One page of the comic series ‘Mèo Mốc’ volume 3 (left) and one page of commentary from ‘Truyền Cực Ngắn’ – two of the works that have been jointly created by comic artists, highlighting the challenges of comic creation – Image: L.ĐIỀN
The third volume of the comic series ‘Mèo Mốc’ (author Quang Dũng) – ‘Mèo Mốc: The Journey to Singapore’ – has recently been withdrawn by the publisher Dân Trí after concerns arose following its release.
The withdrawal coincides with a period when comics are facing scrutiny, but readers were surprised to learn that “it shouldn’t have been withdrawn,” as it turns out to be a story that resonates with teenagers.
According to the author, page 15 features an incident with Mốc in a bathroom and page 68 has Mốc saying “I” which is deemed inappropriate. We had a conversation with the editor from Dân Trí, and the response was that the content needed to be revised before it could be republished.
“We can’t just keep looking at comics as a product for children.”
DUYNG THANH HOA
Challenges in the Comic Industry
Since the release of the comic series ‘Thần Đồng Đất Việt’, there has been a surge in creative activities within the Vietnamese comic industry. However, the limited recognition of comic artists seeking inspiration remains a challenge.
With the development of the Internet, various creative communities are sharing and exchanging experiences about comics online. Several projects have emerged, encouraging collaboration in comic production, notably the Vietnamese comic community Comicola with its creative program ‘Long Thần Tướng’.
However, Khánh Dương, one of Comicola’s founders, recently shared on his personal page the arduous process of getting the comic series ‘Long Thần Tướng’ published. Dương emphasizes the strict standards that artists must meet to be considered for publication.
Despite the challenges, many works have still managed to find success, such as the comic series ‘Truyền Cực Ngắn’ by artist Đào Quang Huy. After over a year of seeking permissions and making adjustments to meet publisher requirements, the story is still not yet published.
This project has garnered support from over 700 people, yet the team is struggling to finalize publication permissions due to the “burnout” of seeking approvals.
The primary reasons for publishers rejecting permissions often stem from a belief that comic content is unsuitable for children, as well as issues related to censorship and the portrayal of sensitive topics.
In an interview with Tuổi Trẻ, Đào Quang Huy expressed, “I find that the publishing process in Vietnam is still too restrictive, with no clear guidelines on what constitutes ‘suitable material’.” He raises concerns about the implications of labeling comic content for children.
In the current publishing environment, those involved in comic creation face significant challenges. Dương Thanh Hoài, Deputy Director of Nhã Nam Publishing, stated that they have several comic projects but are unable to proceed due to a lack of cooperation from publishers.
Need for Age Restrictions in Comics
The scarcity of recognition for comic books stems from outdated perceptions held by editorial teams and publishers in Vietnam. While comics have evolved to cater to both adult and young audiences, many still perceive them as purely children’s entertainment.
Dương Thanh Hoài mentioned that the current division of publishing licenses for comics remains a challenge, particularly in adhering to the age restrictions set by the publishing law. Many comic series that are rich in content and suitable for older readers are still not being published due to outdated perceptions.
Khánh Dương emphasized the need for discussions among publishers to address age-appropriate content, believing it is imperative to “liberate” comics for Vietnamese readers by introducing age-restricted categories.
Readers like Thanh Tùng (26 years old) agree that restricting comic content to children is a misconception. “Unlike traditional stories, the narratives in comics need to be dynamic, expansive, and contain elements of humor, culminating in rich content that is not limited to juvenile themes. Comics also serve as a form of entertainment, offering a humorous perspective on life.”
Young reader Thư Đỗ (23 years old) noted that despite the effort to produce comics, there remains a stigma surrounding their content: “Vietnamese comics still struggle to break ground; the details are still quite simplistic. However, if we allow creative freedom, we could explore many dimensions that may not have been considered before.”
Concluding Thoughts
Despite facing numerous challenges, the landscape for comics in Vietnam is gradually evolving. The presence of international comic influences and the growing acceptance of adult-themed comics have led to a more open market for various age groups.
Nguyễn Thành Nam, Deputy Director of Trẻ Publishing, noted that comics purchased from foreign sources cannot be arbitrarily altered in content or art. As a result, Trẻ Publishing has implemented strict age ratings for different comic series.
Comics are currently categorized into three age groups: children, young adults, and adults. “Establishing age ratings for comics is an effective way to introduce adult comics into the mainstream,” he stated.
Recently, Trẻ Publishing introduced a series from Japan rated 16+, but following the strict guidelines from the Ministry of Culture, they had to revise it to a 18+ rating before release.
Vũ Đình Giang, deputy head of the comic division at Kim Đồng Publishing in the South, confirmed that imported comics must also adhere to age restrictions because their content often contains many adult themes.
Sharing insights on the disparities between domestic and imported comics, Giang mentioned that the ongoing challenges often arise from the editorial decisions made by publishers. “The perspective of the Ministry of Culture has become more transparent than before,” he remarked.
(According to Tuổi Trẻ Online)
