Another year and another Express Event from Comic Con India. Our Pre-show coverage of the event in the Garden City.
Get to know, more about India's first ever Comic-Con, how does it rate among the rest.
We catch up with the Annual Chennai Book Fair, and see what it has to offer for Comic fans.
An inside look into a collection, touted as the biggest Comic Book released in India
 | Kaatril Karaintha Kathaanayakan (காற்றில் கரைந்த கதாநாயகன்) SNEAK PREVIEW: After a hiatus of near 6 months (Muthu #306 was released on Feb'07), Prakash Publishers are coming up with the Muthu #307, featuring Agent Roger Moore (aka, The Saint). Seems to be another classic on the legacy of Muthu Comics. But, there is no news yet about the release of the book, and we are already at the end of August.
For details and ordering visit Lion Comics website. |
 | Ennei Vayal Padalam (எண்ணெய் வயல் படலம்) SNEAK PREVIEW: After the successful launch of XIII and Blueberry comics, Iceberg is entering the comedy adventure world with their upcoming release featuring Lucky Luke. I received a Special Edition Limited Copy at premium price, and was told that the long awaited issue is now ready to be officially released soon. For details and ordering visit IceBerg Comics website. |
| Even before the interest towards comics, my first encounter with Superheroes was when DD used to telecast Superman, Spiderman series on the National channels, when I was a kid.
At one point Gotham published nearly 40 titles every month, and I used to run out of budget and somehow managed to collect them all. Then came the hiatus of more than a year, as Gotham went out of publishing. The only source of DC, Marvels was now over.
The re-launch also contains 3 India's own storylines featuring under the Virgin Comics brand. |
 | 1. Superman #40 Supergirl from Krypton : Part 5 Writer: Michael Turner The storyline featuring Superman, Batman, and Supergirl comes to a climax, with the war on Apokolips reaches the Earth. The plot starts with a fight between the last survivors of Krypton on an alien land, and ends with Darkseid bringing the disaster to Superman's Parental home. A fight between Darkseid and Superman is due in the next issue. |
 | 2. Batman #40 The Beautiful People Writer: Paul Dini After the incredible storyline of origin of Robin, this month has a self contained storyline. |
 | 3. Wonder Woman #1 Eventhough Gotham had a completed series on Wonder Woman, which ran for 22 Issues, they have re-launched Wonder Woman with a New plot-lines. So far it looks a promising start, let's hope the momentum continues. |
 | 4. Teen Titans #12 Raven Rising Writer: Geoff Johns The encounter with the Brother Brood concludes, with Raven saved and brought back to Titan Towers. Looks a next storyline in making with the newly regrouped team. |
 | 5. Ultimate Spiderman #33 Writer: Brian Michael Bendis Spiderman goes to Hollywood featuring the making of Spiderman Movie. Also Doctor Octopus escapes from prison and he has someone on his sight. |
 | 6. Incredible Hulk #29 Tempest Fugit : Part 5 of 5 Artist: Lee Weeks The Hulk comes out of his nightmare encounter with a mysterious opponent. Lee Weeks artwork has added a new style to Hulk storyline, and hope the momentum continues in next series. |
 | 7. Wolverine #14 Enemy of the State : Part 5 of 6 Writer: Mark Millar The whole world is in the hunt of Wolverine, and he gets down to recruit a new ally in the form of Daredevil. But, the story takes a new twist with Elektra being brought into the picture. |
 | 8. Astonishing X-Men #11 Dangerous Writer: Joss Whedon The Danger room comes to real life in form of Danger and Professor Xavier battles with her on the destroyed land of Genosha. The Mutant Killing Machine makes a surprise appearance at the end, with X-Men left stranded. |
 | 9. Fantastic Four #21 Rising Storm Writer: Mark Waid Fantastic Four comes in meeting with Galactus, and they try to save Johny, who has been made as a new herald for devourer of the worlds. What a timing for this storyline, when Fantastic Four part 2 movie is making its mark on the Cinema Theatres, which also features a Galactus storyline. |
 | 10. The New Avengers #24 Breakout : Part 5 Writer: Brian Michael Bendis The New Avengers storyline picks up heat with the Avengers meeting Wolverine in the Savage Land, and an interesting battle with a powerful mutant unfolds. |
 | 11. Devi #4 Prarambh : Part 4 Writer: Samit Basu Shekhar Kapur's mythical adventure brings us to the I don't remember reading a storyline which has a fair share of Indian mythology, Indian artwork presented in an International standard. The plot where Iyam reaches the battle space transiting through a Mobile Phone. Devi does promise to be a great adventure storyline. |
 | 12. Snake Woman #4 Writer: Zeb Wells Shekhar Kapur's another blockbuster Snake Woman comes to an interesting point, where the Jessica's origin is retold and she comes to understand that she is a Snake Goddess, who is been hunted generation and generation by Harker's Upper Order and the 68. Snake Woman is captured by Harker, and she commits her first mistake killing his well-wisher Brinkley. Wonderful artwork, and a plot which originates from East India Company, a treat for all Comics fans. |
 | 13. The Sadhu #4 Writer: Ashok Banker Another story which has its roots deriving from the Victorian Rule of England over India, and follows a young soldier whose family is killed by a sadistic red coat, and he discovers the myth of being a Sadhu, a Saint, who can command all the forces in the environment. It seems the plot is currently under development for a major Hollywood movie featuring Nicolas Cage as Sadhu. Hopefully, this turns out a blockbuster which will surely promote Indian comics to the international audience. Kudos to Gotham and Virgin's creative team. |
| Other than these there are self contained stories in
which together completes the #40 Set of Gotham Comics. And what's more Gotham Subscription is back, which will ensure we don't miss any issues on the book shops, mainly helping the collectors. And for those who missed out few series since Gotham's re-launch, Gotham has some backorders available. Grab them before the stock runs out. | |
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 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 |
| 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 |
| Finally, I have decided to kick-start my long time ambition to start a Comics blog. The blog has been existent from 2005, with some start-stop postings, the content of which didn’t appease me much. So, those old posts are out, and here I am with a fresh start, and a revamped website.
The dream is now a reality, with the introduction of Star Comics. Bernard Prince aka., Captain Prince, as he is known in this part of the world, stories always generates a lot of interest and has a fan following, which was grown by Thigil Comics (திகில் காமிக்ஸ்), an erstwhile comics brand from the legendary South Indian Comics house, Prakash Publishers (the publishers of Lion & Muthu Comics). And can you show a better way to start a new venture by making Captain Prince, as the leading hero. Star Comics has scored on that upfront. | |
 |  |
Seeing the glossy papers, hard-bound cover, back to back cover arts, full colour artwork; and not to mention Mr. Raghu's own translation adds all the glamour to the new star of Tamil/Indian Comics.
Kudos to Mr.Raghu from Karur, for bringing the Tamil Comics to the next generation. Hopefully the momentum will be kept up by releasing the next issues at a regular interval.
I used to dream about all the Superheroes, and when the Comic bug bit me, I first garnered more interest towards the superhero storylines, namely Irumbu Kai Maayavi (Steel Claw), Spider, Robot Archie being published by Lion & Muthu Comics. Eventhough there were few glimpses of the Batman stories in Muthu, it didn't have a long run.
On those days, the American Superheroes were only available on DC, and Marvel's Original US copies, which were being sold for a fortune over here. So, my resources limited me with the access of Indian Comics alone. But, Gotham Comics is a breakthrough innovator, who made it possible to buy these comics in Indian prices, comparatively much cheaper than the original ones. 
Subscribe by email
Feedburner