33 XIII - A TCU Special Coverage

Dear ComiRades,

Pongal Wishes to One and All. Hope you would have read the Special Pongal post of Comics Doctor and to answer the query that was raised in the comments section, TCU is doing this special Intro Post.

Let me tell you that this is not a review post. this post is all about two Things:The Possible Chance of XIII Being Available in Print Media and Electronic Media in the Near Future. Let us start with Print Media. For the Un-Initiated, 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.

ComiRades will remember that the same series is been published by Tamil Nadu Based (Publishers of Lion and Muthu Comics) Prakash Publishers' Thigil Comics way back in the Mid 80's as issue no 6. 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.

Now, this particular series has been followed by ComiRades for 23 Years (Close to Yours Truly's Age, Unlike Other Comi-Blogging Uncles Out here) and the interest level has never ever waned. The Following are the Rare Collection of Cover scans of all the 10 XIII Issues Published so far in Tamil. Part 5, 6, 7, 8 & 9 Are Available with the Publishers in their Stock.

XIII Part 2:Lion Diwali SuperSpecial Issue No 42	XIII Part 3:Thigil Comics Issue No 50	XIII Part 4:Thigil Comics Issue No 60
XIII Part 5:Lion Comics Issue No 110	XIII Part 6:Lion Comics Issue No 122	XIII Part 7:Lion Comics Issue No 136
XIII Part 8:Lion Comics Issue No 144	XIII Part 9:Lion Comics Issue No 153	XIII Part 10:Lion Comics Issue No 155

All said and done, M/s Prakash Publishers are to be congratulated for introducing  such wonderful characters to Tamilians, Let alone Indians / Asians. When a Single issue of the series costing more than Rs 600/- in the international market, Prakash Publishers have done a great favour to us by publishing all these volumes at Rs 200/- Only. However, what saddens TCU is the fact that still many of the ComiRades are yet to Book this special issue. As per the Communication TCU Has, the booking is yet to touch 400 Numbers and this is what hurts TCU the most. Let the first work after reading this be either sending a D.D or Cheque in Favour of Prakash Publishers in the following address: M/s Prakash Publishers, No 8/D-5, Chairman P.K.S.A.A Road, Amman Kovil Patti, Sivakasi, Tamil Nadu, India, Pin Code - 626189. Phone: 04562-272649.

For the last one year, this has been advertised enough. In spite of that, There is not much of response from the ComiRades. Come On Guys, Let us Help him Out. Those who can, try to follow this idea: Kindly gift this wonderful book to three of your best friends who do not read comics NOW. Request them to take their own sweet time to complete this story. And if they do not cry either in the 7th Part Climax or the Early parts of Part 11, Then there is something severely wrong with TCU's Taste.

 Here Comes the most interesting part of the Post: A 2-part TV mini-series, called XIII: The Conspiracy starring Val Kilmer and Stephen Dorff was shown on French premium television channel Canal+ in October 2008.It was first shown on TV in France on October 6 and 13, 2008 on Canal+ and is scheduled to be broadcast in both Canada on Global Television and in the USA on NBC February 8th and 15th. The Best News is that it is available in India in HBO Channel with Sub-Titles. The telecast has been already done twice and the schedule for the next set is as follows:

XIII The Conspiracy - Part 1:	19-01-2009, Monday	Afternoon 12 PM
XIII The Conspiracy - Part 2:	20-01-2009, Tuesday	Afternoon 12 PM

There are changes in this TV Series.The President of U.S of A, Wally Sheridan becomes Sally Sheridan, Their first female president, etc. TCU Doesn't wish to play Spoilsport here by giving other info related to XIII TV Series. Val Kilmer is playing the role of Mangoose and he does a terrific job. Each one of the episodes has a run-time of 86 Minutes and they are a treat to watch. Don't miss them. The first part is titled similar to the first volume of XIII. i.e The Day of the Black Sun. However, the second part is changed to All the tears of Hell.

