Friday, July 26, 2013

Welcome to Grafik Comics!

Reading books especially Comics had been my prime source of entertainment during childhood. As a kid grew up in the 80s, I was exposed to a wide variety of comics published in the Tamil language during that time - it indeed was a golden era in the history of Tamil comics. With a paltry pocket money that hardly adds up to a few rupees every month - I certainly didn't even have enough bucks to buy all those wonderful books from different publishers.

In 1997, when I joined in a job, I quit the habit of reading Comic books or any other book for that matter! In the early 2000s almost each and every Tamil Comics publisher shut their shop, well almost!!! And when Lion & Muthu Comics were 'relaunched' in 2012, I restarted my reading habit too! Years have rolled on, I am no kid but in my mid thirties, pocket a modest income; But, I still feel that do not have enough money to buy all the comics I want, English that is! :) As is true with most of the Tamil comics fans - I never really ventured into reading English comic books! There are several reasonss behind that:

Reason #1 is plain and simple, the cost of the English comic books were and ARE prohibitive. Three or four years ago, Comicology Rafiq and a few other bloggers used to blah... blah... blog a lot about Indian editions of foreign comics including the ones from Cinebook being sold at Rs.199/-. Back then I used to feel, spending 200 bucks for a 50 page book is certainly NOT a wise thing to do! ;) May be I was wrong but I simply wasn't willing to spend so much on Comic books! Even now, I feel 200 is a bit on the higher side considering you get a similar quality book at 50 from Lion in Tamil. I understand we really shouldn't be comparing these two; because the fundamental business model of the publishers of Lion-Muthu Comics (Prakash Publishers) is very very different from any other Indian / Foreign English comic publisher. Cost of acquiring the English language licensing rights and the logistics involved in distributing and stocking these books across the major book retail chains in India are just too high. Where as Prakash Publishers work on tighter margins and rely solely on direct selling through subscriptions, book fairs & their ebay shop! I know there is an easy and free alternate does exist - download those damn CBRs and read them on your computer, tablet or even mobile screen. But for whatever reasons I just do not like that idea!

Another reason why I avoided English comics is that I do not feel connected with the plot or the characters - not because I don't understand the language - but mainly because I have grown reading comics only in Tamil and somehow I was not able to get out of that comfort zone! Last but not the least, it took a 'Lion' to kick my butt and get back to my reading habits! :)

I am no stranger to American, British, Franco-Belgian and other European comics but so far I've been reading them only in Tamil! Finally, I've decided that it is time to to explore and find out what I have been missing in the translation all these years, pun intended ;) I will go after the Comics Genres that may never see their light of day in Tamil. I will not just stop with the European Comics but also check out what the Americans have to offer! I will keep blogging about each and every comics that I come across and some of those posts will get back ported to Bladepedia in Tamil!. And of course I am going explore different kind of genres meant for different kind of audience; for the starters, I will begin with some titles from Cinebook! ;)

And I did start already, I opened the Pandora's box the day before! No, I am not referring to 'reading Comics in English' as the Pandora's Box - but a Cinebook series by the same name! Amazon India has some Cinebook titles at discounted price (ranging from 87 to 150), so here is my first set of Cinebook purchase from Amazon (and some from Infibeam too!):
  1. Alpha: 1 - Exchange
  2. Alpha: 2 - Wolves
  3. Alpha: 3 - The List
  4. Lady S: 1 -  Here's to Suzie!
  5. Pandora's Box: 1 - Pride
  6. Pandora's Box: 2 - Sloth
  7. Pandora's Box: 3 - Gluttony
  8. Pandora's Box: 4 - Greed
  9. The Bluecoats: 1 - Robertsonville Prison
  10. The Bluecoats: 2 - The Navy Blues
  11. The Scorpion: 1 - Devil's Mark
  12. The Scorpion: 2 - Devil in the Vatican
Though I have lived in Bangalore since 2001, you would be surprised to know that I have hardly visited any of the popular local book stores and chains like Blossoms & Landmark! I regret, I've missed all those occasional heavy discount deals offered by these stores all these years! I do realize that it will be very hard to get the 'NEWER' titles from Cinebook for anything less than 500; especially because they do not have a Indian edition any more. And the Indian editions of older titles are already off the shelves, almost! Only a few volumes of different series like Thorgal, Scorpian, Navy Blues, etc. are available in some book stores and online shops - I will try to buy these in the coming months; I am already over quota this month! ;)

I have been blogging on Bladepedia in Tamil for more than an year now and that really has helped polish my Tamil writing skills! But, even after 16 long years on the job - professional business written communication could not do the same magic to my English! ;) May be this new blog will do the trick in less number of years, let's see! :) May god save you guys!

The reason for naming this blog "GRAFIK COMICS" is very obvious - I wanted the blog name to represent both Graphic Novels and Comics! And yes I did create a a facebook page too - for micro posts & updates!

Bye for now guys, it is time to get Grafiking; I have some serious readings to do! :)

29 comments:

  1. Welcome buddy ... good that you are exlploring ..

    Here is a warning .. it is expensive and addictive indeed !

    Would suggest u read Thorgal ...

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    1. Thorgal is on my list - do you want to sell your collection?! ;)

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    2. I am not the Mafia of Tamil Comics World - to sell collections ;)

      I can surely lend my thorgals for free reading - if you pledge to return them safely!

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  2. Welcome Karthik. A Good Move Indeed.

    As you rightly said the cost of the Books are so high which we cannot afford to buy to read.And Good Stories like Thorgal will force you to continue which makes me to go to CBR the only option available for me.

    Waiting for the review of the book you have bought.

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    1. Yeap, that worries me a lot too! I will go hunting the bookshops in Bangalore for cheaper editions...

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    2. Costs are dear but not prohibitive - if you cut a movie here and a movie there that is - and especially double subscriptions on vernacular editions :-) - this alone can save you 1800 an year - which is roughly 3 good english books !

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    3. Sorry, I can't skip! ;) I love watching movies :)

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  3. I feel happy for this welcome step towards the world of immeasurable comic passion from a famous tamil blogger, named Karthik! ;)

    // Another reason why I avoided English comics is that I just do not feel connected with the plot or the characters - not because I don't understand the language - but mainly because I have grown reading comics only in Tamil and somehow I was not able to get out of that comfort zone! //

    same blood! same bone! :)

    being sorrounded by tamil everywhere(office, books, etc.,), I too missed my english language for the past few years ( though I was not so proficient in english). :)

    keep on writing and let me know the spots of unexplored comics!

    am waiting... ;)

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    1. Wow - what an non-proficient usage of english, lacking the command, grammar, flow ..oooh .. :-) :-) :-)

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    2. /* famous tamil blogger */ - no doubt about it! INDIA TODAY fame Karthik :-)

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    3. Thanks Vijay! Ignore what Raghavan says and keep commenting here in English ONLY :)

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  4. Good start Karthik. it is really nice to see you around in English version. Keep it up dude. I used to read English version especially for improve myself. At least, I can read additional few words instated of doing nothing. if you feel over expense and looking for rent, yes you can reach Suresh, Srini & Periyar. They have very good collections. Humanoids Publisher is another famous one and they are releasing very good Euro stuffs in US market.

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    1. Include Aldebaran in your basket.

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    2. //..if you feel over expense and looking for rent, yes you can reach Suresh, Srini & Periyar. ..//

      @Ramesh: I am not having any big collection of English comics books (hard copies) except Lucky Luke series and Karthik made it clear that he doesn't want read soft-copies (CBR, CBZ, PDF etc.) as I am having only in those formats

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    3. @Ramesh:
      //Humanoids Publisher is another famous one and they are releasing very good Euro stuffs in US market//
      I am a sucker for Western comics; When I visted the US a few months ago - I was googling to find out if there is any Western series which is comparable to Blueberry! And came across good reviews on Humanoid's Bouncer! I ordered for Raising Cain (Used book) and managed to read it during my short stay there! I must say I am very, very impressed!!! I had to leave some of my luggage behind at a friend's house and unfortunately the Bouncer was part of that lot! :( Hopefully I will get hold of it soon - and will be post a detailed review soon after. If I ever decide to publish comics in Tamil or Kannada for that matter ;) ;) - Bouncer will sure top the list!

      //if you feel over expense and looking for rent, yes you can reach Suresh, Srini & Periyar.//
      thanks for the useful info Ramesh!

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    4. A follow-up on this, just for the records!
      https://www.facebook.com/Grafikcomics/posts/1393512890871824
      https://www.facebook.com/groups/lionmuthucomics/permalink/10151768823334776/

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    5. @Periyar:
      //Lucky Luke series//
      You have the complete collection? Where did u buy them?

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  5. congratulation karthik. this blog too rocks! keep it up! articia, aldebaran, aqua blue are superb stories. include them dude! valthukkal nanbaa!

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    1. sure, will add them to my list. thanks for the wishes Johnny!

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  6. Good to know that you started exploring English versions of comics and graphic novels. Looking for your trade-mark reviews on them.

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    1. thanks periyar!

      //trade-mark reviews//
      I don't think I am that proficient in English to be able to imitate the same style I follow in Tamil! :)

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  7. Great start Karthik.... Explore more genres, and don't just stick to Cinebook :)

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    1. Thanks Rafiq! Yeap, Humanoids was there on my list even before Cinebook! ;)

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  8. Dear Karthik

    Congratulation for your new baby :)

    Bladepedia, Kutti Blade and Now GRAFIK COMICS.

    //Though I have lived in Bangalore since 2001, you would be surprised to know that I have hardly visited any of the popular local book stores and chains like Blossoms & Landmark! I regret, I've missed all those occasional heavy discount deals offered by these stores all these years! I do realize that it will be very hard to get the 'NEWER' titles from Cinebook for anything less than ₹500;//

    Chennai landmark offers buy 3 pay 2 offer for comics also (Some books @ 70% discount & Some books @ Rs.99 offer price)

    I am not sure same offer in B'lore. Visit B'lore Landmark and check it out.

    Yes, I'm also not a big fan of English Comics and the reason is 'same blood, same bone' (Thanks Vijay). But try to read some English comics in CBR format especially Blueberry :)

    Keep posting ... We are happy to know something new (God also always ready to save us :)

    Thanks
    Tirupur Blueberry (A) Nagarajan


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    1. Thanks for the wishes buddy! Yeap, I did check at local landmark and these offers are available here too! But except for Lucky Luke & Iznogoud titles from Eurokids (3 for 400 rupees) I didn't find anything good. However I managed to get a odd Lucky Luke issue from Cinebook for Rs.100/-

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  9. Good Initiative Karthik. You can give us suggestions weekly or monthly from your exploration. Editor also pleased to know some of our guys referring some comics, he might not come across or he may not want to publish. Very good initiative indeed. Congrats.

    GrafikComics Logo design is super. :D

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    1. Thank you Raj!! Will try to post regularly...

      //GrafikComics Logo design is super. :D //
      thx! that ate a lot of my time! :)

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  10. வாழ்த்துக்கள் கார்த்திக்!

    உங்கள மாதிரி சமசிந்தனையுள்ளவங்க காமிக்ஸ் புத்தகங்கள் மேல மட்டுமே அதிக நேரம் செலவு செய்யறது ஏதோ ஒரு வகையில உங்களுக்கும் சமுதாயத்துக்கும் ஒரு சின்ன இழபபாகவே எனக்கு படுது!

    ஆனா உங்களுக்கு இதுவே ஆர்வம் / இன்பம்னா இந்த துறையில் மேலும் சிறக்க /தனி முத்திரை பதிக்க வாழ்த்துக்கள் !

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    1. மிக்க நன்றி நண்பா! அப்படி ஒண்ணும் அதிக செலவழிக்கறது இல்லை நண்பா, போன வருடத்தை விட இந்த வருடம் ரொம்பவே குறைவுதான்! ப்ளேட்பீடியா பதிவுகளோட எண்ணிக்கையைப் பார்த்தாலே தெரியுமே? :) ஒவ்வொருவரும் சமுதாயத்துக்காக ஏதாவது செய்யற வாய்ப்பு (& ஈடுபாடு) அவங்கவங்க வாழ்க்கையில் ஏதாவது ஒரு கட்டத்தில் நிச்சயம் வரும்! அப்போ நிச்சயம் பண்ணிருவோம்... சீரியஸாதான் சொல்றேன்!

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