Color works: One of Sunny’s color artworks for the Cyberforce/ Hunter Killer comic

The wait is over. Popcon Asia 2016 is finally coming, largely thanks to Sunny Gho, the artist who made it happen.

Comics enthusiasts, animation lovers and game aficionados from all over Indonesia will finally be able to come and check out what this year’s convention has to offer after a year of eager anticipation.

Popcon Asia is the biggest annual pop culture convention in Asia, long known as well as a platform for aspiring artists.

Sunny Gho, the co-founder of Popcon Asia, was one such artist.

Sunny has had a passion for art since he was little. Growing up, Sunny used to read Japanese comic books like Dragon Ball, Detective Conan, Sailor Moon and Kung Fu Boy. He admitted that his passion for art was partly influenced by these comic books, as they inspired his interest in the art of illustration.

Ever since he discovered his talent for coloring, he began working as a coloring artist — first in Indonesia, then for comics businesses in the US such as DC Comics and Marvel. His work includes characters such as Spider-Man and The Avengers.

Sunny used to work at a studio called Stellar Labs, where Indonesian artists work for American comics businesses.

Feminine touch: Another of Sunny’s great color works for the Witchblade comic series

After several years, he came to realize that a lot of Indonesians had the potential to be recognized internationally for their art. Therefore, he co-founded Popcon Asia in 2012 as a forum for aspiring local artists to tap into the international market.

“When we thought about founding Popcon Asia, there wasn’t yet any platform to showcase comic books or comic arts. People didn’t know where to showcase their work, even though many Indonesians have a tremendous amount of potential — just look at the artists contributing to Star Trek and Spider-Man and all that,” said Sunny.

“Back then, the only platform to showcase our work was the internet, and with the internet, you can’t really connect artists with potential buyers. So we founded Popcon, where we also include our friends who have talent in the game, film and toy industries. Together, these talents created Popcon.”

This is the fifth year that Popcon has been held, and last year alone, the event attracted around 37,000 visitors.

“You can say it’s pretty impressive for an event that is still new. Thanks to Popcon, artists are getting into potential markets,” Sunny added.

Aside from being the co-founder of Popcon Asia, Sunny is also the CEO of Kosmik, a monthly Indonesian comics magazine, established in the same spirit of Popcon Asia.

“Indonesian artists have talent. Why should we just stick with furthering America’s comics industry? So then I thought about making our own and that’s how Kosmik was born,” he said.

One of the artists behind the stories in Kosmik is Erfan Fajar, who used to be the one who drew the Star Trek comic. Sunny himself doesn’t work as an artist for Kosmik, but rather deals with research and marketing.

“Kosmik is meant to serve as a place where talented artists in Indonesia can showcase their work and their skills in drawing and story-telling,” said Sunny.

(JP/Frederica Sizilia Priyanto)

Sunny explained that the main objective of this magazine was to introduce Indonesian culture, noting that Japan and Korea have exported tens of thousands of their comic books here.

“In the end, both Popcon and Kosmik are meant to tell other countries out there that we, Indonesia, are very rich in culture,” he added.

Despite all the challenges, Sunny is content with Popcon Asia because the public’s enthusiasm for the upcoming event is getting stronger.

“We’re very thrilled that Popcon is the most longed-for event by aspiring creative artists. So for instance, after an artist finishes introducing his or her work at this year’s Popcon, that artist can begin to plan for next year’s event, and what he or she is going to showcase or sell there,” Sunny explained, adding that 150 tables for the event had been booked.

The interesting part of Popcon Asia is also the diversity of styles shown by Indonesian artists.

“Indonesian artists grow up with different influences: some from America, some from Japan, some from Indonesia and some may be from other countries. But that’s exactly it: Bhinneka Tunggal Ika [unity in diversity] is what we want to showcase here. That’s why Popcon is a melting pot between all those different styles,” said Sunny.

His message for young aspiring artists: “Keep figuring out who you really are, what story you want and have to tell and what message you want to convey through it. Because we as individuals are amazing and Indonesia, our beloved nation, is a place full of cultures.”

Popcon Asia 2016
Aug. 12-14, 2016
Jakarta Convention Center

— Photos courtesy of devianart.com

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— Frederica S. Priyanto is an intern at The Jakarta Post

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