Comic Centre

In two years,Comic Con India has found itself a number of fans,both from the industry and outside. Abhishek Sharma,for instance,has attended earlier editions and he launched his graphic novel Munkeeman at the one in Mumbai last year. “Comic Con has given the industry the boost it needed,” he says. Last year,he sold all the copies of Munkeeman he had brought along. This time around,he will launch the sequel to the novel,Munkeeman 2.

Having participated in all the editions so far,Abhijit Kini,another member of the industry,believes that some comic books remained just as popular in India without Comic Con,but the industry overall has seen a boost. “Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha were always widely read,” he says,adding,“Comic Con adds more titles to the industry,thereby increasing the target audience. Distribution of comic books has remained a big challenge. Here,we’re able to reach our readers directly.” Kini will launch his self-published comic,Angry Maushi,at the MFCC.

As an international publishing consultant,Jaya Bhattacharji Rose feels that despite the technology boom,nothing beats a physical interaction. “In any sector,a convention of this sort that allows established names and upcoming names to showcase their work together,is a good platform,” she says. The comic book industry is well-established,Bhattacharji says,but these events encourage younger and newer talent to show their work.

Going by the success of the previous editions of Comic Con,this second convention in Mumbai might have been just as successful without the addition of films. “But the international Comic Con conventions have films and Mumbai being the film hub,we decided to bring them in,” says Jatin Varma,Founder,Comic Con India.

Among the film-related events are previews of Warner Bros India’s upcoming films,The Hobbit and Man of Steel,retrospective panels on Andaz Apna Apna with director Rajkumar Santoshi and on 30 years of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron with director Kundan Shah.

Besides,several books will be launched over the two-day event at the World Trade Centre,Cuffe Parade.

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