Dr Vishuvardhan into a comic book hero

Dr Vishnuvardhan may have passed away, but his memories are still fresh in our minds. In an attempt to make the Legend known to future generations, his son-in-law and actor Aniruddh has decided to turn Dr Vishnuvardhan into a comic book hero.

The comic book series will be called Sahasasimha and a highlight of the Series will be Vishnuvardhan’s grandchildren Shloka and Jeshta, who will also feature in the book along with their grandfather.

The Comic Series which will be distributed by comic book pioneer Amar Chitra Katha is all set to be released on December 30.

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Dr Vishnuvardhan In Sahasa Simha Again!

It's a good news for Dr Vishnuvardhan fans. The actor, who was called as a Lion of Kannada film Industry, will soon be seen as a protagonist in a comic book series. The book is named after the actor's title 'Sahasa Simha'. On the celebration of the actor's 64th Birthday in Abhimaan Studio, Bangalore, the official announcement was made by Vishnu's son-in-law Anirudh Jhathkar. Anirudh said, "Sahasa Simha is aimed at keeping the late actor alive in the hearts of not just the present generation of fans, but also for young people." It is said that Anirudh came up with the idea of making Vishnu into a comic star as kids easily associate with superheroes. The rough design of the book was released on Wednesday, September 18, by Karnataka Governor HR Bharadwaj. The comic will feature Vishnuvardhan, where he helps his grand children Jyesta and Shlokha to fight crime. The book will be released on December 30, 2013. It is said that the movie Sahasa Simha, which was released in the year 1982, gave him the title 'Sahasa Simha Vishnuvardhan'. Vishnu performed daredevil stunts in the movie without using the body double. Bollywood diva Kaajal Kiran was paired opposite Vishnuvardhan in the movie, and it was directed by Joe Simon.

Amar Chitra Katha arrive on Windows 8

India's legendary comics, Amar Chitra Katha arrive on Windows 8

Amar Chitra Katha has played an important part in the childhoods of millions of readers in India. A legendary household name in India, Amar Chitra Katha is India’s leading storyteller and largest comics publisher, and synonymous with Indian fables from the great epics, mythology, history, literature, and oral folktales. Now you can enjoy Amar Chitra Katha comic titles on Windows 8...

The digital storefront offers over 200 Amar Chitra Katha titles in in a downloadable, easy-to-read format. This app provides an enhanced reading experience with digitally remastered comics displayed in a panel-by-panel view mode for ease of reading on smaller devices, or the standard flipbook mode.

I quite liked the fact that the app specifically states while signing in that they do not advertise to or collect any information of children. The Spotlight section will keep you informed of the new releases as well as titles relevant to the season or month. The Recommendations section suggests titles which are on best-reads list of the editors.

The ACK Comics app will be available exclusively on the Windows 8 platform for the first month, and can be downloaded from the Windows Store. Also, an Editor's Pick of five comics will be available free of cost to Windows 8 users.

The ACK Comics app is a must have if you are a comics enthusiast or have a growing kid at home. Explore the colorful realm of stories that will entertain and inform through the best of Indian mythology, literature, and history.
Source : wpcentral.com

Fantasies of Comic-Con 2013 Mumbai

After receiving an overwhelming response last year, Comic Con has returned to Mumbai once again. Held at the Goregaon Exhibition Centre in Western Mumbai, the two day (21st-22ndDecember) Film and Comics Convention is sure to witness a massive response indeed again. With over 5 lakh likes on their official Facebook page itself, the Comic Con India fever has indeed gone viral! Having visited the Convention myself, I can barely resist sharing my experiences of my day well-spent at Comic Con!

With this year's mascot being the Wonderbai, an Indian crossover of the comic character Wonder Woman, the Comic Con started off with a Bang! Life size statues of the Marvel Comicsuperheroes Iron Man and The Hulk welcome you with their trade mark poses. You name it and you would find all the possible comic merchandises at the stalls put up. Apart from Internal DC and Marvel, a host of other Indian comics too made good use of this platform to garner the attention of the crowd.

From superhero T-shirts, to posters, to masks the stalls held at the Comic Con had loads to offer to the enthusiastic crowd. Not to forget the highlight of it all, the Comic Con volunteers dressed fancily in different comic character get-ups. At one corner you would find a Barbarian holding his club and posing with the visitors so at the other end you would find a Japanese Anime character with a 4 feet sword! Guys dressed in hooded capes and masks could be spotted everywhere while the girls too showcased fancy outfits of characters like Harry Potter's Hermione, Lara Croft, Asguardian Princess and also Batman's Poison Ivy.

