Comic Con defies all conventions
Indigenous comics publishers thrive as bigwigs like DC and Marvel Comics take a back seat
Mumbai's comic-loving sub-culture crawled out of its subterranean lairs on Saturday to make its presence felt on the first day of Comic Con Express, the city's first comic book convention.
The event saw many indigenous publishers as the titans, DC and Marvel, may very well have been taking a long intergalactic flight in Wonder Woman's invisible plane. Prashont, 19, said he was slightly disappointed but happy that a fresh perspective involving "desi twists" would come out to play.
Indeed. A wide range was showcased, from Vimanika Comics that are strongly rooted in mythology to Level 10 Comics that made a conscious shift away from mythology, placing zombies in Bangalore with The Rabhas Incident.
Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, said, "Many comic book readers tend to dismiss an artist if, say, he's written for Tinkle or some other Indian title. But we want to show people that if you just interact with the artists, there's a lot you can learn about Indian comics."
Among them is Abhijit Kini, a freelance illustrator who created a set of merchandise from his old artworks especially for the event. "If all is sold, I'll only just break even. But the idea is just to get my stuff out there. There's only so much visibility a byline in a newspaper or magazine can give you. This takes it to a whole different level."
Visitors to the convention ranged from the mildly curious to connoisseurs with high expectations. Most, of course, came to revel in unmitigated geekery. Just ask the guy skulking around as Darth Vader or the curvaceous Wonder Bai mascot.
For the organisers of the Comic Con Express, it's still a learning experience. Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, points out a very discernable difference in the kind of audience both cities have attracted. "Most people who've come so far are college students and young professionals. In Delhi, we were unprepared for the large number of families who turned up. So we ensured that this convention had enough options for children, but it turns out we missed the mark on that one."
Aalok Joshi, a prolific comic book collector, believes for a Comic Con in India to be comparable to those held in the US and UK, an organic growth of the industry is necessary. "Comic book illustrators and writers are still coming into their own. Yes, a Comic Con overseas is much more about fans getting to meet writers and artists and getting their autographs. But then again, in India, comic book professionals are considered artists at the most. Over there, they are icons, like rock stars."
Indigenous comics publishers thrive as bigwigs like DC and Marvel Comics take a back seat
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Mumbai's comic-loving sub-culture crawled out of its subterranean lairs on Saturday to make its presence felt on the first day of Comic Con Express, the city's first comic book convention.
The event saw many indigenous publishers as the titans, DC and Marvel, may very well have been taking a long intergalactic flight in Wonder Woman's invisible plane. Prashont, 19, said he was slightly disappointed but happy that a fresh perspective involving "desi twists" would come out to play.
Indeed. A wide range was showcased, from Vimanika Comics that are strongly rooted in mythology to Level 10 Comics that made a conscious shift away from mythology, placing zombies in Bangalore with The Rabhas Incident.
Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, said, "Many comic book readers tend to dismiss an artist if, say, he's written for Tinkle or some other Indian title. But we want to show people that if you just interact with the artists, there's a lot you can learn about Indian comics."
Among them is Abhijit Kini, a freelance illustrator who created a set of merchandise from his old artworks especially for the event. "If all is sold, I'll only just break even. But the idea is just to get my stuff out there. There's only so much visibility a byline in a newspaper or magazine can give you. This takes it to a whole different level."
Visitors to the convention ranged from the mildly curious to connoisseurs with high expectations. Most, of course, came to revel in unmitigated geekery. Just ask the guy skulking around as Darth Vader or the curvaceous Wonder Bai mascot.
For the organisers of the Comic Con Express, it's still a learning experience. Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, points out a very discernable difference in the kind of audience both cities have attracted. "Most people who've come so far are college students and young professionals. In Delhi, we were unprepared for the large number of families who turned up. So we ensured that this convention had enough options for children, but it turns out we missed the mark on that one."
Aalok Joshi, a prolific comic book collector, believes for a Comic Con in India to be comparable to those held in the US and UK, an organic growth of the industry is necessary. "Comic book illustrators and writers are still coming into their own. Yes, a Comic Con overseas is much more about fans getting to meet writers and artists and getting their autographs. But then again, in India, comic book professionals are considered artists at the most. Over there, they are icons, like rock stars."
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