Sunday October 25, 2009
Zint’s zest for comics
By SHAUN A. NOORDIN
In only his early 30s, this popular local artist has already accumulated a large portfolio of work.
LOCAL comic artist Zint is not only prolific – he’s written over 20 titles – but is also one of the most popular with Gempak Starz, the Malaysian comic publisher. Among his prodigious works are the Under 18 series, 2 Dudes, The Adventures of Kroit and Hero.
The Ipoh-based Zint, or Lu Wun Khang, 33, worked as a graphic designer for three years before joining Gempak Starz, where he’s been for 10 years now.
How did you end up becoming a comic artist?
I like comics a lot. I submitted my work to different publishers but didn’t succeed until Gempak Starz (accepted my submissions). I had a tough time as a freelancer because I would not be paid if my artwork was rejected.
What were your influences when you first started out?
I like the Japanese series Kamen Rider; I collect all the toys. I started out by imitating the style of the Kamen Rider artists, but eventually developed my own. I realised that as a comic artist I needed my own direction and path, so I tried very hard to come up with my own style.
It’s difficult to pin a “signature style” to your work. What are the common traits in your comics?
The way I tell jokes ... and the main character of my comics is usually rebellious. And there’s a lot of positive encouragement spread all over my work.
What is your most “definitive” work – the one that readers will think of when they hear the name Zint?
The Under 18 series. (It’s a humorous comic about a bunch of teenagers in secondary school.)
How is it like to create comics for the Malaysian market?
The Malaysian market is full of potential. It’s just that we need more publishers and artists. We also need more events to promote local comics so that people will be more aware of them. Right now, there are a lot of comics in the market – Japanese, Korean and American comics, for example.
What do you think separates the good comics from the bad?
There is no “good” or “bad” comic.
I, for one, put a lot of local identity such as local clothing and food in my work instead of just drawing something imaginary. Foreign comic readers want to experience what it is like in your country. They want to know more about your world, and the environment you live in.
What are your future plans?
I’ll still be drawing comics, and hopefully they will be read in other countries as well. That way I’ll get more readers. As a comic artist, you’d want your work to be seen everywhere – the more the better.
Zint blogs at zint-zombie.blogspot.com. If you want to check out the list of comics he’s created under the Gempak Starz label, go to www.gempakstarz.com.
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