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
 | 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. | |
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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.
"Panimalai Kottai" has all the ingredients for a successful Hollywood movie. From the usual setting of Sea adventures of Captain Prince, this takes us to the mystic mountains, Gang-wars, and Barnie's own humours laced in between. The top of the charts, is when Barnie sitting in the dark, utters the famous words, popularized by Kollywood (Tamil Film Industry) Comedian, Vadivelu, 'என்ன வக்சு காமடி கீமடி பன்னளியே.' கலக்கிட்டீங்க ரகு. Hats off.
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 am proud to present you the next version of Comicology. You would have noticed few changes to the blog layout and content over the last few weeks. It's part of my continuous commitment to make the blog look more good and user friendly, and something I feel has added a great deal of professionalism to our blog.
This post will serve as the Help Page for Comicology
Here, I have detailed some the new additions and changes to Comicology, broadly classified into 4 Sections: Main, Posts Body, Sidebar, and Tail-End describing each section which finds their presence in them.
SECTION 1: Main
1.1 Standard Resolution: Our earlier blog design, fit itself to the majority of the screen resolutions, by expanding or shrinking its size. Obviously, though it benefited a few, we had to sacrifice on the layout and content position.
As I could see from the Site Trackers, there are only 3% of people who still use a screen resolution lesser than 1024x768. So, I decided to fix our blog layout to support 1024x768 and higher, which gives us a good control over the content display.
1.2 Background-Image: As a result of the Resolution change, we will now have few areas left untouched on the screen. I decided to replace the blank page in there, with some good comics related graphics, which will keep changing periodically.
To avoid auto-image tile, this has been fixed to remain static when you scroll around the blog. Don’t be surprised, when a blank image will replace any picture, from time to time. After all, whatever fits the blog content, would be used :).
1.3 Banner Flash: The Banner Flash Image below the Comicology Header, will list the most recent 5 comic posts on the blog. It also serves as an teaser for those who want to subscribe for future posts, by providing a Feed Link. You could use a wide variety of RSS readers to keep up-to date with Comicology. Or you could still prefer the traditional way of Email Alert, by subscribing with your email-address.
1.4 Search Bar: To quickly locate your desired content a Search Bar is placed exclusively right below the header. Search your desired text throughout Comicology, and reach the desired.
Also, just below the Search Bar, you will find the permanent Links to reach the Home Page, Help Page and Posts Bar, anywhere from the website.
SECTION 2: Post Body
2.1 Continue Reading: To reduce load time, the home page, and all index pages will carry only a summary post, and link to read the complete post. This also helps in serving only the content which the reader wants to read, and also track user activity.
2.2 Share/Add This Widget: Using this widget which is found just below the post, along with Labels section, you would be able to share your favorite post at Comicology, in many different ways.
Email, Digg, Twitter it, or do More by clicking the respective links found on this widget. Play around as you wish.
2.3 Posts Navigation Bar: This gives you a freedom to navigate to the Previous, Next Post pages from the current one. If it is an index page, then the navigation would give you the next or previous set of summary posts.
The Middle Home Icon, will always lead you to the Homepage, for quicker return.
SECTION 3: Sidebar
3.1 Recent Comic-Posts: This section will list 5 recent posts, and can serve for a quick reference and pick. There is a link to the Site Map at the end of the section, which will provide you a low down bibliography of all posts ever featured at Comicology, in a grouped fashion under various heads and categories.
Apart from the Posts, the Site Map also contains a Creators Section, and Character Profile links, with a link to the current comic publishers website and fellow comikers websites, listed to wrap up the page content.
3.2 Featured Comic-Post: This section will frequently have the most popular post at Comicology for a given time period.
It will mostly carry the recent post which has received much hits or responses. Don’t forget to check on it, when you get a chance.
3.3 Comic Quotes: This section will randomly showcase a comic quote I have picked from the comic based movies, or graphic novels. There is an idea to group them in a separate archive page in the future, with a link to them available readily over here.
3.4 Twitter Updates: This section will help us a flash news reader, where I could update the latest happenings around in comics, like new newsstand notables, or newspaper articles, in an instant, and without a need to blog about in detail.
3.5 Top Comic-Commenters: This widget will showcase the top list of 10 comikers, who have been more active recently by recording their valuable comments at Comicology. Due to blogger’s restriction only the recent 500 comments could be used to ascertain the leader-stats for this purpose. So, the race is on, for the top 2 or 10.
3.6 Email Subscriber: This widget provides an option for the comikers, to subscribe for news updates using their email. The same is available through the Posts Banner under the Header, but this gives you a shortcut to opt for email alerts alone.
Apart from that it also provides a link to Comicology’s Comics Blogroll, The Comix Planet.
SECTION 4: Tail-End
4.1 Posts Bar: Last but not least, the Posts Bar, which is an innovative idea to serve as a Dashboard for all Comic Posts at Comicology.
First Up, Coming Soon section, which gives you a preview on the next possible posts to be featured at Comicology, one each for English and Tamil Comics. 
The Recent Comic Post Updates, will list those posts from the past, which has recently updated with latest info and news. Updation of older posts is a practice I have been following ever since I started the blog, so this section will give a highlight of recent 3 posts which have been modified to grab the comikers attention.
The Top Posts section will highlight the top 5 posts ever posted in Comicology, and a link to their individual blog post pages. These are rated by an unique rating scale adopted by PostRank. This will be useful to see what topics are of interest to the majority of the visitors, and lead new users to straight to those popular posts at Comicology.
4.2 Labels Cloud: It's a new form of Label tags display, which will use colors and sizes to determine the most prominent labeled posts from the least ones. I have added the Number of Posts also to the respective tags, so you could get a hands-on info without hovering onto it. Click on these respective labels, and you will see all the posts tagged with the same at one shot.
I am hopeful, that you will find these changes to be pretty helpful.
I will continuously update this page, with all the new changes made to Comicology Blog. Once again, welcome to the Version 2 of Comicology.
Please do leave your thoughts and comments about these Blog Layout and Content Updates, in the section below. Also do let me know if you find any JavaScript issues or broken links anywhere on the blog. As of this blog-post, it is 100% Error-Free.
And for those who want to post queries regarding subscription details and the availability of the books reviewed at Comicology, I suggest them to read the respective post fully, before posting any queries. As most of the times the post is self-explanatory with the books availability and the necessary contact details. This will also save me from responding to multiple redundant queries.
Let’s make Comicology, a better place to be for all Comikers. Together We Can.
Last Updated: 18 June 2009
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. 
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