16 Lion Comics 100 Rs Special Edition: Lion Come-Back Special: லயன் கம்-பேக் ஸ்பெஷல் 2012

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. It’s been a long and lengthy break for all (The Publishers, The readers and the real well wishers) related to Tamil Comics Ulagam. However, the break was a good one for all concerned as it helped to recharge and gave time to take stock of the current scenario. Hence this post.

For long, breaks was a complaint that was held against the Editor of the Lion Comics and he has come back and came back how. Here is the news that is real good news for the ComiRades: Lion Comics is making a come back in a grand scale. Yes, The next book from the publishing house is going to be a100 Rs special edition, Just like the previous special editions Mega Dream Special மெகா டிரீம் ஸ்பெஷல் in May 2004, Lion Jolly Special லயன் ஜாலி ஸ்பெஷல் in May 2006 & Lion Cow Boy Special கௌ-பாய் ஸ்பெஷல் in July 2007. The new special edition is aptly titled as “Lion Come-Back special” and here are the story details of this book:

1. Lucky Luke Adventure: லக்கி லுக் சாகசம் ஒற்றர்கள் ஓராயிரம் (48 Pages in Full Colour)

2. Bernard Prince Adventure: கேப்டன் பிரின்ஸ் சாகசம் கானகத்தில் களேபரம் (48 Pages in Full Colour)

3. Steel Claw Adventure: இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி - தமிழில் இதுவரை வெளிவராத சாகசம்

4. Agent X-9 Phil Corrigan Adventure: பிலிப் காரிகன் சாகசம் சாத்தானின் தூதன் டாக்டர் செவன்

5. Steel Claw Adventure: இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி - தமிழில் இதுவரை வெளிவராத சாகசம்

All these titles will be part of the Lion Come-Back special and this book is priced at INR 100/-. This book will be available for sales from 10th Jan 2012 and it will be the real Pongal for the ComiRades. Apart from that, there is also the good news of Lion Comics books being available in the Chennai Book Fair 2012 (CBF12). More on this little bit later. Stay tuned.

Lion Comics Editor S Vijayan’s Blog: For long, It was longed by the ComiRades that there wasn’t much interaction amongst the readers and the editor. Now that will remain as a thing of the past with the entry of Our beloved editor into the blogging world. Here is the link to his own blog where he promises that the interaction through his posts will continue regularly:

http://lion-muthucomics.blogspot.com/

TCU requests all the readers to visit the above mentioned blog and record their views on the new boo and the changes happening into our comics world. It will be the numero uno blog as for as Tamil Comics is concerned and TCU is much happy on this regard.

P.S: TCU’s 100th post was planned for Jan 1st and this news was much more important than that and hence the special post is now postponed as the 101st Post.

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.

35 Siruvar Malar–Re Charged & Resurrected: The Story of Revival of Siruvar Malar 2011

Dear  ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Though TCU is not travelling much for the last 30 days, the work schedule is so hectic that it has affected the regular posting over here. (Regular posting in TCU? Now, don’t laugh, OK). Just like TCU, Another sleeping Giant has woken up in 2011 and has plans to take the Tamil Comics ulagam by the storm. Yes, we are talking about Siruvar Malar – The Supplement Book of Dina Malar News Paper (Official Site http://www.dinamalar.com/) on Fridays in most parts of Tamil Nadu.

Now, most of us know that Siruvar Malar is the Comics book in A4 Size which is a supplement with the Friday’s News Paper of Dina Malar. However, there are many interesting stories to be told on their start. Contrary to the beliefs, Siruvar Malar is NOT the title of this book when they actually started it way back in 1985. On the 4th Friday of Nov 1985, Most of the regular readers of Dina Malar were waiting eagerly to know what is going to be given to them as a supplement with their regular news paper. it was advertised earlier in Dina Malar that they will be getting Siruvar Vanna Malar as a supplement on Friday and hence they were anxious to know what is going to be the format of the new supplement.

Some time back, Dina Malar has just launched another weekly supplement named VaaraMalar which used to be made available with the Sunday News paper. It proved to be a master stroke for the news paper and to continue with the winning trend, they have introduced a new supplement on Friday’s to capture the Children’s market. So, the arrival of Siruvar Vanna Malar on that Friday was almost similar to a release of a big movie (However, there is a small note to be added in the history. Most of the supplements were used to be printed much earlier than the due date and were sent to the distributors much in advance. So, instead of Friday, the prominent News paper agents received this on Wednesday itself. So, statistically speaking, the launch date has to be 20-11-1985 instead of 22-11-1985. Amongst those who laid their hands on the book on Wednesday's rather than Friday’s was our own AVL.

Here is the 1st ever issue of Siruvar Vanna Malar and the editorial where the Editor says that in the fast paced world, most of the parents either have no time or patience (or rather, the knowledge) to tell stories to their young guns. Dina Malar has taken the initiative to compensate for this with the advent of Siruvar Vanna Malar. Apologies for the cropped cover scans where you miss the 1st letter of the title. As with most Indians, the 1st ever book has Lord Vinayaga in the cover.

DinaMalar – Siruvar Vanna Malar – Issue No 01 – Issue Dated 22-11-1985– Cover	DinaMalar – Siruvar Vanna Malar– Issue No 01–Issue Dated 22-11-1985–Editorial

Another startling statistic to be mentioned over here (apart from the title) is the number of pages. Unlike the present day structure, The earlier versions of Siruvar Vanna Malar was not off 32 pages. instead it was of 16 Pages out of which 8 were in multi colour and the remaining 8 were in (what we call as) double colour. Here is the sample of the same with the 2 major stories from the ACK titles Murugan and Ganesa covering most of the ground in the initial issue. The multi colour sample pages are also included for a better idea.

