Malaysian comics creator Erica Eng's journey from Batu Pahat to the Eisners

Erica Eng, a 21-year-old animator from Batu Pahat, Johor, is in the running to win one of the comic book industry’s highest honours this July, thanks to her autobiographical webcomic 'Fried Rice'.

Most Malaysian teenagers who leave secondary school would be busy with their next phase of life, studying, planning for their career, and generally learning to be an adult.

Not many would be telling their life’s story in a webcomic that ends up being nominated for an Eisner Award, the comics industry’s equivalent of an Academy Award.