For many readers across Southeast Asia, Tahilalats needs little introduction. The comic’s sharp, often absurd humour has become a familiar presence on social media feeds, quietly reflecting everyday frustrations, social awkwardness, and moments of unexpected sincerity. At Comic Fiesta 2025, we sat down with Nurfadli Mursyid — better known as Palik or Lickpalik, and the creator behind Mindblowon and Tahilalats — for an exclusive interview to reflect on the comic’s journey, its growing international audience, and how its identity has evolved over more than a decade.

Palik traces Tahilalats back to his college years in civil engineering, when drawing comic strips began as a personal outlet rather than a career plan. What started in 2012 as a way to share ideas with friends eventually became a central home for his creative work. “Tahilalats is a home of all of my work,” he explained, describing how the project grew alongside his own creative identity rather than being built around commercial ambition from the start.

From a Local Comic to a Regional Phenomenon

When asked whether he ever imagined Tahilalats would reach readers beyond Indonesia, Palik was candid about his initial expectations. In its early years, the comic was never designed with an international audience in mind. Instead, it drew heavily from personal experiences, local culture, and familiar social situations. “Honestly, I started my comic only for Indonesian audience,” he said, noting that many early stories were rooted in his own life and those of his friends.

The turning point came around 2015, when he began uploading consistently across social media platforms. Daily updates slowly expanded Tahilalats’ reach, and over time, the comic found resonance in neighbouring countries. Malaysia, in particular, emerged as one of its strongest audiences outside Indonesia. Palik attributes this not to deliberate localisation, but to shared cultural touchpoints and linguistic similarities that allowed the humour to travel more naturally. Today, Malaysia stands as the second-largest audience for Tahilalats after Indonesia — a fact he admits still surprises him.

Relatability, Context, and a Changing Audience

As Tahilalats gained traction in Malaysia and beyond, the conversation shifted toward what readers connect with most. For Palik, relatability remains the core of the comic’s appeal. Much of Tahilalats is built around everyday experiences — awkward social encounters, quiet frustrations, and moments that feel deeply familiar even when exaggerated for humour.

He also acknowledged how audience behaviour has changed over time. Early readers were largely millennials who enjoyed unpacking context and reading between the lines. As newer generations discovered the comic, Palik adapted his storytelling approach. “Right now, the first panel must be the hook,” he explained, describing how changes in algorithms and attention spans have influenced the structure of his strips. While the humour remains grounded in honesty, the delivery has evolved to meet readers where they are.

Humor Without Borders

Despite being written primarily in Indonesian, Tahilalats continues to resonate with readers across countries. Palik believes this connection goes beyond language alone. While not every joke translates perfectly, the sheer volume and consistency of content increases the likelihood that certain stories will connect. “We do many comics every day,” he said. “So we have many chances to get people who understand our story.”

He also emphasised that visual language plays a crucial role. Expressions, gestures, colour, and composition often communicate emotion more directly than text. In many cases, readers connect with Tahilalats through how it looks and feels before fully understanding the words. This visual accessibility has become one of the comic’s strongest assets in international spaces.

Imagining Tahilalats in Malaysia

With a growing Malaysian fanbase, Palik has begun to consider how local elements might influence future stories. Rather than simple translations, he expressed interest in situational storytelling — imagining characters like Ben and Agus visiting Malaysia and reacting to cultural differences firsthand. Such stories could explore humour through contrast, whether in language, habits, or social norms.

He also hinted at the possibility of collaborations with local intellectual properties, viewing partnerships as a way to deepen cultural exchange rather than dilute Tahilalats’ identity.

Rethinking Global Expansion

The topic of Tahilalats’ English-language releases naturally arose, especially given its discontinued translated account. Palik explained that direct translation often stripped jokes of their cultural grounding. “Not all of our comics can be culturally understood,” he admitted, even when translated accurately.

This led to the creation of Mindblowon Universe, a separate platform aimed at global audiences with stories designed from the ground up to be more universally relatable. Silent animations and visually driven storytelling play a larger role there, allowing humour to travel without relying on language.

Looking ahead, Palik sees international expansion as a collaborative effort. Rather than reshaping Tahilalats itself, he believes working with local agents and partners would allow for culturally informed storytelling tailored to specific regions.

Observing Comic Fiesta Through a Creator’s Lens

Walking through Comic Fiesta 2025, Palik found inspiration not in spectacle, but in the people themselves. He described events like these as safe spaces where niche interests and subcultures are openly celebrated. In everyday life, fans might feel out of place, but conventions transform those same traits into something communal.

That contrast, he noted, feels like fertile ground for storytelling — narratives about belonging, acceptance, and how shared passions create unexpected connections.

Protecting the DNA of Tahilalats

With Tahilalats collaborating with major brands such as One Piece, Crayon Shin-chan, and Garuda, maintaining creative integrity has become increasingly important. Palik was clear that the creator’s role remains central in preserving the comic’s DNA. While business and creative operations are handled separately, the core vision is never compromised.

“Even though we expand across multiple industries, the DNA should not change,” he said. For him, successful collaborations are those that find a balance between brand messaging and the soul of Tahilalats.

Lore, Books, and the Next Decade

As Tahilalats enters its next phase, Palik revealed plans to expand beyond internet comics into long-form storytelling. A new book series, beginning with Ben’s World, aims to explore the lore and universe behind the familiar characters. He envisions releasing multiple books each year, allowing fans to engage with Tahilalats on a deeper narrative level while maintaining its presence as a piece of internet culture.

Closing the conversation, Palik shared a heartfelt message for Malaysian fans, expressing gratitude for their continued support over the years. He also hinted at potential future collaborations and projects within Malaysia, noting that discussions are already underway. “I’m so happy to see what I did 10 years ago get more audience, especially here,” he said.

As Tahilalats continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: its strength lies not in chasing trends, but in staying honest — a quality that, despite cultural differences, continues to resonate far beyond its place of origin.