Comic relief

The first comic convention is just a part of the industry’s many plans.

The fledgling comic book industry is holding its first comic convention in New Delhi this weekend in order to increase interaction between readers, publishers and content creators from the industry. “Comic Con India is a huge opportunity for both cartoonists, comic book artists and publishers to come together and chalk out ways to produce more comic books, publish cartoons and take cartooning forward,” says Jatin Varma of Twenty Onwards Media.

Comic book publishers, who sell about 125 million copies a year including in regional languages, are determined to increase retail penetration, create content that appeals to young adults and reach out to smaller cities.

One such player is Vimanika Comics, which creates graphic and action titles. When Karan Vir Arora, managing director and editor-in-chief of Vimanika Comics, launched his venture three years ago, he was inspired by international players like Virgin Comics. “But when Virgin folded its operations, we realised that comics needed a different strategy to sell to Indians who largely perceive it as kids’ fancy,” says Arora. Vimanika sells its comic titles in about 500 retail stores and plans to double the number this year. “The business is primarily in smaller towns but we are hoping to enter the metros this year,” says Arora, adding that Vimanika has sold 3,000 copies a month of titles like Dashavtaar.

Amar Chitra Katha, with more than 400 comics in over 20 languages that have sold over 90 million copies, is looking to sign new artists at the comic convention. Reena Puri, editor, Amar Chitra Katha comics, says, “We are keen to take on board young artists and content creators from Comic Con. We realise that to go beyond mythology we will need ideas that are contemporary yet appeal to our target group of 8-14 age group.” Puri, who intends to launch one new title every two months, adds that the publishing house has begun experimenting with story-telling formats. “We are using fewer dialogues, more pictures and detailed graphics to tell our stories,” she says.

Players hope mobile applications and digital distribution will help reach a wider audience. Andy Dodd, publishing, editorial and rights consultant of Campfire Graphic Novels, says, “With graphic comic books selling just about 3,000 copies in its life cycle, we expect digital sales through apps to be a more significant revenue generator.”

Campfire Novels is looking to tie up with a digital publisher in India to put all of its 50 comic titles on mobile apps. “In the US, where we have a digital storefront, comic sales over apps have been heartening, especially since the launch of iPad-like devices,” says Dodd. Campfire sells digital comics at nearly half the price of a hard copy, which retails at about Rs 195.

Amar Chitra Katha is also launching its titles in animated, live-action and games format for television, film, mobile phones and the web. Vimanika is looking to expand its digital footprint by enabling users to order comic titles online and even download a book for a fee.

But comic buff Alok Sharma, who has worked with Gotham Comics as an artist and spent four years shooting a documentary film on comic books in India, says, “I don’t see comic books being replaced by digital copies in the near future even though they may come cheaper. There’s a certain charm in printed copies and those inked pictures that make you a comic fan.”