Paul Gravett's 'Mangasia' Explores Asian Comics Beyond Japanese Manga

Paul Gravett's extensive 300-page volume, 'Mangasia: The Definitive Guide to Asian Comics,' published by Thames & Hudson at a price of £29.95 in softcover, provides a comprehensive exploration of comic art throughout Asia. This book is linked to a traveling exhibition curated by Gravett at London’s Barbican Centre and is organized into six thematic sections that delve into historical, geopolitical, and cultural contexts. It traces the roots of manga back to 17th- and 18th-century Japanese woodblock prints, with Hokusai noted as an early influence. Although the focus is primarily on Japanese manga, it also addresses Korean manhwa, Chinese manhua, and older works from the Philippines, Indonesia, India, Thailand, and Taiwan. Gravett's definition of Asia includes no regions west of Pakistan or north of Mongolia and northern Japan. The book discusses how comics evolved through economic development, cultural production, social norms, and artistic traditions, noting transitions from pulp to intricate narratives, including those about World War II. It also examines manga's integration into digital culture and the impact of censorship and Western influences. J.J. Charlesworth's review in the Winter 2017 issue of ArtReview Asia acknowledges the historical scope while questioning the representation of non-Japanese comics.