Category: Announcements

Difference Engine is proud to announce that Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is back for a second run. Book #2 of the series, Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: Coming of Age launches on 20 May.

Gripping and heartfelt, this full-colour graphic novel series introduces topics of ageing and dementia to young readers, while still being relatable and age-appropriate. Book #2 finds Ash dealing with changes in her life as she grapples with Ah Ma’s worsening dementia, along with her new superhero responsibilities and additional team members. Educators and parents may find the series useful to start conversations with young ones about the illness, andhow children can learn to connect with affected elderly family members and loved ones.

Digital resources are also available to help young readers understand dementia and age-related issues with a companion website, Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: The Unforgettable Adventures. Featuring a free series of bite-sized comics and interactive activities, the website teaches young ones more about dementia, tips on how to cope when a relative has the illness, and more. Visit this website to view these digital resources: superheroahma.differenceengine.sg

Written by Melanie Lee, a Crystal Kite Award recipient from Singapore, and illustrated by Arif Rafhan, a prominent comic artist, illustrator and pre-production artist from Malaysia, the comic book series is set in Southeast Asia, and first launched in 2020.

Writer Melanie Lee said that she wanted to create a story that featured an unusual granddaughter-grandmother duo, while keeping in mind that children might witness their grandparents decline in physical or mental health as they age. “I wanted to show how people of different ages can work together happily,
and portray Ah Ma as someone who is so much more than her dementia — she is still someone who enjoys fun and adventure, and is willing to adapt to unexpected circumstances.”

Illustrator Arif Rafhan agreed and explained he hoped that the story would encourage young readers to bridge the generation gap and show them that family is important. “Nothing is cooler than loving your family,” he said.

The series has received praise from notable writers and artists around the region, and earned kudos from those who work with people with dementia. Said Gavin Aung Than, NYT bestselling cartoonist and creator of Zen Pencils: “Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: Coming of Age is a fun and heartwarming superhero adventure that also introduces children to the important topics of ageing and dementia. Go team ASH!”

Social Workers from AWWA CREST, Nicodemus Ching and Lucian Toh, said that this issue was a powerful one that highlights the care and affection that persons living with dementia have for their loved ones. ”We thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. Action packed, bite-sized, and relatable for children, there is never a dull moment! At the same time, it is accurate to the experiences that persons living with dementia and their caregivers face.”

Felicia Low, Publisher and Co-Founder, at Difference Engine, said that keeping this accuracy was a deliberate choice. “Sometimes when we talk about the elderly, all we see is their age and their illness—we forget who they are as people. One of the best things about Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma is that all the characters in the story are people we might encounter at the kopitiam, at the supermarket, or at our void deck. They are
recognisable because they are us.”

With this series and microsite, the Difference Engine team hopes that young readers will be able to learn about dementia in a format that is appealing and fun.
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Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma: Coming of Age (Book #2) is now available in bookstores in Singapore and Malaysia. The book retails at SGD17.90 (w/o GST). Purchase the print or ebook at bit.ly/team-ASH-2.

For enquiries about the book, contact:
readcomics@differenceengine.sg

 

Singaporean creators Wayne Rée and Nurjannah Suhaimi look to encourage people to start more conversations about mental health with their latest comic book, Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health, which will be published on 9 May 2022.

The story takes cues from popular culture and comic book genres such as sci-fi and superheroes, confronting the myths and misconceptions of mental health issues in a relatable and digestible medium. Rée and Nurjannah hope that readers will be inspired to start open and frank dialogue with others about the realities of mental health.

Mental health is a topic that has gained greater prominence over the last decade, and even more so since the pandemic. But despite increased awareness, these conversations can be plagued with misconceptions—especially for those who are new to the topic.

According to the Parliamentary Secretary for the Ministry of Health in 2021, about 49,800 Singapore residents received treatment for mental health issues every year on average from 2016 to 2019. This means that a sizeable portion of the population may face challenges relating to their mental health, or as a caregiver to someone with a mental health condition.

Since not everyone facing mental health difficulties seek professional care, there may be many more who need help. For those with mental health conditions or their caregivers, one obstacle they may face is the stigma of opening up about their experiences. Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health aims to address this and provide a stepping stone to share about their experiences.

