2 Comic Cuts 35-News 35: M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel (Dina Malar Vaara Malar), Wilco Picture Library, Season’s Top 5 From Comic World & Steel Claw gets his weapons

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Again another Comic cuts and yours truly is very much happy these days as there are lots of news on the comics front and at least they keep the interest on comics going on till we get some of the new Tamil comics for the season. Let us get on with this post.

Friday, The 15th: 15-07-2011: On this day, Yours truly initiated a small move and this particular move brought this particular quote from Neil Armstrong “One small step for a man, One giant leap for Mankind” to memory. What is that step? Is that so important to Tamil Comics? Will it have any change in the trend? Only time will answer these questions. If the results of this step is fruitful, We will have the golden era of Tamil Comics from Next year onwards. As of right now, only this much can be said of this step and keep a closer watch on these pages for the updates.

The Hindu – Wilco Picture Library: There are so many picture libraries in India which are very much similar to that of ACK in both content and style. Most of them lack the extra edge required to last long. However, there is no stopping for the new publications to try and make some impression. Here is a new one named Wilco Picture library. TCU has tried some of these in the month of March itself and they are OK to say the least.

The Hindu Daily News Paper – Issue Dated 12072011 - Supplement Young World - Page No 4 – Book Buzz Section - Stories in Pictures - Wilco Picture Library

Deccan Chronicle – Comic Relief: Deccan Chronicle often comes up certain innovative and thoughtful write ups on comics and related issues. Apart form the odd news, most of them well designed. Here are the latest news from them in their regular teen tonic section. Have a read, folks.

Deccan Chronicle Daily News Paper – Chennai Edition – Supplement - Chennai Chronicle – Issue Dated 11072011 - Page No 25–Teen Tonic Section-Comic Relief

Deccan Chronicle Daily News Paper – Chennai Edition – Supplement Chennai Chronicle – Issue Dated 11072011 - Page No 25 - Comic Relief Season Top 5

Dina Malar Vaara Malar – M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel: This particular book from Ms Lakshmi Devnath has created enough interest in the market, that it is still talk of the town well after a month after the launch. This time it is from the celebrated weekly supplement of Dina Malar news paper titled Vaara Malar, where Andhu Mani wields the magic wand, issue after issue making it the most read and sought after weekly supplement in Tamil magazines. If you haven’t read this, you’ll definitely regret missing it later on.

Dina Malar Vaara Malar Book - Sunday Supplement - Issue Dated 17072011 - Page No 29 - MS Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel By Lakshmi Devnath – Book Review

Dina Malar Siruvar Malar – Steel Claw Copy Cate Lee Rock: Some time back TCU has done a post about the resurrection of Siruvar Malar. Now they have reverted to the old style again and they have only 2 comics stories in the entire book, spanning a grand total of 8 pages. In out last comic cuts post (Comic cuts 34), we have mentioned that this new series titled Lee Rock is aping the most loved Comic Character of South India for the last 41 years.

The story line continues and here in this latest episode, Lee rock gets his gadgets in his artificial steel claw and if they are similar to that of Louis Crandell, am not surprised. Here are the pages for this week’s episode.

Remember, you can read Siruvar Malar free of cost in their home page. Here is the link for that: Siruvar Malar

 Puthiya Thalaimurai – Surprise in the Next week Issue: We all know that this particular magazine is not like the regular magazines and it gives value to infotainment rather than mere market and commercial elements. Hence it was always in yours truly’ s reading list.

Now, they are mentioning that there will be a surprise from their next issue. What it could be? Well, that’s for me to know & you to find out, before the next Friday.

Well, that's all for the time being & TCU will be back with the next issue of this series in the next post.

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.

10 Comic Cuts 34-News 34: M.S.Subbu Lakshmi’s Graphic Novel (Kungumam), Spider Man’s Death (Kumudham) & A New Steel Claw?

