Azlan Othman

Brunei’s first superhero comic book, Tebuanman, was launched at The Coffee Bean Brunei, OneCity Shopping Centre by Deputy Permanent Secretary (Youth & Sports) at the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports, Colonel (Rtd) Pengiran Haji Maiddin bin Pengiran Haji Said yesterday.

The comic book character is inspired by the Tebuan (hornet), an icon in Brunei culture and especially known as the name of the Bruneian football team that won the Malaysian Premier League in 1999. The launch and publishing of Tebuanman is supported by Progresif Cellular Sdn Bhd and was catered and supported by The Coffee Bean Brunei.

The event aimed to reach a wider audience and adds credibility towards the brand, as well as to encourage and provide a platform for passionate individuals to pursue comic book writing. The comic book is a brainchild of writers Adi Farhan and Khai Anwar and is meant to be Brunei’s first superhero comic book. Tebuanman, a series of leisure sketch by Adi Farhan became a fan favourite early this year. He decided to collaborate with writer Khai Anwar to flesh out the character into a comic book.

After months of hard work and brainstorming, Tebuanman will be available for readers in three books collection.

The event also saw a prize presentation for the Tebuanman sketchup competition by Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports Major General (Rtd) Dato Paduka Seri Awang Haji Aminuddin Ihsan bin Pehin Orang Kaya Saiful Mulok Dato Seri Paduka Haji Abidin.