Enter the comic

India’s first Comic Convention arrives in the city to entertain graphic novel junkies.

If you walk into Cuffe Parade’s World Trade Centre today, you will find Chacha Chaudhari and Mowgli doing the rounds, competing for a three-day stay at a resort of their choice. After receiving a huge response at its first annual convention in Delhi this year, Comic Con India — India’s first comic convention organised by media company Twenty Onwards Media — has initiated the ‘Comic Con Express’, the travelling version of Comic Con India.

Working with 20 writers, graphic novelists and illustrators along with 40 volunteers who are simply “good samaritans and comic book junkies”, Jatin Verma — referred to as the “brain behind Comic Con” — confesses to being a comic nerd. Having grown up reading Raj and Tinkle comics, Amar Chitra Katha as well as the heroic tales of Batman and Superman, Verma realised that distribution of comics was low in the country, making it difficult to get hold of one in a short span of time. And therein lay his inspiration to begin the Comic Con. “Also, no one had enough money to travel to San Diego,” he laughs referring to the San Diego Comic-Con International, a four-day event showcasing comic books, fantasy novels and pop culture elements like horror and animation.

The two-day affair — a first for the city — has kept comic book fans entertained. With around 47 exhibitors and publishers, launches and interactive sessions every 30 minutes, budding illustrators and fans will get an opportunity to “network and catch a break”, believes Verma.

Abhijeet Kini, illustrator and animator, has his own stall at the convention selling merchandise like mouse pads and mobile covers inspired by his own characters and artworks — the angry maushi and Mr Satanker (to be pronounced with a Marathi accents, emphasises Kini) — adding a Marathi twist to the characters to add a bit of local flavour to the event.

Saturday saw the return of Adventures of Timpa by Indraajal comics, narrating the escapades of a teenage detective and his grandfather, a session with publisher Karan Vir Arora, founder of Vimana Comics — who unveiled Shiva: The Legends of the Immortal and Green Gold Animation, the creators of Chota Bheem, a popular 3-D animation in the country.

Today, one can drop by the convention at noon to witness the 4th Annual Golden Kela Awards (India’s version of the Razzies — the awards saluting the worst that Bollywood has to offer each year) hosted by Cyrus Broacha. In addition, a graphic rendition of The Jungle Book by Campfire Graphic Novels will also be up for grabs. As a Comic Con Express exclusive, Amar Chitra Katha Animation will offer a special preview of Sons of Ram, the forthcoming feature film telling the story of twins Luv and Kush. The makers of Ra.One and Don2 comic books will also hold a session.

While India’s first zombie movie — Ekta Kapoor’s Rock The Shaadi — will hit the theatres next year, the graphic novel Zombie Talkies: Bloodfest in Bollywood, will be unveiled today.

Having broken even, Comic Con India has invested its profit into marketing this event and the upcoming three-day annual convention at Dilli Haat next year. The team has partnered with radio stations across the country as well as channels such as Z-Studio and 9XM.

There is a rule to enter the costume contest called ‘Cos Play’. “You can participate if you dress up as a cartoon character, zombie or superhero,” insists Verma. Unless you want to be thrown out, go as Shah Rukh Ghan’s G.One , Amitabh Bachchan’s Ajooba or Shahenshah but not as the actors themselves.

(The Comic Con Express, October 23, from 10 am to 9 pm)