Asian Comics

<p><p>Grand in its scope <i>Asian Comics</i> dispels the myth that outside of Japan the continent is nearly devoid of comic strips and comic books. Relying on his fifty years of Asian mass communication and comic art research during which he traveled to Asia at least seventy-eight times and visited many studios and workplaces John A. Lent shows that nearly every country had a golden age of cartooning and has experienced a recent rejuvenation of the art form.<p>As only Japanese comics output has received close and by now voluminous scrutiny <i>Asian Comics</i> tells the story of the major comics creators outside of Japan. Lent covers the nations and regions of Bangladesh Cambodia China Hong Kong India Indonesia Korea Malaysia Myanmar Nepal the Philippines Singapore Sri Lanka Taiwan Thailand and Vietnam.<p>Organized by regions of East Southeast and South Asia Asian Comics provides 178 black-and-white illustrations and detailed information on comics of sixteen countries and regions—their histories key creators characters contemporary status problems trends and issues. One chapter harkens back to predecessors of comics in Asia describing scrolls paintings books and puppetry with humorous tinges primarily in China India Indonesia and Japan. <p>The first overview of Asian comic books and magazines (both mainstream and alternative) graphic novels newspaper comic strips and gag panels plus cartoon/humor magazines <i>Asian Comics</i> brims with facts fascinating anecdotes and interview quotes from many pioneering masters as well as younger artists.</p></p>