காமிக்ஸ் பற்றிய ஒரு அலசல்!

சிஸ்கோவின் Come Back ஸ்பெஷல்!!!

2011-12-31T23:21:00.000+08:00

Come Back ஸ்பெஷல் தந்த உற்சாகத்தில் இதோ ஒரு பதிவு.

சிலபல மாதங்களுக்கு முன்னர் ஆங்கிலத்தில் வரவிருக்கும் புத்தகங்கள் பற்றி ஒரு பதிவு போட்டிருந்தேன்.

இந்த பதிவில் கடைசியாக சிஸ்கோ கிட் புத்தகம் பற்றியும் குறிப்பிட்டிருந்தேன். ஒரு வழியாக அந்த புத்தகம் வந்தேவந்துவிட்டது.

http://www.amazon.com/Cisco-Jose-Luis-Salinas-Reed/dp/1450780636/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1325337835&sr=8-5

ஆர்டர் கொடுத்து சென்றவாரம் இந்த புத்தகம் என் கைகளில் வந்து சேர்ந்தது. எல்லா கதைகளையும் இன்றுதான் படித்து முடித்தேன். படித்த கையோடு இதோ பதிவு.

புத்தகத்தின் அச்சு தரம் பற்றி முதலில். ஐம்பதுகளிலும், அறுபதுகளிலும் வந்த கதைகளின் ப்ரூப் கிடைப்பது கொஞ்சம் கஷ்டம்தான். ஆனாலும் நான்கு அல்லது ஐந்து பக்கங்களில் தரம் மிகவும் மோசம். அதைத்தவிர மற்றபடி இது கண்களுக்கு ஒரு விருந்து. சிஸ்கோ கிட் ரசிகர்கள் கண்டிப்பாக வாங்க வேண்டிய புத்தகம். செய்திதாள்களில் வந்த அதே அளவுக்கு படங்களை பார்ப்பதே ஒரு அற்புதமான அனுபவம் தான். ஒருசாதாரண கவ்பாயை உயிருடன் உலவவிட்டிருக்கும் ஜோஸ் சலினாசின் படங்களை கண்டிப்பாக இந்த அளவிலாவது பார்க்கவேண்டும்.

அட்டைப்படம் ஒரு அட்டகாசமான டிசைன். முதன்முதலில் இந்த அட்டைப்படத்தை பாத்ததுமே புத்தகத்தை கண்டிப்பாக வாங்க முடிவு செய்துவிட்டேன். முன்னட்டையும், பின்னட்டையும் இதோ உங்களுக்காக.

ரீப்ரிண்ட்களில் சாதாரணமாக இருக்கும் அத்தனை அம்சங்களும் இந்த புத்தகத்தில் உண்டு.

சிஸ்கோ கிட் மட்டும் தனியாக இருக்கும் இந்த படம் தான் முதல் பக்கம்.

ஓவியர் இந்த தொடருக்காக வரைந்த மாதிரிப்படம்.

அதனை அடுத்து வருவது கதைப்பட்டியல்.

ஒரு புத்தகம் வெளியிட்டால் அதற்கு முன்னுரை தர ஒரு பிரபலம் வேண்டும். அந்த பார்முலாப்படி இதற்கு முன்னுரை உண்டு.

முதன்முதலாக சிஸ்கோ கிட் என்ற கதாபாத்திரம் வந்தது ஓ. ஹென்றி 1907-இல் எழுதிய ஒரு சிறுகதையில்தான். அந்தக்கதை இந்த புத்தகத்தில் முழுவதுமாக கொடுக்கப்பட்டிருக்கிறது. ஆனால் நமக்கு தெரிந்த சிஸ்கோ கிட்டிற்கும் இந்த கதாபத்திரத்திற்கும் சம்பந்தம் இல்லாததால் இந்த கதை பற்றிய முன்னுரையும், கதையின் முதல் பக்கமும் மட்டும் இதோ உங்கள் பார்வைக்கு.

டென்னிஸ் வில்கட் என்ற காமிக்ஸ் புத்தக ரசிகர் எழுதிய முகவுரையும் இதில் உண்டு.

