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Chronicle of Calonarang:
Baladeva, Book 1 - Way of the Tiger
Created & Written by Ary Wicahyana.
Art by Verry Woong, Novianto Nov
Cover Art by Rudy Ao
There's a new super team in town! And they called themselves as 'Tantraz Comiks Bali'. And with their very own multi-skills, they beautifully captured a classic saga with a new attitude. It can be considered as one of the most ambitious lndonesia local comic project. A pilot comic project with spectacular art work, an epic fantasy entitled Chronicle of Calonarang : Baladeva.
At first, i will not focus upon their creative project, otherwise i'm going to observe all the creative talents behind Tantraz Comiks Bali. A very personal studio which consist of many explosive talents and yes, they are grow strong: Ary Wicahyana (comic writer), Verry Woong (comic artist), Novianto Nov (comic artist), a veteran cover artist Rudy Ao, and so many more. This is a kind of team that aware with the definition of unique and originality. They struggle to maintain between the exotism of eastern local content with a touch of modern science fiction esque. And throw it in one striking melting pot of renewed Indonesia folklore, Calonarang.
Calonarang known as one of Indonesia best classic literature which has been asleep and untouch for quite some times. A story that able to touch wide range of audiences mind, and remember it, for its strong traditional cultural impact. Even though the audience had been reminded of this lore through many great Indonesian comic artists : Teguh Santosa, Ganes TH, Jan Mintaraga, and Mansur Daman. The effort to revive Calonarang in a form of popular culture is a long hard road. It takes a lot of insights and friction in creative terms.
After so many rumours and art concept which had been throwned in social media, back in 2013. I was so impatient and hope that all the news didn't vaporize into nothing. But what really happen is very contrary with my negative assumption, all the concept is realize into a beautiful A4 landscape comic with astonishing visuals.
The story started with a classic battle scene between enormous muscular protagonist Kebo Parang with a beastly white lion. An epic fight which ended as a friendship bound between them. The story continue to flow and show the encounter between Kebo Parang and a misterious lady who work as blacksmith. I will not give any more spoiler, because you have to enjoy this comic by yourself. But on the other hand it is a must to share the visual aspects of this fantastic medium.
It consist of many strong and striking visuals, it will please our eyes with stunning detailed environment and vibrant colors. Verry Wong style of illustration play a big part of it, it shows many influences from Hong Kong kung-fu comics styles, (probably the last name 'Woong', is a homage from Verry to respect one of great comic artist from Hong-Kong). And balanced with modern digital sketch techniques from Novianto Nov. Which gives a sense of amalgam between Eastern and Western approach. In the same time, Chronicle of Calonarang: Baladeva is not the common comic medium which utilize small panels. It will spoils readers eyes, with exagerated panels as its vocal point. This is the kind of visual enhancement, that we can't find in any other local Indonesian comics. It really explores the fantasy themed environment, that will grip most of its readers somehow. There is a special connection between the characters and its environment.
If some of you already familiar with Calonarang folklore, you still going to get many surprises from this comic. Tantraz Comiks team really expand the storyline from its original literature. They put great effort to throw many fantasy themes into their visualization, so it really looked like a hyper-fantasy saga compare to its predecessor. And they also develop more detailed bakground story for each character.
So I can assume it is the real challenge for Tantra Comiks. Chronicle of Calonarang can't be completed only with one to three volumes. They really need to maintain their creative passion, ambition and a lot of energy to accomplish this journey into its climax end. The market also has to grow radically in over seas, i think that is my highest hope for this project. But for now i will let myself drown into a unique realm of fantasy from Chronicle of Calonarang : Baladeva. If you have interest in classic literature and sci-fi fantasy graphic novel, this is one of the best to add in your collection. And for those of you who already read the story, i'll be very happy to share the story, welcome to the world of 'Chronicle of Calonarang'.
