16 Review O1: Iceberg Comics-1st Issue - XIII

Dear ComiRades,

Thanks for visiting my Blog & a BIG Thanks for all those who made a Comment or mailed me. I just make a simple request to all of those who mailed me - Kindly do your postings in the blog itself, unless untill they were personal info's.

In this post we are about to review a Tamil comics which is not from Tamil Nadu,Not even from India. Yes Am Talking about Iceberg Comics, A Wonderful Comics from a Wonderful Country (Comments inspired from Australian Cricket Writer Mike Coward when he Commented on Damien Martyn's Debut Series in the Famous 1991-92 Boxing Day Test of the Frank Worrel Trophy).

No,We are not talking about The Amalgam Comics Character who was part of JLX. When we say Iceberg Comics, We are referring The Comics from the Scenic Sri Lanka, Neighbour of India.Circa December 2005. That was the time when Editor Nisha Haran's 1st issue of Iceberg Comics Was released. Like a Mother Giving Birth to her Baby, Nisha Haran was so Happy on that time that he can still remember that incident. The 1st issue title was "Karuppu Surya Naal (கருப்பு சூரிய நாள்): The Day of the Black Sun" featuring XIII. Have a Look into the cover of the very first issue of Iceberg Comics.

For those who came late, XIII is a Franco-Belgian Comic Series Written and Drawn By Belgians Jean Van Hamme and William Vance, Respectively. the Plot revolves around an amnesiac protagonist who seeks to discover his concealed past with a possible charge of Assassinating the President of US of A. XIII was initially serialised in 1984 in Spirou, and was later published by Daragaud. The series consists of 19 Albums with each one of them being off 44 pages. The cover scan of that & the original XIII Cover in French are given Below.

ComiRades will remember that the same series is been published by Prakash Publishers' Thighil Comics way back in the Mid 80's as issue no 6.The success of this Comics was so much that there were rumours that Actor Kamal Haasan's 1987 film Vetri Vizha was based on this. Not only that, the 2002 Salman Khan Film "Tumko Naa Bhool Paayenge" is also based on the plot. Actually Speaking, the Plot for XIII was inspired from the Robert Ludlum's Best selling 1980 Novel the Bourne identity, which was later filmed in 2002 with Matt Damon donning the Lead character in all the 3 Bourne series: The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum.

Coming back to the 1st issue of Iceberg Comics, The feeling was so Great to have a Book of that size (it was of a Size Bigger than Indrajaal Comics). It was of 48 pages and Priced as Rs 85/- (Sri Lankan Currency). The Inner cover Features a Trailer for the upcoming Comics & write up by the Editor Nisha Haran (A La Hot Line) where he shows off his anger on Stereo-typing of "Comics-is-For-Children" mentality.  Have a Look.

The Rest of the Book was in Black & White (it will cost a Bomb to print them in Full colour at that size). Take a Look at the 1st page of the story and notice the way Abe is Pronounced over here.  Typical Sri Lankan Way. By the way, My Mother says that the Puppy-Dog in this page (Pronto) is very similar to My Puppy Named Bujji.

 

Now, More on the Pronunciation. Look into Page No 24 where Pocket is Pronounced as Poccket, Purse is Pers, Police Polis etc. No Wonder, Many Poets Call Sinhalese Tamil As a Beautiful Language.For Starters, Watch Kamal Haasan's Tenaali where he speaks The Same. The best part is that the Editor has not tinkered with the names of the Characters as often happens with many publications.

 

The final page of the story whereby XIII gets into the train. This is one of the Classic Moments in the history of comics where he says His Name which reveals the kind of a person he is.
 These are the pages where the announcements on Subscription and other attractive schemes were mentioned. have a Look into the prizes available for Subscribing.

Here, The Inner covers of the Back wrapper. These feature trailers of the forthcoming books. One is a periodic & the other being a Spy Adventure called Secret of Islamabad Racket. They seems to be very interesting.

Now the Back wrapper of the 1st issue. It has some of the most downloaded comic strips in the world. And also the announcement of the second issue called "Sevvindhiya Kudiyiruppu - Where the Indian Walks".

The Next post will be on the Second issue of Iceberg Comics.Meanwhile, Those who can guess the names of the trailers announced on the 1st issue of Iceberg Comics, can Mail me / Post as comments. The 1st Three Correct Entries will stand to get a Surprise Gift from Yours Truly (Separate Gifts for Those who reside in India & those who don't).

Brand: Iceberg Comics (Sri Lanka).

Title: Karuppu Surya Naal

Cover Design: Soft Cover, Matte Laminated, Normal Cover

Serial Number: No. 01.

Size: A4

On Sale: 15thDecember 2005 Onwards.

Total No. of Pages: 48, Black & White.

Price: Priceless for Comic Fans; For others, Rs 85/- (Sri Lankan Currency)

Continuity: XIII Part 2 As the Next Issue.

Editor's Note: On the Front Inner Cover

Scan Courtesy: Kovai Dr Sathish

Well, that's all for now guys. Feel free to post your comments and suggestions in this blog using the Comments link below my sign or send mail to tamilcomicsulagam@gmail.com.

Thanks & Regards,
King Viswa.