Gempak
Logo of Gempak
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| Categories | Comics |
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| Publisher | Art Square Creation |
| 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.
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.
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 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.
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