While amidst all the pomp and fun-fare, the entire idea of promoting a platform especially for Indian comics held true till the end of the convention. Popular Indian comic journals and comic books were on sale establishing a presence in the minds of the youth! Acclaimed Indian artists and comic writers including the likes of Cyrus Daruwala, Abhijeet Kini and Kailash Iyer addressed the youth of the scope and potential Indian comic industry now possesses. With Batman and Iron man being more than popular, what until today remains over-shadowed are our very own Indian comic characters and stories? Some ever-green Indian comics too likeChacha Chowdhary, Tinkle and Amar Chitrakatha made their presence available. It is true that gone are the days when we actually picked up a normal comic off the stall and read it. Having realized this, the organizers had brought in various agencies who have initiated promoting Indian comics through mobile apps and through other online mediums.

The entire ambience of the hall seemed like fantasy land coming to life in front of your eyes. Quizzes were held, comics were on display all over the place, and upcoming movies were previewed (as well as the delightful fancy dress characters). All these made the entire Comic Con adventure a day's worth. It was a fantasy world totally!
Source:-http://www.coolage.in

Mumbai Film & Comics Convention 2013

Mumbai Comic Con-2013

"Having a comic collection is like owning a piece of history"

How did you get interested in collecting comics?
Since childhood, I was inclined to collect fascinating objects. When I was about six years old, I used to collect used bus tickets. As I grew up, and began to notice things vanishing fast around me, I sensed the value of preservation. Today, I am fond of anything that connects with the past. I have been an avid reader of comics from my younger days. My introduction to comics was with Mayavi, a comic strip that appeared in Balarama, a children’s magazine published by the Manorama group. My all-time favourite is Phantom. Perhaps it was Phantom, the superhero without any superpowers, who really cracked open my soul into the serious hobby of collecting comics.

Some comic titles from Arun Prasad’s collection

I lost my entire childhood comics collection (more than 500) when we shifted home from Kerala to Bangalore. Since then I desperately wanted to get back my childhood treasures. Collecting comics was more of a challenge and personal quest to trace back my childhood memories. From 2000, it became my serious passion; I’ve left no stone unturned in search of an out-of-print comic book. Having a comic collection means owning a piece of history.

Arun Prasad owns nearly 15,000 comic books

Which are your most prized comic titles?
Phantom stories are close to my heart; all my Phantom comics are my prized possessions. The most rare of all comics is the no 1 issue of Indrajal Comics, The Phantom’s Belt. It’s worth at least a million dollars for me! Indrajal Comics are the most sought-after comics not just in India, but also among Phantom lovers in Australia, Sweden and in the US.  I am fortunate to own all 803 comics from issue no 1. I also own the entire collection of English and Kannada versions, and am almost done with Hindi and Bengali, with just a few more needed to complete. I have a few editions of Malayalam, Tamil, Marathi and Gujarati too.

How do you store your mammoth collection? How challenging is it to preserve them?
Protecting comics is an important part of collecting them and the most daunting task as well. These need to be preserved in the best manner possible, to keep them clean, crisp, and vibrant. I have converted the ground floor space of my residence to a comic warehouse. Most of my rare comics are placed along with imported acid-free boards and then packed in polypropylene bags. I use clean carton boxes for storing comics. I am lucky since Bangalore’s climate is suitable for preserving comics owing to less humidity where the temperature doesn’t fluctuate much.

Pic/ Pradeep Dhivar

Will you be visiting the Mumbai edition of Comic Con this year on December 21-22?
I’ve been participating in Comic Con since the last two years. This time, I will be in Mumbai as a visitor and not as a participant. I am also working on another curated show in Bangalore and in Kochi that will be on display by the first quarter of 2014.

Why has collecting comics emerged as a big trend?
It’s simple. When there’s a value attached to your passion, it becomes more interesting and worthwhile. Comic collection in India is becoming more vibrant and a serious affair. Today, one can find a good number of young and enthusiastic collectors entering the scene. Vintage comics prices are also shooting up.
Today, passionate comic collectors are prepared to pay any amount to grab a rare comic before someone else picks it up. Vintage comics in India have already entered the antique market. Many antique shops in India sell vintage comics. Even auction houses are watching the recent trends and developments in Indian comic scene. Online auction sites are already in the business since the last few years.

