Gempak is a Malaysian comic/gaming/hobby magazine, published by Art Square Creation beginning in June 1998. The magazine's main motto is, "Majalah Komik Generasi Baru." Being the first magazine in Malaysia to introduce local comic artists to an international audience, some have criticized the artists' skills as an imitation of the Japanese manga

Manga

Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...

 style. Others, however, claim that the artwork is completely different and introduces a new brand of manga, sometimes categorized as graphic novels. Gempak also has the distinction of being the first Malaysian info-comic magazine, offering news and articles about the ACG (Animation, Comics & Games) world in and outside of the country. Gempak magazine aims to encourage the local development of such industries, facilitating the global spread of Malaysian talent.

History

Gempak debuted on June 1, 1998, at a time when Malaysia was attempting to recover from the 1997 economic crisis. The economic crisis brought a hard impact on the Malaysian comic industry.

In order to gain a place in the Malaysian comic market, Art Square Creation incorporated the "info-comic" approach, which became the main formula of Gempaks success, and the new standard format for many Malaysian comics. It took 18 months for their success to take off without any help from other media advertisements. Starting as a monthly issue, it has come to be published bi-monthly, with many demands that the magazine should go for weekly issue.

Their concept of an info-comic magazine has become a trend followed by many recent comic magazines, including one of Malaysia's biggest publishers, Karangkraf Sdn. Bhd., who began releasing a new info-comic magazine titled Jom. The success of Gempak also resulted in the success of its publisher, Art Square Creation Sdn. Bhd., who expanded to become Art Square Group with three subsidiaries: Art Square Creation Sdn. Bhd, Anjung Taipan Sdn. Bhd., and Gala Unggul Sdn. Bhd. All Art Square Group products are now labeled under their own brand "GEMPAK STARZ."

Gempak, under Art Square Creation, won the Persatuan Penerbit-Penerbit Majalah Malaysia (MPA) award under other category special Malay magazine ("majalah pengkhususan" (Bahasa Malaysia)) 2007.

GEMPAK STARZ products

Besides magazines, Art Square Group publishes more than 200 products under the brand of GEMPAK STARZ. The products include graphics novel, t-shirts, caps, mugs, toys, posters, illustration books, stationary, and collection items.

List of Gempak comics

• Mat Gempak by Apoh and Botak
• Experiment 105 by Totoro
• 5th Dimension by Oga
• Detektif Hantu by Totoro
• Hikayat Jinggo Si Pemburu by Kenny
• Shadow Quest by Clay
• Under 18 by Zint
• 5 Elemen by Kash
• Siri Maskaret Cinta by various cartoonists (permanent section)
• Dari Alam Angker/Komik Angker by various cartoonists (permanent section)
• Wasabi by Keith
• Lawak Kampus by Keith
• Zoology by Stanley G, Neko, Jo, and Keith
• Helios Eclipse
  Helios Eclipse
  Helios Eclipse was a manga comic by a Malaysian female cartoonist under the pen name Kaoru. It was serialised in Starz, a magazine by Malaysian publisher Art Square Creation, starting with the magazine's first issue dated 1 June 2004. The serialisation was later switched to the company's flagship...
  
  by Kaoru
• Fatal Chaos
  Fatal Chaos
  Fatal Chaos is a Malaysian comic by Gempakstarz artist Benny Wong which was first published in the first issue of Starz Magazine. In April 2007, Fatal Chaos was transferred to Starz's sister magazine Gempak. On September 2007, artistic duties transferred to Juice under the alias GempakStarz when...
  
  by Ben
• Komik Eksklusif by various cartoonists (permanent section)
• Under 18 No Fear by Zint
• Falcon by Clay
• Velocity by Puppeteer
• Go Notty by Nazim Bachok
• Neko Online.com by Xanseviera (Doujinshi comic)
• Dunia Cahaya by Kash
• Komik Antarabangsa by international artists (Outdated)
• Dewi Remaja (Manhwa) by Lee Ju
• Glock 17 by Ageha
• Journey to the West/Raja Monyet by Totoro
• Kishiro Budak Sihir by Bear
• Jangka Attributby Clay
• Jejak Neraka by Cicak
• Taufan Pesaka, parts 1, 2, and 3 by Hang Sembilan (parts 1, 2) and Kash (part 3)
• Zaman Gemilang by Hang Sembilan
• Evolusi Identiti by Puppeteer
• Jinggo (Remake) by Puppeteer
• Mat Gempak (Remake) by Apoh
• Detektif Hantu (Remake) by Totoro
• G.R.A.V.E. by Totoro
• MFEO (Meant For Each Other) by Zint
• Xpresi Tempur by Zint
• Jackie Perang Pit by Taufan
• Fear Factor by Taufan
• Pop! Bang! Boom! by Kenny
• Pahlawan Raja Alam by Taufan
• Red Fox by King Kong
• Sharkman the Hitman by Zint
• Student King by Stanley G
• Showtime! by Jo
• Gengkey by C2V
• Gengkey (Remake) by C2V
• X-Pax Channel Comic by various cartoonists (advertisement comic)
• IT Ekspress by Neko (advertisement comic)
• Hotlink Warrior by Slaium (advertisement comic)
• Drak by Slaium
• Lawak Valentine by Kaoru
• Oxer by Oga
• Kisah Pengembaraan Kroit by Zint and K.C.
• Gol Kraziee 2000 by Kash
• Twisted Mind of Puyuh by Puyuh@Leong Wan Kok
• K.O. King by Zint
• Pelayan Rahsia
• Segi TiGA Rahsia
• USER by Zint