GEORGE TOWN, March 27 — Many of us grew up reading comics but how many of us were curious enough to learn about the history and stories behind comics?

The long history and culture behind this seemingly simple storytelling form are very enlightening; we learn that comics can be serious, educational and informative on top of being cute and funny.

Guo Guo (right) and Mei Mei of popular local Gemeilia comics flanking the entrance to the Asia Comic Cultural Museum at Komtar.

And the newly-opened Asia Comic Cultural Museum at ICT Mall in Komtar aims to teach us more about our favourite childhood pastime.

The museum, covering 13,000 square feet, is unlike the other fun and quirky museums already open all over George Town as it is full of information on the history of comics in Asian countries and even has sections focused on well-known artists.

The Hong Kong section features well-known comic artists such as Tony Wong known for his Jade Dynasty comics.

The museum is a Penang state government project managed by state agency, Penang Youth Development Corporation (PYDC).

“The aim of the museum is to build a platform for the art of comics, to cultivate an appreciation for comics and to inspire the young through art,” said PYDC chief executive officer Teng Kok Liang.

He emphasised that the museum is not an ordinary 3D museum but one that showcases the cultural and historical significance of comics in Asia through several decades.

The museum is divided into nine different sections with each specially dedicated to artists and comics from Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Japan and Korea respectively.

Collection of comic books that was used by the China communist government as an educational tool in the 1950s.

In each section, the history and evolution of comics are chronicled starting from the 1950s up till the 2010s. Changes to the respective country and to the comic industry are mentioned in each decade, including the publishing of certain famous comic books and artists and the changes to the styles.

Candakopi by Indonesian artist Beng Rahadian.

More than 8,000 comic books and artworks by over 250 artists from Asia are displayed along the walls and in display cases of the museum, arranged according to countries and years of publication.

The descriptions are in four languages — Malay, English, Chinese and Tamil — while there are also QR codes for internet links to more comprehensive information.

There is even a section on controversial artist Zunar.

Controversial Malaysian cartoonist Zunar has a whole zone to himself featuring information about him and his work.

Other Malaysians are Lat and his Kampung Boy comics, Gila-Gila magazine and Eddie See’s popular Chinese comics, Gemeilia.

There are also dedicated zones for Tony Wong, the Hong Kong artist of Jade Dynasty fame. There is even a replica of the Dragon Tiger Gate at Wong’s section along with impressive displays of his work.

The final section featuring the monkey in conjunction with the Year of the Monkey this year.

Wong’s protégé, Ma Wing-Shing, the artist behind the famous long-running series, Storm Riders, can also be found here.

The final section of the museum is an exhibition hall where themed exhibits will be held there every three months. The first themed exhibit is a display of over 72 artworks on monkeys from various Asian artists titled “Chic Monkey Ushers in New Age” in conjunction with the Year of the Monkey this year.

Penang Asia Comic Cultural Museum Level 2, ICT Mall, Komtar George Town, Penang Tel: 04-3715512 Email: penangaccm@gmail.com The museum opens daily from 11am-6pm