Penang exhibition reframes comic book art as a documentary form

A visitor using a magnifying glass to get a closer look at the intricate detail found in artist NOvia Shin’s paper-cut miniatures featuring old Malaysian buildings at the 'Angin Berlabuh – Asian Documentary Comics' exhibition at Hin Bus Depot in George Town in Penang. Photo: The Star/Jeremy Tan

Think comics and what typically comes to mind is a creative medium splashed with pages and panels of superhero cool, cartoon humour and political satire.

Lesser known is comic art’s immense potential in serving the documentary format, where meaningful stories can be shared about communities, places, cultures, lifestyles, history, social issues, current events and more.