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU with another dose of Comics & related news features. As TCU is nearing 100 posts, the number of news posts (Comic Cuts) keep on increasing and this trend is rather healthy. Healthy in the sense that at least we have some news and related articles when we don’t have enough comics in Tamil. Hopefully this shortage of Comics will be overcome very shortly and we will be having our monthly new comics review very, very soon. Enough of the future and let’s get on with the current news.

01 Kungumam – Lakshmi Devnath’ s Graphic Novel: Since the launch, this particular book is getting more and more positive reviews in the media space and this holds good for the other entrants in the graphic novel domain. The message is loud and clear: If the content is good and provided the presentation is world class, we will welcome with both arms. Now, it is the turn of Kungumam Weekly and the review is wonderful, to say the least.

Kungumam Tamil Weekly - Issue Dated 11072011 - Page No 70 - Article on MS Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel – Conceptualized & Created By Ms Lakshmi Devnath

02 Kumudham – Spider man’s Death: TCU has already covered this particular news in the regular Comic Cuts section in THIS post. On the heels of those news articles in English news papers comes this article in Kumudham weekly. Sadly none of the other frontline media cared to give coverage to this news. Anyway, here is what Kumudham got to say on this topic.

Kumudham Tamil Weekly Issue dated 13072011 Page No 30 Spiderman's Death	Kumudham Tamil Weekly Dated 13072011 Page No 32

03 Dina Malar Siruvar Malar – Another Steel Claw?: We all loved THE Steel Claw aka Irumbuk kai Maayavi (இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி) as he is known in South India since the last 41 years. There have been more than a dozen copy-cat Steel claws from the local comics stories and most of them were failures and the few ones which got some sort of success was from Mullai Thangarasan himself. Some years ago, there was a TV Serial in Jaya TV which was in 3-D format where the hero had similar traits to that of Louis Crandell.  Now, here comes another one. Some time back TCU has done a post about the resurrection of Siruvar Malar. Sadly, they have reverted to the old style with very little space for comics, that too translated from Hindhi market. On the wake of that thought, here is Lee Rock.

Remember, you can read Siruvar Malar free of cost in their home page. Here is the link for that: Siruvar Malar

Well, that's all for the time being & TCU will be back with the next issue of Mekala Comics in the next post-which happens to be one of the very few Special issues in Tamil comics history where Editor S.Vijayan was not involved. 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.

14 Comic Cuts 32-News 32: ‘Nool’ Pandiyan, Graphic Novel on M.S.Subbulakshmi & TV Celebrity Reading Comics

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU after a very short break. Over the last 3 months, the trend on the number of posts and the sequence has been similar. Not much posts in the first 20 days and a continuous uploading of them in the next 10 days. Even in this month, the trend is following and try as hard, TCU couldn’t break the repeating of the same trend. Hopefully from next month onwards the trend may get reversed. However, one good thing for the last 3/4 months is that the number of posts is being constant: A Minimum of 5 posts per month, though most of them are Comic Cuts and TCU Presents series. A Lot of reader request are arriving with post requests on golden oldies of Tamil comics being the top of the request list. TCU is trying the best to accommodate them in the near future.

Moving on to the current post, this Comic Cuts is also similar to that of the News Post 28 (Comic Cuts 28) for the simple reason that all the news items are in Tamil language. TCU will try to differentiate the news articles in language wise in the near future as well. Henceforth the news articles in English will be segregated and posted in a single post and the remaining Tamil news articles related to Comics will be featuring in Tamil Comic Cuts.

01 Puthiya Thalaimurai – Nool Pandiyan: The name Nool Pandiyan is very popular amongst book collectors. Ever since TCU regained the Comics interest, the hunt was on to get the missing issues of Tamil comics and at that time Nool Pandiyan was introduced by one of the ComiRades. Nool Pandiyan is more popular and got more access to many book series than Mylapore Alwar and his book shop. His TV Interview will also be featured in the forthcoming Comic Cuts with the video. Watch out for that.

Note: Nool Pandiyan can be reached at This mobile Number: +91 94444 29649.

