Home › Chakto › Chakto Graphic Novel
Chakto Graphic Novel with Sipar & Avatar Publishing
The Chakto Graphic Novel project places writing at the heart of artistic creation in order to strengthen the skills of
young Cambodian talents in scriptwriting and comic book illustration, while contributing to the growth and professionalization of the
publishing sector. In total, six comic books will be created, with four published by Sipar and two by Avatar Publishing.
Within this framework, young Cambodian artists have been selected to follow an intensive training course, supervised by two mentors and French comic book artists of international renown. Through intensive workshops in writing and illustration, participants have been able to develop their technical skills while stimulating their creativity. The objective? To strengthen their artistic know-how and give them the tools to carry out ambitious professional projects. The participants will then enter a production phase for their own comic book, whose publication will constitute an important step in the development of comics in Cambodia.
Sipar, as a publishing house, and in collaboration with Avatar Publishing, was chosen to lead this project.
https://sipar.org/
https://www.avatarcambodia.com/
The mentors
Simon Hureau
French comic book author and travel journal creator, Simon Hureau has been developing for over twenty years a rich body of work blending travel narrative, documentary and fiction. A highly skilled sketch artist, he draws inspiration from his numerous travels: Cambodia, Thailand, Togo, Burkina Faso, Namibia... In 2017, he went to Greenland alongside Max Audibert. From this experience came Sermilik, là où naissent les glaces, a documented and luminous narrative created with Indian ink and watercolor. As part of the Chakto program, Simon Hureau led the first workshop in January, dedicated to scriptwriting and storyboard construction. He has since been supporting participants remotely in developing their narratives.
JeanLouis Tripp
Illustrator, screenwriter and author, JeanLouis Tripp is a major figure in graphic novels in French. After his debut in Métal Hurlant in 1977, he published about ten solo albums before co-signing, between 2006 and 2014, the Magasin Général series with Régis Loisel, praised for the richness of its graphic and narrative universe. He is also the author of Le Petit Frère, an autobiographical narrative that he used as educational support in his exchanges with Chakto program participants. In March 2025, JeanLouis Tripp led the second Chakto workshop, dedicated to the graphic production stages after storyboard: final drawing, inking and coloring. Thanks to his experience, he accompanied the participants with rigor and humor. He continues to support each project remotely.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
The young talents behind the stories
Fifteen young artists, screenwriters and illustrators were selected to follow an intensive program, supervised by two mentors and French
comic book artists of international renown, as seen above. The program included two workshops of six days each: the first dedicated to
writing, the second to illustration. These sessions allowed participants to work on their narratives, refine their visual language and
structure the storytelling according to comic book conventions, while reflecting the cultural richness of Cambodia and the energy of this
new generation of artists.
A Sbov by SIN Sovanrattana (writer), CHHOUEM Hay (illustrator), LENG Parkrinha (illustrator) - SIPAR
In 16th-century Cambodia, the monk Sous A Sbov travels from Takeo to Angkor, discovering traditions, rites and beliefs. Each step reveals the connections between past and present, leading to a final ceremony at Angkor Wat blending individual memory and grand History.
Ginger by LACH Ratana (writer), SENG Visoth (illustrator), TAN Pheanouk (illustrator) - SIPAR
Ginger, a domestic cat from Phnom Penh, sees his quiet life turned upside down when his owner disappears. Setting out to find her, he discovers the outside world, faces dangers and encounters, and learns courage and friendship, before being rescued by the one he had previously rejected.
Pagoda Resident by OUCH Sodany (writer), CHEA Socheat (illustrator) - SIPAR
In 1947, two boys, Akhay and Achay, study in rural pagodas to escape French school. Between rituals, monk quarrels, friendships and passions for popular theater, they grow up and discover childhood, tradition and the passage to adulthood.
Mneang Pteah (The House Spirit) by OUCH Solida (writer), SENG Ly (illustrator), SOM Chanreaksmey (illustrator) - SIPAR
In a Cambodian village, Mneang, the house spirit, observes a family and its traditions. The children learn responsibility and respect for animals and nature, blending local superstitions with a child's perspectives on daily life.
A Battambang Childhood by HUOT Socheata (writer), LENG Khatriya (illustrator), PEN Uddam (illustrator) - AVATAR
Mischievous tale of a family from Battambang under Vietnamese occupation, between forced labor, danger in the forest, smugglers and adventurers. The story blends difficult daily life and small local adventures through the eyes of the family's youngest child.
A Techie Family by KEO Piseth (illustrator) - AVATAR
Humorous comic book about a modern Cambodian family, confronted with daily challenges, preserving family and community ties, while navigating an increasingly digital world.