What’s in India’s comic king’s collectionION?
>> Arun Prasad owns approximately 15,000 comic books.
>> Among the Indian comic titles, he has the complete collection of 803 Indrajal comics including the no 1 issue, The Phantom Belt (1964). He also stocks first appearance issues of superheroes such as Phantom, Mandrake, Flash, Bahadur, Buz Sawyer, Lt Drake, Mike Nomad, Rip Kirby, Garth, Phil Corrigan, Bruce Lee, Aditya, and some special issues like Robin Hood, Mickey Mouse, Zorro, Tulsidas’ Ramcharit Manas, Bahubali and Mahabharata.
>> Full collection of first edition prints of Amar Chitra Katha, including the rare first 10 issues (European fairy tales), the first issues of holiday special, bumper issue and special issue are also part of his collection.
>> Full collection of the first edition of Tinkle.
>> Other comics include rare issues of Adarsh Chitrakatha, Chathurang Katha, Chitra Bharati, Chiranjiv Chitra Katha, Gaurav Gatha, India’s first 3D comic, AXA Comic, Goldie Comic — Detective Series, Prajapitha Brahma, World in Pictures Comics, Amitabh Bachchan Comics, Gavaskar Comics, Bible Comics, Spectrum Comics, Dum Dum Diga Diga, Space Age Comics, which published Inspector Vikram and Inspector Azad, Dalton Comics, Egmont Phantom, Diamond Comics, Falcon Comics, Star Comics and many other out-of-print comics.
>> Among the western comics, he has a collection of Classics Illustrated series, Dell comics, Gold Key, Marvel, DC, War comics etc, and a few western comic vintage annuals as well.
>> He also has a collection of 1950s and 60s Phantom, Flash and Ching Chow comic strips.

Meanwhile... one of Mumbai’s face comic book haunts
If you’re an amateur, yet avid comic title collector, try your luck near the Maheshwari Udyan, at Kings’ Circle. If you’re lucky, have loads of time to spare, and are in the mood for a good bargain, you might stumble upon several rare finds, including editions of Indrajal, Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha, as well as (sometimes, dog-eared) titles from the Marvel and Archie comic stable that were a staple of the 1980s and ’90s. Visit by early afternoon and avoid Sundays, when many of the vendors take the day off.  

On: December 21 and 22 (Comic Con)
At: Bombay Exhibition Centre, Goregaon (W). on to www.comicconmumbai.com

source:-http://www.mid-day.com

Egyptian superhero in a web comic

Egypt’s new hijab-clad superheroine

by Dina Demrdash
Source: bbc.co.uk

By: Dina Demrdash

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/

She’s got comic strip superpowers, fights for justice and gives bad guys a hard time. If this makes you think of Catwoman, then think again – for this is a new kind of superheroine with a visible difference.

Meet Qahera – the hijab-wearing Egyptian comic-book character fighting back against crime and prejudice.

She is the brainchild of a young Egyptian artist who created the first ever Egyptian superhero in a web comic, and its picking up a growing fanbase.

“It all started as a joke with a group of friends,” Deena Mohamed says.

“It was my way to respond in my own way to things that were frustrating me at the time,” she laughs, “and when the idea of having superpowers was fascinating!”

But when Deena put the comic online a few months ago, she did not expect the scale of positive reactions.

Her website got hundreds of thousands of hits – more than 500,000 since September alone. Egypt is the top country of visitors to the site, followed by the US.

Deena also found enthusiasm among local publishers who asked her to create a printed version as well.

“It is insane. Way more exposure than I ever expected,” the 19-year-old art student says.

Inevitably perhaps, the creation drew some negative reactions, mainly from people not convinced about adopting the Western concept of a superhero.

Deena, though, does not agree.

“We are all exposed to the idea of comics and superheroes. We are exposed to Western media so often. So I guess I was just responding to that in my own way.”

Hijabi and strong

The name Qahera is the Arabic word for Egypt’s capital, Cairo. It also means the conqueror or the vanquisher.

Deena says she had her super-heroine with the all-powerful name wear a hijab to combat a widespread stereotype that women wearing the Islamic attire cannot be strong.

“There is already so little representation of women who wear the hijab, although that is the majority of women I see around me, and it did not make sense not to make her wear hijab,” says Deena, who does not wear a hijab herself.

Hijab – the principle of modesty in Islam that includes manners of dress – is a religious obligation stipulated by the Koran, according to scholars at Al-Azhar, the highest seating of Sunni Islam.