Writer Wayne Rée explains that the story was born out of his experiences with people who live with mental health issues, and those who are, in contrast, not as familiar with the difficulties that mental health conditions can pose.

“The idea for the story took shape as I watched my partner navigate her existing mental health condition, while taking on the role of her mother’s primary caregiver. Her advocacy for greater awareness of mental health moved me to do the same, in my own way,” said Rée.

While writing the comic, Rée researched the more common mental health conditions in Singapore. To understand what people who live with those conditions go through, he spoke with people who have tried to talk about mental health with their friends, family, or colleagues.

“It’s their stories and perspective that form the heart of this comic,” he said. “This book is not about treatment. It is about broaching the topic of mental health, which is also a heavy responsibility that requires and deserves a great level of emotional honesty.”

Illustrator of the comic, Nurjannah Suhaimi, said: “The more conversations we can have about mental health, the less taboo it becomes, and the less lonely we feel, because at least, we know that we’re not the only one’s going through this mental health journey.

“While working on this project, I myself learned that none of us are really ‘perfect’; we all have a struggle that we’re going through. By understanding this, it creates more empathy in the community. We can help pick each other up, as we can recognise the signs when someone is not doing too well.”

Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health has received support and praise from Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH). A spokesperson from SAMH said: “This comic delivers a significant message – breaking the silence and stigma around mental health cannot be left solely to the professionals. Everyone can play a significant part in normalising it. Every conversation matters and we need to overcome it as a society.”

This comic book will be the second issue of DE Shorts, a new imprint that publishes self-contained stories on a wide range of social issues.

Felicia Low-Jimenez, Publisher of Difference Engine, said: “Conversations about mental health can create a more open, just, and caring world. We hope that Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health reminds people living with mental health conditions that they are not alone. We would also like the comic to encourage those who might be unfamiliar with these challenges better understand how they can reach out and help. To facilitate more conversations, we’ve included a specially designed postcard and envelope for anyone who wants to drop a note to someone and say, ‘How are you, really?’”

Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health will be available on the Difference Engine Online Store from 9 May 2022, and ships locally and internationally. The book, with the postcard and envelope set, retails at $15 SGD without GST.

Each copy of Worlds Apart: A Conversation About Mental Health comes with a postcard and envelope set that readers can use to reach out to those they care for.

Purchase the book online at bit.ly/WorldsApartMH.

For enquiries about the book, contact readcomics@differenceengine.sg.

JOIN US AT THE BOOK LAUNCH OF WORLDS APART: A CONVERSATION ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH

Join writer Wayne Rée and illustrator Nurjannah Suhaimi as they share their experiences and inspirations creating this comic book, and how the book can be a tool to encourage people to have more conversations about mental health issues.

We’re also pleased to welcome guest speaker Deborah Chen from Singapore Association for Mental Health, who will share more about mental health resources, and how to facilitate a culture of openness and care.

Difference Engine is partnering with Singapore Association for Mental Health (SAMH) to raise funds for mental health services. We will match all ticketing proceeds from this event (after a 5% cut per ticket from Peatix), and donate these funds to the Singapore Association for Mental Health.

Your support will enable SAMH to provide rehabilitative, outreach, and creative services and programmes to persons with mental health issues, and aid their recovery and reintegration back into the community. It will also contribute to raising public awareness about mental well-being and resilience, and promote acceptance and respect for persons who face mental health difficulties. To learn more about Singapore Association for Mental Health, head to this website:
www.samhealth.org.sg.

Date: 19th May 2022 (Thursday)
Time: 7:15pm – 8:45pm
Venue: Common Ground, Lounge
21 Bedok North Street 1, Common Ground Civic Centre
Singapore 469659

Register for the event at worldsapartmh.peatix.com.

Dive into wonderful Southeast Asian landscapes and discover their incredible wildlife with the beautifully illustrated alphabet book Marvellous Mammals: A Wild A to Z of Southeast Asia, which launched on 15 September 2021!

The first alphabet book featuring the mammals of Southeast Asia, Marvellous Mammals is researched and written by expert wildlife ecologist Debby Ng, with art by well-known local illustrator Darel Seow. Over two years in the making, it boasts full-colour illustrated spreads of mammals native to the region that both kids and adults will love.

