Hello, we’re Difference Engine,
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.
The DE Story
Inspired by the story of Ada Lovelace and her encounter with the Difference Engine, Felicia Low-Jimenez knew it would be the perfect name for the independent comics publishing house she would co-found. And thus, Difference Engine was born! Since 2018, the DE team has grown in size and ambition, constantly experimenting, tinkering, and inventing more ways to bring Southeast Asian stories to life through comics and graphic narratives.
Coming from a thriving region that features a diverse array of comics cultures, Difference Engine now partners with Diamond Book Distributors to make Southeast Asian comics available in the US and the rest of the world.
Meet the team!
“Having worked as a bookseller and merchandiser for more than a decade, it feels like all the experience and connections I’ve built has led to the start of Difference Engine.
I’m always thinking of ways to work closely with bookstores, libraries, and schools to get our books into the hands of readers all over the world.”
— Felicia Low-Jimenez, Publisher and Co-Founder
Interested to learn more about our comics? Email us at readcomics@differenceengine.sg.
Bringing Southeast Asia to the world.
Internationally Distributed Titles
2024 Releases
Work-Life Balance: Malevolent Managers and Folkloric Freelancers
Co-created by Wayne Rée and Benjamin Chee
When a menacing multinational arrives in Singapore, strange creatures of Southeast Asian mythology find themselves in the realm of dead-end work, glass ceilings, and truly hellish bosses. This genre-bending prose-comic hybrid brings a new meaning to “rise and grind”.
Hairul, Sales
Part modern office drama, part supernatural cautionary tale, “Work-Life Balance” is one of those rare gems that beautifully balances two disparate yet complementary forms of storytelling. Your perfect companion when you’re facing down the office-pocalypse!
Alex de Campi
A mix of novella and comic about Southeast Asian mythical spirits coping with modernization and the Westernizing of the culture that gave birth to them. That makes it sound more serious than it is — a multi-stranded delight you’ll burn through with a smile.
Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma #1
Written by Melanie Lee
Illustrated by Arif Rafhan
Eleven-year-old Ash discovers that she has superpowers… and her grandmother does too! But as the dynamic duo puts together a superhero squad, Ash can’t help but notice signs of Ah Ma’s dementia setting in. How will they navigate growing up and growing old together, especially with their superpowered secret?
Seth, Design & Marketing
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma” is an incredibly fun story with an endearing cast of characters! Ash and Ah Ma’s relationship is both realistic and heartwarming, and their superhero adventures are accompanied by important moments of growing up and growing old.
Written and illustrated by Kiana Fedly aka Kifurai
University student Rara detests animals, especially cats. But everything changes when a fatal bike accident gives her a second chance to live and get her body back. The catch? She’s now a cat.
With two tails and a long-lost friend by her side, Rara ventures on a whimsical journey to show us the very human nature of animals, and the immense space that we carry in our hearts for reconciliation.
Raffaella, Community Engagement
For anyone struggling with forgiveness over a painful past, or holding empathy towards the self in a seemingly harsh world, “Two Tails” is a story that promises to cry and laugh alongside you as you process it all.
Sound: A Comics Anthology
By Various creators
Guest editors: Budjette Tan and Charis Loke
In Difference Engine’s first comics anthology, writers and illustrators across Southeast Asia experiment with ways of depicting the unseen through the medium of visuals and words. Featuring stories across genres and topics, SOUND is an exciting exploration of Southeast Asian creativity and what comics are capable of.
Olivia, Marketing
The challenge of interpreting sound into comics opens up so many possibilities, and “SOUND” presents entirely new dimensions of Southeast Asia that surprises you with how noisy, quiet, chaotic, and harmonious it can be.
Afterlife: The Boy Next Realm
Written by Gina Chew
Illustrated by Nadhir Nor
Kyra’s younger brother is stricken with an ailment that has no cure. The last thing she needs is to encounter a mysterious boy with an inexplicable connection she is drawn to. Revealing himself as Eric, a Spirit Keeper, Kyra and Eric embark on a daring rescue mission across realms to save Kyra’s brother from Death’s clutches. Afterlife is an epic Southeast Asian-inspired young adult fantasy graphic novel about one girl’s sacrifice as she fights to save what she loves.