Deena says she had her eye on a Western audience from the beginning, another reason why her character wears a hijab, and episodes are written in English.

“I wanted to send a message about the general Islamophobic backlash, and if I was going to address that, I needed to make a statement.

“Women who wear hijab usually bear the brunt of Islamophobia,” she says.

One of her comics is tackling the Western misconceptions on submissive Muslim women.

“Look, it is a Muslim woman,” says one of the characters in a story featuring Western feminists.

“Sister, take off your oppression!”

But the superheroine reacts angrily to their call.

“You have constantly undermined women. You seem unable to understand we do not need your help!”

Street harassment

In the past few years, sexual harassment of women on the streets of Egypt has become a growing phenomenon.

While most women are usually helpless in this situation, Qahera does something about it.

Deena created an entire episode about harassment, where Qahera dons her long black hijab and carries a sword as she chases down male abusers, and flies to fight wherever a woman is mistreated.

“Never bother another woman again!” Qahera warns a beaten-up culprit.

The past few decades saw a majority of Muslim women in Egypt adopt the attire. On the streets of Cairo, there are few women with their hair uncovered.

But the modest Islamic attire fails to protect women from being abused.

The United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women said in a recent report that 99.3% of Egyptian women have experienced some form of sexual harassment, whether physical or verbal.

Deena says the theme is based on real experiences with street harassment. However she does not encourage women to react the way Qahera does.

“If you are not alone and have enough support around you, you can call them out. But otherwise, you can just ignore it. It is really a difficult situation, and some women have to deal with it almost every day.”

‘Tribute to women’

Deena’s latest episode focuses on another issue that has been taking over the streets since the 2011 uprising – protests.

But she says it is less of a superhero comic and more of a tribute – to women who contributed to the revolution in so many ways.

“I remember at one point during the revolution, people would use statistics of attacks on women to discredit political movements – and Egyptians – at large. This keeps happening, consistently, both locally and internationally.

“People will abuse statistics as they see fit, but they will always ignore the women at the base of those statistics. So, politics and superpowers aside, here is my attempt at a tribute to real-life superheroes.”

Narendra Modi-Comic

While L K Advani's autobiography was used by the BJP in the 2009 Lok Sabha campaign to provide an insight into the life and career of BJP's prime ministerial candidate, their new prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi's life and career is now getting propagated in an unconventional way. Raj Comics has come out with a comic book - Pragati Purush: Narendra Modi - chronicling Modi's early life through cartoons. This new release by Raj Comics is listed among its best-sellers in last six months on its website.

Back in BJP

IN what may come as a blow to the Congress — at least in terms of public perception and symbolism — late Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's son Sunil Shastri is set to join the Bharatiya Janta Party on Friday. A minister in Congress government in UP in 1980s, Shastri had joined the BJP in 2000 and become a general secretary along with Narendra Modi. The BJP later nominated him to the Rajya Sabha. Subsequently, he floated his own outfit Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and returned to the Congress ahead of the 2009 general elections. His return to the BJP comes at a time when the opposition party is seeking to "usurp" Congress's stalwart Lal Bahadur Shastri's legacy.

Wall of fame

THE Lok Sabha Secretariat is busy procuring photographs of all former Lok Sabha presiding officers and its pre-Independence "avtar", the Central Assembly. The plan is to display them on a single wall in the outer lobby of the House. Nice idea, but the point has not been missed by anyone. Given the latest election results, Speaker Meira Kumar has obviously seen the writing on the wall. Let us see where the list stops.

Old Bonds

THOUGH the two were not known to be the best of friends when President Pranab Mukherjee was still in politics, Mamata Banerjee never forgets to bring bouquets and sweets to him on his birthdays. This year, too, Mamata extended her stay in the capital to wait for his return from South Africa and went to the President's House with the usual treat on Wednesday. A warm though jetlagged Mukherjee urged her to stay for another day so that the two could spend more time to exchange views. She readily agreed.

Source:-http://www.indianexpress.com

Major Somnath Sharma.

Roli Books has launched first two comics of its Param Vir Chakra series, featuring stories on Major Somnath Sharma - the first recipient of India's highest Indian gallantry award - and Captain Manoj Pandey.

Both soldiers were awarded this medal posthumously.

Sharma received it for his brave fight during the India-Pakistan war of 1947-48 in Kashmir, where as Pandey's heroism is remembered during "Operation Vijay" of Kargil conflict in 1999. He was injured on the shoulders and legs but still went on to attack the enemy.