Puthiya Thalaimurai - Tamil Weekly - Issue Dated 23062011 - Page No 44 – Article on Nool Pandiyan By Yuva Krishna – Titled ad Pandiyan Parisu

02 Dina Malar – Nool Pandiyan: The very next day, this particular piece was carried out in Dina Malar in the page next to the headliner. Dina Malar has been doing this kind of Un-credited article usage for many years. However, since it has given more mileage to out best friend, we left the stones as they were.

DinaMalar Tamil Daily Dated 18062011 Nool Pandiyan Article

03 Anantha Vikatan – M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel: TCU has done a complete post on this book and that can be read over here (TCU Presents 04). It was nice to see leading magazines give their due respect to a honest work in the field of Comics. TCU expects much more coverage for the same in the near future.

Anantha Vikatan Tamil Weekly - Issue Dated 29062011 - Vikatan Jannal Section – Page No 96 - Book Intro - Heritage Press M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Biography

04 Dina Mani Kathir – M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Novel: Anantha Vikatan has given only a small introduction about the book. Dina Mani Kathir has given a wonderful review of the same with photos and scans. We expected such work from Dina Mani based on their literary likening. Hopefully their own Children's magazine (Siruvar Mani) may get revamped, just like Dinamalar Siruvar malar gotten for a shorter period.

Dina Mani Kathir Weekly Supplement to Daily Dina Mani Dated 26062011 Page 01	Dina Mani Kathir Weekly Supplement to Daily Dina Mani Dated 26062011 Page 02

Kungumam – Graphic Novel on Steve Jobs & Kumudham – Mamathi Chari reading Comics: Most of the Tamilians know that Mamathi chari is a popular RJ/TV Compere. She was also an ex colleague of Yours truly. During those days, the Comics fire was not re-ignited with Yours truly and hence may not looked after those interest. The next time we meet, you can bet on the topic of the 1st question. The Photo of SriDevi was un-edited in the scan for some old timers.

Kungumam Tamil Weekly Dated 27062011 Page No 02 News Way Comics Book on Steve Jobs	Kumudham Tamil Weekly Issue Dated 29062011 Page No 48 Mamathi Chari Reading Tamil Comics Cut

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.

10 TCU Presents. . . 05: New Comics Intro - Pictures of melody-M.S.Subbulakshmi:Queen of Song-Graphic Novel Review

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU. Since last week, TCU was eagerly waiting for a new Graphic Novel/Comics. Of late, TCU is introducing certain new Comics series which are going to be translated in Tamil Language in the near future. In this series, we are going to see a new kind of Comics from Chennai itself. Yes sir, we are talking about a new imprint from Chennai.

Necessity is the mother of all inventions is an old saying. Here in the present day, we can say that Necessity is the mother of a New Publication. Way is that? To know more, read on and complete this post on a wonderful initiative from a wonderful Lady.

Those who live in Chennai or Have an ear for music will be familiar with the Name Ms Lakshmi Devnath (Here is the link to her Website: http://lakshmidevnath.com/). She has written more than 200 articles and research features on Carnatic music in leading publications like The Hindu & Sruti (India’s premier magazine for the performing arts). For some time, she was working on a Biography on the legendary musician M.S.Subbulakshmi. She then decided to give it in a form that will be easy to read even for the kids, for they are the ones who have an avid interest in learning Carnatic music. Once she decided that the story will be told in Comics format, she tried for the publishers. However, when there was no push from any of the present set of publishers, she decided to take it on her own and launched her own publishing house “Heritage Publishing House”. The 1st ever book from this newly launched publishing house is the biography of M.S.Subbulakshmi titled as Queen of Song. Here are the cover images of the lovely book. If the cover images look stunning and familiar at the same time, it is because our beloved artist Aras has worked on the cover image and made so lovely. Of course the back ground images are from the book itself.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi Dated June 2011 Cover	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Inner Cover