இவையெல்லாம் முடிந்து கதைகள் ஆரம்பிக்கின்றன ஒரு வழியாக. மொத்தம் எட்டு கதைகள். இதில் தமிழில் வந்தது ஒன்று மட்டும்தான் என்று நினைக்கிறேன். AFI மாலைமதியில் மற்ற கதைகள் வந்திருந்தால் அதுபற்றி என்னிடம் தகவல் இல்லை. மன்னிக்கவும். உங்களுக்கு ஏதாவது விபரம் தெரிந்திருந்தால் கமெண்ட்ஸ் பகுதியில் குறிப்பிடவும்.

முதல் கதை வந்த ஆண்டு 1951. கதையின் தலைப்பு Judge Hook. ஒரு டுபாக்கூர் ஜட்ஜ் எப்படி மக்களை ஏமாற்ற முயற்சி செய்கிறார் என்பதுதான் கதை. இந்த கதை ஏற்கனவே 1983-ம் ஆண்டு வெளிவந்த சிஸ்கோ கிட் புத்தகத்தில் உண்டு.

கதையின் முதல்பக்கம் இதோ.

கதை எண் - 2: Princess Red Flower. ஒரு செவ்விந்திய இளவரசிக்கு சிஸ்கோ கிட் எப்படி உதவி செய்கிறார் என்பதுதான் கதை. இந்த கதை கொஞ்சம் கொஞ்சம் காப்டன் டைகர் சாயலில் இருக்கும். செவ்விந்தியர்களுக்கு அநீதி இழைக்கப்படுகிறது, அவர்கள் பொங்கி எழுகிறார்கள், ஆனால் போருக்கு போனால் நிறைய பேர் சாக வேண்டும், ஆனால் ஞாயமும் வேண்டும். இங்கேதான் சிஸ்கோ வருகிறார். போர் தவிர்க்கப்படுகிறது, ஞாயமும் கிடைக்கிறது. அனேகமாக இதுபோல பலகதைகள் வந்திருக்கலாம் என்று நினைக்கிறேன். இந்த கதையின் முதல் பக்கம் இதோ.

கதை எண் - 3: Jolly Station. ஒரு பாடகி பற்றிய கதை. அந்த பாடகி சிஸ்கோவை காதலிப்பது போல ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. ஆனால் கடைசியில்தான் தெரிகிறது அவருடைய தந்தையை காப்பாற்றத்தான் அப்படி செய்கிறார் என்று. சிஸ்கோவிற்கு கல்யாணம் ஆகிவிட்டால் சாகசங்கள் எப்படி தொடரும் :-)

கதை எண் - 4: Deadly Stage Ride. இந்த கதை தமிழில் வந்த கதைதான். லயன் காமிக்ஸில் இதழ் எண் 163.

இந்த இதழின் அட்டைப்படமும், ஆசிரியரின் ஹாட்லைனும்.

கதை எண் - 5: In search of Diablo. சிஸ்கோவின் குதிரை தந்திரமாக அவரிடமிருந்து திருடப்படுகிறது. அதை எப்படி மீட்கிறார் என்பதுதான் கதை. அவரின் குதிரை லக்கி லூக்கின் ஜாலி ஜம்பர் போல இல்லாவிட்டாலும் கொஞ்சம் சாகசம் செய்கிறது.

கதை எண் - 6: Cisco's Bad Wound. போன கதையின் முடிவில் சிஸ்கோவிற்கு பட்ட அடிதான் இந்த கதையும் அஸ்திவாரம்.

கதை எண் - 7: The Loco K Ranch. ஒரு கூமுட்டை பண்ணையில் நடக்கும் கூத்துதான் இந்த கதை.

கதை எண் - 8: Gypsy Prophecy. இந்த கதையை எங்கேயோ பார்த்த ஞாபகம். ஆனால் தமிழ்தானா என்று தெரியவில்லை.

பதிப்பாசிரியரின் கஷ்டங்கள் பற்றி அவரது வார்த்தையில்.

மேலும் இந்த பதிப்பகத்தில் வெளியிடப்பட்ட மற்ற கதைகள் பற்றிய விளம்பரங்கள்.

எட்டு கதைகள், எட்டு முத்துக்கள்.

அடுத்த பாகம் இந்த ஆண்டு வரும் என்று சொல்லியிருக்கிறார்கள். ஆவலுடன் காத்திருக்கிறேன்.

அட சொல்ல மறந்துவிட்டேனே.

அனைவருக்கும் இனிய புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்!!!

Happy Reading!!!

Official Blog of Lion Comics Editor!!!!

2011-12-25T20:47:00.010+08:00

This news warrants a special post.

