Panji Tengkorak is the main character in the fantasy silat story series created by Indonesian comic artist Hans Jaladara, or simply "Hans", in the 1960s. This comic was first published in 1968 in five series. Because of its popularity, this comic was recycled and republished in 1985. The recycled version of the manga was reissued in 1996
This comic is one of the first fantasy silat comics by Indonesian comic artists who popularized the typical Indonesian silat story besides Si Buta dari Gua Hantu at that time. Because of its popularity, this comic has experienced two recycling. The first recycled by its creator, Hans Jaladara, and published by UP Prasidha publisher in 1985 in two series, the first book is 190 pages thick and the second book is 136 pages. The second recycle uses the style of a typical Japanese manga that was published in 1996. This comic when it was first published was so popular that it was adapted into a widescreen action film genre in 1971 with the same title, "Pandji Tengkorak" (Republican Spelling).
Synopsis
The story set in the archipelago in an era where Nusantara silat colleges clashed with each other and competed for influence and power told the life adventure and tragic love experienced by Panji, a silat student puppet warrior from Nagamas, a silat hero of black flow. It is said that Panji traveled in search of the killer Murni, his wife and his only love in the hands of a mysterious foreign warrior who sought the book of black magic inherited from his late teacher. In his wandering, Panji disguised himself as a beggar and used a scary mask, so that he was known by his nickname, Panji Tengkorak, or also Beggar (Devil) from Kidul (South) because of his origin from the south coast. The flow of martial arts studied by Panji from his teacher is classified as the science of poison silat which is classified as black and misguided. Panji himself is a person who does not hesitate to take his enemy's life with his knowledge to defend himself. The ensign wanders with a beggar's wand that hides a long sword in it.
In his wandering, Panji met a number of girls, all of whom were attracted by the mysterious, cruel, Panji character, but were actually kind and loyal. In his adventures with each of the girls he met, all fell in love with Panji as soon as they saw the true face of Panji who was very handsome under his hideous mask. Even so, Panji's good looks turned into a curse, because of the many girls who fought over him, not all of them had good intentions, and would even lead him into the lap of karma and the destruction of his life. There is only one girl Panji likes, Mariani, a village girl who is not too beautiful, but has the kindest and softest temper. But Panji and Mariani's love became a trigger that would later bring Panji to deal with his origins and past which turned out to be darker than he knew.
