The Dark Knight Rises, the third comic book adaptation to hit cinemas this year - after The Avengers and The Amazing Spider-Man - has strongly reinforced the South’s love for all things fantastical. And that is why Comic Con Express’(CCE) debut in Bengaluru is well-timed. Already home to desi publications like Devi, and The Sadhu, created by Liquid Comics (formerly Virgin Comics), the city will see a well-represented show of talent on September 8 and September 9, with names like Karan Vir Arora of Vimanika Comics, Mohammed Ali Vakil of Sufi Comics and Reena I Puri, Amar Chitra Katha. The 2012 Delhi convention, which had 30,000 visitors in March, was a runaway success, and the quirky offshoot, CCE, promises to dazzle fans in the South. Arora, creative director and editor of Vimakina Comics and sponsor of Comic Con India 2011, says,“Virgin started the craze in 2008 but others have kept the flame burning.” The convention will see well-known animator Abhijeet Kini, Chennai’s Blaft Publications and more than a few workshops to keep you hooked. We speak to the major players.
Alicia Souza
Freelance graphic illustrator
Alicia Souza, 25, had dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, or joining the armed forces. “Before I left school, my art teacher said that if I didn’t take up art I’d be ruining my life,” says Souza, which led her to pursue graphics in Melbourne. Now, working on merchandise like coasters, badges, tees for children, place mats for toddlers and dogs - all of which will be showcased at the Comic Con - Souza says she’s excited about meeting big names from the comic industry. “I am really looking forward to publishing my work soon, so this would be a great opportunity for me,” she says.
See and smile
Souza is inspired by “nothing and everything” but her two dogs are her muses, as she explains that many comic strips are dedicated to them. Another source of inspiration is British cartoonist Quentin Blake, known for his work in Roald Dahl’s books ‘and his warm art which even features bad guys with a smile’ - an aspect similar to her own cheery comic strips. She hopes to launch a book compiling her daily doodles about her two mutts, Charles Brown and Lola Bear. “I am not good with words, so when something funny happens, I take notes. My website is like a diary where I draw things that happen around me,” she tells us.
On September 8 from 10 am to 9 pm, and September 9 from 10 am to 8 pm. At Koramangala Stadium, Bengaluru. Entry free. Details: comicconindia.com
Jatin Varma
Founder and organiser of Comic Con India
Five years ago, as a student of economics at the University of Washington, JatinVarma never imagined he would be the founder of the first comic convention in India. His love for comics started with Amar Chitra Katha and Archie Comics and became an obsession when he moved to the US. Once back in India, he began to publish Random, an Indian counterpart of MAD magazine. Varma then realised there was no real platform for Indian writers and artists in the comic space. An attempt to build one led to the birth of Comic Con India. “The idea is to help pop culture and comics grow and to bridge the gap between film, animation, comics and cartoons,” he says.
Trend alert: While mythology has always been big in India, recent trends have shown a shift towards zombie and horror stories. Varma thinks that fictional Indian superheroes would pale in comparison to the vast pantheon of Hindu gods who possess every possible superpower. “India is a functioning anarchy, with the potential for interesting and unique characters to emerge,” he reasons, adding that more graphic novels will hit the stands as it is easier to get a single book published as opposed to an entire series.
What to expect: The market for comics in India is small, so publishing online is more budget-friendly, feels Varma. “Indians are cost-conscious, and are happy when stuff is free. That’s why web comics would do well,” he explains, adding, “I am old school, though. I don’t think I will ever be able to read online. I will always buy books.”
Rakesh Khanna
Co-founder, Blaft Publications
Literature buffs are familiar with Blaft Publications’ The Blaft Anthology of Tamil Pulp Fiction Vol 1 and 2, which garnered notoriety and critical acclaim in the pulp fiction genre. Rakesh Khanna, co-founder, Blaft, reveals his plans for CCE, “We’ll be selling our books and some limited edition light boxes and other fun stuff. Plus, several authors and artists will be there, including Rashmi Ruth Devadasan and Shyam (Kumari Loves a Monster) and George Mathen (Moonward), to sign books.’’ Khanna is all praise for the Comic Con, saying, ‘‘It is really commendable how this group of young people have done such a pro job with Comic Con, getting great speakers from all over the world, and pulling huge crowds.’’
