Thai One-Baht, 'The Haunted Child' by Chart Bangna

Originally conceived as a way for printers to get rid of excess paper, these cheaply produced comics were priced at one baht, making them accessible to even the poorest consumer. They were easy to read, featuring ghost stories and folk tales – often with a dollop of sex or violence for added attraction. They appeared from 1975 onwards, dying off in the late 1980s as manga became more popular.

This work features in Mangasia: Wonderlands of Asian Comics, a Barbican International Enterprises exhibition, curated by Paul Gravett. Mangasia presents a vivid journey through the art of Comics and visual storytelling across Asia. From its historical roots to the most recent digital innovations, the exhibition looks to popular Japanese ‘Manga’ and beyond, highlighting key creators, characters and publications.