The stories are written by Major General (retd.) Ian Cardozo, who is also the author of "Param Vir: Our Heroes in Battle", and illustrations are by Rishi Kumar.

The first two comics of the series were launched Thursday at the Oxford Bookstore here.

"What India lacks today is leadership and we hope when our children read these they will understand what these men fought for. They fought for the country and they were not individuals, but a part of a team," Cardozo told IANS.

"Today we are afraid to do the right thing because of the consequences we might face. Both of these men are icons of excellence and sacrifice. These comics are not just for children, but for everyone," he added.

Cardozo said there were many stories of brave soldiers that can be reached out to a larger audience.

"There is no equivalent to this profession in the world. Soldering is an honourable job and we need more young people to join the armed forces. Hope these stories invigorate feelings of courage and love for the country in them," he said.

Cardozo worked along with the illustrator on these comics, where he briefed him about war zone and the weapons they used at that time.

"It took us almost six months to complete one comic. First I got the script and then I prepared story board, followed by rough artwork, till everything was approved by the publishers," Rishi Kumar told IANS.

The other two comics from the series will be launched in January.

The 32-page comic is priced at Rs.99.

Mumbai Comic Con Convention-2013

 Mumbai Film & Comics Convention

Source:-http://www.comicconmumbai.com/index.php?page=cosplay-contest

A vigilante with a difference

Bangalore Mirror Bureau | Dec 11, 2013, 08.35 PM IST

By:Sreejita Biswas

Growing up, Robin Hood was the best "superhero" I encountered in the realm of literature. As a young child, I failed to realise that my love for the Man in Green did not stem from the well-crafted stories. It was defined by the obstacles he overcame to rise to power, without much regard for traditional morality. Stepping away from the forest of Sherwood and towards the picturesque sights of ancient Kerala, it is in Bhargava Kshetram that we encounter a young man, jaded by society, inspired by the dance form Kathakali and excelling in the martial art form Kalaripayattu. A hero to some and a villain to others, with each passing page, Odayan is not merely a man trying to bring about change, but one who is essentially human, to whom morality is perhaps irrelevant — like a more twisted version of Robin Hood. 

A vigilante, inspired by the likes of Batman and V for Vendetta, the protagonist here is not a spandex-clad man running around saving the day. "It's not surprising that a lot of people look at Odayan as a criminal. And that is the reaction I had hoped for," says Suhas Sundar, writer of Odayan and Creative Director, Level 10 Comics. In a country where there aren't that many literary superheroes, Sundar says his favourite is Nagraj — the legendary superhero brought to life by Raj Comics, "I'll perhaps be the first to watch the movie if it is ever released, but creating a new superhero and expecting a cult following is something that cannot happen in India yet," he admits.
Newer writers and artists have now begun to stray from mythology — often used by Indian comic creators to avoid the painstaking process of familiarising people with a new character. "We all know how the Ramayana ends. Though the stories are easily accessible and there is a ready-made audience, how long will you keep coming up with various versions of the same coin?" Sundar asks.
While Odayan is set in ancient Kerala and weaves into the tale legends that have been passed down through generations, Sundar clarifies that it is not a history lesson. "We did a lot of research to make this period story come to life, from the architecture of the era to its costumes and folklore. But owing to the lack of recorded events, we had to take a lot of liberties in the realm of Bhargava Khsetram. This is more about legends and a vigilante than historical accuracy," he says with a smile. 
An amalgamation of typical manga-esque kinetic lines and American contours, the artwork of the book largely lacks colour except when allowing us glimpses of the masked face of the protagonist, Odayan, and some other peripheral characters. To make sure that the violence is not over the top, stunning black and white frames are used along with splashes of bright red blood, emphasising the chaos that is essential to the narrative. 
Despite its success, Level 10, a prominent name in the Indian comics industry, has faced a fair share of obstacles. Convincing adults that comics are not for kids has been one. "India has many people who take comics seriously, but it's a niche audience. While most people don't shy away from a 400-page book, they are yet to overcome the myth that comics are not for kids," feels Sundar. Which is why it is important to spare a thought for these works of sequential art targeted at adults. After all, a story about a vigilante who has no qualms about cashing in favours to suit his needs and enjoys the mayhem and chaos he spreads, while being shaded by events sinister and risque is not child's play. 
The author is the co-founder of Strip Tease the Mag, a magazine about comics and graphic novels from all over the world 

