We become speechless in certain social situations,
and when facing power imbalance, and violence.
We whisper poetic words in our dreams, in loving moments,
and inside our bodies. Reality refers to
not just the facts written in black and white;
we constantly experience speechlessness
as well as poetry in real life.

■《MonsoonVol.4 - Loss for Words》

We have now reached the end of our project – the fourth and final issue of Monsoon. In the previous issues, we have explored the possibilities to discuss life, cultures and social issues with documentary comics. In this final issue, we would like to prove that documentary comics can also convey more abstract ideas, such as poetic experience, dreams or traumas of the subconscious. The predicaments, feelings of loss, boredom or yearning that we cannot fully express in words can be transformed into images, depicting the inner world of the artists who created them. At the end of our journey, we hope to leave the readers with an extensive sense of reality, for reality is profound and boundless.

■ Ten Up-and-coming Comic Artists Capturing Reality and Depicting Humanity

Documentary comics based on true events require the comic artists’ meticulous research, deep insight and wild imagination. In this volume we present ten young artists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, Malaysia and China.

■ International Classics : Diver

Monsoon’s “International Classics” section is a must-read that introduces classic documentary comics unavailable in Taiwan and broadens the readers’ horizons. In the latest volume, the section features Diver, published by Somebooks, Diver by Hyeon A-Seon illustrates the story of the author’s grandmother. Diving is an occupation traditionally carried out by women on Jeju Island, South Korea. Without any underwater breathing apparatus, women divers plunge deep into the sea to collect abalone, conch and octopus. Their harvest was once an important source of income for many Jeju families. Due to the economic pressure, they dive into the cold seawater even when they are pregnant.

■ Outstanding Book Design by Prominent Designer Timonium Lake

In addition to using fonts with Asian characteristics and unconventional layout design that expresses rhythms, every chapter in this magazine is printed on a different type of paper and by a different method that best complement the style of the comic. The latest volume of Monsoon is once again designed by AGI member, renowned Taiwanese designer Timonium Lake, whose work enriches the readers’ visual and tactile experiences.

■ For the new friends：Monsoon complete kit with a limited artprint set（A4)

The complete kit of Monsoon included Monsoon1234 and a limited artprint set (8 cards in A4 size, printed with 3 pantone colors).

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