12 TCU Presents . . . 04: New Comics Intro - Chennai Super Komics Volume 2: Chennai Super Kids

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Surprised, eh? Yes, it was even surprising to me to get back to the good old days when Yours Truly started blogging with posts on alternative days was the norm. Gone are the days when TCU used to post more than 10 posts in a month. Now, it is a tad difficult to get even 5 Posts (With lots of news posts thrown in between). Review posts and Old book reviews and character indices are what TCU is interested in. Slowly but surely, within this year end TCU will try to complete the Character indices of major Comics stars in Tamil Comics History. Surely, we are going to burn the midnight oil a lot. Which in turn results in a lot of posts for the comirades.

Our 1st ever TCU Presents . . . was a run-away success with lots of hits (it is among TCU’s top 5 posts with maximum hits). Here is the volume 2 of the same series. The other entries in the TCU Presents . . . (Euro Books – Phantom Series & Indya Comics – Illustrated Classics) were also met with favourable reviews and response. Hence we are going to continue with the new comics intro series, but with only those which have a chance of being made available in Tamil language in the near future. In the press statement made during the book launch of the 1st issue of Chennai Super Komics, it was clearly stated that from next year onwards, these books will be available in Tamil language as well.

Chennai Super Komics Volume II - Chennai Super Kids: This particular book reached TCU on Saturday and since there were couple of posts waiting in the wings, we had to wait for more than 3/4 days to post this. Apologies for that and we shall try to make these posts without any delay in the future. Like the previous issue, this one was also a multi coloured A-4 Size book of 32 pages priced at INR 40/-. The packaging was neat as usual and to enthuse the children, there were lots of Note book labels inside the book as a gift. Here the the images (for the 1st time in online as a scanned image):

Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Cover	Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Credits	Chennai Super Komics Vol 2 Chennai Super Kids Raina Mask

Story of Chennai Super Kids: The storyline and the presentation are better than the 1st issue and let us congratulate the team for that. TCU strongly advises that the story for children need not be childish. At the same time with a TG of 12 Years, you needn’t to bring your mature adventures either. This time, the creative team has tried to improve and that can be very easily felt in this book. If the 1st book was all about Paandi, this issue is about Manivannan. It was tragic that he couldn’t get into his school team (Chennai Dragons) and feeling the pain of rejection, he starts his own team with girls being equal players in the squad. And he receives a timely helping hand from a mysterious person who calls himself as Mr Flames and helps these kids to gain confidence as a team and prepare for the important match.

Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Map	CS Komics Vol 2 Chennai Super Kids Story 1st Page	CS Komics Vol 2 Chennai Super Kids Story 2nd Page

• Who is the myesterious coach?
• Why he couldn’t make it to the start of the match?
• Without the coach being available for the all important match, how the team fared?
• Can the team defend the low score against the Chennai dragons?
• who came to cheer for the boys?

There are some interesting questions like this need to be answered and for that one must grab the book from the nearest book stand. Since this series is distributed by India Book House (IBH), availability is not at all an issue. All you need to do is go to your nearest Landmark book store/Higginbotham's Book store/ Connexions Stores etc. If not so, just mail to “cskomics@gmail.com” & Your requirement will be taken care.

Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Story 3rd Page Mani's Entry	Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Story 2nd Last Page	Chennai Super Komics Volume 2 Chennai Super Kids Story Last Page

 Happy Birthday To Cibi அண்ணன்: Our dear friend & avid ComiRade Mr Cibi Celebrates his Birthday today (1st June). TCU wishes him all the very best and may God give him more than he deserves. Happy Birthday, Sir.

Well, that's all for the time being. 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 in the Blog.

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.

11 TCU Presents . . . 03: New Comics Intro–Indya Comics-Bringing Back the Classics in Comics Form

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU in a short from. For the last 2-3 months, it has become a habit to be non-existent for the 1st half of the month and posting in the 2nd half of the month. The same trend is continuing for this month also. Hopefully from the next month onwards, we may see this being reversed. We have been introducing many-a-new comic book for our readers and the response for the same is also encouraging. Hence we are bringing one more comics series for the ComiRades.

About one month ago, When Yours truly was going through the Landmark book shop, this particular comics was spotted. Initially only 3 books were available on the shelf and later on, the next week TCU received a call from the book shop and was informed about the availability of the next 2 books from the series. It helps to have friends across all shops. since the book series presented a refreshing theme, TCU was much interested in them. Later on, when getting to know about the creators and the concept of the books, it was decided that this has to be posted in TCU.

Indya Comics – The Concept: We would have known about the classic novels of our region and though they are great literary experience, the present generation may not enjoy reading them. The same is the case with all parts of the world where the Gen Y is no longer interested in reading a Lots of pages, continuously. This has been compensated by Classics illustrated in the western countries. Even in India, we had Amar Chitra Katha’s which were more on to Mythological and historical events rather than Classic stories from our own. Mr B.S.Raghu Ram (The Smart looking gentleman in the picture with the very 1st Indya Comics in IPod) is a keen reader of History and the trends in the media. He initiated the concept of bringing back the classics of our own in comics form to the present generation and with huge investment, he has successfully launched the titles. For a man who manages the Bangalore Book Fair successfully, this might seem little bit easy.