The hardcover book features crowd-favourites such as the Orangutan and the Pangolin, as well as lesser known animals like the Annamite Striped Rabbit, an elusive jungle rabbit that lives in the mountains of Laos and Vietnam, and the Xoong Xor, a shy mammal that has been nicknamed the “Asian Unicorn” by some scientists.

Easy-to-read descriptions and bite-sized facts accompany the illustrations so readers can learn more about these unique mammals’ habitat, behaviour, and food choices, and their relationship with humans. These quirky facts are sure to delight the animal nerd in everyone!

Readers will also discover more about what makes the forests of Southeast Asia and its residents so special, and how humans can help protect the flora and fauna of the region.

Debby Ng, writer of Marvellous Mammals, shared this about her process of researching and writing the book: “While working on this book, I learned that there is still so much to be discovered about wildlife in Southeast Asia. This region is so very special, yet we do not have as many books and stories about these animals. These stories are so important to how we perceive our relationship with the natural world.

“To research this book, I consulted everything from the latest scientific papers, historical records by both colonial explorers and local explorers, local literature, and field scientists that are currently doing research in the field.

“Choosing which to feature and what interesting facts to share was very challenging. We wanted to represent as diverse a group of mammals as possible, while including some familiar mammals, and introduce some rare and strange animals like the Zaglossus.” Debby is a biologist, photojournalist, and National Geographic Explorer, and is currently pursuing her PhD at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.

Illustrator Darel Seow, who has worked with several museums and cultural institutions worldwide, said: “Growing up, I was obsessed with nature in any form, whether personal encounters or from documentaries and books. It’s a pity that we know so little about the wonderful creatures we share this region with and I hope this book starts readers on an adventure of learning about and how to live alongside our unique Southeast Asian wildlife.”

Using a geopolitical approach that aims to create awareness of what animal and wildlife habitats exist within or across national borders, Marvellous Mammals: A Wild A to Z of Southeast Asia has been praised by scientists and experts around the region. Dr. Yong Ding Li from BirdLife International, and author of The 125 Best Birdwatching Sites in Southeast Asia, remarked: “Marvellous Mammals is a beautiful compendium on Southeast Asia’s remarkable animals, many endangered, little known, an perhaps never before captured in a children’s book! Darel and Debby’s book could not have come at a better time when more than ever before, we need to take better care of all these wonderful species and their disappearing rainforest homes here in Southeast Asia.”

Difference Engine hopes that Marvellous Mammals will be able to inspire children and adults to appreciate the diverse wildlife that live in our neighbourhoods.

“Southeast Asia is home to many unique animals, and there is much we have yet to discover. We are incredibly proud to publish this tribute to the fascinating wildlife around us and to add to the small-yet-growing collection of titles focused on Southeast Asian animals,” said Felicia Low-Jimenez, Publisher at Difference Engine.

 

 

Marvellous Mammals: A Wild A to Z of Southeast Asia will be available in Singapore and Malaysia, in-stores and online, from mid-September 2021.

Purchase the print or ebook here.

For enquiries about the book, contact: readcomics@differenceengine.sg

 

 

Synopsis: 

We know that dogs bark, cats meow, and cows moo. But do you know dholes whistle “whee-whee”, wild boars grunt “grrt-grrt”, and siamangs call out “ooh-wow-wow”?

The Southeast Asian forests are full of incredible wildlife waiting to be discovered. In the humid nature reserves of Singapore, high up the mountain forests of Papua, and in the tropical waters of the Irrawaddy, a multitude of mammals live their unseen lives. They await a bold explorer to learn their secrets. Could that explorer be you?

In this beautifully illustrated alphabet book, wildlife ecologist Debby Ng and illustrator Darel Seow part the leaves to showcase lesser-known animals of Southeast Asia! Readers will learn about these unique mammals’ habitat, behaviour, food choices, and their relationship with humans.

 

 

About the Creators: 

Debby Ng is a biologist, photojournalist, and National Geographic Explorer. She has begun exploring jungles since she was five years old, before she realised she was an explorer, and has been reaching out to audiences about climate change and wildlife conservation since she was 14. She is the founder of pulauhantu.sg, a marine conservation organisation based in Singapore, and co-founder of himalayanmuttproject.org, which mobilises local communities to protect wildlife health in Nepal’s Annapurna Conservation Area. She is a Duke University Global Fellow in Conservation Biology and Policy, and studied geography and zoology at the University of Tasmania. She is currently pursuing her PhD at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions.

