“unnamed” is a regional artist-led collective focused on nurturing a vibrant, sustainable komiks (comics) culture in Southeast Asia. Together with regional and international partners, we perform comics outreach and advocacy, build a support network for creators, and develop artistic and educational programs that elevate komiks to its fullest potential.
First era:
Originally established in 2013 by a ragtag group of artists led by Sarah Joan Mokhtar and Reimena Yee, unnamed began life as a Facebook group for the Malaysian independent comics community to network and share resources.
Second era:
Around 2015, the group expanded to include other comics creators and professionals in Southeast Asia. Between 2016 and 2021, the group matured into a 700-member collective with a growing physical presence, collaborating with various festivals and organisations to develop workshops, panels and residencies. Through our signature ambassador tables, we also represented our membership and sold some of their zines in various regional festivals.
Despite the success of our activities, the impact of COVID-19 disrupted our ability to coordinate in-person programming and outreach, leading to a long hiatus.
Hiatus:
How do we keep unnamed sustainable as our committee members pursue their creative practice? What is the balance between physical and digital? How do we preserve knowledge among Southeast Asian comics makers and increase komiks' visibility in international comics?
Third era (current):
In 2025, unnamed is returning as a community coordinator and knowledge hub. We are moving away from our Facebook group as a primary hub for organising and transforming our website into a resource centre. Additionally, during the hiatus individuals from our committee and membership have gone on to strengthen their links to the wider world of international comics, and we're bringing the insights and connections back home.
This is the dawn of a new era for the collective, and we're excited to be debuting (again!) better than ever!
Our Mission
Comics Outreach
We want to cultivate the positive growth of the regional comics scene.
For our creators, this means providing them with the latest industry trends, encouraging their craft, and promoting their work to bigger audiences. We are motivated to help creators, so we offer them our support through our programs, like providing free space at our ambassador booths in regional and international comic cons, or creating career opportunities. We consider ourselves a supportive, professional bunch!
While we take care of our creators, we also engage in outreach. We are partnering with both regional and international bodies to improve perception for Southeast Asian comics and present our talent to the world stage. We organise panels, talks and workshops to open up comics to the public. Our comics are good, and we want everyone else to know that!
What we want
- A creative, vibrant and dynamic comics industry in Southeast Asia, built and sustained by local creators and publishers.
- An increased appreciation in the Southeast Asian public for the craft of comics - which is part of the literary and visual arts.
- Acknowledgement of comics (or graphic narratives) as vital to the intellectual and emotional health of its readers.
- Increased presence of comics in schools, libraries, galleries, and public spaces.
- Production of high-quality (creator-owned) comics, and production of a supportive labour environment - especially in terms of financial compensation and editorial/legal support.
- Distribution of Southeast Asian comics into international markets, like Japan, China, Europe and America.
- Partnership with regional and global comics publishers, embassies and cultural organisations.
- Increased diversity of storytelling that is fearless, messy, colourful, spicy, and unashamedly Southeast Asian.
Programs
Ambassador Table
Publishing Press
Weekend Comics Workshop
Workshops
Outreach
Partners
