komik

Komik is a medium of sequential visual storytelling that uses a series of images, often with captions and dialogue, to convey narratives, humor, or information. It appears in printed form—such as comic books, magazines, and newspaper strips—as well as digital formats, including webcomics and graphic novels.

In Indonesian and Malay, komik refers to the broader medium of comics. The term is commonly borrowed from the English word comics. In Turkish, komik means funny or humorous, and the term for a comic book is çizgi roman.

Globally, modern comics trace their development to late 19th- and early 20th-century Europe and North America, with artists such as Rodolphe Töpffer and later American and Belgian creators shaping the medium. Asian and other national comics traditions developed in parallel. In Indonesia, komik has a long publishing history with local and imported titles, influencing popular culture and media. In Turkey and other countries, comics have developed distinct local styles and publishing ecosystems.

Forms and formats include short strips in newspapers, standalone comic books, long-form graphic novels, and online/webcomics. The artistry ranges from simple line art to highly detailed color panels, often balancing artwork with dialogue and narration. Genres vary widely, including humor, action, science fiction, fantasy, and drama.

Overall, komik remains a versatile and influential medium for storytelling, entertainment, and education, with global communities, conventions, translations, and digital platforms expanding access and diversity of work.