Darel is an illustrator and educator who loves creating stories about the marvellous flora and fauna that we share this planet with. Inspired by a childhood filled with pets of every shape and form, he has been bringing nature to life on paper ever since he could hold a pencil! An illustration graduate from Central Saint Martins in the UK, he believes that storytelling and play are the best way to connect with others. He especially enjoys working with museums and cultural institutions worldwide, and has illustrated three picture books detailing Singaporean stories. He continually endeavours to make learning a fun adventure through stories, and hopes this book invites others to share in his wonder for nature. Discover more of his work at darelseow.com!

Why do makers make what they make? How do makers handle successes and failures? These questions and more drive the heart of Difference Engine’s newest original graphic novel, The Makers Club: Starting Up!, the anticipated prequel to the compelling The Makers Club: Game On!.

 

This full-colour graphic novel is written by Eisner-nominated Malaysian creator Reimena Yee and Philippines-born comics artist Tintin Pantoja, and illustrated by Tintin. The book is suitable for readers between the ages of 9 and 14, and features educational resources such as inspiring interviews with entrepreneurs, discussion questions, and more!

Join secondary school students Aqilah and Yong Qiang as they embrace their inner makers and embark on their own journeys of creative growth, confidence, and self-acceptance. Even as they change as individuals and contend with their own struggles, their friendship and presence in each other’s lives allow them to achieve their own independence and take steps to actualise their best selves.

 

Created specially for the 21st century student, The Makers Club: Starting Up! addresses one of the biggest challenges students face: Solving complex problems that cross standard subject lines. In the book, readers can follow Aqilah and Yong Qiang as they solve real-life problems for themselves and those around them. By including themes that encourage interdisciplinary knowledge, critical thinking and creativity, The Makers Club: Starting Up! presents approachable ways to apply knowledge beyond traditional classrooms that are sure to inspire children and students of today!

Beyond broader themes, educators and students also get an intimate glimpse into the personal growth and the struggles of the two main characters.

 

Entrepreneurial and creative Aqilah is talented and hardworking in all things artistic and inventive, yet she struggles with self-doubt and the painful dips and highs that come with the ebbs and flows of inspiration.

The gently upbeat and independent Yong Qiang seeks to be a brave and supportive friend for everyone, even at the occasional cost of his own space to heal with the reality of living with muscular dystrophy.

Their friendship guides these two into a voyage of making, entrepreneurship, and design thinking. Guided by supportive mentors, both friends discover more about their abilities and vulnerabilities, and actualise their paths of independence and self-esteem throughout the course of The Makers Club: Starting Up!.

 

The processes of creation and growing up are rarely taught – they might seem effortless or intuitive, but they rarely are. When exhaustion and burnout strike, most young creators don’t know how to process these experiences of fatigue, and it is often hard to find understanding and support from others. In showcasing Aqilah and Yong Qiang’s struggles, we hope that readers will find affinity in these relatable experiences, and that the The Makers Club: Starting Up! will provide them with the strength to conquer their fears and reach new heights

For teachers, parents, and mentors who wish to gain insight and empathy into this experience of teens growing up and striving to make sense of the 21st century, The Makers Club: Starting Up! presents an approachable glimpse into the mind, heart, and world of young makers and their communities! Our team at Difference Engine hopes that young creators and entrepreneurs will find camaraderie with Aqilah and Yong Qiang’s stories in The Makers Club: Starting Up!, and be inspired to achieve their dreams!

Find out more about The Makers Club: Starting Up! here. Now available in print and ebook formats!

Difference Engine is proud to present the digital launch of The Makers Club: Game On!, the first book in a new graphic novel series that aims to inspire kids to explore STEAM topics and maker culture. We will be launching the book together with a line-up of free online talks and workshops. Get the chance to learn more about maker culture, comics creation, climate change comics, and more! 

The Makers Club: Game On! Digital Launch Events will run from June to September. The creators of the graphic novel, Reimena Yee and Tintin Pantoja, will lead the talks and workshops alongside other creators and experts. Read on to find out more about the exciting line up we have planned for you! 