For the masses: Having set up Blaft Publications four years ago, the mathematician from UC Berkeley and IIT Madras, says, ‘‘Every publishing house and every artist and every book is its own animal with its own sort of audience. That’s why the CCE will have something for everyone, from non-fiction adult manga like Stupid Guy Goes to India to Level 10 ‘full-on masala’ comics to Hollywood movie derivatives and Chhota Bheem.” Details: blaft.com
Prasad Bhat
Caricature artist and GraphiCurry founder
Former engineer, vocalist and musician, Prasad Bhat delights in lampooning personalities like Lady Gaga, Jimi Hendrix, Scarface and Dexter. From caricaturing his school teachers to becoming one of Bengaluru’s more prominent illustrators, Bhat has come a long way. He now runs GraphiCurry - a digital design art studio. And because he’s so excited about the Comic Con Express coming to town, he gave us a sneak peek into what to expect from him. “Magnets, laptop cases and an online store are on the cards. And it’s a gamble because I still believe that my art is destined to be on paper and not on objects,” he says.
Doodles to masterpieces: “My work isn’t just ordinary sketching. I use vectors (geometric symbols) in my art and that gives it a distinct style,” he says. Bhat also owes his success to his music and recording days. “I used to do art for album covers, logos and posters for a band I used to play in. My inspiration is art and food. Hence the name GraphiCurry,” he chuckles.
S Vijayan
Editor, Lion-Muthu Comics
With 40 years of translating Italian, French, Belgian, British, American, Dutch, Yugoslavian and Spanish comics into Tamil, Lion-Muthu Comics is a household name in Tamil Nadu. S Vijayan, editor, Lion-Muthu Comics, who took over from his father in 1984, will be celebrating the publication’s 40th year with a mega annual issue, the Muthu Comics Never Before Special, priced at Rs 400. While gearing up for CCE in Bengaluru, Vijayan states that Chennai is “not too far behind.”
Going native: From its early years as a black and white soft cover monthly, priced at Rs 2, Muthu Comics is now available at Rs 100 in colour. It is in a category of its own, having brought comics of international repute like The Steel Claw and Lt Blueberry to Tamil audiences (each original French album sells close to 400,000 copies in the French speaking market). ‘‘I have been fascinated with comics since I grew up watching my dad Soundrapandian introduce Muthu Comics to the Tamil audience,” reminisces Vijayan, whose Lion Comics in its 28th year, comprises thrillers, superhero action, horror, cartoon and Western genres. Between the pages: Sivakasi-based Vijayan, 45, insists that the printing standards in India are now on par with what is available elsewhere and says, “Amar Chitra Katha is in a class of its own and should be an integral part of every youngster’s formative years.’’ While adding that Chennai is “an amazingly vibrant place’’ for comic or book lovers and predicts ‘‘good things’’ for the industry, he agrees that Indian comics are nowhere as successful as their Western and Japanese counterparts, the Bcom graduate points out that pioneering efforts like the CCE ‘‘are a step in the right direction.’’
Details: 04562 320993
Aniruddho Chakraborty
Executive editor at Chariot Comics
If a swash buckling Ekalavya, a controversial team of international crime fighting heroes and a vigilante stir your imagination, then make a beeline for Chariot Comics at Comic Con. Headed by self- confessed commercial comic book fan, Aniruddho Chakraborty, Chariot Comics is a digital screen comic book publisher based in Delhi. Chakraborty reveals he is inspired by “Fame, money, women, Ferraris and world domination!” Eventually, he admits that it all boils down to his love for comics, which he declares are “cool, and always will be.” Chakraborty is also a brand and strategy consultant for Hungrybags.com (a travel start-up).
Chariots on fire: Speaking about the Godslayer (Eklavya, replete with guns, the bow, the sling and bling), VRICA (a new generation of heroes programmed to protect India) and Damned (about Anga, a demon slaying mercenary), all under the Chariot Comics banner, Chakraborty says that they aim to bring out India’s edgiest, comic books for young adults. “There’s action, blood, gore, evil, controversy and inexplicable acts of heroism in the mix,” he says, adding that their USP is, “the ability to be different and adapt quickly, thereby pushing the edge of storytelling and our digital-only platform.” In true comic book creator style, Chakraborty dons the persona of an imaginary character he has built for himself - Supreme Commander Chaksius - and goes on to elaborate about the huge Indian appetite for myth-based stories. “Since we are a religion-dominated and mostly intolerant country, retelling these myths can irk some people. We’ve received flak for Godslayer already - but being labelled as heretics is always fun,” he admits.
- Aakanksha Devi and Desiree Alemao (With inputs by Reshma Iqbal)
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