Text by Prohibited Realm I Edited by Sebastian Pragnya
Chronicle of Calonarang:
Baladeva, Book 1 - Way of the Tiger
Created & Written by Ary Wicahyana.
Art by Verry Woong, Novianto Nov
Cover Art by Rudy Ao
There's a new super team in town! And they called themselves as 'Tantraz Comiks Bali'. And with their very own multi-skills, they beautifully captured a classic saga with a new attitude. It can be considered as one of the most ambitious lndonesia local comic project. A pilot comic project with spectacular art work, an epic fantasy entitled Chronicle of Calonarang : Baladeva.
At first, i will not focus upon their creative project, otherwise i'm going to observe all the creative talents behind Tantraz Comiks Bali. A very personal studio which consist of many explosive talents and yes, they are grow strong: Ary Wicahyana (comic writer), Verry Woong (comic artist), Novianto Nov (comic artist), a veteran cover artist Rudy Ao, and so many more. This is a kind of team that aware with the definition of unique and originality. They struggle to maintain between the exotism of eastern local content with a touch of modern science fiction esque. And throw it in one striking melting pot of renewed Indonesia folklore, Calonarang.
Calonarang known as one of Indonesia best classic literature which has been asleep and untouch for quite some times. A story that able to touch wide range of audiences mind, and remember it, for its strong traditional cultural impact. Even though the audience had been reminded of this lore through many great Indonesian comic artists : Teguh Santosa, Ganes TH, Jan Mintaraga, and Mansur Daman. The effort to revive Calonarang in a form of popular culture is a long hard road. It takes a lot of insights and friction in creative terms.
After so many rumours and art concept which had been throwned in social media, back in 2013. I was so impatient and hope that all the news didn't vaporize into nothing. But what really happen is very contrary with my negative assumption, all the concept is realize into a beautiful A4 landscape comic with astonishing visuals.
The story started with a classic battle scene between enormous muscular protagonist Kebo Parang with a beastly white lion. An epic fight which ended as a friendship bound between them. The story continue to flow and show the encounter between Kebo Parang and a misterious lady who work as blacksmith. I will not give any more spoiler, because you have to enjoy this comic by yourself. But on the other hand it is a must to share the visual aspects of this fantastic medium.
It consist of many strong and striking visuals, it will please our eyes with stunning detailed environment and vibrant colors. Verry Wong style of illustration play a big part of it, it shows many influences from Hong Kong kung-fu comics styles, (probably the last name 'Woong', is a homage from Verry to respect one of great comic artist from Hong-Kong). And balanced with modern digital sketch techniques from Novianto Nov. Which gives a sense of amalgam between Eastern and Western approach. In the same time, Chronicle of Calonarang: Baladeva is not the common comic medium which utilize small panels. It will spoils readers eyes, with exagerated panels as its vocal point. This is the kind of visual enhancement, that we can't find in any other local Indonesian comics. It really explores the fantasy themed environment, that will grip most of its readers somehow. There is a special connection between the characters and its environment.
If some of you already familiar with Calonarang folklore, you still going to get many surprises from this comic. Tantraz Comiks team really expand the storyline from its original literature. They put great effort to throw many fantasy themes into their visualization, so it really looked like a hyper-fantasy saga compare to its predecessor. And they also develop more detailed bakground story for each character.
So I can assume it is the real challenge for Tantra Comiks. Chronicle of Calonarang can't be completed only with one to three volumes. They really need to maintain their creative passion, ambition and a lot of energy to accomplish this journey into its climax end. The market also has to grow radically in over seas, i think that is my highest hope for this project. But for now i will let myself drown into a unique realm of fantasy from Chronicle of Calonarang : Baladeva. If you have interest in classic literature and sci-fi fantasy graphic novel, this is one of the best to add in your collection. And for those of you who already read the story, i'll be very happy to share the story, welcome to the world of 'Chronicle of Calonarang'.
Text by Prohibited Realm I Edited by Sebastian Pragnya
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