Difference Engine is an Independent Comics Publisher Based in Singapore.
Click on the image to download our 2024 Difference Engine Catalogue
About DE
Difference Engine is an independent comics publisher based in Singapore. We are inspired by stories from Asia, and we are committed to publishing diverse, well-written, and beautifully illustrated comics of all genres and for all ages. We collaborate closely with Southeast Asian creators, both new and experienced, with genuine and thought-provoking ideas to share.
In addition to our main publishing line, Difference Engine also publishes DE Shorts, an imprint focused on self-contained stories on a wide range of social issues.
Our range of print and digital comics and graphic novels are available locally, regionally, and internationally through our network of booksellers, retailers, and distribution partners.
Publish
Our experienced team of editors and designers work closely with creators to publish comics and graphic novels. Beyond that, our marketing, sales, and business development teams are focused on forging long-term partnerships and crafting creative campaigns to ensure our titles reach as wide an audience as possible.
Communicate
We break down complex topics into visually appealing explainers that make use of creative storytelling elements. From animal protection to mental health to menstruation, we have published content that combines words and visuals in a way that optimises the strengths of both. Together, they hold more appeal than plain text, are easier to recall and to store in long-term memory.
Experiment
We explore how comics and tech come together to bring new ideas to life in the form of webcomics, audio comics and even games. We are always open to collaborating with new partners.
Workshops
Want to make comics? Learn the basics with us! Follow us on social media for public workshops or get in touch for specially crafted sessions. We work with all ages.
Behind the name
An encounter with the Difference Engine, a mechanical calculator, led Ada Lovelace down a path she would never look back from. She is now known as the world’s first programmer due to her work with Charles Babbage and the Analytical Engine. She defied 19th century conventions and continues to inspire innovators and creators today.
We want the comics we publish at Difference Engine to be similar catalysts, to nudge readers to look at the world a bit differently. Who knows what they will see?
Difference Engine is a Potato Productions company, founded by Lee Han Shih.
BEHIND THE TEAM
FELICIA LOW-JIMENEZ
Publisher & Co-Founder
Felicia has an MA in Literary Theory and Asian Studies with a focus on anime and manga, and has worked in bookselling and publishing for over a decade. She believes that stories have the power to change the world. She is also one half of the writing team behind the best-selling Sherlock Sam series of children’s books.
ADITI SHIVARAMAKRISHNAN
Senior Editor
Aditi has a decade of editorial and project management experience across publishing and the arts. She occasionally works as a speech-to-text interpreter and also enjoys writing, films, crossword puzzles, and making zines for friends. She holds a BA in English and an MSc in Information Studies.
SHREYA DAVIES
Editor
Shreya graduated with a degree in English Literature, and has been an editor for fiction and non-fiction publications. She never leaves home without a book, and when she is not reading, she can be found at the gym where she does Olympic weightlifting.
CHARLENE SHEPHERDSON
Business Development
Charlene is a writer who creates experiences using visual text, interactive narratives and historical archives. They enjoy bringing communities together and curating space for playful moments. They experiment with text, tech and textiles to reach new readers.
Olivia Djawoto
Marketing & Communications
Olivia Djawoto is a writer of piecemeal fiction and self-deprecatory tweets. Her critical essays, short stories, flash fiction, and photography can be found in various corners of the internet and occasionally in print. She lurks and does things online as @schmalll.
Hairul Amar
Sales & Publishing
Before joining the publishing industry, Hairul spent more than half his life navigating the business end of geek culture and sports fandom. In his free time, Hairul likes nothing better than sharing the joys of tabletop gaming with the world. You can find him at @hairul.amar on Instagram.
Raffaella Nathan
Community Engagement
Raffaella works to build rapport with DE’s audiences through thoughtful programming, using skills from her past lives in journalism and documentary production. She is currently being so cool and not cringe at all online at @chowyumfart.
CLAIRE LOW
Design Lead
Claire is a designer and artist with a passion for visual storytelling across mediums. She is also the illustrator of the 2024 Southeast Asian fantasy webcomic "Tiger Girls”. In her free time, she bakes bread and posts fantasy-inspired works under the Instagram handle @comatomato
May Thu
Designer
May Thu is a multidisciplinary creative who has an undying love for comics and other mediums that tell unique visual stories. Other than designing, she also loves to illustrate and has created works for clients in both online and print publications.
Seth Aw
Marketing & Design Assistant
Seth believes stories are a great form of catharsis. When they are not wrangling social media, they create comics, visual novels, zines and bits of art and writing that they share as Fever Fiction. At any point in time, they are probably listening to music.