Muthu Comics #309 - Nick Raider | Jul '08

Prakash Publishers | Price: INR 10 | Pages: 100 | B/W | Size: B6 | Tamil | Laminated/HardCover 

Muthu #309: Sithiramum Kolluthadi (சித்திரமும் கொல்லுதடி) [The Picture that Kills]

Muthu #309 featuring Nick Raider, aka., Detective Robin (as he is christened in Tamil Comics), titled "Sithiram Kolluthadi" (சித்திரமும் கொல்லுதடி) has closely followed the Lion release this month, which is an encouraging sign from the Prakash Publishers. Nick Raider Stories are known for their plot-work, coupled with eye-catching artwork.  This issue doesn't disappoint us on that account.  Mr. Vijayan should be credited for choosing the title for the stories, which he weaves around the main plot of the storyline. The story revolves around the murder of a Prom-Queen, and the mysteries surrounding it.   Nick and his partner gets down in finding the real killer, on the way interrogating different persons involved with the life of the deceased, and their link to the incident.  With the help of the Physically challenged kid next door, and his extraordinary skill in drawing the future, Nick successfully nabs the culprit.  As usual, the killer at the end turns out to be an unexpected person, as it is common on the Nick Raider / Detective Robin stories. The exchanges of Nick and his ever-angry chief sums up the humour part to the storyline.

In Comics Time Editor acknowledges that the last edition of Muthu #308, indeed carried the Old Cover Art of Johny Nero, despite the issue featuring the John Steel exploits.  Remember that you read about it first on Comicology. :) The next Muthu Edition will see the back of Martin Mystery.  I always liked the science and magic mixed story plots of his, something unique among the other stars.  A Visual treat to one's imagination.  That makes "Ponnil Oru Pinam", an eagerly awaited edition. Back Cover carries the Teaser to XIII Special, which should take the accolades for the longest thought project ever made by Prakash Publishers.  Hopefully that should be out by the end of this year.

Editor's ComicsTime

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Lion Comics #203 - Tex Willer | Jul '08

Prakash Publishers | Price: INR 10 | Pages: 120 | B/W | Size: B6 | Tamil | Laminated/HardCover

Maranathin Munnodi (மரணத்தின் முன்னோடி) [The Omen] : Part 1 of 3

Lion Comics Issue #203 finally gets released, nearly 6 months after its last issue. As advertised in the last issue, it features the start to a 3 part Tex Willer Series, titled "Maranthin Munnodi" (மரணத்தின் முன்னோடி), "The Omen". It may look like a long time since Tex Willer last featured in Lion Comics, which was in fact the same month last year, but thanks to Prakash Publishers ever famous "Procrastination", we have received only two issues between them. In the Hotline, the Editor S.Vijayan coins a new idea of getting away with the monthly releases (as if it ever existed), and provides an alternative suggestion of releasing a set of books every 3 months.  I don't know how many takers would be there for this idea.  But the way their distribution cycle goes, I am not too optimistic for them to keep up their promise.  Especially, considering that many subscribers and non-subscribers are wary of receiving their titles without any postal loss, unless they strengthen their distribution, possibly by courier, and get away with their delay, I don't see this initiative succeeding to a great level.

Coming back to this month edition, it's a Tex Willer series originally written by Caludio Nizzi and drawn by Fabio Civitelli, who has a different contemporary style from the earlier artists, glimpses of which you could see all over the series. The Cover-art is inspired by the Original of Tex's Italian Series, which was drawn by Caludio Villa.  Mr. Vijayan's trusted artist, has done a fabulous work in bringing the colours to a more vibrant style for our local version.  Compare the covers and see it for yourself. As of the plot, it circles around a gripping storyline, where Tex & Co battle time and will to prevent a potential war between the Navajo's and US Military forces.  It's a clash between Emotions and Egos of Individuals between both groups, for personal glory, with Tex and his friends trying hard to clear out the cloud between the warring parties.  The story is interestingly setup at the end, with US Military at the doorsteps of Navajo territory, and that makes us to wait for the next part eagerly. As noted in the Editor's Hotline, the release of XIII Special has been now pushed further back to Jan 2009. Only our beloved editor, in the entire publishing industry could think that their readers would get along with announcements materializing after more than a year.  He has to thank his comic fans for possessing this extraordinary patience not to be seen anywhere else.
Editor's Hotline	Italian Original: Tex No.475 : Il Presagio (The Omen) : May 2000
The Only good news we hear from this release is that the next 2 parts of Tex Willer Series is also ready, and would be published soon. Lion #204 would be "Kaatril Karaintha Kazhugu" (காற்றில் கரைந்த கழுகு), 'Vanishing Eagle'. By the way did anyone notice that Lioncomics.com site which was pending renewal for long by Prakash Publishers, now seems to have been bought over by some other franchise?  Pity that Mr.Vijayan, has lost the only Official presence of Lion Comics on the Net too. As per the norm we get to see the upcoming issue (this time in the Back Cover), and a XIII Special teaser.
Lion's XIII Special Teaser	Lion's Next Issue: Kaatril Karaintha Kazhugu

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Lion Comics #200 - Cowboy Special | Jul '07

Prakash Publishers | Price: INR 100 | Pages: 388 (A4 in B/W) + 16 (B6 in Color) | Tamil | Laminated/HardCover

The long awaited Lion Comics Cowboy Special was released on July '07, also marking the Lion #200 landmark issue. This special issue marks the third time a Lion Comics edition was priced at INR 100/-, and the first time a special issue was fully devoted to the Wild-West Heroes. Witness the Front and Back Covers of Lion #200, which is a double bonanza with wonderfully coloured artwork.

