16/10/2014
Prohibited Realm Recommends!
Setan Jalanan, Vol. 1
Creator & Writer: Franki Indrasmoro Sumbodo II
Art: Haryadhi Gee
AWAKEN THE GHOST!
In the journey and development of Indonesia local comic industry. The strive in maintaining the consistency of originality, always become an interesting debatable issue. In the most realistic condition, creating a solid and authentic character, always takes a large portion of creativities and mental effort. It always deal with a deep research and endless production of new ideas. And ironically, Indonesia local comic industry in many practical ways still have a great attachment with many influences from international literatures and pop cultures. In the same time, Indonesian comic artist have to create a chemistry of story that able to convey a stong Indonesian local content.
Among all of many crucial aspects that shape the quality of comic production. Readers point of view and taste is a key factor that determine whether a new released comic can be easily accepted or not. And we have to realize, that Indonesian readers have been evolve into a very inteligent groups of people. Who always have wide variety of demands, toward the options of entertainment genre that they want to digest. Crossed genres probably become the temporary answer for this particular issue.
"Setan Jalanan", have many potentials to answer the question of originality in the realm of Indonesian comics. Lead by Franki Indrasmoro as author, who has previous success with "Petualangan NAIF dan Mesin Waktu". Visualized by Haryadhi as illustrator, previously developed KOSTUM (Komik Strip Untuk Umum). And also supported by De Mardoko dan Jasmine Surkatty.
While reading, "Setan Jalanan", probably one of the thing that really effect readers is the visualization of Indonesian modern big cities. It really shows the gritty alleys, the chaos of big roads, and also the monumental landmarks of developed country. But despite of its landcape details that can mesmerize readers. The most important aspect is how it captured the struggle of Indonesia modern society in one giant urban survivalism.
The endless growing numbers of crimes, the strive of working class, and law enforcers are ineffective in handling criminals. It looks very raw and nihilistic especially with its black and white color approach. Readers probably will get "mind - fatique ", when they flip through each pages. A kind of positive fatique probably, a solid storyline and the visualisation of gritty modern Indonesia is very effective to stimulate those kind of interpretations.
In the same time readers will get teased by curiosities of, "Who is Setan Jalanan?", "What he really capable of?". The kind of reaction when people have to face a new kind of hero, a new form of archetype. Which probably created to inspire people with the hope of someone going to clean up the mess. A kind of hope which been whirl for so long in many good Indonesian people. The embodiment of Indonesia working class hero.
The action - based nuance and mysticism which reflect in "Setan Jalanan", character. Naturally become the core of the story line. The good reference of automotive and low-technology ,high - technology approach. Also sucessfully create a very unique point of view for readers. Well at least I experienced many layers of sensation when I struggle to understand every characters. In the same time struggle to understand the story as a whole.
The creative team behind Setan Jalanan were very honest in showing. What they really means as appropriate influences which they already capture. Good proportion of manga style were shown in almost every action scenes. Sometimes the panel were filled with rough black strokes. And sometimes they apply an anatomy of a character, that clearly out of proportion. It seems odd in a very exciting manner.
Big influences from western comics like Batman, also easily spotted. Without any misconception in becoming a copy cat. Setan Jalanan gracefully capture our imagination, into a realm of anti heroism. A character who sink into his own traumatic experience, and put all of his effort to avoid that kind of tragedy happen to his loved ones. Also included with a side kick that ready to support with smart technological equipments and battle strategy. Very classic and fresh in the same time. And oh yeah... she is steamy hot!!!
With all the good potentials which acquired by Setan Jalan as mentioned before. And we can't forget that the title won for "Best Character", category in Kosasih Award in Pop Con 2014. Probably there are still many hypothetical questions that lurks in our mind as avid readers. The big question is, "Will it survive?" That is a very normal question especially for Indonesia comic readers.
But, lets give the title our biggest chance, because it can be an anomaly in this evolved market. Just let those skepticism naturally evolve into an enigma. Because Setan Jalanan itself, is a fresh enigma that hopefully will maintain its consistency in teasing our mind as readers.
For more of Haryadhi's art:
https://www.facebook.com/haryadhigee
Text by Sebastian Pragnya & Prohibited Realm.
