Review by Frank Plowright

The Makers Club combines two young adult graphic novels whose circulation was originally restricted to Singapore. Their good nature is established from the beginning by having the upbeat Nadia as the eyes through which Pangolin Secondary School and its new intake are seen. It also seems orientation days in Singapore have a lot to teach the rest of the world, this one featuring a treasure hunt forcing pupils into teams with those they don’t know, and thereby requiring co-operation and forging friendships.

It’s refreshing to read a young adult graphic novel set in the real world that’s allowed to be good natured and positive without also having to focus on overcoming or resolving a personal issue. It’s not seen as worth mentioning Priya’s family is Indian or Aqilah is Muslim, while Yong Qiang’s confinement to a wheelchair is tragic, but not the point of the second story, where he has a large part. The featured characters have problems in their lives, but writer Reimena Yee never permits them to become the priority.

Nadia loves art, but feels she must study hard to earn money in the future as the family business is failing, but the chance of prize money attached to a project accounting for 40% of her school marks for the year provides the solution. It also provides the way of getting through to Priya, who keeps to herself, but loves gaming. That pair are the focus of the first story with Aqilah and Yong Qiang as supporting characters, and the roles are reversed for the second.

Tintin Pantoja’s cartooning is rich and varied, strong on character and she takes the interesting approach of sometimes drawing adults more realistically than the main cast. It adds an emphasis to the arguments Priya’s parents have. Toward the end of the first story there’s a dip into fantasy, and there may be an initial disappointment that it’s not richer, but to go wild would detract from the remainder, and what’s here has a simple elegance defining what’s necessary.

The second story features the origin of the Maker’s Club, and brings home the pleasure of work of creators originating from Malaysia and the Philippines. Their standard cultural references from integrated multicultural societies provide fascinating background details for English language readers, providing an instant richness. It also underlines the difference in school systems. Are all schoolkids in the region as motivated as the four featured here? Aqilah stands out even among the others, and the solution to her brief lack of inspiration is a joyful conclusion.

Well conceived, charming and cheerful, The Makers Club stands out in a crowded market.