Apriyadi Kusbiantoro, Comic Artist Traveling in Europe
For the past seven years, comics artist Apriyadi Kusbiantoro has managed to penetrate the European comics industry. He is also an Indonesian comics artist in the European market who holds the rights for the publication of his works. This luxury is very rarely owned by Indonesian comics artists who work for the foreign comics industry.
Apriyadi\'s comics, namely “Adjisaka” and “Saul”, were routinely published in the special magazine Stripglossy, which was published by the Dutch mainstream publisher, Uitgeverij Persona. “Saul” was later published in the Netherlands in 2018 and received a good reception from the Dutch and Belgian public, leading to the publication of a second book.
"Now, I\'m making a deal to publish ‘Saul’ in Germany," said Apriyadi, who is collaborating with Dutch artist Willem Ritstier.
Until now, he still regularly creates “Adjisaka” and “Saul” comics for Stripglossy. He works on almost all comic orders, both from magazine publishers, book publishers and collectors at his modest home in Jetis, Bantul, Yogyakarta. When we met at the end of Ramadan, there were several unfinished comics in his office.
Before launching “Adjisaka” and “Saul”, Apriyadi collaborated with Dutch artists to make two editions of “Lemuria”. The first edition for the Dutch and Belgian markets was published by mainstream publishers Dark Dragon Books and the second edition of the Don Lawrence Collection. For the German market, it was published by Verlag Splitter.
To his knowledge, he is the only Indonesian comics artist to publish a comic book in his own name in Europe.
“There used to be an Indonesian comic artist who was a ghost artist in the Netherlands, but now there are no more," he said.
Apriyadi also holds the rights to the original artwork and the publishing rights of his works. Thus, he has the right to choose a publisher. This is a luxury that is rarely owned by Indonesian comic artists who work for the comics industry abroad. Most Indonesian comic artists sell their works completely, so the publishing rights are held by the publisher.
"This is one reason why I chose to work in the European comics industry," he added.
According to Apriyadi, the European comics industry is fairer, although it does not make a lot of money.
"If you want to get famous quickly and get a lot of money, the choice is the American comic industry, but they will almost always control the publishing rights so that all the benefits of publishing our work will fall to them. We are limited to becoming their employee," he said.
The European comics industry also gave him a lot of freedom. He was not treated as an illustrator or coloring artist but was involved in determining the concept from the start, and it was even possible to write his own story.
Comics fans
Apriyadi said that every year, bookstores in the Netherlands and Belgium, which sell various comics, invite him to meet with his fans. Every time such an event was held, the bookshops are full of visitors who want to chat with Apriyadi and get his signature.
"I didn\'t even have time to rest because people who wanted to get his signatures lined up for a long line. I was flattered to see these foreigners appreciate my comics."
Every time such an event is held, the sale of Apriyadi\'s works in bookstores will increase. The audience, fans and comic collectors also purchase the comic strips brought by Apriyadi.
"The comic trips that are actually not finished yet are also bought,” he added with a laugh.
The European market provides a stage and life for Apriyadi, who has decided to live from comics. Every six months, he earns a minimum of Rp 850,000 (US$59.70) and a maximum of Rp 50 million. He gets another income from meeting fans and selling comic strips, which he likened to ngamen (busking). For every ngamen job in Europe, he can earn 15,000 euro ($16,898) a month.
He also worked on animations for several advertisements and films.
Later, he ventured into film posters. The posters he worked on included the films Sekala dan Niskala (The Seen and Unseen) and Sultan Agung.
Comic world
The comic world has attracted Apriyadi since he was in junior high school in Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. At that time, it was easier to get European comics, such as “Storm”, “Asterix” and “Tintin”. After that, he read American and Japanese comics.
Because he was fond of comics, he later became interested in making comics himself. When he was in high school, he participated in a comics competition held by the Education and Culture Ministry. He won second place.
After graduating from high school, Apriyadi wanted to work in the creative field. He expected to study in the visual communication design department at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts (ISI) of Yogyakarta.
Actually, his parents wanted him to become a common employee working at an office.
"My mother wanted me to study architecture. She said that the department also required drawing."
Luckily, his uncle knows Apriyadi\'s talent. He was the one who sought out brochures for ISI.
"But at that time, my uncle wanted me to be a street artist on Jl. Malioboro."
Long story short, Apriyadi departed by bus from Lombok to take the entrance test at the ISI.
"Arriving at the Umbulharjo bus station, I was confused because I had no acquaintances in Yogyakarta,” he said, laughing.
Apriyadi was enrolled to study at the ISI Visual Communication Design Program. After graduating from university, he worked as an animator in an advertising company.
The Selong-born artist has worked in the European comic market since 2012. Initially, a comic lover from the Netherlands saw his work at the online art gallery Devian Art.
The comic lover said Apriyadi\'s work reminded him of a famous Dutch comic artist.
"He invited me to make a comic in the Brabantstrip magazine published in the Netherlands. I accepted the offer without getting [a down payment]. The response from readers was good."
From then, Apriyadi\'s path to enter the European comic industry was wide open. He accepted offer after offer to make comics for magazines, books and collectors. That\'s how it is. The comic world that he loved also loves him.
Apriyadi Kusbiantoro
Born: Selong, Lombok, April 21, 1976
Wife: Khaerina
Education: Visual Communication Design, Indonesia Institute of Arts, Yogyakarta (1994-2005)
Comics works:
- George Carlin (Bluewater, US, 2011)
- Radio Gaga (Dark Horse Presents, US, 2012)
- Lemuria, De Bergen van Moran (published in the Netherlands and Germany in two editions, 2014-2015)
- Saul, De Levende Mantel (Uitgeverij Personalia, Belanda, 2018)
- Si Buta dari Gua Hantu-Buron (The Blind from the Ghost Cave) (Pluz+ - 2011)
E-mail: Prey47@gmail.com