Shreya, Editor
“Afterlife” invites readers into an breathtaking world filled with Southeast Asian myths and architecture, and also throws in an expansive and adventure longing romance that spans centuries.
2025 Releases (forthcoming)
Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma #2
Written by Melanie Lee
Illustrated by Arif Rafhan
The adventures of Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma continue! As Team ASH grows in number, Ash juggles being a responsible superhero, a supportive grandchild, and a kind friend. Meanwhile, is Ah Ma’s dementia getting worse? Join Ash, Ah Ma, and the rest of Team ASH as they try to save the neighbourhood.
Aditi, Editorial
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma” does not shy away from tough topics and is an empowering look at the strength young people have to face tough challenges.
Marvellous Mammals:
A Wild A to Z of Southeast Asia
Written by Debby Ng
Illustrated by Darel Seow
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 Southeast Asian mammals live their unseen lives. In this beautifully illustrated compendium, wildlife ecologist Debby Ng and illustrator Darel Seow part the leaves to showcase these unique mammals’ habitat, behaviour, food choices, and their relationship with humans.
Charlene, Business Development
Thoroughly researched and beautifully illustrated, “Marvellous Mammals” showcases the incredibly diversity of Southeast Asian wildlife and how much more there is to know about the world around us.
Written by Johanes Park and Jessica Leman
Gula Gulali is a magical girl with the power to turn the things around her into cakes and sweets! But as a Magi living in the non-magical realm of Terra, her magical abilities, bright pink hair and pointed ears make her stick out like a sore thumb.
Having to navigate friendships, suspicious schoolmates, and a series of magical mishaps, will she find acceptance and belonging, or will she have to give up her magic to fit in?
May Thu, Design
“Magical Sweet Gula” is not only a hilariously entertaining story that brings delicious bites of kue in every page, but is also one that gently touches on themes of identity and fitting in which everyone can relate to.
Created by Andeasyand, Vinita Ramani, Griselda Gabriele, Wayne Rée, and Nurjannah Suhaimi
A girl navigates her first period while a woman
anticipates her last. A mother loses her baby
before she can hold him. A friend opens up about
her struggles with mental health.
From humorous anecdotes drawn from difficult conversations, contrasting encounters and shared conundrums, to deeply personal experiences, this anthology seeks to open up dialogue about relatable issues that remain difficult to talk about.
Claire, Design
“How Are You Feeling?” is a great example of how comics can get to the core of the deeply human, highlighting the much-needed conversations that we need to be having as a community.
Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma #3
Written by Melanie Lee
Illustrated by Arif Rafhan
For 12-year-old Ash, change seems inevitable and sometimes unpleasant, especially with Ah Ma’s worsening dementia. Thankfully, the Good Ol’ Days daycare centre offers seniors a safe environment to keep them engaged. But when rich couple suddenly swoops in with plans to turn it into a luxury spa retreat, Team ASH must reunite for one final mission. Change may not be easy, but Ash learns that care and community can make the journey a little less lonely.
Seth, Design & Marketing
“Amazing Ash & Superhero Ah Ma” is an incredibly fun story with an endearing cast of characters! Ash and Ah Ma’s relationship is both realistic and heartwarming, and their superhero adventures are accompanied by important moments of growing up and growing old.
Written by Shreya Davies
Illustrated by Vanessa Wong
Through her school days where she must negotiate a precarious balancing act between her culture and fitting in, to her teenage years where appetites must be managed to keep up appearances, to the overwhelming responsibilities of adulthood, Divya journeys from feelings of emptiness to finding fulfilment within. To the Last Gram is an honest and hopeful story of feeling at odds with and finding a home in one’s community, family, and body, and of the journey to embrace the fullness of life.
Olivia, Marketing
“To the Last Gram” is an honest, introspective look into what it’s like to live with an eating disorder and the important conversations around race, privilege, and community that intersect it.
Order our books!
Difference Engine is distributed by Diamond Book Distributors internationally.
Order our books below!