March 7th, 2006 | Category:
that’sShanghai magazine has an article by Miriam Rayman entitled Funny Business: China’s quest for a comic super power described how Manga has overrun and influenced the Chinese comic book market and how the Chinese comic book is facing an uphill battle. Mainland Chinese comic books are few. Certain characteristics of their comic book culture match those here in the Philippines:
1. Comics are produced by individuals who often do everything from cover to cover.
2. The art styles are highly influenced by manga (as their markets are full of translated manga)
3. Pay for doing local comics is meager.
China may have a large population but its talent pool for comics is tiny. I had the impression that it was even smaller than that of the Philippines. Furthermore, based on the interviews conducted by Rayman, it seemed that the mainland Chinese comic book stories still lack the maturity to impress.
It’s my opinion nonetheless that China will quickly overtake the Philippines in comics production. One, while the Philippines may have had a longer legacy in producing comics (and even for the US market), China has a vast cultural and historical base that is clearly older (and better preserved) than that of the Philippines – which means a deep well for comic book writers & artists to draw from. Two, China’s economics makes it possible for cheaper comics, printing, and distribution – that’s not even counting Hong Kong. Three, Chinese talent can only increase over time — it has already been going on for the animation industry, what with the number of skilled animators in the Philippines dwindling (yes, BRAIN DRAIN) and the number of Chinese animators increasing (yes, RETURN to the MOTHERLAND).
English profiency in the Philippines has managed to do 2 things for local comic book culture:
1. Made it possible for skilled artists to outsource their services and profit from it.
2. Sent most other potential comic book artists into call centers and to work abroad.
China’s english profiency cannot yet compete with that of the Philippines and the Chinese are known to be fiercely nationalistic. In many ways this does shield its comic book artists from brain drain and keep them producing comics (or any other art for that matter) for China (as long as they find something else to supplement their income.)
The article mentions a company called Cartoon King which started in 1993. It has been producing a monthly comic called “The Stars of Tomorrow” dedicated specifically to discovering new Chinese comic book artist&writer talents. I’d personally like to see it! With efforts like this, Chinese comic book writers and artists can quickly gain prominence in the world.
— thanks to Anson Yu for passing Rayman’s article to me
hello. im working on a term paper for Pop culture class. im doing my masterals on literature. im planning to do study on the history of Comics (in the phils) as a popular culture product. i left my email just in case you can help me in anyway. thanks.
hi joel!
Just want to bring up a question, how about the state of the comic book here in the Philippines? what do you think contributes to the declining of the readership on local comics these days?? any suggestions for solutions??
Thanks! -Just Curious.
Maaya
The pre-martial law comic book industry was doing rather well but after martial law, things went downhill. Just like the Asian Crisis that hit in 1997, things still have to recover for comic creators and publishers here in the Philippines.
What makes it difficult for the comic book creators here is the fact that Filipino komiks does not ‘t pay enough to make a living on – especially with the rising cost of goods. What makes it difficult for local comic book publishers is the dominance of other media have over comics as well as issues on distribution.
The solution is to raise awareness through constant activity and collaboration – whether paid or not. Preferably paid! Whether it’s publishing one’s own project, setting up a group, organizing an event, or teaching others how to make and how to sell comics. This way komiks is kept alive and regains a niche in the market.
You’re welcome Maaya.