Mr S Vijayan, editor of Lion/Muthu comics is online again!!!

http://lion-muthucomics.blogspot.com

He is planning for a big come back with a Come Back Special. Get this news and all other info from the Lion's mouth directly.

Best Regards,

இரும்புக்கை நார்மன்!!!

2010-12-02T18:04:00.004+08:00

''ஒவ்வொரு மனிதனுக்கும் ஒரு Breaking Point உண்டு'' - கமல்ஹாசன் டு நாசர் படம் : குருதிப் புனல்.

இரத்தப்படலம் ஜம்போ ஸ்பெஷல் காமிக்ஸ் வலைதளங்கள் அனைத்திலும் புத்துணர்ச்சி ஏற்படுத்தி உள்ளது கண்கூடாக தெரிகிறது - என்று சிவ்வும் மற்றவர்களும் சொல்வதை நான் வழிமொழிகிறேன். வரவேற்கப்பட வேண்டிய விஷயம்.

ஜம்போ ஸ்பெஷல் மற்றும் முத்துகாமிக்ஸ் பற்றி சில Media கவரேஜ் நடப்பதும் உடனடியாக பல காமிக்ஸ்கள் வெளிவர உதவும் என்பது என் எண்ணம். புதிதாக வாசகர்கள், புத்தகங்கள் கிடைத்தால் நல்லதுதான்.

முத்து காமிக்ஸ் என்றாலே முதலில் நினைவிற்கு வருவது இரும்புக்கை மாயாவிதான்! நிறைய பேருக்கு தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் என்றாலே முத்து/லயன் காமிக்ஸ்தான். அதனால் தமிழில் காமிக்ஸ் என்றாலே சிலருக்கு இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி மட்டுமே ஞாபகம் வருவது இயற்கையே. (GMAT/GRE படிப்பவர்களுக்கு இன்னொரு ப்ராக்டிஸ் situation)

இரும்புக்கை மாயாவியினால் நிறைய முத்து காமிக்ஸ் விற்றது என்பதால் அவர் முத்து காமிக்ஸின் flagship-ஹீரோ என்று சொன்னால் மிகையாகாது. அவர் பெயரை பயன்படுத்தி பல காமிக்ஸ்கள் வந்தன. இதுபற்றி பயங்கரவாதி ஏற்கனவே ஒரு பதிவு போட்டிருக்கிறார். இரும்புக்கை பெயரை பயன்படுத்தும் மற்றொரு முயற்சிதான் இரும்புக்கை நார்மன் கதைகள். என்னதான் இரும்புக்கை பெயரை பயன்படுத்தினாலும் கதை இருந்தால்தான் விற்பனை தேறும். இரும்புக்கை ஏஜென்ட் சரியானபடி போகாததற்கு கதை வலுவில்லாதது ஒரு முக்கிய காரணம். ஆனால் இரும்புக்கை நார்மன் ஒரு ஹிட் என்றுதான் சொல்ல வேண்டும். அந்த சீரிசில் வந்த ஆறு கதைகளையும் திரு விஜயன் பிரசுரித்ததே அதற்கு ஒரு சாட்சி.

இரும்புக்கை நார்மன் Battle Picture Weekly-ல் வந்த ஒரு தொடர்கதை. பட்டியல் இதோ:

இரும்புக்கை நார்மன் ஒரு Special ஹீரோ என்றுதான் சொல்லவேண்டும். ஏனென்றால் இவர் வந்த இதழ்கள் எல்லாமே Special தான்(86 பொங்கல் மலர், 86 தீபாவளி மலர், 86 கோடை மலர், லயன் 75வது இதழ்).

தமிழில் முதல்முதலில் இவர் அறிமுகம் செய்யப்பட்டது லயன் 86 பொங்கல் மலர்(இதழ் எண் 21) -ல் தான். விபரங்கள் இதோ(அ.கொ.தீ.க ஸ்டைலில்):

கதை	மனித எரிமலை(& மரணப் பணி)!
இதழ்	லயன் காமிக்ஸ் (மாத இதழ்)
வெளியீடு	21
முதல் பதிப்பு	ஜனவரி 1986 (பொங்கல் மலர்)
மறுபதிப்புகள்	மரணப் பணி(காமிக்ஸ் கிளாசிக்ஸில்)
பதிப்பகம்	லயன் காமிக்ஸ்
ஆசிரியர்	S.விஜயன்
அச்சிட்டோர்	முத்து ஃபைன் ஆர்ட் பப்ளிகேஷன்ஸ், சிவகாசி

