New Webcomic "Mac and Bagu" Brings Friendship, Fun — and Auslan — to Kids Online
A brand-new children’s webcomic, Mac and Bagu, has launched online, bringing a mix of humour, heart, and accessibility to kids everywhere.
Created by author-illustrator Holly Karten, Mac and Bagu follows the quirky adventures of Mac, an inventive Australian kid, and Bagu, her curious (and slightly mischievous) sidekick. Along the way, readers are introduced to Auslan (Australian Sign Language) woven naturally into the storytelling — making the comic both entertaining and inclusive.
“I wanted to create a fun, whimsical comic that reflects the real ways kids communicate and connect,” says Karten. “By including Auslan, the comic celebrates Deaf culture and makes sign language part of everyday adventure.” Raising a child with hearing and vision loss, meant that in her early life we worked hard to learn and integrate Auslan into our everyday communication, but as she got older, and didn’t see Auslan being used by her peers, she began to feel like Auslan made her stand out too much from her hearing peers. So many people benefit from the extra layer of communication and clarification offered by Auslan, so having a few key Auslan words will benefit more than just the Deaf community.
With bright illustrations, laugh-out-loud moments, and a cast of diverse characters, Mac and Bagu is designed to spark kids’ imaginations while gently expanding their awareness of different ways people express themselves.
Episodes 1-3 of the comic are available for free at www.hollykarten.com.au and new strips will be released weekly.
About the Creator:
Holly Karten is an Australian author-illustrator whose work focuses on humour, accessibility, and neurodiverse perspectives. She creates stories that invite kids (and their adults) to embrace the unexpected with joy and curiosity.
