Sundanese and Modernity in Sci-fi Comic (Case Study:Astahiam Nyasab series of Sundanese Magazine Mangle in 1986)

Academic discourses and researches on Sundanese illustrations have already flourished, while there is still very little on Sundanese comics. Sundanese comics are more often available as insertions in Sundanese-language periodic printed media (magazines, newspapers) rather than standing alone (book, graphic novel). The discussion of Sundanese comics is still limited to the horror and mystery genres, while most others are based on folklore and daily life. Although it is very rare, there is also science fiction genre, including Oesnara's series of Astahiam Nyasab(1986) which was published in Manglemagazine.Oesnara's works are well crafted, semi-realist, detailed,expressively dynamic as well as unexpected plot besides being very humorous. The series shows the Sundanese people’s traditional life but simultaneously displays metropolitan atmosphere with sophisticated technology and iconic popular cultural objects. These contrasting scenes interact each other humorously without any explicit conflict.This qualitative research using post-structuralism approaches, the object will be examined from aesthetical perspective, analyzed with the Art Critic method, and then dissected with hybridity theory, also cross-checked with several Sundanese cultural discourses. The conclusion is that this comic series shows how 1980s Sundanese people responded humorously to modernity and technology, their typical attitude that is still relevant today.