DinaMalar–Siruvar Vanna Malar–Issue 01–Dated 22-11-1985-Murugan Story–Pg 1	DinaMalar–Siruvar Vanna Malar–Issue 01–Dated 22-11-1985-Murugan Story–Pg 2

What is to be noted is the repetition of the stories for the Tamil ComiRades. Yes, these stories have already appeared exactly 1 year back (1984) through Poonthalir Amar Chitra Kathai series from the Poonthalir group. Not only that, the original ACK series from IBH has also published these 2 titles in Tamil language. Let us not deviate from our post topic now and will blog about PACK later on, Very soon-though. Coming back to the Siruvar Vanna Malar issues, take a not on the 4th issue cover which is titled as Siruvar Malar rather than the regular title. Technically speaking, 13th December 1985 is the date from which the title Siruvar Malar is existing.

Siruvar Vanna Malar–Issue No 02–Cover	Siruvar Vanna Malar–Issue No 03–Cover	Siruvar Malar–Issue No 04–Cover	Siruvar Malar–Issue No 05–Cover

From this beginning, Siruvar Malar had a tremendous run whereby they went on to publish strip stories from the famed Fleetway group (Couple of them have appeared later on in Lion Comics) and stories from the Greatest ever story teller for Children of all ages in Tamil – The incomparable Vandu Mama. The next four and half years were some of the best years not only for Siruvar Malar, but also for the Tamil Comics as a whole. This was the golden period of Tamil Comics (Discussed briefly over HERE). Later on, when the content supply (both local and international) dried up, Siruvar Malar’s standard took a dent and post 2000, it was going down rapidly. 3 years back there was a huge discussion about the revival of these magazines and it took some time to see the result. However, this post is not about the history of Siruvar Malar. TCU has planned to do a complete index posting on Siruvar Malar later on.

So, exactly one week ago TCU got a call from one of the most respected names in Tamil Comics industry and the information passed on was the revival of the Siruvar Malar (or should we say, Resurrection?). And to add to the surprise, Dina Malar has also put up a small advertisement about the new feel Siruvar Malar. For those who do not know Tamil, Here is the translation: Entirely different stories to entertain you.

Dina Malar – Tamil Daily – Chennai Edition – Issue Dated 03022011 – Page Number 07 – Advertisement for the New Revised Siruvar Malar SM R001 Ad

So, just like 1985, we were waiting for the new issue of Siruvar Malar with lot of interest and the waiting was worth. Here is the details about the New Siruvar Malar (From now onwards, named as Siruvar Malar Revived SMR).

• 1st & foremost- Completely free of cost: Issued as a supplement with Dina Malar Daily Paper.
• 32 Pages
• A 4 Size
• Completely Black & White sans any colour pages (Unlike the earlier versions which had 16 Multi colour pages)
• 3 Stories of 10 Pages each, starting from this issue
• 1st Story – Veera வீரா. Story By Nikesh Murali Art By Vinay Brahmania (More Details on the links provided in Blue colour)
• 2nd Story – Vanished Path மறைந்த பாதை Author & Artist: The multi skilled Bharath M
• 3rd Story – Joro ஜோரோ Author & Artist: Parismita Singh (Yes, the same author who wrote that wonderful The hotel at the end of the world).
• The best part is that it is available completely online: Here is the Link – Siruvar Malar SM R 001 PDF

Siruvar Malar–Supplementary to Dina Malar - Dated 04022011 - SM R001 Page 01	Story Number 01: Veera – Author: Nikesh Murali – Artist: Vinay Brahmania.
Story Number 02: Vanished Path (Maraindha Paadhai) – Creator: Bharath M	Story Number 03: Joro – Author & Artist: Parismita Singh

If you guys were wondering what was the response for this new initiative from Dina Malar, let me tell you in a simple way: Hooked for a Sixer. Yes, the response was tremendous and so thrilled was the Dina Malar Management that they put up a Thanks card in the 1st page of the News paper yesterday. There were enquiries to the office as well. Also, Yours truly got couple of calls about the new format of Dina Malar Siruvar Malar from the trusted ComiRades, thus enhancing the popularity and the reach of the magazine. Here is the translation of what the following Ad says: Thanks, Thanks & Thanks for the response for the new design of Siruvar Malar.

Dina Malar – Tamil Daily – Issue Dated 09022011 - Page Number 01 - Response for the New Revised Siruvar Malar SM R001 – Thanks from the Management

And also, they have put up the advertisement in todays paper about the forthcoming issue on tomorrow with couple of one liners about the new episodes. It seems that the new version is here to stay and let us welcome it with open hearts. It is a season of revival in Tamil Comics and amidst this, Siruvar Malar has also contributed its worth. Let us hope that 2011 is a land mark year in the annals of Tamil Comics Ulagam.

Dina Malar Tamil Daily – Issue Dated 10022011 – Thursday - Page Number 07 – Advertisement for the 2nd Issue of the New Revised Siruvar Malar - SM R002 Ad

Now,then; The next post will on the year end review post for the year ended 2010. Most probably that will be done by Monday and from this month onwards, ComiRades will see a radical change in the number of posts in TCU.

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.