Making an Anti-Bullying Comic

Abstract

During my last year in elementary school, I despise those anti-bullying comic strips. Not like I am supporting the act of bullying, but it is because the way anti-bullying comic strips portrayed unrealistic resolution. In October 2011, Cartoon Network began a collaborative project between an online comic software called Bitstrip to bring anti-bullying campaign for schools and awareness on social media. Children can use Bitstrip's website to create their own comic in which it is up to them on how to solve the problem and have their comic shared on their social media. I was still in grade fifth back then, and I found the project was indeed bringing awareness, but not powerful enough to deliver the message. The cheesy storyline, simple art style, and predictable plot might be the reason why I found anti-bullying comics using Bitstrip format is gullible on a particular internet forum.

Social-awareness through visual is a nice idea, but without a proper caution will be futile. Throughout my school days in elementary, until I graduated from high school, I found making illustrations and comics as one of my coping mechanisms. Oddly enough, I have created several illustrations and comics related to the topic of violence or bullying, which mostly based on my personal experience or my observations. I supposed possibly it is because of my disappointment towards cringe-worthy anti-bullying comic in Bitstrip format that motivated me to do so.