POWERHOUSE COLLECTION

'Krunch!' comic book made by Streetwize Comics

Object No. 2000/124/14

Founded in 1984, Streetwize Comics produces free educational comics for young people covering a wide range of issues. The comics communicate important messages in an easy-to-read format that young people can relate to, particularly disadvantaged youth. The comics, as well as other material including posters and educators' notes, deal with topics such as health and safety, legal issues, racism, sexual harassment, domestic violence, homosexuality, housing, employment, gambling, drug and alcohol abuse and other current social issues. They are developed in consultation with young people from the target audiences and are based on the philosophy that effective communication must be built around the perceptions and needs of the audience. Funding comes from federal and state government departments and community organisations. The Powerhouse Museum collection contains a selection of comics from Streetwize, but mainly those editions dealing with health and safety. They illustrate the way in which government and community organisations approach the dissemination of health information to targeted groups (in this case, disadvantaged youth) and at the same time provide a record of the range of health issues affecting young people in the late 1990s. The 'Krunch' subscription series republishes the best stories from previous comics. 'Krunch! #2' has a stories about cannabis, fitness and pregnancy; the blues and alcohol; incest; pills; drinking and driving. It was developed with funding from the Community Organisations' Support Program of the Commonwealth Department of Health and Family Services.