27 Comics Tours By Editor S Vijayan

Dear ComiRades,

Now That the Elections are Over And Results are out, The Stability factor will take over in all aspects of Life, Including Business. As Questioned in THIS Post,  The Date 29th September 1985 Holds a Significance in Tamil Comics History along with other dates which are mentioned in the same post. What is the Importance for that date that it counts amongst the Launch dates of other comics?

Well, that was the day in Which Editor S Vijayan started his First Major Tour after Launching Lion Comics and this Tour is Very much important as the results of this tour were instrumental in the Launch of Thigil Comics (திகில் காமிக்ஸ்), Mini Lion Comics and Junior Lion Comics on the Months to come. For those, who haven’t Met Mr Vijayan or Hasn’t seen His Photo, Here is the Photo of Our Beloved Editor. The Details of the tour and his letter from London were Published in Lion Comics Issue No 19 in Nov 1985. Have a Look at that and also the Letter that he wrote after Coming Back to India in Lion Comics Issue No 20 in Dec 1985. Take a Note on the Announcement in the same Page. The Reasons for the Announcement and why it was not put into action will be discussed in future.

Lion Comics No 19 Dated Nov 1985 Editor S Vijayan in London	Lion Comics No 19 Dated Nov 1985 Editor S Vijayans Letter	Lion#020 - Africa Sadhi - December '85 - Hotline - Page 3

Knowing Mr Vijayan, He wouldn’t Have liked this Photograph thing; For he is such a Personality who does not like to be in the Limelight and that is the precise reason why we haven’t seen Him in any other media barring a Couple of Videos which will be Uploaded in this Blog on the Silver Jubilee Day.As a Result of the Tour, where he Met the Fleetway Publishers, Lion Comics acquired the rights for some New Heroes and series. After which, His European tour continued and further Copyrights were Bought and a New Bouquet of Comics Heroes were introduced to Tamil ComiRades. Here is the Long list of New Comics’ and Heroes:

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics No 20 Intro Norman 1	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics No 20 Intro Norman 1	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion No 20 Intro Bruno Brazil & Roger
		Roger Made His Debut in Thigil Comics: READ THIS.
Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 LionComics No 20-Intro-Thigil Comics	Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 LionComics No 20-Intro-Thigil Comics	Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics No 20-Intro-Jess Long
Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion No 20-Intro-Reporter Johnny	Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics No 20-Intro-Sexton Blake	Editor S.Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics No 20-Intro-XIII

Even though ear marked to debut in Lion Comics, Bruno Brazil made his debut in Thigil Comics and was an Instant Hit amongst the Fans for the Artwork alone. There is a Lengthy story behind Sexton Blake-quite an interesting one as well-and Hence we postpone that Story for a Separate Blog Post. Wait and watch is the Mantra here. Now, One Series which was Advertised for the 1st time in this issue and even after 15 Years Never featured in any of the Stories was “Visithira Nalvar” (விசித்திர நால்வர் – The Can Do Kids). In Lion Comics Issue No 60 (Viking theevu Marmam – May 1989) The Advertisement was featured again as Coming Soon. After waiting another 7 Years, One ComiRade wrote a Letter to The Editor on why this story is not made his debut yet. The Answer was Promptly Published.

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 1 Lion Comics Issue No 20 Africa Sathi Intro visithira naalvar & Viking Theevu Marmam Ad	Lion 118-Jan 1996-  Miyav Miyav Maranam - Reason

As the Series Never Made it to Tamil, It becomes the Responsibility of TCU to make sure that ComiRades should know what they missed out in Tamil. Here is one episode of the Can Do Kids which appeared in the Lion and Thunder Holiday Special in 1972. They Look Good, However they aren’t cut to be in Lion Comics. Mini Lion May Be, But certainly Not in Lion.

Lion & Thunder Holiday Special 1972 Cover	Lion & Thunder Holiday Special 1972 Page 40 Can do kids 1	Lion & Thunder Holiday Special 1972 Page 41 Can do kids 2

Tour 2: After the Successful tour 1, Editor Has Launched New Heroes and New Sets of Comics. After Which he Made Many tours In Between the Next Tour which TCU is Featuring Now. Now, This second Tour becomes important for the Single Reason that it resulted in the Launch of India’s No 1 Cow Boy Adventure Series – Blueberry.This All Important 2nd Tour happened in April 1995 and here are the mandatory Hot lines from there. Note that Agent 327 was initially Named as Agent 000 (This Naming of the Characters to suit the Indian Style was always an Headache and more on the Naming Problems will be discussed in a Special Post in TCU). However, the heroes who were introduced in the Series were either for a Single Shot or Not used at all. Agent 327 (Only Once), Judge Dread (Once), Mr Bell (Not yet), Nick Thunder (Not Yet), Detective Drake (Once). Crime Advocate Kennedy (Not Yet), Joe Silver (Once) and Serpieri (One Series). Hence, this tour was Included in the Memorable tours List on the single factor of Blueberry.

