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Working for Marvel Comics is ‘a dream come true’: how two Indonesian artists ended up drawing Star Wars, Thor, Venom and other superheroes

  • Ario Anindito and Alti Firmansyah have both loved comics and drawing since they were young
  • After feeling unsatisfied in other jobs the Indonesian artists applied to Marvel Comics, and now draw their childhood superheroes

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As a child, Ario Anindito dreamt of drawing for Marvel Comics and his dream came true. Photo: courtesy of Ario Anindito
Marcel Thee

“It’s a dream come true,” says Indonesian comic artist Ario Anindito. After many years as a professional cartoonist, this year he began designing elements of the latest chapter in the global Star Wars multimedia spectacular.

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The 37-year-old was an introverted child, frequently “daydreaming and getting lost in my own imagination”. At the age of six, he decided that drawing superheroes like Spider-Man and Superman would be his escape, and later his profession.

Today, Anindito is one of a few Indonesians working for Marvel Comics, the publishing company that dominates global pop culture with a cast of world-famous superheroes.

“Every kid who loves to draw, it’s basically our dream to work for Marvel or DC Comics,” he says. “I get to draw characters that I used to watch on TV and in the movies or read about in comics as a kid.”

Wolverines, drawn by Ario Anindito. Photo: courtesy of Ario Anindito
Wolverines, drawn by Ario Anindito. Photo: courtesy of Ario Anindito
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The artist contrasts this with drawing in his classroom notebooks, getting caught by teachers and scolded for it. “Well, look who’s laughing now,” he says with a mock evil laugh.

From Bandung in West Java, Anindito graduated from Parahyangan Catholic University with a degree in architecture. After a stint at DC Comics, he now works as a penciller and inker for Marvel.

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