BOOK LAUNCHES AT MUMBAI FILM AND COMIC CON 2013:

BOOK LAUNCHES AT MUMBAI FILM AND COMIC CON 2013:

1.     Title- The Skull Rosary

Author: Shweta Taneja

Artist: Vivek Goel, Gaurav Shrivastav, Sushant Panda, Ghanshyam Bochgeri and Tahir Kapadia

Published By: Holy Cow Entertainment

Launch: 21 December, 12 noon (Saturday)

The synopsis: A demon, a god, a king, an avatar, a son. Lord Shiva collected five heads in his rosary. We tell you why. The Skull Rosary is a retelling of ancient myths of Rudra, the name Shiva wielded before civilization began. They are not the stories you heard when you were a child. They are stories of dark emotions, of lust, of jealousy, of hatred, of passion, of incest and of power. In The King with A Goat’s Head a daughter is sacrificed to the flames of jealousy. Prahlad’s Dream retells the horrific story of what happens when two of the most powerful gods on earth start to fight. In The Other Woman a son craves for his own mother's body. A blind asura lusts for revenge in The Blind Spot. The last story in the set, Brahma’s Fifth Head takes you to a place where a father lusts for his daughter and all codes of civilization have broken down.

2.     Title- Parshu: Origins

Author: Raveesh

Artist: Rahul Jha

Published By: Orange Radius Publishing

Launch: 22 December, 12:30pm (Sunday)

The Synopsis: A brutal tragedy triggers the transformation of a young boy into a warrior, a warrior he was always destined to be, given his lineage and ancestry. Determined for vengeance and searching for answers behind the tragedy that befell him, he delves deeper into an abyss that will throw up more questions than reveal answers, he will need to dig deep into his reserves of willpower, strength and resolve to unearth and decimate the real face behind it all.

In this journey he will fall only to rise stronger each time, establish alliances and start understanding the true potential of his gifted abilities.

Divided into four expertly illustrated chapters, each brimming with excitement and mystery, we present the first issue in the Parshu series: Origins

3. Title- Parshu: Rise of the Warrior

Author: Raveesh

Artist: Rahul Jha

Published By: Orange Radius Publishing

Launch: 22 December, 12:30pm

The Synopsis:  To battle those behind the tragic attack on his family, Parshu will need to be battle-ready, he will need to temper his body and mind. Inspector Prakash Rajput, Parshu’s ally, realizes this and puts him through a herculean training regime. As Parshu develops into a warrior, there are other events put in motion which will test his resolve and push him to his physical limits.The vengeance this young warrior has vowed will take him deep into a murky world of unimagined savagery, malice and pandemonium.

‘Rise of the Warrior’, the second issue in the Parshu series steps-up the momentum and excitement several notches keeping you on the edge and eagerly waiting for the next issue!

4.      Title- Parshu: Retribution

Author: Raveesh

Artist: Rahul Jha

Published By: Orange Radius Publishing

Launch: 22 December, 12:30pm

The Synopsis: The third issue in the series delves deeper into the inner conflicts of a young kid whose world lies torn apart and as Parshu, a superhero-warrior, the external conflicts he must face. There are allies and adversaries but in the midst of it all is a young warrior armed with grit, gumption and an unwavering will to do what he is destined to, to do what he must.

Issue 1 'Origins' and Issue 2 'Rise of the Warrior' build up to a fascinating and extremely intriguing conclusion in 'Retribution', unravelling mysteries and announcing the arrival of a tough as nails, fearless and unrelenting warrior - Parshu.

5.     Title- Mixtape Vol.2

Cover art: Jasjyot Singh Hans

Stories & Creators

The Pursuit: Vivek Thomas (writer), Rupesh Aravindakshan (artist)

The Sea Within: Gokul Gopalakrishnan

Amma: Anil K. S.

Anti-Social Networking: Roshan K

Sunshine: Anupam Arunachalam (writer), Manoj A. Menon (artist)

Publisher: Manta Ray Publishing

Launch: 21 December, 1 pm

The Synopsis: This is the second instalment of Manta Ray’s anthology series MIXTAPE, and features 5 unique stories, in 5 different genres, illustrated in 5 distinct styles. Mixtape is envisioned as a platform for new, upcoming and established creators to showcase their short comics work, and this volume sees 8 storytellers coming together to tell their short comic stories.