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion issue No 113 - Vibareetha Vithavai - June '95 - Hotline - Page 3	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion issue No 113 - Vibareetha Vithavai - June '95 - Hotline - Page 4

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion issue No 115 - Sep '95 - Page 3	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion issue No 115 - Sep '95 - Page 4	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion No 113-June '95-Intro-Agent 327
Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2-Lion 113-June '95-Intro-Judge Dredd	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion No 113-June '95-Intro-Mr Bell	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion 113-June '95-Intro-Nick Thunder
Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Muthu No 23-Sep '95-Intro-Kennedy	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Muthu No 23-Sep '95-Intro-Det Drake	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2-Lion No 116-Oct '95-Intro - Joe Silver
Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2-Muthu No 238-Nov '95-Intro-Blueberry	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2-Muthu 238-Nov '95-Intro-Serpieri	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 2 Lion issue No 157-Jan 00 Intro Drake?

As Blueberry is to be Reviewed next week, Let us discuss about another one of the One-Shot Hero: Mr Wens. Mr Wens is Rechristened as Detective Drake in Tamil and he Appeared in Muthu Comics Issue No 238 and, Even though the Editor advocated for his cause in the Editorial vehemently, The ComiRades’ Response was lukewarm and that was it for Detective Drake. As Most of ComiRades Know, TCU Has the Original of this Story Among 95% of the Stories which were published in Tamil Comics. Now, This Series is drawn By the Promising Artist Didier Desmit, who happens to be the Prodigy of Tibet – The Creator of Ric Hochet and Chick Bill. This particular Tour was made memorable by the launch of Comanche Series in India. What a Series – It deserves to be Posted as a Special Post and as we are going to make Lots of Posts in the Coming Months, This too can wait. Now, ComiRades may question why Agent 327 or any other One Shot heroes were Not Discussed and Only Drake is Done. All TCU can answer is, Wait and Watch.

Muthu Comics No 238 Dated Nov 1995 Detective Drake Cover	Muthu Comics No 238 Dated Nov 95 Detective Drake Editorial	Muthu Comics No 238 Dated Nov 95 Detective Drake 1st Page
Mr Wens Series - Detective Issue No 26 – Cover Page	Mr Wens Series - Detective Issue No 26 –Credits Page	Mr Wens Series - Detective Issue No 26 – 1st Page

The 3rd and Final Tour that is to be reviewed in this post is the one which Mr Vijayan  undertook in the early part of 1999. This tour was also documented in the Editorial and as the Editor Himself confessed, He got the Idea of the XIII Jumbo Special from this Tour Only, Albeit Later on. Now, For that Initiative alone this tour qualifies to be mentioned in this Post. Along with the Launch of Iznogoud, Dick Tracy, Detective Julian etc. However, One Great Trilogy was the result of this particular Tour. Yes, Am talking about the legendary Tiger Joe Series and Editor Vijayan has to be appreciated for having a keen eye for talent and a Universal Taste when it comes to Tamil Comics. For those who came in Late, Tiger Joe has featured in 3 Stories and that Post is pending for long and Who Knows, it can appear in two days time in this Blog.

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 3 Lion Comics Issue No 147 Feb 1999 Malaiyodu Malyudham Hotline

Editor S Vijayan's Tour 3-Intro Detective Julian & IznoGoud As Mathiyilla Manthiri	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 3 Lion Comics Issue No 153 Sep 1999 XIII 9 Intro Dick Tracy
Editor S Vijayan's Tour 3 Lion Comics No 159 Mar 2000 Natpukku Niramillai Intro Jane Bond	Editor S Vijayan's Tour 3 Lion Comics No 160 Apr 00 ThalaiKeezhai Oru Dinam Intro Tiger Joe

However, this tour also saw the Jane Bond Saga. Editor Has bought the Rights for Jane Bond and Has completed the Translation and it was announced to be published in April 2000. However, When a Close friend of TCU pointed out that this story has already appeared in Rani Comics, He was quick to acknowledge it and changed the story and That was the end for Jane Bond in Lion Comics. She never came back. For starters, Jane Bond has appeared in Rani Comics in 2 Stories in the late 80’s and here are the details:

Rani Comics Issue No 107 Dated Dec 1 1988 Lady James Bond in Nizhal Manidhan Cover	Rani Comics Issue No 107 Dated Dec 1 1988 Lady James Bond Nizhal Manidhan 1ntro Page	Rani Comics Issue No 107 Dated Dec 1 1988 Lady James Bond in Nizhal Manidhan 1st Page	Rani Comics Issue No 111 Dated 1st Feb 1989 Lady Bond Rocket Ragasiyam 1st Page

Note: There have been so many Tours Made By Vijayan with reference to Comics Copyrights purchase. These are some of TCU’s Memorable ones and Not the Editors' Memorable Ones. There are 2 other Tours which can be discussed in the near future: The Tour in Oct 1995 (Resulting in C.I.D Robin – Nick Rider, Dynamite Rex, Captain Alexander etc) and the Tour which Relaunched Lion Comics and Muthu Comics after a 6 Month Lock Out in Feb 2002. Both need to be discussed and we MAY do that sometime in future.

As usual, post your comments in the comments section. For those who want to Pen their thoughts in Tamil, Kindly Use the Option Provided in the Widget section or Click Here.

Thanks & Regards,
King Viswa.