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 sidebar.

Thanks & Regards,
King Viswa.

11 TCU Comi-Contest 1: Guess the Names

Dear ComiRades,

This contest was announced in the review of Iceberg Comics' Issue No 1 and was reminded in all the posts since then. However, when i keep on receiving Calls / SMS's / Mails stating that where is the contest, then i decided to Post these as a separate post itself. Here are the Contest details:

In the 1st issue of Iceberg comics, there were 3 Trailers of Forthcoming issues that were advertised. All you need to win some exciting prizes is to guess the Series Title / Lead Character.Post that as a comment over here & you are entitled to win prizes.




Here comes the 1st trailer: Looks like a Science fiction story. Since many people called me to provide Clues to solve this, Am providing one over here: Read the synopsis given next to the panels and that's it.







Here comes the 2nd Trailer: Period / Historic Series. You want clues to this one as well? Post that as a comment & then i will give the clue.








Finally, the 3rd Trailer: Looks like an Action packed Adventure series. For a Clue on this, Go back to Old Lion Comics issues (in the last 6 years) and you will get her name like a Flash.





Send the answers in this page only so that it is easy to moderate the entries. I have received 8 answers (7 in Mail & 1 in Post as a comment).

For the starters, all you need to do is look at the comments section just below my name in this post & click that. A Pop up box will open and all you have to do is type the answer in that and post it. That's all.

Thanks & Regards,
King Viswa.

12 Review O3: Iceberg Comics-3rd Issue-Blueberry

Dear ComiRades,

Iceberg Issue No 3 is the Bone of Contention in this post. After featuring XIII in Issue No's 1 & 2, The Editor of Iceberg decided to give a Break to XIII and decided to Bring on Mike Donovan AKA Mike Blueberry. Here is a Portrait Drawn by Jean Giraud. For those who came in late, Blueberry is the Lead Character in the Franco-Belgian comics western series created by the Belgian script writer Jean-Michel Charlier and French comics artist Jean "Mœbius" Giraud.

It chronicles the adventures of Mike Blueberry on his travels through the American Old West. Blueberry is an a-typical western hero; For He is neither the kind of a wandering lawman who brings evil-doers to justice, nor a handsome cowboy who saves the village from the Thugs and becomes the New Marshall over there - Just like the umpteen Number of Cowboy movies we have seen over the years. Have a Look at the cover of the 3rd issue of Iceberg.

Similar to 2nd edition, 3rd issue also follows the same size and Price.When we received the story, we were more than happy as we have received the Book after 7 months; Yes, the 2nd issue was on sale from 14th April 2006 & the 3rd issue was on sale from January of 2007. The Editor Mr Nisha Haran Has to be appreciated for trying to Re-Capture the international standards by having the Cover similar to the international edition.Unfortunately, i couldn't find the Cover scan of the French edition in time to compare (My personal room in Upstairs is yet to be settled after the Retirement function of My Dad on June 30th). Will post that in the near future. Mr Nisha Haran continued to voice his thoughts & Explanations for the Delay in the Editor's Page called as Hi Readers. We must take note the continuation of writing style and standards followed by Him. Hats of to you sir. We are not Complaining on the Delay Part. We are not in-humans to ask for Books when you are in the Midst of the TOUGHEST political scenario over there. Rather, we appreciate your Love for Comics.

Those, who want to Thank Mr Nisha Haran can visit their Official Site (Which is very much alive & Kicking in spite of the situation.) and pen their support by posting a comment over there in the messages part. It will be of Great support to that Wonderful person, who is worth his weight in Gold. The story, Titled ila Ratham = Young Blood, is about the origin of Blueberry. Have a Look at the 1st page of the story, set in the peak of civil war ridden 1861 where the then persona of Mike Donovan is revealed by Landlord Tucker. A Rich Spoilt Brat that he is, Mike is Loved By the daughter of Tucker. The circumstances force Mike to run away from the Home. 