The Makers Club: Game On! features a group of fun and diverse characters who embark on creative journeys to experiment, code, and develop a maker mindset. 

The graphic novel is available in print and ebook formats. 

Pre-order with Closetful of Books from now until 30 June and receive:

• special price of $15 (regular price $18)
• a set of character bookmarks
• printable digital posters
• and early access to interviews with game industry professionals. 

Click here to pre-order now.

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Session 1: Help! I can’t stop drawing!: Life as a comics creator

Date: 14 June 2020, Sunday 
Time: 3pm – 3.45pm (UTC +08:00)
Talk and Q&A 
For ages 16 and above.
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL1
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

What is a day in the life of a comics creator like? Does a comics creator draw all day? How does a writer keep thinking of new stories? And, just how long does it take to plan and research for a graphic novel? 

Reimena Yee, writer of The Makers Club: Game On! and co-founder of Southeast Asian comics collective UNNAMED, will answer these questions and more! Learn how the prolific comics writer and illustrator got started in her profession, and why she keeps doing what she does.

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Session 2: Let’s frame it another way: From prose to comics

Date: 28 June 2020, Sunday 
Time: 11am – 12pm (UTC +08:00)
Workshop 
For children aged 7-12 with accompanying parents/guardians.
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL2
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

If a picture is worth a thousand words, does that mean words become unnecessary in a comic book? Discover how Tintin Pantoja, comics illustrator of graphic novel The Makers Club: Game On!, combines images and text to develop a comic! 

Participants will reimagine their favourite stories in the comics medium and learn a different way of telling stories. Tintin will be demonstrating how images and text can work together through a live sketching session, along with exercises that the audience can follow along.

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Session 3: The Makers Club: Game On! Book launch: Meet with Reimena Yee and Tintin Pantoja

Date: 12 July 2020, Sunday
Time: 3pm – 3.45pm (UTC +08:00)
Talk and Q&A
This is a family friendly event for children and adults alike. 
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL3
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

Join Difference Engine on launching The Makers Club: Game On! This graphic novel talks about video-game creation and fandoms through a group of fun and diverse characters. They embark on creative journeys to experiment, code, and develop a maker mindset. Set in Southeast Asia, The Makers Club is written by Eisner-nominated Malaysian creator Reimena Yee and illustrated by Philippines-born comics artist Tintin Pantoja. 

In this digital launch, Reimena and Tintin will share more about the characters in the story, their creative process, and what creating The Makers Club means to them. Get the opportunity to meet and talk with the creators, and find out more about the book! 

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Session 4: Comics for climate change: A comics workshop

Date: 26 July 2020, Sunday
Time: 11am – 12pm (UTC +08:00)
Workshop
For children aged 7-12 with accompanying parents/guardians.
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL4
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

Find out how animals in Southeast Asia are affected by global warming and climate change in this guided workshop by ecologist-journalist Debby Ng and illustrator Darel Seow. The duo will unearth lesser-known animals in the region that have had their habitats and lifestyles affected by global warming, and show participants how to draw simple characters based on native Southeast Asian animals. At the end of the workshop, participants will also conceptualize and create a simple comic story about climate change! 

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Session 5: You don’t need to know how to code to be a Maker: A comics workshop

Date: 9 August 2020, Sunday
Time: 11am – 12pm (UTC +08:00)
Workshop
For children aged 7-12 with accompanying parents/guardians.
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL5
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

Anyone can be a Maker – the key is not coding, but problem solving! Learn how fun and creative problem solving can be as illustrator Tintin Pantoja and Saad Chinoy from Engineering Good talk about maker culture and how creative problem solving can be found anywhere. Illustrator Tintin Pantoja will guide participants on how to draw simple characters and create a one-page comic using characters from The Makers Club. 

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Session 6: Draw it, fold it: A zine-making workshop

Date: 23 August, Sunday
Time: 11am – 12pm (UTC +08:00)
Workshop
For children aged 7-12 with accompanying parents/guardians.
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL6
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

Love video games and arts and crafts? Want to learn how to make zines for you and your friends just like Nadia does in The Makers Club? In this zine-making workshop, illustrator Vann Law, an experienced zine creator and video game enthusiast, will be leading workshop participants in making a zine of their own. Participants will create a zine about their favourite video game while creating their own foldable, eight-page zine using illustrations, comic elements, and just one single sheet of A4 paper! 

