Kazakh comics are an emerging subject today, but not enough people to talk about it. Let’s change that. Most people will only think of Kazakhstan as the neighbor of Eurasia’s more highlighted countries. But in less than 10 years, the country has gotten its comics out to a growing audience. It’s certainly a challenge to stand out, whether it’s promoting a language or building a comic culture. You can’t help but admire the people trying their hardest to reach an audience as wide as possible.
Where Is Kazakhstan?
The Republic of Kazakhstan is a Turkish transcontinental country in between Central Asia and Eastern Europe. To its north and west is the glory hogging Russia. And while Kazakhstan’s bigger neighbor gets its time in the spotlight, the Kazakhs are mostly obscured. Thankfully some forward thinking creatives decide to promote their culture through comics. Kazakhstan certainly has the economy for it, being the largest in Central Asia.
The earliest date of locally made comics is arguably 1929 with the poem Zhaman Tymak. This poem was made with illustrations similar to satirical cartoons. It was enough for Soviet officials to arrest the creator and execute him a year later.
As for the modern day, comic books begin development in 2010 with the first publisher on record being Khan Comics. Today this company remains as the largest publisher in Kazakhstan.
But it’s around 2017 when any major breakthroughs emerge. For example, webcomics pop up in places like Instagram for social commentary. Thankfully there are no overbearing censors around. Besides it’s not so much politics as it is objective satire. If you can call commentary about replacing Kazakh language with Latin alphabets objective.
In any case, they all prove to be a hit with fans, eventually spawning local conventions. So what makes waves in this country for others to take interest?
Why Kazakh In Comics Matter
Here’s one of the more interesting parts; there was niche to publish comics in Kazakh. Wait what? Shouldn’t publishing in your native language be a given in any country. It should but remember Kazakh being removed from some schools? Well before comics really made waves, publishers started with Russian imports of licensed material. And by that I mean like Marvel, DC and even Boom! Studios from the US and France’s Glenat and Humanoids. So there’s little surprise that entrepreneurs would encourage readers to pick up something in their first language.
Kazakh Comics Taking Root
Khan Comics has been around since 2010 starting in the import business. So where did they get most of their local talent? Through the exhibition and anthology KZ-Comix, usually attracting animation students. It proves to be prospective enough for a collaboration with the Shakhmardan Yessenov Scientific and Educational Foundation. This partnership produces Khan Comics’ longest running series, Fizika. Because one of the easiest ways to get people into comics is through educational means.
One of Khan’s first breakthroughs is Yerketai, exploring the Steppes with fantastic flair. So successful it gets national support to be made into an animated movie. But… an interview says the comic rights of the were sold to China. Yet Khan’s Vk page still has recent publishings of Yerketai in trade format. Does the interview mean it just sold the license in China?
Hey watch it! We’re running a patience meter here!
In any case Khan Comics has moved onto other projects like post-apocalyptic title Orda. Also I’m sensing a pattern with Kazakh comics adapting epic stories around the Steppes. For example, the villains in this series are based on the Mongols.
Making The International Cut
Case in point, Ermek the Batyr; also known as Legend of Forgotten Times. Adapted from a heroic poem and song, this series follows the title epic hero. From a family curse to the foundations of Kazakhstan, this series hooks in audiences with each trial.
A few curious readers are likely familiar with this title from various sources. Since 2018, it’s been available in at least English and its native Kazakh. The series was published on a few different platforms including: Webtoon, Tapas, and even Google Books. Even more impressive is its accessibility with the first issues up for free and the rest at very low prices. A result, a cult following keeps this series going, even more than its native Kazakhstan. Want proof? 84 people pledged over $10,000 on a Kickstarter campaign.
Not that it doesn’t get any Kazakh support. A translator/publisher Salben Comics distributes the physical books in Kazakhstan and a few other countries. Meanwhile Netshards helps in the digital market through Google Play… and a website in Russia.
Americans Love KazakhMan
Netshards also hosts other Kazakh comics to show to the public. Including but not limited to KazakhMan, an everyman superhero powered by belief. Some people will definitely be thrown off from the Superman parallels. But the amount of people who praise this comic more than make up for it. Probably because it shows Batyr Bolatuly as a reflection of life in Kazakhstan’s capital Almaty. The prospects are great, but like all cities, the breakneck pace can throw people off balance. For a scatterbrain like Batyr, the fact that he keeps trying after so many errors connects to many readers. Some of them don’t even need to be Kazakh to relate to him.
Do Kazakh Comics Have Enough Support?
So Kazakh has the comics and fans; the only thing it needs now is mainstream support. Sure a few foundations like BAURZHAN help artists get recognition. And Central Asia’s first Comic Con in 2019 is no slouch in bringing fans together. Years later, there are still conventions coming and going. So what’s left to do? Probably building stronger foundations. Most Kazakh comics only exist in a few cities. It would help to spread out to the rest of the country, especially in mass markets where internet is low. As for international levels, it might be good to find more outlets than just Google Books.
The ink’s not dry yet when it comes to this country’s comics, so keep an ear out. Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.