The downfall of the comic publish industry in Hong Kong has badly affected the comic rental stores in Malaysia. Taiwan publishers which publish Japan comics with copyright also face difficulties in operating. These two factors cause the comic rental stores failed to renew their book sources.
Moreover, with the development of the ICT products, people can spend their time in the internet but not as the old days spending their time in reading comics at comic rental stores.
Educational comics was first established in Korea, focusing on themes of adventures of the protagonist treasure hunting in different countries.
These comics use humorous and hyperbole plots, cleverly inserting knowledge and history of different countries had soon become a bloom among Malaysia students when local publishers bought in the copyright and translated it into different languages.
Educational comics soon became a trend with different local publishers such as Gempak Starz, hiring local cartoonists to publish local educational comics.
Gempak Starz have been publishing education comics in different categories such as adventure, romance and science fiction in different languages including English, Malay and Chinese.
Educational comics occupies only of 2 bookshelves in Global Comic Store but it contributes to around 40% of the business of the store.
Tan has transformed his shop into a private library where not only adults can come to but it has also become a family friendly area.
“Some of my customers came to my shop when they were young and they now bring their children to my shop, even some of the children are now attending secondary school.”
Quiz: https://bit.ly/2SbCdfy
Chapter 1: Comic Rental Store: From Kung Fu to Treasure Hunt- https://bit.ly/2SbaueY
Chapter 3: The Downfall of Comic Rental Shops- https://bit.ly/2EhGF8O
Interactive Picture: https://bit.ly/2DW9K8z
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