மூலம்	Gaunt (ஆங்கிலம்)
இதழ்	Battle Picture Weekly (Weekly)
வெளியீடு	IPC MAGAZINES LTD.
முதல் பதிப்பு	25 Jun 77 TO 16 Jul 77(The Haunted Man) 23 Jul 77 to 27 Aug 77(Blitzkreig)
கதை	John Wagner
ஓவியம்	John Hooper
தமிழில்	S.விஜயன்
பக்கங்கள்	(கருப்பு வெள்ளை)
சைஸ்	6"x8"
விலை	ரூ:3/- (1986 முதல் பதிப்பின் போது)/ரூ:10/-(CC)

முதல் அறிமுகத்திலேயே இவருக்கு இரண்டு கதைகள். ஆம்! மனித எரிமலை மற்றும் மரணப் பணி. பின்னொருநாளில் விஜயன் இவரைப் பற்றி குறிப்பிடும்போது இவர் ஒரு Pathos ஹீரோ என்று குறிப்பிடுவார்(XIII போல). என்னதான் இவர் ஆக்க்ஷன் ஹீரோ என்றாலும், பின்னணியில் ஒரு சோக கீதம் இசைப்பது கேட்டுக்கொண்டேதான் இருக்கும்.

இந்த இதழுக்கான விளம்பரங்கள் இதழ் எண் 19 மற்றும் 20 -லேயே வந்துவிட்டது. இதோ உங்கள் பார்வைக்கு:

முதல் விளம்பரம்(இதழ் 19)

இரண்டாம் விளம்பரம்(இதழ் 20)

இந்த இதழின் முதல் கதை மனித எரிமலை. இந்த கதையில் இரும்புக்கை நார்மனுக்கு எப்படி இரும்புக்கை வந்தது என்பது தெரியவருகிறது. பாரிஸ் வெறிநாய்(Paris Butcher) என்று அழைக்கப்படும் ஜெர்மன் ஜெனரல் லூதலிடம் ஆங்கிலேய உளவாளி நார்மன் மாட்டிக்கொள்கிறார். லூதல் நார்மனுக்கு தந்த சித்ரவதை காரணமாக நார்மன் தனது வலது கையை இழக்கிறார். இங்கிலாந்து திரும்பிய நார்மனுக்கு ஆபீஸ் வேலை கொடுக்கிறது உளவு ஸ்தாபனம். அதை ஏற்க விரும்பாத நார்மன் தன நண்பனின் உதவியுடன் இரும்பு விரல்களை செய்து மாட்டிக்கொண்டு இரும்புக்கை நார்மன் ஆகிறார். தனது உளவு வேலையையும் விட்டுவிடுகிறார். தனது சொந்த முயற்சியில் லூதலை பழிவாங்க புறப்படுகிறார். ஆனால் பல தடைகள் வருகின்றன. விரைவிலேயே அவரது போராட்டம் லூதலுடம் மட்டுமல்ல, தனக்குத்தானே கூடத்தான் என்று தெரிந்துகொள்கிறார். இதைனை மீறி லூதலை பழிவாங்குகிறாரா என்பதுதான் கதை.

இந்த கதையின் முதல் பக்கம், தமிழில்.

ஆங்கில மூலம்:

வசனங்களை கவனிக்கவும்.பிற்காலத்தில் கமல்ஹாசன் இந்த வசனத்தை தனது குருதிப் புனல் படத்தில் உபயோகித்திருப்பார்.

இந்த கதை வந்த இதழின் அட்டைப்படம்.

இதே இதழில் உள்ள இரண்டாவது கதை மரணப் பணி. இனிமேல் உளவுப்படையில் சேரப்போவதில்லை என்ற நார்மனின் உறுதிமொழியுடன் கதை ஆரம்பிக்கிறது. ஆனால் எப்படி அவர் உளவுப்படையில் சேர்ந்து ஜெர்மானிய ஜெனரல் கோயரிங்கை தேடி செல்கிறார் என்பதுதான் மீதிக்கதை. இந்த கதையின் கிளைமாக்ஸ் நார்மனின் தோல்வியுடன் முடிகிறது. இதற்கு காரணம் அவருடன் இந்த பணிக்காக வரும் மற்றொரு உளவாளியின் உள்குத்து. தோல்வியுடன் திரும்பினாலும் நார்மனுக்கு உளவுப்படை தேவை, உளவுப்படைக்கு நார்மன் தேவை என்பதுடன் கதை முடிகிறது.

