Indian Culture-general Discussions - II

[acharya]

Comic world sees Devine intervention
MANOJ NAIR

TIMES NEWS NETWORK[ SUNDAY, JULY 16, 2006 12:00:00 AM]
NEW DELHI: Look who’s knocking off Superman and Spiderman from the shelves of comic book stores in the US. Devi, a creation by Shekhar Kapur. It’s the first release from newly-formed joint venture of Richard Branson, Deepak Chopra, Gotham Entertainment Group and Kapur, Virgin Comics Shakti imprint.

This marks the return of desi comics on the US soil with a vengeance. Within the first week of release since July 13, Devi has been a runaway hit. Says Sharad Devarajan, CEO, Virgin Comics LLC: “The initial reaction amongst comic book shops across America has been extremely exciting with the first issue selling out in many stores already.”
<b>
Virgin Comic now plans to roll out its next title, Snake Woman, which will hit US stands on July 19, Sadhu on July 26 and Ramayan Reborn in September. The latter is a creation of Shekhar Kapur and Deepak Chopra.</b>

The comics and the planned animation project will be produced in Bangalore where the company has a studio strength of 75 writers and artists. <span style='color:blue'>Impressed by the emergence of the comics art form out of Asia, Virigin plans to create market for comics based on Hindu mythology. The company hopes to create characters that “simultaneously appeal to audiences from Boston to Beijing to Bangalore.”</span>

Says Chopra: <span style='color:blue'>“In the East, there is also the great Pantheon of Gods. And each God represents a certain state of being. Lakshmi is the Goddess of wealth and represents our quest for luxury and comfort. The mythic traditions of the east feature a lot of these elements and I think they resonate more and more with folks here.”
</span>
Comic blogs and zines are abuzz with appreciation for the artwork. Says Hervé St Louis of the Comicbook Bin: “I was totally impressed. I did not expect that level of quality.”

Virgin’s other two imprints will be titled Maverick and Director’s Cut. Director’s Cut has already signed on director John Woo, Guy Ritchie and celebrity comic writer Garth Ennis.