Semiotics Study: Visual Analysis of the Wayang Character Rahwana in the Comic by R.A. Kosasih and Ardisoma

Rama Purwawicaksana Gedemukti; Djuli Djatiprambudi; Martadi Martadi; Anik Juwariyah

doi:10.29407/jbsp.v10i1.7

Authors

Rama Purwawicaksana Gedemukti Pascasarjana Pendidikan Seni Budaya, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8212-246X
Djuli Djatiprambudi Pascasarjana Pendidikan Seni Budaya, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0406-9964
Martadi Martadi Pascasarjana Pendidikan Seni Budaya, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0005-1253-9139
Anik Juwariyah Pascasarjana Pendidikan Seni Budaya, Universitas Negeri Surabaya, Surabaya, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0510-3263

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.29407/jbsp.v10i1.7

Keywords:

comics, Rahwana, semiotics, visual, wayang

Abstract

Wayang is one of Indonesia's cultural products that has been passed down from generation to generation. Wayang stories, such as the Ramayana epic, are generally performed in the form of wayang kulit (leather puppet theatre) and are popular with the public because they are rich in meaning and moral values. As time has progressed, wayang has not only been presented in the form of performances, but has also been adapted into various media, one of which is comics. This study aims to reveal the representation of the character Rahwana in the Ramayana story adapted into comics and to compare the semiotic approaches in presenting the depth of this character from the perspectives of different comic artists. The method used is a descriptive qualitative approach with Charles Sanders Peirce's semiotic analysis model, which focuses on signs, objects, and interpreters. The data sources are Ramayana adaptation comics from two different comic artists. The results show that each comic artist has a distinctive adaptation style, both visually and conceptually, in describing the character of Rahwana. These differences are evident in the use of symbols, drawing styles, and the highlighting of certain characteristics that form diverse interpretations of the character. Thus, this study confirms that the adaptation process is not neutral but is influenced by the comic artists' creative interpretations. This research is expected to enrich the study of semiotics in visual arts and literature, particularly in the context of modern wayang.

Abstract views: 0 ,

References

Aditia, P., & Prabawa, B. (2020). Karakteristik budaya Nusantara pada Tokoh dan Semesta Komik Nusa V. Desain Komunikasi Visual, Manajemen Desain Dan Periklanan (Demandia), 5(01), 100–112.

Anggraini, C., & Setyanto, Y. (2019). Peranan public relations dalam mempertahankan eksistensi Ramayana. Prologia, 3(2), 408–415.

Anwar, A. S., Irfansyah, I., & Sulistyaningtyas, T. (2023). Perancangan adaptasi “Gaya Stilasi” tokoh wayang kulit untuk pemanfaatan pada virtual reality (Studi kasus: Tokoh Rahwana). Ars, 26(1), 47–56. https://doi.org/10.24821/ars.v26i1.8871

Ardi Soma - Wayang Purwa (01-08).pdf. (n.d.).

Ary, I. R., & Sriathi, A. A. A. (2019). Pengaruh self efficacy dan locus of control terhadap kinerja karyawan (Studi pada Ramayana Mal Bali). Udayana University.

Charles, S., & Peirce, S. (2024). Analisis film Bayi Ajaib karya Alim Sudio. 8(2), 105–118.

Debroy, B. (2017). The Valmiki Ramayana: Vol. 3 (Vol. 3). Penguin Random House India Private Limited.

Faturahman, W., & Media Sucahya. (2022). Representasi watak manusia pada 10 wajah tokoh Rahwana. TANDIK: Jurnal Seni Dan Pendidikan Seni, 2(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.33654/tdk.v2i1.1601

Griffin, E. (2011). Chapter 26 - Semiotics of Roland Barthes. In A First Look at Communication Theory (8th ed.). 332–343.

Herman, N., Muarifin, M., Bahasa, P., & Keguruan, F. (2023). Analisis wacana kritis teori Teun A . Van Dijk pada YouTube iklan Ramayana berjudul “ Marga Pelari .” i.

Honestianto, S. (2019). Kajian visual desain karakter dalam komik “The Grand Legend Ramayana.” https://digilib.isi.ac.id/6027/4/JURNAL Setiadi Hoestianto.pdf

Kartun, I. V. (n.d.). No Title.

Krismayanti, L. M. S. (n.d.). Aspek struktural (Konflik batin) dalam novel Sitayana karya Cok Sawitri. Wacana : Jurnal Bahasa, Seni, Dan Pengajaran, 5(1), 1–13.

Moglen, H., Brantlinger, P., Thesing, W. B., Adams, J. E., Hutcheon, L., Mary, H., Braddon, E., Challenges, S., Bland, M., Kim, S., Nelson, J. G., Williams, R. S., Barthes, R., Reichenbach, A., Bringmann, A., Reader, E. E., Pournaras, C. J., Rungger-Brändle, E., Riva, C. E., … Rini, Amalia, R. (2019). Mythologies books by Roland Barthes. A Companion to the Victorian Novel, 561(6), 1–513.

Nuriarta, I. W. (2020). Komik Mahabharata karya RA Kosasih sebagai media komunikasi massa. Amarasi: Jurnal Desain Komunikasi Visual, 1(02), 77–87.

Patel, P. (2025). Exploring human values in the Epic Ramayana. 4(2), 299–308.

Pattanaik, D. (2013). Sita: An illustrated retelling of the Ramayana. Penguin UK.

Prijanto, S. (2015). Cycle of Sri Rama and Dewi Sinta. XIII(2), 143–162.

Prijanto, S. (2019). Komik Ramayana karya RA Kosasih: Siklus kehidupan spritual Sri Rama dan Dewi Sinta. MEDAN MAKNA: Jurnal Ilmu Kebahasaan Dan Kesastraan, 13(2), 143–162.

Purwanto, Y. S. (1991). Subliminal messages in comic books : A semiology study on Ardian Syaf ’ S case. 61–73.

RA Kosasih - Seri Ramayana - Lahirnya Sri Rama Dewi Shinta 02.pdf. (n.d.).

RA Kosasih - Seri Ramayana - Lahirnya Sri Rama Dewi Shinta 03.pdf. (n.d.).

Susanti, D. I., & Prameswari, J. Y. (2022). Kajian semiotika pada poster tema perundungan karya siswa kelas 6 SD. 6(2), 71–76.

Wardani, N. K., Yani, A. R., & Daniar, A. (2023). Analisis gaya visual karakter “Webtoon Sri Asih VS Movie Sri Asih.” DESKOVI Art and Design Journal, 6, 136–144. https://e-journal.umaha.ac.id/deskovi/article/view/15188

Wardhani, A. K., Gunawan, I., Nugrahani, R., Artayasa, I. N., Noorwatha, I. K. D., Yupardhi, T. H., Sari, D. A. P. L., Diantari, N. K. Y., & Yasa, H. G. P. P. A. (2022). Dasa Citta desain.