இந்த கதையின் முதல் பக்கம், தமிழில்

ஆங்கிலத்தில்:

இந்த கதை(மரணப் பணி) கீழே உள்ள CC(10)-ல் மறுபதிப்பாக வந்தது, மிகச்சுமாரான சித்திர தரத்துடன்.

ஆசிரியர் இந்த கதையின் வெற்றி நிச்சயம் என்ற நம்பிக்கையில் அடுத்த கதை பற்றி விளம்பரம் வெளியிட்டு விட்டார்.

அவரது நம்பிக்கை வீண்போகவில்லை. வாசகர்களின் கடிதங்களே அதற்கு சாட்சி(இதழ் எண் 22)

இந்த கேரக்டரின் வெற்றியினால் தான் Specials வர ஆரம்பித்தது என்று சொன்னால் மிகையாகிவிடும். ஆனால் அது கண்டிப்பாக ஒரு காரணம் என்று வேண்டுமானால் சொல்லலாம். இதழ் எண் 22 ல் ஆசிரியர் முதலாவது ஸ்பெஷல் பற்றி என்ன சொல்கிறார் என்று பாருங்கள்.

இந்த முதல் ஸ்பெஷலில் நார்மனுக்கு ஒரு இடம் :

கதை எண் 3 to 6 பற்றிய எனது அடுத்த பதிவை விரைவில் எதிர் பாருங்கள்.

இந்த கதைகளின் ஓவியர் John Cooper. இவர் வரைந்த மற்ற கதைகள் Johnny Red, ஒற்றை கண் ஜாக் மற்றும் Judge Dredd(நீதி தேவன்). இவரைப் பற்றி மேலும் தெரிந்து கொள்ள :

http://lambiek.net/artists/c/cooper_john.htm

http://fanboy.frothersunite.com/johnnyred_cooper.html

http://www.comicbitsonline.com/2010/11/21/get-ready-for-action-the-john-cooper-interview-2/

http://www.downthetubes.net/resources/comics_links/comics_artists/john_cooper_uk.html

Signing off for now!!!

Wait is OVER!!!

2010-10-30T18:52:00.000+08:00

Only scans!!!

You can expect a detailed posting from the KING.

Front Pose:

Back Pose :

Side Pose :-)

முன்னாடி பின்னாடி(I mean Front Innver cover)

பின்னாடி பின்னாடி

சூடான பக்கங்கள்

விரைவில் வருகிறது

இந்த புத்தகங்கள் வேண்டுமென்றால்(இது என்ன அபத்தமாக) இந்த Coupon - இல் விபரங்களை பதிந்து அனுப்பவும்.

சிங்கத்தின் சிறுவயதில்(XIII இம்) இதில் இருக்கிறார்.

இந்த புத்தகம் இன்னமும் என் கைக்கு வரவில்லை. இந்த scan - களை கொடுத்து உதவிய 'KING' இற்கு நன்றி.

Those who have got the book in hand, Happy Reading!!!

For others, Happy/Impatient Waiting!!!

Advance Deepavali wishes to one and all!!!

XIII

2010-10-23T19:06:00.001+08:00

The wait........

......is almost over!!!!

Follow up posting!!!

2010-09-22T10:49:00.001+08:00

Not One, Not Two, Not Three, but 12 full stories in this book!!!

Yes, that's right, 12 stories. From D82 to D93(or is it D145 to D156?). From 30 Jan 1967 to 30 Aug 1969, nearly two and half years of Al Willamson treat, page after page. Yummy!!!

Let me start describing the book, page by page, section by section.

It has a solid feel just like the Rip Kirby hard bound books, only better this time. Beautiful dust jacket and if you remove it what you will get. This!!!

You have already seen the book with dust jacket inside the shrink wrap.

Info on the dust jacket.

Front(A brief resume about this book)

Back(A brief resume of Al Williamson and Archie Goodwin)

Page 3 has this design

Page 4 is for credits

Mark Schultz starts his Intro from Page 5 and ends it in page 8.

Page 9 points the way to the strips, using a pistol as pointer.