Mixtape 2 opens with “The Pursuit”, written by Vivek Thomas who works in a famous production house, and illustrated by Rupesh Aravindakshan, an international award-winning automobile designer. What starts as a random pickpocketing inside a crowded bus, transforms into a frenetic chase sequence and takes the readers through some unexpected twists and turns.

6.     Title- TWELVE : How it Ends

Writer: Pratheek Thomas

Artist: Aindri Chakraborty

Cover Design: Prabha Mallya

Editor: Dileep Cherian

Publisher:  Manta Ray Publishing

Launch: 22 December, 2:45 pm

 

The Synopsis :How it ends is set in an unnamed, war-ravaged forest in the backdrop of the ‘red war’ that shook the nation in the recent years. When his entire company is ambushed and slaughtered by the rebels, a young soldier must make his way through the hostile, unfamiliar terrain of the deep jungle while being pursued by an enemy he cannot see or hear or understand.

Aindri Chakraborty, who illustrated How it ends, eschewed the traditional pencil and inks for the most part, and instead chose to make the art from high-res scans of plant and leaf sections. The results are quite spectacular, as the artwork in the story evokes (in the reader) the feeling that the protagonist undergoes in the story, as he searches for his unseen nemesis amongst the dense foliage.

How it ends is not the typical story of war-heroism; instead, it seeks to explore and question the notions of courage and justice, right and wrong through the eyes of these two characters – both hunters, and both preys – and inevitably, on a course that will set them against each other.

7.     Title- The Manual Of Love

Author: Chaitanya Modak

Artist: Chaitanya Modak

Publisher:  Won Tolla Publishing

Launch: 21 December, 3:30pm

The Synopsis: Won-Tolla presents a tale of the things they never teach you at school.

8.     Title-  The Oracle of Tripe

Author(s): Chaitanya Modak & Benita Fernando

Artist: Chaitanya Modak

Publisher:  Won Tolla Publishing

Launch: 21 December, 3:30pm

The Synopsis: Ever curious about your dying day? The Oracle of Tripe has all the

answers. Won-Tolla presents the bewildering tale of a man who asks for it and

who unfortunately gets it.

9.     Title- Pulp Quarterly

Cover Artist: Abhishek Singh

Published by:  Pulpocracy

Launch: 21 December, 3:45 pm

The Synopsis: Pulp Quarterly is a new Journal devoted to the Indian comics scene.

The Journal will contain in-depth features, interviews, vignettes, photo-essays, critiques, profiles, and reviews about the Indian comic scene, along with original, unpublished comics by some of the most talented Indian creators, both veterans and newcomers alike.

10.     Title- Modern Activity

Published by: Hop Motion Animation

Launch: Date and timings not confirmed yet.

The Synopsis: So from makers who have made nothing, and based on nothing, comes a comedy web series so funny that it’ll knock your nothings off (or insert acliché of your choice). Starring Kartik Mehta, Savio Miranda, Burges Gyara and Naim Kajalwalla, Modern Activity is one South Bombay high school where rules just don’t apply! A bunch of fifth graders wreck havoc with boogers, nose farts, the extinct Parsi accent and a really fast talking makka-pav wise ass, along with special appearances from porn stars, hip hop star body doubles, lovestruck zombies, well endowed school teachers and the school ice cream man whose accent we just can’t place. Only the zany will survive.

From two out of work film writers that created an animation company that uses a blue hippo as its mascot, comes a crazy, ludicrous, uncensored show that could well get blacklisted. Hop Motion proudly presents Modern Activity.

11.     Title- I Take This Train Too

Writer: Cyrus Daruwala

Launch: 22 December, 1:45 pm

The Synopsis: In Mumbai, train travel is more than just another mode of transport. It is the lifeline of the city. 'I Take This Train Too' humorously profiles the characters found in Mumbai’s local trains. Set off on the funniest journey of your life with this hardbound collection of hilarity.

12.     Title- Zombie Rising – Based on India’s First Zombie origin Film Rise of The Zombie

Writer: Devaki Singh

Artist: Tarun Kumar Sahu

Published By:  Chariot Comics with Luminosity Pictures

Launch: 22 December, 3 pm

                                 

The Synopsis: Zombie Rising is a graphic novel tie-in to India’s first zombie origins feature film “Rise of the Zombie” featuring Luke Kenny and Benjamin Gilani and written by Devaki Singh.  

From Chariot Comics and Luminosity Pictures comes a dark, gory and terrifying zombie horror thriller – Zombie Rising. Zombie Rising is a graphic novel that is a stand-alone adventure set in the same universe as the film and is a prelude to the events that were set in motion in the movie.

