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Read, sketch, buy or sell at India's first Comic Convention

We all have flipped through our favourite comic booksu00a0 as kids. Not to forgetu00a0 hiding them from parents andu00a0 exchanging with friends.



Nowu00a0 desi comic book aficionados can relive those moments at the country's First Annual Indian Comic Convention here this weekend. This premier event will see leading members of the Indian comic book industry in full attendance.

Bespoke for India
"We have been planning the convention for close to an year now, but due to CWG we couldn't decide on the venue so we went public only around December," says organiser Jatin Varma of Twenty Onwards Media, also the man behind the Annual Golden Kela Awards. "The convention is an effort to celebrate our love for comics and give a boost to the industry. It's a platform where everyone in the industry can unite under one roof and gives fans a chance to interact with them. Additionally, independent artists can showcase their works, especially the newcomers have a chance for publicity," he adds.

Publishing houses like Amar Chitra Katha, Vimanika Comics, Diamond Comics, Manta Ray, Level 10 and Campfire are participating in this convention. And the more serious readers can look forward to the latest graphic novels from publishers like Penguin, Harper Collins and Random House. Besides book launches, other activities include workshops with artists and writers, panel discussions and an awards function. "There will be workshops every half an hour, book launches and book fair with stalls from the retailers - it will be fun filled two days," reveals Varma.

Desi superheroes
The book releases includes The Itch You Can't Scratch by Sumit Kumar, Random Anthology featuring Simpoo Singh, The Legend of Karna book II by Vimanika Comics and UBiMa. Uud Bilaw Manus (UBiMa) or Otter-Man, a crime-fighting vigilante based in - hold your breath - a post-apocalyptic Bihar. "This was a small comic piece published in Random magazine, they wanted it to be re-invented and designed. So we are launching this 45 pager book," says illustrator Abhijeet Kini. 28-year-old Kini says that the idea was to set a superhero story as a satire on Bollywood and spy novels. "Earlier we used to only have comics like Tinkle and Champak, but now a new breed had come up which has given Indian comic industry an new turn," he adds.
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The reach of these comics has tremendously increased discloses Kini, "The graphic novels are being displayed by leading bookstores like Landmark who have special sections. Internet downloads will always be there but not all of them are up for grab."

Kini is hoping to get in touch with leading publishing houses at the convention. "It's the first time like minded people will share the same platform. We get to know new faces, pitches and much more," shares Kini as the market is expanding and more publishers joining the bandwagon, it's the best time for India to have a Comic Convention.

Even though everything at the Comic Con will be predominantly 'Made-in-India' ufffd that's the idea after all ufffd there will also be representatives from international giants DC and Marvel Comics talking about the companies' future book launches. A big attraction will be the Avengers Toys store, selling collectibles such as action figures, cards, and games of Marvel's superheroes like Captain America, Iron Man and the Hulk.

At Dilli Haat, INA Market
When February 19 to 20 (Saturday and Sunday)
Timings 12 pm onwards