This is the part of the story where the Historic event happens. The Re-Naming of Mike Donovan as Mike Blueberry By himself happens here only. When a soldier asks his name, Mike looks in the bushes (He cannot reveal his real name) and looks at the Blueberries over there and Names himself as "Mike Blueberry".

The Best part is that this particular hero has already been introduced to Tamil by the Redoubtable Prakash Publishers as Captain Tiger. Once the 3rd issue of iceberg was on sale, Prakash Publishers changed their Story from their Cow Boy Special Line up. They straightaway swapped Chick-bill for This story & the very next part of this which was announced in the Website of Iceberg Comics.

When we were waiting for the Cowboy special (Circa June 2007), Rafiq raja of Comicology and Yours truly were discussing how the Editor of Prakash Publisher will name the Hero as Captain Tiger. There were discussions among other ComiRades that there will be Tiger drawn on the Strip and Mike will look at the Tiger & get inspired to say his name is Captain Tiger.

The second part of the story is how Blueberry Grows up. This was portrayed in the Story Sattanooga Baalam.

 

Another set of scans from the same story. Look how the sketches were made. Mobius, You are truly a great Artist. Kudos.

The Last page of the story where the Greatest Decider of Events in Our Life, Called FATE, helps Blueberry to save his life. Imagine the situation where your Childhood Buddy is standing in front of you to kill you with loads of hatred & a Gun of course, and you have no means of escape. Bang. His Gun is empty.

Apart from these wonderful stories, there were letters from the fans (Local & Global). Have a Look on what some of these letters do say. truly amazing. Love for comics has no Boundaries, Truly.

There were some pages which were allocated for Contests, Subscriptions etc. To be very precise, the centre spreads (4 Pages) were dedicated for this purpose. Have uploaded 2 of them for you.

Now, this was the back wrapper of the 3rd issue of Iceberg comics. Look at the way it was made to enthuse the readers. Again, order and format was maintained just like the second issue. I was Wondering that if The Editor can do such a wonderful job from Sri Lanka, what he would have done for the wellness of Tamil comics, if he was not born in a war torn country. God Only Knows.

 Now, this is for the ComiRades who have a Keen sense of Info related to comics. After the success of the Graphic novel, People wanted to cash in on the Name of Blueberry by making a Movie on the same. However, they made a Mistake by Choosing Mr Jon Kounen, Better known as the music video director having personal interests on Shipibo-Conibo culture and shamanism, with which he became familiar during his trips to Mexico and Peru as the director for the Movie.

So much so, that the late Charlier's Family dis-owned the movie. This movie is loosely based on the story The Last Dutchman's Mine. Have a Look at the Movie Posters (The Movie, even though a French production was made in English & Marketed in US of A as The Renegade). On the insistence of our ComiRades, i have gone through this film. Just like the Late Charlier's family, I also disown the film as part of the Blueberry saga. True Blue ComiRades can give a Miss to this movie. If the director is a master in the Shipibo ayahuasca rituals, let him do that in one of his Music DVD's;

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). Here is the cover design for the 4th Issue of Iceberg Comics.

 Brand: Iceberg Comics (Iceberg Comics, Galle, Sri Lanka).

Title: ila Ratham

Cover Design: Normal Size, Hard Cover, Laminated.

Serial Number: No. 3, Part 1 of Blueberry's 2 part mini series.

Number of Pages: 48, Black & White.

On Sale: Jan 2007 Onwards

Price: Priceless for Comic Fans; For others, SLR 50/-

Continuity: Part 2 To Be Available Two months later (???)

Scan Courtesy: Dr 7.

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.

11 Review O2: Iceberg Comics-2nd Issue-XIII

Dear ComiRades,

This is the 2nd Post on Iceberg Comics (A Handsome Comics From a Handsome Country - Comments inspired By Actual Saying of Mike Coward) about the 2nd issue of Iceberg. For the Un-Initiated, Kindly Click Here.