Main story starts from page 10, with three strips per page, so facing pages cover one full week. For example, page 10 has the strips from 30 Jan 67 to 01 Feb 67 and the facing page 11 has the strips from 02 Feb 67 to 04 Feb 67.

The quality of the strip reproduction is much better than the Rip Kirby strips, mainly because these were reproduced from Al Williamson's own personal proofs.

Here are the list of stories:

D082 Marine Operation 30/01/1967- 08/04/1967

D083 Death In The Caribbean 10/04/1967- 01/07/1967

D084 Blood For A Key 03/07/1967- 09/09/1967

D085 Conditioning Process 11/09/1967- 02/12/1967

D086 A Jewel For Blackmail 04/12/1967- 17/02/1968

D087 Army Contraband 19/02/1968- 04/05/1968

D088 Hell At Eagle Bend 06/05/1968- 27/07/1968

D089 Information Leak 29/07/1968- 12/10/1968

D090 Sophia's Twin    14/10/1968- 04/01/1969

D091 Madame Lei    06/01/1969- 15/03/1969

D092 The Fugitive    17/03/1969- 14/06/1969

D093 Pirate Submarine    16/06/1969- 30/08/1969

I'm not sure about the daily story numbers. It varies from source to source. This list is compiled is by Dr 7, so I use it as it is.

First page from Marine Operation

First page from Death in the Caribbean

First page from Blood for a key

First page from Conditioning Process

First page from A jewel for blackmail

First page from Army Contraband

First page from Hell at eagle bend

First page from Information Leak

First page from Sophia's Twin

First page from Madame Lei

First page from The Fugitive

First page from Pirate Submarine

The treat continues till page 279. As I can observe from the book, the quality of the art work inproves with each passing week. It may be that he has refined the art work or the quality of reproduction is better in the later weeks.

Page 280 gives a glimpse of what is to come in the next volume(I Just can't wait)

Bruce Canwell talks about 'The Not-So_Secret agent' from page 281 to 285.

Cover artworks for the other strips published by IDW and The Library of American Comics occupies page 286 and 287.

Detailed resume of Al Williamson and Archie Goodwin adorns the page 288.

Overall the book is damn good, something every comics collector should have in his collection.

Some of the stories have already appeared in Tamil.

Mekala # 5 had two stories

D86 A Jewel for Blackmail has appeared in Mekala under the title '

ஓட ஓட விரட்டப்பட்ட சீனத்து ஒற்றன்'

In case you are wondering why the first page of the English original and this varies, it is becasue the Mekala version starts almost 3 weeks after the original starting of the story(but story is covered by the Kathai Surukkam)

D87 has appeared as 'புதைபொருளும் புதைக்கப்பட்ட பொருளும்'

Mekala # 6 had one story.

D88 has appeared as 'கழுகுப் பார்வை'

But I'm sure some more stories also have appeared in Tamil(only guessing).

Some of these stories have already appeared in Pioneer Comics and Comics Art Showcase before.

What I felt as the main difference between the Rip Kirby books and Secret Agent was that I could immerse immediately in the story. As Vedha pointed out there was something missing in the Rip Kirby books, which I feel is the art work. As we are not used to Alex Raymond art work, it is difficult to get involved. Just my 2 cents!

Well, that's all for now.
Happy Reading!!!

2010-09-12T22:40:00.003+08:00

Hope you remember that I have done a posting about Secret Agent Corrigan's forthcoming book some time back.

It was originally scheduled to be released in August 2010. And as soon as the book status was changed to available in Amazon, I have placed my order there. But to my disappointment, I have later found that the release date is postponed to 21 Sep 2010. In fact, I have placed the order for this book along with many other books I wanted to buy for the past many months together. But the centrepiece was this Secret Agent issue. So when I have realised that this will come out only on 21 Sep 2010, I have cancelled the entire order. This has happened in Aug 2010.

Fast forward to today. I have visited a local book shop to pick up some books for a friend of mine. As I was moving to the section from where I need to pick up the book, I have noticed a trolley on the way with a broken wheel. On top of the stack was this Corrigan book. I couldn't believe my eyes. As far as I know, my place is not such an important place to release the book ahead of US(Amazon). So as soon as I saw the book I just grabbed it as if someone will snatch it from there before I do. I got some strange stares for the way I was holding that book, close to my heart(literally), till I have finished my entire shopping and paid for it.

For the time being I 'll place just two photos of this book, front cover and back cover.