If the cover image was so stunning and eye capturing, the inner works by artist G.Sekar are also good. Here are the sample images from the 1st and last pages of the book. Kindly look at the 1st page last panel artwork. it is so stunning that you are tempted to say that MS is looking at you. At the same time, one must say that drawing and drawing for comics are two different things and here is where sekar found wanting. Of course, this is also where legendary artists of the calibre of Maniyam selvam have been found wanting. The inexperience in drawing comics is shown in other panels. One must say that, with experience of drawing many comics stories, Sekar will be a world class Comics/Graphic Novel artist.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Story 1st Page	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Story Last Page

Of Course, this book is not a work of accidental planning. It is the first amongst many. Here are certain other stories which are about to be launched very soon by the very same publishing house. In the last cover, we have the picture of Ms Lakshmi Devnath and her profile. It must be noted that this book comes with a Wonderful A4 Size photograph of M.S.Subbulakshmi and what more, it is signed by her as well. Of course, that scan is not included here and you need to buy this wonderful book to have a look into that signed photograph.

Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi Dated June 2011 Inner Cover Forthcoming Issues Annex	Heritage Press Picture of Melody 01 MS Subbulakshmi June 2011 Back Cover

Book Review: When TCU read the articles about the book in leading news papers, the eagerness to buy these books was unmatched. Hence TCU visited certain bookshops and when found wanting on the info of the availability of the same, TCU has sent a mail to the author on the same. You wont believe, not only the wonderful lady made a personal call on the whereabouts of the book, she also made sure that TCU got the book very soon. TCU thanks the wonderful gesture from the renowned author.

Once the book was available, TCU was ready to write a review of the book. However, after reading the wonderfully penned article from Carnatic Darbar, TCU decided that this review exemplifies the book in a much better way and hence the same review is produced over here. Have a read guys,

Excellent Book Review By Sudha Jagannadhan in Carnatic Darbar on 20th June 2011: Article Available in http://carnaticdarbar.com/news/201101/20110620.asp

Articles in Leading Magazines/News Papers: The reception for the book is seen to be believed. Each and every one who had a glimpse on the book has got only better things to say. Here are some of the articles which have appeared within a weeks time. TCU believes that many more will be following these.

The Hindu - Chennai Edition – News Paper Dated 17062011 - Friday Review Section - Page 01 - Book Review - Melody in Pictures 01 – M.S Subbulakshmi

Deccan Chronicle - Chennai Edition – News Paper Dated 17062011 - Page 02 - Book Review - Pictures of Music – Heritage Press – M.S.Subbulakshmi

Anantha Vikatan Tamil Weekly - Issue Dated 29062011 - Vikatan Jannal Section – Page No 96 - Book Intro - Heritage Press M.S.Subbulakshmi Graphic Biography

Possibility of the Book in Tamil?: When discussing to the author, TCU has raised the question on the possibility that this wonderful book being available in Tamil Language. Ms Lakshmi Devnath instantly said that she is open to the idea and once this book is welcomed by the readers, she will definitely consider the option of publishing the same in Tamil Language. So guys, if you want to see this wonderful book in Tamil language, show your support by buying this right now. Here are the places where you can buy these books presently.

Giri Trading Agency New No 14/,Old No 10, Kapaleswarar Sannidhi Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600 004.	Sukra Musicals No 12, North Mada Street, Mylapore, Chennai 600004.	The Carnatic Music Book Centre No 23A ,Sripuram 1st Street, Royapettah, Chennai 600014.
New Book Lands No 52c, Basement North Usman Road, T.Nagar, Chennai 600017	AVM's Sound Zone New No 281/Old No 267, Sankara Hall T.T.K Road, Alwarpet, Chennai 600018	To Buy Online, Click here: Kalakendra Very soon, it will be available in Landmark and Odyssey bookstores as well.

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.

