Book publisher Fixi hopes its new label Grafixi can help local enthusiasts have access to the DC graphic novels at more affordable prices.

Fixi founder Amir Muhammad himself has been a comic and graphic novel enthusiast since his teenage years but knows how the steep prices could put a damper on interests.

"The cost of an imported comic that we distribute could be up to RM70 per copy," Amir told Malaysiakini .

Malaysiakini last week reported that Fixi won the rights to translate DC Comics publications to Bahasa Malaysia.

DC Comics Inc was founded by Malcolm Wheeler-Nicholson in 1934 and is now part of the DC Entertainment firm, owned by Warner Bros Entertainment.

The process of obtaining rights to translate the comics to Bahasa Malaysia took close to a year, Amir said, but it has been worthwhile for this avid fan of DC Comics' superheroes.

"The process took close to a year, and included a meeting at the Frankfurt International Book Fair in Germany last year.

"I don't want to disclose how much we spent to obtain the rights, but it has been the most we have ever spent on any of our book projects," Amir said.

Translation requires great attention

Grafixi's first edition will be a translation of 'Batman/Superman: Public Enemies', which will have 160 pages.

The second will be 'Supergirl', with 168 pages.

Four other titles will be translated this year, including 'Superman/Batman #3: Absolute Power', 'Superman/Batman #4: Vengeance New Suicide Squad' and 'Justice League Volume 1: Origin".

Amir said translation requires great attention to the linguistic and plot context, to ensure that the translation stays true to the original publication.

"We have chosen an experienced translator who will work with an editor.

"They need to not only understand the language, but also the context and the world of DC Comics," he said.

Read more at Malaysiakini 's Seni section.