I'll post more about this book after going through it. It sure looks very, very good, with many pages dedicated for the background information about this character, author and artist. The pictures look great, I guess the size of the strip is same as the original strips published in newspapers.

Book details:

X-9: Secret Agent Corrigan Volume 1
By: Archie Goodwin Al Williamson
ISBN: 1600106978 ISBN-13: 9781600106972
Publisher: IDW Publishing - 2010-09-21
Format: Hardcover
List price: USD 49.99

I still couldn't believe that I have this book with me now. I'm pretty excited, to say the least.

I'm still wondering whether I'm the first one to get this book before anyone else on this planet. :-)

Happy Reading!!!

2010-08-07T14:02:00.009+08:00

ஸ்பைடர் ரசிகர்களுக்கு ஒரு போட்டி!!!

காமிக்ஸ் உலக முடிசூடிய மன்னன் விஸ்வாவின் அற்புதமான பதிவை படித்திருப்பீர்கள் என்று நினைக்கிறன்.கண்டிப்பாக ரசித்திருப்பீர்கள் என்றும் நினைக்கிறன். இதோ உங்களுக்கு ஒரு போட்டி.
இங்கே காணப்படும் படங்கள் எந்த ஸ்பைடர் கதையில்(தமிழில்) இருந்து என்று சொல்லுங்கள் பார்க்கலாம்! ஆனால் அதுமட்டுமே போட்டி அல்ல! இந்த புத்தகம் வைத்திருக்கும் ரசிகர்கள் மட்டுமே இந்த பதிலை சொல்லமுடியும் என்று நினைக்கிறன். இதோ கேள்வி! அந்த கதையில் இதன் பக்க எண்கள் என்னென்ன?

போட்டி என்று வந்துவிட்டால் பரிசு என்று ஒன்று இருக்க வேண்டும் அல்லவா? என்ன பரிசு கொடுக்கலாம்?பரிசும் இந்தக் கதை சம்பந்தப்பட்டதே. வெற்றிபெற்றவருக்கு நேரடியாக(மின்னஞ்சல் மூலம்) தரப்படும்.

உங்கள் பதிலை Comments இல் போடவும். கடைசி தேதி : 12 ஆகஸ்ட் 2010.

Happy Reading!!!

2010-06-09T22:50:00.004+08:00

பயங்கரவாதி டாக்டர் செவெனுக்கு பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள். காரிகனுடன் மேலும் பலப்பல மோதல் கண்டு, தோல்வி பல கண்டு, பல்லாண்டு வாழ வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

இந்த நல்ல நாளிலே பயங்கரவாதியின் தாய் மொழியாம் Hebrew இல் வந்த பாம்பு தீவின் அட்டை உங்கள் பார்வைக்கு.

இந்த கதையில் மாயாவி மோதுவது ஒரு டாக்டருடன் என்பதால் இந்த அட்டை இங்கே இடம்பிடிக்கிறது. அப்படா, ஒரு வழியாக டாக்டரையும் ஒரு முத்து காமிக்ஸையும் லிங்க் செய்துவிட்டேன்.

இந்த கதையின் தமிழ் மொழி வெளியீட்டு அட்டைபடம்.

தமிழை விட்டு பிற மொழி மாயாவியை பற்றி பேசுவதால் இன்னும் சில அட்டைகள் உங்கள் பார்வைக்கு.

ஸ்கேன் உபயம் திரு RTM. நன்றிகள் பல.

என்னதான் டாக்டரை முதல் வரியில் வாழ்த்திவிட்டேன் என்றாலும் வயது வித்தியாசம் கொஞ்சம் உறுத்துகிறது. எனவே தமிழக அரசியல் பாணியில்,

''வாழ்த்த வயதில்லை, வணங்குகிறேன்!"

2010-04-14T14:43:00.008+08:00

ராசா... இன்னைக்கு உனக்கு பிறந்தநாள் என்று கேள்விப்பட்டேன்... மவராசனா இரு!

நீ என்னதான் ஆங்கிலத்தில் எழுதினாலும் நான் தமிழிலேயே பிறந்தநாள் வாழ்த்துக்கள் கொடுத்திருக்கிறேன் என்பதை கவனி...ஆங்கிலத்திலும் தருகிறேன். இந்தா பிடி.. Happy Birthday! இதோ உனக்காக ஒரு சிறப்பு பதிவு. தமிழில் வந்த சில காமிக்ஸ்-களின் ஆங்கில மூலம்.