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Session 7: Let’s talk comics: Which comics are best for the classroom?

Date: 6 September, Sunday
Time: 3pm – 3.45pm (UTC +08:00)
Talk and Q&A 
For ages 16 and above. 
Sign up at: bit.ly/TMC1DL7
Registration is free. Click here for the Facebook event page.

Comics have been used both in and out of the classroom as a teaching resource by many. They are a good tool to engage students and children, especially when they are spending time at home. But what type of comics are best and how to use them effectively?

Using her expertise as a bookseller, Denise Tan from Closetful of Books, will be discussing comics and how they can be an effective learning tool in the classroom. Attend this talk to find out more about comics with engaging content that both educators and parents have found useful in the classroom. 

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View the full line up:

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About The Makers Club: Game On! 

Timid artist Nadia is in awe of her new teammate. Priya’s a gamer, she’s smart, and she knows how to code—so this environmental video game they’re building should definitely win the top prize at the Pangolin Secondary School Science Fair, right? But Nadia and Priya soon discover that there’s a lot more to making a game than coding and sprites. Will they be able to overcome their differences or will it be game over for them far too soon?

• Friendship and creativity come together in The Makers Club: Game On! to inspire kids to explore STEAM topics and maker culture!

• This graphic novel’s bonus content includes interviews with programmers and artists in the game industry for a closer look at the process of video game creation.

• Set in Southeast Asia, by creators from Southeast Asia.

Follow Difference Engine on Facebook or Instagram for more news!

The graphic novel is available in print and ebook formats here. 

We are impossibly excited to announce Difference Engine’s first comics anthology featuring writers and illustrators who are unabashedly and proudly Southeast Asian. Sound: A Comics Anthology will tell stories set in the past, present, and future, from intimate personal narratives, to epic mythological tales, to insightful political observations. We can’t wait for readers to see what our homegrown talent is capable of. Some names are familiar to us, a few we know personally, but many others we are discovering here for the very first time. We are astonished by the mad skills out there. We can’t wait to read the finished comics. The guest editors, Charis Loke and Budjette Tan are working with the creators and creative teams right now. Charis and Budjette have been so generous with their insight and encouragement, but also frank and concise with their critique. We couldn’t hope for a better editorial team. When we first put out the call for submissions, we did not know what to expect. However, we eventually received an incredible 103 entries in total (nearly half of which came in just minutes before the deadline!). We are so grateful to everyone who shared and contributed to spreading the word, as well as all the creators who submitted their pitches. You guys are awesome and we know you will be as excited as we were to see the final selected entries! Here is the line up of the final stories and teams that will be featured in the anthology:

• A Call (Nadhir Nor)
• Blabber (Bonni Rambatan)
• Bonus Points (Benjamin Chee)
• Folk (Paolo Chikiamco & Borg Sinaban)
• Hokkien for Beginners (Nicolette Lee)
• ON / OFF (Xie Shi Min, Xiao Yan, & Richard Phua)
• Out of Sight (Wong Jingwei & Soefara Jafney)
• Road Trip Radio (Cathlyn Vania)
• Signals (Farid Nad)
• Softly, Sayang (Sharon Bong & Leong Yi Zhen)
• The Calling (Amahl Azwar & Nadiyah Rizki)
• The Cat Who Barks (Bryan Arfiandy)
• Voices and Votes (Rafael Romeo Magat & Ruth Chris De Vera)

Sound: A Comics Anthology will be published in November 2020 and we will be launching with a bang. Listen up for it! From, Felicia and the Difference Engine team Check out our other upcoming titles as well: The Makers Club: Game On! Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma

We’re Difference Engine, a new independent comics publisher based in Singapore, and we’re excited to announce that we will be releasing four new titles in 2020!

Our debut line-up focuses on stories told by Southeast Asian creators, and features established names and two Singaporean writers new to working on comics.

We feel that there is a place for young, independent publishers in Asia to carve out a space for their unique brand of stories and have them read by everyone. We’re inspired by stories coming from Asia, and we can’t wait to add to the growing number of Southeast Asian  voices in the scene.

 

 

One of the first titles we will be publishing is SOUND: A Comics Anthology, an initiative to develop and showcase local and regional creators.

