13. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Skyfallen Safari
    14. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kerajaan Langit
    15. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Ferogious Fauna
    16. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Jerat Berbisa Flora
    17. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Meteoroid Mayhem
    18. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Zombie Meteorit
    19. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Mammoth Monstrosity
    20. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Ledakan Epidemik
    21. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Robot Rebellion
    22. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Kebangkitan Robotik
    23. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Robot Retaliation
    24. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Tentangan Robot
    25. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Nuclear Nemesis
    26. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Angkara Misil
    27. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Graveyard Gorge
    28. X-VENTURE Extreme Xploration: Azure Abyss
  • Xanseviera
    1. Lawak Fairy Godbrother
    2. Love Boat
    3. Love Terminal
    4. Neko Online.com
  • Michael Chuah / C2V
    1. 3 Hour to Master: How To Build Memory and Focus
    2. 3 Hour to Master: How To Control Your Finances
    3. 3 Hour to Master: How To Expand Your Creativity
    4. 3 Hour to Master: How To Get Perfect Marks
    5. 3 Hour to Master: How To Manage Your Mood
    6. 3 Hour to Master: How To Maintain Good Friendships
    7. 3 Hour to Master: How To Reduce Stress
    8. 3 Hour to Master: How To Strengthen Self-Discipline
    9. 3 Hour to Master: How To Stay Healthy
    10. 3 Hour to Master: How To Surf Safely
    11. Gengkey
    12. Gengkey (Remake)
    13. Lawak OK-KO
    14. X-VENTURE: Kappa
    15. X-VENTURE: Misi Menyelamat Kappa
    16. X-VENTURE: Kappa Chaos
  • Kenny Chua
    1. Jinggo Concluded
    2. Jinggo Replay
    3. Pop! Bang! Boom!
  • Other
    1. Glock 17 by Ageha
    2. Mat Gempak (Remake) by Apoh
    3. Mat Gempak by Apoh and Botak
    4. Kishiro Budak Sihir by Bear
    5. Shadow Quest by Clay
    6. Falcon by Clay
    7. Jangka Attribut by Clay
    8. Jejak Neraka by Cicak
    9. Zaman Gemilang by Hang Sembilan
    10. Showtime! by Jo
    11. 5 Elemen by Kash
    12. Dunia Cahaya by Kash
    13. Gol Kraziee 2000 by Kash
    14. Red Fox by King Kong
    15. Dewi Remaja (Manhwa) by Lee Ju
    16. IT Ekspress by Neko (advertisement comic)
    17. Go Notty by Nizam Bachok
    18. Velocity by Puppeteer
    19. Evolusi Identiti by Puppeteer
    20. Jinggo (Remake) by Puppeteer
    21. Twisted Mind of Puyuh by Puyuh@Leong Wan Kok
    22. Student King by Stanley G
    23. Hotlink Warrior by Slaium (advertisement comic)
    24. Drak by Slaium
    25. Jackie Perang Pit by Taufan
    26. Fear Factor by Taufan
    27. Pahlawan Raja Alam by Taufan
    28. Experiment 105 by Totoro
    29. Detektif Hantu by Totoro
    30. Detektif Hantu (Remake) by Totoro
    31. G.R.A.V.E. by Totoro
    32. Journey to the West/Raja Monyet by Totoro
    33. Pelayan Rahasia
    34. Segi TiGA Rahsia
    35. Siri Maskaret Cinta by various cartoonists (permanent section)
    36. Dari Alam Angker/Komik Angker by various cartoonists (permanent section)
    37. Komik Eksklusif by various cartoonists (permanent section)
    38. X-Pax Channel Comic by various cartoonists (advertisement comic)
    39. Komik Antarabangsa by international artists (Outdated)
    40. Zoology by Stanley G, Neko, Jo, and Keith
    41. Taufan Pesaka, part 1, 2, and 3 by Hang Sembilan (parts 1, 2) and Kash (part 3)

    References

    Gempak Starz Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA