About the book

GUNDALA was first published in 1969. Created by HASMI (Harya Suraminata), it is a Sci-fi superhero story that takes place in a fictional dystopian Indonesia.  A setting with a distinctly Indonesian vibe, coupled with the ground-breaking characterization of the hero Sancaka as a relatable and down-to-earth character propelled the series into the spotlight, cementing Gundala’s status as the defining modern-day superhero of Indonesia.

GUNDALA has been adapted to a live action movie, written and directed by Indonesian filmmaker Joko Anwar. It made its international debut at the prestigious Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in 2019.

Summary of the book

“If we see injustice before our eyes and do nothing…
then we are no longer human.”

Two men whose personal tragedies overlap, yet their destinies diverge.

Sancaka, a boy who was struck by lightning, seeks a path of truth and justice.

Pengkor, a boy who was scared by fire, walks the path of violence and rage.

Like day and night, the lives of Sancaka and Pengkor flash back and forth in a juxtapose of light and darkness—as Sancaka learns to harness his power to defend the weak, Pengkor uses his to build an army of assassins, corrupting orphans who have suffered like him and Sancaka…

The fight for humanity has begun.