As our guest editor Charis Loke put it, “So many Southeast Asian storytelling traditions—wayang, chanted epics, songs of healing, recited poetry—are rooted in oral forms. With this in mind, SOUND: A Comics Anthology is an exciting opportunity to explore what comics as a storytelling medium is capable of.”

Charis, an illustrator and arts-educator, will be co-editing the anthology together with writer Budjette Tan who co-created the horror comics series Trese. They’re both veterans in the Southeast Asian comics industry and we’re pleased to have them come on board as guest editors! SOUND: A Comics Anthology opens for submissions today, 4 May, and closes on 31 July 2019. Click here to find out more about the rules and regulations.

 

 

We’re also developing a new middle-grade series The Makers Club together with Eisner-nominated Malaysian creator Reimena Yee and Philippines-born comics artist Tintin Pantoja, who will be working on the series as writer and illustrator respectively. The lighthearted series focuses on friendship, inclusiveness, and the importance of creativity in STEM. Book 1—The Makers Club: Game On!—will be published in the first half of 2020.

Reimena Yee said, “The Makers Club is a graphic novel I would have enjoyed reading as a kid. But since that is long past, I’m excited about the next best thing: creating it with my collaborator Tintin for the next generation of kids! I’m really proud The Makers Club will represent Southeast Asian girls who are creative and nerdy, both on the pages and behind the scenes.”

 

 

Singaporean kidlit author Melanie Lee will take on her first comic writing role in collaboration with prolific Malaysian artist Arif Rafhan. Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma explores growing up and growing old, and how life can be complicated when you have superpowers. This middle-grade standalone will be published in the second half of 2020.

Arif Rafhan commented, “Working with Melanie has always been great. It’s our third time now and we are reaching a telepathic stage in our working relationship – for real! I’m also very excited to be part of the DE family. I admire DE’s passion for comics-making and publishing under them would be a great opportunity.”

 

 

Also new to the comics scene is local playwright Gina Chew, who has teamed with internationally-published Singaporean artist Foo Swee Chin, aka FSc. The duo is working on a story set in a fantastical world where a girl touched by death meets a boy who is Death’s messenger. Afterlife, a Young Adult fantasy will be published in the second half of 2020.

Said Gina Chew, “I’m so excited to be given this chance and a team who believes in my story, and at the same time, I feel the weight of writing a story that will do justice to all the cultures and influences that I’m drawing my inspiration from.”

Readership for comics and graphic novels has been growing steadily worldwide with an increasing number of international publishing houses setting up dedicated comics imprints and attracting talent globally.

We want to add to the growing number of Southeast Asian voices in the scene, and to do our best to amplify as wide a range of voices as we can! We believe that small details in stories matter. And those details can make all the difference in a visual medium like comics.

As Felicia, our head, says, “We want to publish books for long-time comic fans, but also for readers who have never picked up a comic before! You don’t need a secret handshake to start reading comics.”

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Update (March 2020): Unfortunately, Foo Swee Chin has withdrawn from Afterlife due to personal reasons. Illustrator Nadhir Nor will be working together with Gina Chew on Afterlife and we are excited to see the new directions the story will take!

Q: How do I show proof of residence in Southeast Asia?

A: We accept documents that have both your legal name and residential address printed on it, such as your recent utilities or telecommunications bill (not more than 6 months old). You will need to scan your documents and email them to us when requested.

 

Q: I am of Asian descent but not living in Southeast Asia. Am I eligible to submit to the anthology?

A: Unfortunately not. SOUND: A Comics Anthology was initiated to offer opportunities to creators who reside in Southeast Asia. Therefore, all members of the creative team must also reside in Southeast Asia.

 

Q: Which countries are considered part of Southeast Asia?

A: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.

 

Q: If I am not eligible to submit to this anthology, will there be other opportunities to get published with DE?

A: Yes! If you would have a story that you would like to see published, please head over to our general submissions page here.

 

Q: Do the portfolio samples need to be linked to the story I am pitching for SOUND? 

A: They do not need to be linked.  

 

Q: Do the portfolio samples need to be in black and white? 

A: They do not need to be in black and white.  

 

Q: How do I find creators to collaborate with?

A: You can head to the Facebook post here to introduce yourself to fellow creators!