Entertainment company Bumilangit Studio released Gundala Putra Petir (Gundala, Son of Lightning) and Perhitungan di Planet Covox (Reckoning at Planet Covox) in a comic book bundle, with a plan to release every book in the Gundala series.

“They were the first and second title of the original Gundala comic series made by the late Hasmi in 1969,” Rizki Rinaldy Mosmarth, editor of Bumilangit, told kompas.com on Tuesday. 

He added that the remastered comic was launched to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of Gundala's publication, as well as to support the Gundala film, which will be released on Aug. 29.

Rizki said that fans have requested Gundala comic books to be reprinted.

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"To be able to achieve that, the original text needs to be remastered. [With the remastered version], new readers who want to know the origin story of Gundala can begin their journey here," he said.

The newly remastered comic books are the first volume in hardcover. The book is available for Rp 188,000 (US$13.49) at Gramedia bookstores.

Bumilangit said that with the film’s release, it would also publish an accompanying comic written by Oyasujiwo, based on film’s script.

Gundala Putra Petir tells the story of Gundala, the alter ego of Sancaka. An engineer who secretly experimented with an antilightning serum, Sancaka is one day struck by lightning and bestowed with superpowers by a creature from another planet. From then on, he is able to emit lightning from the palms of his hands.

One of the most anticipated movies in the year, Gundala is directed and written by Joko Anwar. It stars Abimana Arsatya as the titular character, as well as Ario Bayu, Marissa Anita, Rio Dewanto and Cecep Arif Rahman. (nic/wng)