Once he envisioned the project, he went on like a juggernaut and came out with, lets say, flying colours. Here are the salient features of Indya Comics:

• Indya Comics is an innovative literary project which envisages adopting well known novels of 8 Indian Languages in Comics form.
• The basic theme is to revive, restart and reboot the reading habits among public (student fraternity in particular) through comics.
• Their story telling format is very simple: 6 panels per page in A-4 size off 32 pages. That’s it – You’ve done with a classic novel.
• Currently they have adopted 42 best selling novels into comics and they are keen to connect the reader to the literary heritage.
• So far they have come out with 10 Kannada classic novels & 7 Hindhi Best sellers in Comics format.
• Very soon, classics from other languages like Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi & Bengali will be published in graphic form.

Indya Comics – Sandhya Raaga – Review: On the day yours truly received the 1st set of 3 books, the 2nd one was something with a X factor. Later on with some data from TCU’s Kannada literary friend (Of the same Namesake), TCU came to know more about the giant from the Kannada literary world who is fondly called as ANAKRU. AND this would not have been made possible if not for Indya comics. Yours truly finished the book in rocket speed and though the story looked little bit anachronistic with the present date, it was a real classic of the good old 60’s & 70’s. Had it been made as a movie in Tamil with the late Murali in the lead, it would have been his best film, instead of Idhayam. For those, who want action and romance in the stories, this is not your cup of tea and can still give it a go just to know how Anakru weaved his magic amongst the readers.

Though the end was a tad predictable, it was a pleasant reading experience of the good old days and the happiness was multiplied in two folds for the medium being in Comics. The artwork by Gujjarappa is OK & the English translation is also commendable (Dr M.V.Rajeshwari). However, the translator’s job was made much easier by R.C.Haralapura who scripted the comics format from such a lengthy novel into 32 pages. Hats off to the creative team and the consultants who are involved in the making of this book. The captain of the ship (Raghuram) must not be forgotten in a hurry for he is the one who envisioned such a wonderful project. On the whole, the book is a good read and the only place of improvement can be placed in the artwork department. That is also on the fact that Yours truly has grown up with some of the best artists works.

Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Cover	Indya Comics No 2 Sandhya Raaga Story Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga 1st Page
Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Last Page	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Credits	Indya Comics Issue No 2 Sandhya Raaga Author intro

Other Kannada Classics: The other Kannada classics are listed out here with the cover images and the story synopsis and Author introductions. Out of the 10 Kannada classics which were rebooted in Comics format, 5 of them are available for sales in Chennai Landmark showroom and Yours truly grabbed them with glee in the eye. Thanks to Indya comics we have an opportunity to read the much acclaimed Beechi’s works, albeit in translated comics format. As it is said, a rose in any other language would have smelt the same and beechi’s works would have been great in any other translated language.

Indya Comics Issue No 1 April 2011 Madhavi	Indya Comics Issue No 1 Madhavi Synopsis Page	Indya Comics Issue No 1 Madhavi Author intro

Indya Comics Issue No 3 Aarida Chaha Cover	Indya Comics Issue No 3 Aarida Chaha Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 3  Aarida Chaha Author Intro

Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Cover	Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue No 4 Dollar Sose Author Intro

Indya Comics Issue o 5  Doorada Betta Cover	Indya Comics Issue o 5 Doorada Betta Synopsis	Indya Comics Issue o 5 Doorada Betta Author Intro

Other Kannada Classics – Not Available in Chennai: Apart from the above mentioned 5 Indya comics, there are about 5 other books which are advertised in the site but not available for sale in Chennai. These are some of the better known works and TCU is keen to have them in the collection. Have a close look at the titles and the fantastic se of creators behind them. These are definitely worth buying.

Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 6 Anathe	Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 7 Oddu
Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 8 Subbanna	Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 9 Chandragiriya Tiradalli
Indya Comics Kannada Classic Novel Series Issue No 10 Chandravalliya Thota

Indya Comics – Hindhi Classics: Though very good with the language, TCU hasn’t read a single novel in Hindhi so far. Indya comics will vie to break that record. The fantastic set of novels in our much loved comics format makes even a non reader to buy one of these and have a go. If this is not the compelling reason (The entire story being told in comics form), then nothing in the world is a reason for the same. Though 7 books are advertised, only 6 of them are available in their site.

Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 1 April 2011 Godhan Cover	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 2 April 2011 Usne Kaha Thaa
Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 3 April 2011 Chithralekha	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 4 April 2011 Nirmala
Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 6 April 2011 Jungle Tantram	Indya Comics Hindhi Novel Series Issue No 7 April 2011 Tamas

Media Coverage: However good a product is, if it is not advertised and promoted well, it may not be a sure success. A Die hard ComiRade will definitely identify this comics and may buy them. However, the target audience (the non-reading student fraternity) has to be forced to have a look at these books and for that you require a lot of media space. Raghuram has done that very well and they have a lot of coverage in Times of India, Samyukta Karnataka, Prajavani, DNA, etc and also in Television channels. Among such, here is a sample interview of the same.

Indya Comics Home Page Link: Indya Comics.com

Indya Comics in Face Book: Indya Comics in FB

Well, that's all for the time being. 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 in the Blog.

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.

12 Comic Cuts 30-News 30: Comics Reference in Junior Vikatan, Actress Reading Comics, Nuclear Educative Comics & Parallel Narrative with Graphic form

Dear Comirades,

Welcome back to TCU. Hope you would have got your own Phantom collection from the latest Euro Books series. Those Who haven’t spotted these in a shop near to you, kindly click on this India Plaza link and purchase the whole set @ 40% discount – India Plaza Phantom Collection. However, The best deal is provided by Land Mark website. They deliver these books at 50% discount, no less. Yes, sir. You read it correctly and there is no spelling mistake either. Landmark website is selling these books at 50% discount & here is the link: Landmark – Phantom @ 50% Discount.

TCU is getting encouraging response from Comirades on these New Comics Intro series and hence the next post will also be on a Brand new comics. Yes, the next post will comprise about a Comic book series which will be in all South Indian languages very soon, Including (Possibly) Tamil. Since the Inception, TCU has always tried to bring on various news articles related to Comics as a whole & Tamil comics in particular. Here are some of the latest news articles appeared in various magazines.

Junior Vikatan – Rip Kirby Vintage Comics Reference: Old ComiRades still hold the Malaimathi AFI Comics in very good esteem and only very few die-hard present generation ComiRades even knew about the existence of such a series. Hence to remember a title that was published 35 years ago and was not in the news since then, is a hard task. Only somebody who has read this in his childhood and cherished the moments can recollect that. Hence the well known Political reporter working under the title “Kazhugar-கழுகார்” has to be a ComiRade only. TCU will confirm this from himself very soon. Watch out for this space, folks.

Junior Vikatan Tamil Political Bi-Weekly Magazine – Issue Dated 10042011 - Page No 53 – Malaimathi AFI Comics:Rip Kirby Story Reference

TCU will do a complete post on this particular book which happens to evoke very good memories among those who have read that. One such person happens to be S.Ramakrishnan. Here is a photo taken when he received this particular book. Wait for a video post on this where S.Ra will be sharing his memories on this particular books and Tamil Comics as a whole.

Dinakaran Vasantham Book- Actress Priyanka Reading Comics: Those who have seen the Tamil film Veyil would have remembered Actress Priyanka. Here is the news bit about her being an avid reader and also a ComiRade. TCU believes that there are many more in the club and we hope that in the forthcoming months we will be reading more about such celebrities who happen to read Comics.

S.Ramakrishnan With Malaimathi AFI Comics	Dinakaran Daily Dated 22052011 Sunday Supplement Vasantham Cine Bits Comics News

Times of India – Atomic Power Educative Comics:  We all know that Comics / Graphic Novels are the best form to educate and here it is proved once again. One of the largest PSU’s (NPCIL) has come out with this innovative idea and this seems to be working very well for them. Read on.

Economic Times Daily – News Paper Dated 23052011 - Page No 2 – Nuclear Power Corporation of India’s Nuclear Educative Comics

The Hindu – Story telling in Graphic Form: The above mentioned fact is also reiterated again by this wonderful article which appeared last week. Read on and at the end of the article we will get to know about one Comics story which appeared very recently and many ComiRades would have given it a miss (Not Yours Truly, Though). About that Comics story, we have certain details after this scan.

The Hindu National Daily - Chennai Edition – News Paper Dated 16052011 - page No 2 – Parallel Narrative - Graphic form of Story telling

Well, we were talking about Blaft publications’ Tamil Pulp fiction-Volume 2. This particular book had one story from the wonderful team of Pushpa Thangadurai and Artist jeyaraj. Here is the cover image and some of the sample artwork from the story.

Blaft Publications – Tamil Pulp Fiction Vol 2 – Cover	Highway 117–Karate Kavitha in Action–Jeyaraj Artwork	Story: Pushpa ThangaDurai – Art: Jeyaraj

Old Comics News – VannaThirai – Tamil Animation Film: As our custom, we are publishing some of the old news related to Tamil comics. This one, not very old though, is about the animation film on the mythological characters Lava-Kusa and here is the article.

Vannathirai Tamil Cinema Weekly Magazine – Issue Dated 17052010 - Page No 36 – Article about Lava Kusa Animation Film in Tamil

Well, that's all for the time being. 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 in the Blog.

Thanks & Regards,

King Viswa.