For the first time since 2019, Pasar Komik Bandung/PaKoBan (Bandung Comic Market) is back with a new name: Pesta Komik Bandung/PesKom Bandung (Bandung Comic Party). It’s an event for Indonesian comics/IPs and their communities to meet and promote their works held annually in the city of Bandung, West Java. With the rebranding, PesKom Bandung held several pre-events in collaboration with Padepokan Ragasukma, including a seminar, workshop, and exhibition.
The first pre-event was PesKom Bandung x Ragasukma, an event consisting of a seminar, workshop, and exhibition. The event was held on 22 January 2023 at The Hallway Space, Bandung. The speakers for this pre-event were the comic artists from Padepokan Ragasukma, namely Alex Irazqi (Raibarong), Dedy Koerniawan (Sinawang), Indra Ad (Dracko Diary), and Akhmad Fadly (Rajasa).
The second pre-event is PesKom x Sweta Kartika Day, which included a seminar, and an exhibition of one of the most prolific Indonesian comic artists, Sweta Kartika. The event is held at Nakara Books, Cafe, and Learning Space, Bandung. The exhibition is open from 15 to 22 February, 10.00-18.00 WIB (GMT+7). While the seminar will be held on 19 February 2023 at 12.00 WIB with an entrance fee of IDR 35.000.
PesKom Bandung is also offering to help creators promote their indie comics on the day of the event.
One of The Indonesian Anime Times staff had a chance to visit the Pameran Sweta Kartika (Sweta Katika Exhibition) on a cloudy and rainy Tuesday, 16 February 2023. The exact place for the exhibition is on the second floor of Nakara Books, Cafe, and Learning Space.
From the entrance to the left, attendees can find a collection of the actual manuscripts of Sweta Kartika’s comic illustrations.
This section highlights his art style in drawing the characters, expressions, cityscapes, natural landscapes, and a glimpse into how he narrates the story through drawings.
To the right, visitors can take a sneak peek at the Sweta Kartika Illustration Book 1 and Book 2. The books are about 200 pages each, and full of illustrations made by the artist over the years.
Next to the illustration books is a display of the various comic books Sweta Kartika has released throughout his career.
On the wall, the visitor can find a small foreword from the creator himself.
Then, on the wall across the other side of the table, the visitor will be shown two collections of original illustrations displayed. The first is Dwiraga, a collection of original characters drawn on paper and framed. The second one is H2O Reborn, a collection of art drawn using graphite on canvas.
When visitors leave the exhibition, they can leave a message on the whiteboard outside the room.
The pre-events show how the enthusiasm of the comics & IP community and the readers from both inside & outside Bandung have not waned even after the pandemic. After the hiatus, the event feels like it has come back stronger than ever. Those interested can still check out the event (as well as the cafe itself!) until 22 February 2023. PesKom Bandung has yet to disclose any information on when the main event itself will be held, so stay updated with their social media.
The Indonesian Anime Times