10 Comic Cuts 31-News 31: Graphic Biography of M.S.Subbulakshmi, Research on Asterix Attacks, Paulo Coelho’s Alchemist in Graphic Form & Other News

Dear ComiRades,

Welcome back to TCU after a 2 week hiatus. Official commitments & Travel kept Yours truly a lot more busy than what is usually expected in those 2 weeks. Now that we are back, let us get on with some more Comic cuts and New Comics introductions. Before we get on other things, here is a small advertisement about the latest blog from Team TCU. No, not other blog on comics. Rather, it is about the Movies and as usual, ComiRades can expect some of the rarest Photos and detailed posts on Golden oldies. However, those will be in the near future. As of right now, there are lots of movie reviews on the latest films. Have a look into that by clicking onto this link: http://tamilcinimaulagam.blogspot.com/ (Remember it is Cinima with Ni rather than Ne). And of course, the short form of this blog also is TCU. By the way, there is another blog with the same initials is waiting in the wings (TCU). Any guesses on what could be the defining content for that blog? send in your guesses.

The Hindu – MS Subbulakshmi Graphical Biography: Of late, there is a sustained development in the field of Graphic novels in South India. Adding to the growing list is a book on the legendary Dr M.S.Subbulakshmi. The Book is amazing and though TCU wanted to review it on the world Music Day, the usual commitments took over and the post got postponed (Pun intended). Most probably that review will be done in couple of days. Here are the details of the book from Hindu article.

The Hindu - Dated 17062011 - Friday Review - Page 01 Book Review - Melody in Pictures – Heritage Publishing House - Distributed By Swathi Soft Solutions

Deccan Chronicle – MS Subbulakshmi Graphical Biography: In Comics / Graphic novels review, It is not often that a news article about the same issue appeared in 2 different news papers. However, last month we had a news on Harappa Files and this month we have news about the graphic novel on M.S.Subbulakshmi. It is unfortunate that Times of India is lost out on that & going by the speed and consistency of TOI, We may see that article in couple of weeks time in Friday column.

Before getting onto the article, spare a moment to have a look on the author’s name. Yes, this particular article is penned by Celebrated Cricket writer R. Mohan. Old times may fondly recall his articles on The Hindu on cricket. Yours truly started buying DC only for the fact that he was writing on it. Even now, he carries the same charisma in his words. Have a read now.

Heritage Publishing House - Distributed By Swathi Soft Solutions - Deccan Chronicle Chennai Edition Dated 17062011 Page 02 Book Review Pictures of Music

Times of India – Asterix & Strange Research: Every now and then, there will be some interesting research information comes out which takes us by complete surprise. When Yours Truly was initiating into research in University, One of the seniors was doing a paper on the Advertisements and their social impacts. And he was quoting Rani Comics and their wide publicity. Like wise, here is a research article. Go on, read it. You will love it.

Times of India – Chennai Edition – Paper Dated 17062011 - Chennai Edition Page No 17 - Head Injuries in Asterix Stories – Research Article by German Scholars

Book Reviews & Book Launches: From now onwards, TCU will provide this column on the latest Graphic novels and book reviews. here are some of them from the Land mark Journal. The most interesting piece of news is the availability of Paulo Coelho’s The Alchemist being available in Graphic novel format. Long time back, Yours truly was taken into the world of Coelho by my Brother. Though TCU is no longer into hard reading, every now and then the indulgence comes back like a smitten cobra. One such interest is now on The graphic novel on The Alchemist. The book looks ravishing with such wonderful colouring. Very soon, we may even have a review of the same over here.

Times of India - Chennai Edition – Paper Dated 10062011 - Page No 7 Chennai Times - Book Review - I See the Promised Land	Times of India - Chennai Edition - Paper Dated 10062011 - Page No 7 - Chennai Times - Book Review Harappa Files
	Landmark News Monthly Journal Issue Dated May 15-June 14 Page 1 New James Bond Novel By Jeffery Deaver – Carte Blanche Landmark News Monthly Journal Issue Dated May 15-June 14 Page 7 Paulo Coehlo's The Alchemist in Graphic Novel Format Landmark News Monthly Journal Issue Dated May 15-June 14 Page 10 Kids Corner

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.