13.     Title-  “Gandhi - my life is my message” A graphic Biography Author: Jason Quinn Illustrator: Sachin Nagar Published By:  Campfire Publishing Launch: 21 December, 2 pm The Synopsis:A sensitive portrayal of Mahatma Gandhi’s entire life from his childhood right through to the moment of his assassination. How did this shy, unassuming lawyer transform himself into the leader of India’s freedom movement? Renouncing wealth, ambition, and comfort, Gandhi led by example, becoming one with the people he sought to free, facing imprisonment, hardship, and humiliation while never raising his voice in anger. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, better known as the Mahatma or Great Soul, took on the might of the British Empire armed only with a message of love and non-violence. In Gandhi: my life is my message we discover the man behind the legend, following him from his birth in the Indian coastal town of Porbandar in 1869, to the moment of his tragic death at the hands of an assassin in January 1948, just months after the independence of India. "I congratulate the author Jason Quinn. His book will convey Gandhi's life and message in an entertaining and interesting form to youth across the world. He has completed a difficult task of detailing Gandhi's life and message in graphic form, utilising his ability and deep understanding," Professor Rajmohan Gandhi. 14.     Title- Munkeeman 3 Creator: Abhishek Sharma (Director and Writer of ‘Tere Bin Laden’) Published By:  Pop Culture Publishing Launch: 22 December, 2 pm The Synopsis: In the summer of 2001 a strange creature called Munkeeman wreaked havoc in the streets and rooftops of Delhi.And then one day he disappeared. This is the story of that misunderstood superhero. Munkeeman: Bulletproof Balm, the third book in the Munkeeman saga, picks up the story of Munkeeman's missing years after his encounter with Captain Tamga in Kanpur. Follow his misadventures as he takes on all the enemies he has made so far...and foils a train hijack! 15.     Title- Shiva III Published By:  Vimanika Publishing Launch: 21 December, 1:30 pm The Synopsis: Vimanika Comics is all set to mesmerise you with Shiva: The Legends of The Immortal (Book 3) - the third installment of the critically acclaimed and highly popular Shiva series. The creative team for this graphic novel promises a visual delight in combination with excellent narrative and well researched mythological adventure. Since the story deals with the birth of Ganesha and his interaction with Lord Shiva, the team has decided to narrate the story in third person and used stylised animation style artwork to appeal to the younger audience as well. After a prolonged marital bliss, Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati face their first domestic discord when Lord Shiva enters Goddess Parvati’s bath chamber without her consent and intruding on her privacy. Parvati is furious with Nandi for being unable to stop Lord Shiva at the gates of the bath chamber. She creates her own Gana, Vinayak and assigns him to guard the palace and prevent anyone from entering the palace without her permission. She also gives him a magical Danda, staff filled with her powers for protection. The little boy promises his mother to guard the palace under all circumstances and is even ready to challenge the mighty Lord Shiva to a duel to keep his promise. Lord Shiva faces the biggest dilemma of his life where he has to choose between punishing his own son or accepting defeat at the hands of an apparently insolent boy. The graphic novel is high on action and drama with lot of exciting fight sequences between Ganesha and the Ganas, Devas, Kartikeya and Lord Shiva. Get set to treat yourself on authentic Indian mythological adventure in true Vimanika style. 16.     Title- Angry Maushi: Second Blood Published By:  Abhijeet Kini Launch: 22 December, 12 pm The Synopsis: Angry Maushi returns in the sequel to unleash her anger on evil-doers once again! After the events of the first book, the scum of society realises that they alone cannot contain the threat that is Angry Maushi and come up with an ingenious plan so evil that the Devil himself has to be summoned. But is this ploy enough to stop the Maushi juggernaut? Are old foes going to return to have their revenge? Catch all the action in "ANGRY MAUSHI: SECOND BLOOD" 17.     Title- Ground Zero Anthology Vol.2 Published By: Meta Desi Comics Launch: 22 December, 11:45 pm The Synopsis: It's back ladies and gentlemen! Meta Desi Comics returns with SIX whole new stories! New writers, more new artists and WAY more madness coming your way in Volume 2, with something to suit the taste of every comic enthusiast out there! Bloody sci-fi in the form of "Desolation Runner". Cheeky comedy with "Holy Hell". A demonic new Indian super-hero in "Raakshas Rising". Genetically enhanced military brats with "Super Soldier Squad" and much, much more!