After the Successful debut of Iceberg Comics, Many ComiRades were wondering how good will be the second issue? Can it topple the First one? Both in terms of Quality and Quantity? I remember taking part in Animated Discussions with Many a ComiRade that they cannot Best the First issue. However, the Delay-Syndrome which has affected Tamil Comics Got to Sri Lanka As well. We were waiting for more than 5 Months to get the second issue. Was the waiting worth? You bet it was. Have a Look into the cover of the 2nd issue.

The Size and correspondingly the price both were compromised to accommodate the sales issues of the first book. From A4 to the size become a Normal sized one thus ending the great debate on whether Issue no 2 can best the previous one.

And have a Look at the Cover & 1st Page of the same in French Version. Very Nice to know that people follow the international standards. Hats off To Nisha Haran for producing the original at its absolute best. Even though the same story was published in India in Tamil Language in Lion Comics (Yes, Lion Comics as part of the Unforgettable Diwali Super Special), the cover of the same used only in promo & not as the main cover. Many ComiRades will remember the Back wrapper of the Thihil Comics Sirithu Kolla Vendum in which the same was advertised.

As per the Standard followed By Spirou, Daragaud & Thihil/Lion, Iceberg also gave the Synopsis of the Previous issue in a single page. Have a look into the content. This is an Absolute Lesson for the Students of the art of Making comics on How to fit the entire story into one single page. Have a Look in to this.

 
The Editor's page was Branded as "Hi Readers" where Mr NishaHaran penned his thoughts along with the apologies for the delay, which was perfectly acceptable considering the Political situation which was/is prevailing over there. Have look on to the part how the Editor introduces Mike Blueberry and the anticipated questions on the storylines that will be featured. He very clearly says that they will be fresh as for as Tamil language is considered (For those who came in Late, Muthu Comics - Tamil Nadu based Comic from India- has already published the stories of Blueberry under different name). This raised the expectations on the 3rd issue. The reason for not publishing the 3rd part of XIII as the 3rd issue was mentioned as giving a break for him.
 

Now, Look at the 1st page of the story: This is where i have a problem with the Books in B & W as compared to Colour (Even though, As somebody who has experienced the Difficulties in Launching a New Comics & Promoting it, I knew that it is a Himalayan task to get a Comics in Tamil in Colour with Quality at affordable price). Let me put this question to all readers. Kindly look into the 1st page of Iceberg & Lion Comics and the same page in French version in colour. This is where the content strength of XIII lies. Even in this kind of printing, it has become a huge success.

Now, Have a Look at this particular page whereby XIII shows his shocking reaction on knowing that his wife Kim is alive in his face. This is where colour comes in Handy. Comparative pictures will help you to be a Judge by yourself. As for as Yours truly is concerned, Judgement is Reserved.

Now, the final page where part 2 ends. Imagine the situation in 1987, when there was no internet, Phone etc and the situation of the ComiRades when they realise that XIII has to be in Jail for the Crimes that He Didn't commit. They had to wait awfully long to know what exactly happened to him (3rd part was the memorable 50th issue of Thihil Comics).

Apart from these, the second issue of Iceberg had Letters from the fans, articles on Bio Technology, I.T, Artificial Intelligence etc. I do believe that the background of the Publishing house was the reason behind this. The back wrapper of issue no 2 was so good looking. Have a look at this. can you see the strips in colour gives a wonderful picture than the ones in B&W?


Brand: Iceberg Comics (Iceberg Comics, Galle, Sri Lanka).

Title: Sevvindhiya Kudiyiruppu

Cover Design: Hard Cover, Laminated.

Serial Number: No. 2, Part 2 of XIII's 19 Part Saga.

On Sale: 14th April 2006 Onwards

Price: Priceless for Comic Fans; For others, SLR 50/-

Continuity: Part 3 To Be Available Two months later (?)

Scan Courtesy: Avadi Venkateshwaran.

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.