Lion #200: Cowboy Special Cover-1

Even though, they are inspired by the originals (have a look at them at the end of the post), the fact remains that the cover artist for Lion/Muthu editions, has an uncanny knack of picking up the right colours to bring pictures into life. Especially, the Tex Cover Art.  I don't remember seeing a cover this quality in recent times with either Lion or Muthu. There are 5 Cowboy stories in this edition. 1. Thalaiku Oru Vilai (தலைக்கு ஒரு விலை)- Lucky Luke 2. Panikadal Padalam (பனிகடல் படலம்)- Tex Willer 3. Paraloga Paanam (பரலோக பானம்)- Cisco Kid 4. Kaadhalika Neramillai (காதலிக்க நேரமில்லை)- Steve 5. Ilamayil Kol (இளமையில் கொல்) - Captain Tiger (Blueberry) And there is a surprise guest appearance of Irumbu Kai Maayavi (Steel Claw), in Minsaara Thirudargal (மின்சார திருடர்கள்).   And if that is not enough, Irumbu Manidhan Archie's Joo Joo Padalam (ஜூ ஜூ படலம்) also is given as 16 page supplement.

Even though both Maayavi and Archie's were small adventures, there is no more pleasure than seeing your all time favourites in new stories.  Don’t they ?  In total there are 7 Stories in Cowboy Special, thus maintaining the same number of stories in all INR 100 special editions, released so far.

Lion #200: Cowboy Special Cover-2

Talking about stories, Undoubtedly Lucky Luke's Thalaiku Oru Vilai was the star attraction in CowBoy Special. I don't remember reading a Lucky Luke story this hilarious in recent times. The Bounty Hunters were pictured in the most funny way. Second should be no other than our Tex Willer in Paniyil Oru Padalam. Different Showdown of Snowy scenario, from the traditional heat waves of Texas, and new artwork and the twist filled storylines are the perfect plot.  Surely, another Tex Willer Classic. Tiger (Blueberry) storyline wasn't that impressive compared to his old saga's. But it is understandable since at this time in his life, he was none known than a young rooky.  Before the release, myself and fellow comickers were debating on how our Editor would write down the scene where Mike finds the name of Blueberry by looking at the flowers nearby, since Muthu had already christened him as Captain Tiger.

Editor finally found a way to reveal the truth, and yet to justify his naming and promotion.  Way to go Sir. Other two cowboy stories didn't make much good showing.  It looks Steve and Cisco Kid don't impress much as they used to do in old days. Chick Bill could have been a good addition instead of all of them, but obviously Editor would have liked to have as many stories so as to boost up the sales of this special edition, and to also be the first to publish all stories of young Blueberry, before Iceberg (who were about to release them).  Killing the Competition, in literal terms. Overall, a best extravaganza, even though this is not up to the mark as the Last two INR 100 Special editions. Nevertheless, a landmark issue of Lion Comics. And, what's more there is a blockbuster announcement of our long pending XIII edition, which is now scheduled for release on 2008 (tactically dated -month, thus allowing our editor a time period from January to December, poor us). Take a look at the teasers for the Mega-Issue priced at INR 200. Go ahead and register if you want own a piece of the history in making.

Lion XIII Special Advertisement-1

Lion XIII Special Advertisement-2

And as per the tradition we get to see a preview of the upcoming Lion titles. Have a look at this, while the Lucky Luke's next action adventure is great to hear, does the second one ring any bells. Well, this was the original title scheduled to be released as Muthu #300, which was announced way back in Muthu #298, on Jan 2005, Nearly 2 and half years back. Now, it is scheduled to be released on Lion, a more suitable brand for the Sci-Fi storyline which it boasts. Makes for a nice little wait. But before that, we have our next lion featuring Modesty Blaise on our 23rd Annual Edition. But, for that to happen it should have got released on July, and we are on August, and yet no signs for that yet. TRIVIA: Talking about Annual Editions, can anyone say when were the only two times, when we didn't have our regular Annual Edition of Lion Comics? If you know the answer, leave them in your comments below.

Lion Issues Coming Soon

Update (11/08) - The Originals:
Tex No.415: Delitto nel porto (Crime in the Port) Tex Tre Stelle (Tex Three Stars) : Sep 1998 Tutto Tex (All Tex) : Oct 2005 Writer: Claudio Nizzi | Artist: Fabio Civitelli Cover Art: Claudio Villa	Lieutenant Blueberry No.22 Le bout de la piste (1986) The End of the Trail (1990) Writer : Jean-Michel Charlier | Artist : Jean Giraud

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