என்னுடைய காமிக்ஸ் படிக்கும் பழக்கம் 10 வயதில் ஆரம்பமானதென்றாலும் ஒரு முக்கிய திருப்பம் என்பது இந்த நூற்றாண்டு துவக்கதிலேதான் வந்தது. இந்தியாவை விட்டு வெளியே வந்தபின் என்னிடம் படிக்க அவ்வளவாக புத்தகம் இல்லை. அதனால் நான் சென்ற நாடுகளில் உள்ள புத்தகங்களையும்,internet-டிலும் படிக்க நேர்ந்தது. அப்படி தேடுகையில் கிடைத்ததுதான் தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ்களின் ரிஷிமூலங்களும், நதிமூலங்களும். முதன்முதலில் ஒரு தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் ஹீரோவை ஆங்கிலத்தில் பார்த்தேன் என்றால் அது இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி தான். internet-டில் முதன்முதலில் எனக்கு மாட்டியது Steel Claw ஆங்கில இதழ்கள்தான்.

http://www.milehighcomics.com/cgi-bin/backissue.cgi?action=list&title=82319648514&snumber=1

இந்த புத்தகங்களை ஆர்டர் செய்ய அப்போது என்னிடம் credit card இல்லை. அதனால் international Bank Draft எடுத்து அனுப்பிவிட்டு தினம் தினம் milehighcomics.com கு மெயில் அனுப்பி டிராப்ட் வந்து விட்டதா வந்துவிட்டதா என்று கேள்வி. ஒரு கட்டத்தில் அவர்களே வெறுத்துப்போய் காமிக்ஸ் புத்தகங்களை போஸ்ட் செய்து விட்டனர், என்னுடைய டிராப்ட் கண்டிப்பாக வந்து சேரும் என்ற நம்பிக்கையில். அவர்கள் போஸ்ட் செய்தபின்னர் தினம் தினம் அலுவலகத்தில் இருந்து சீக்கிரம் வந்துவிடுவேன் லெட்டர் பாக்ஸ்-ஐ திறப்பதற்கு. இந்த காத்திருப்பு ஒரு சுகமான வேதனைதான் போங்கள்.

இதில் என்ன ஒரு ஆச்சரியம் என்றால் நான் முதன்முதலில் தமிழில் படித்த கதையும் அதுதான்.

யார் அந்த மாயாவி முத்து காமிக்ஸின் 100 வது மலர். ஆனால் நான் படித்த முதல் தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் கதை இதுதான். கண்டதுமே காதல் வந்து விட்டது, தமிழ் காமிக்ஸ் மேல். அது இன்றுவரை தொடர்கிறது.

அதன் பின்னர் பல புத்தகங்களை வாங்கினாலும் இந்த இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி இதழ்களுக்கு என் மனதில் எப்போதும் ஒரு தனியிடம் உண்டு. எக்ஸ்பிரஸ் வேகத்தில் போய்க்கொண்டிருந்த இந்த ஷாப்பிங் கொஞ்சநாளாக நொண்டியடிக்கிறது. புத்தகங்கள் அவ்வளவாக கிடைப்பதில்லை. கிடைக்கும் புத்தகங்களும் விலை ரொம்ப அதிகமாக இருக்கிறது.

ஆனால் சமீப காலமாக வந்துகொண்டிருக்கும் விளம்பரங்கள் என்னுடைய ஆவலை நிறையவே தூண்டியுள்ளன என்றுதான் சொல்லவேண்டும். அதில் குறிப்பாக மூன்று புத்தகங்களை நான் ஆவலுடம் எதிர் நோக்குகிறேன்.

முதலாவது, Gentleman Detective ரிப் கிர்பியின் புத்தகம். முதல் தொகுப்பு ஏற்கனவே வந்துவிட்டது.

http://www.amazon.com/Rip-Kirby-1-Alex-Raymond/dp/1600104843/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271226553&sr=8-2

வாங்கிபடித்தும் விட்டேன். அற்புதமான தரம். தமிழில் எப்போது இந்த தரத்தில் வரும் என்று ஏங்கவைத்து விட்டது.

இந்த புத்தகத்தை பற்றி நிறைய negative opinion வந்தாலும் எனக்கு நிறைவை தந்த புத்தகம். இதன் இரண்டாம் தொகுப்பு மே மாதம் வருகிறது.

http://www.amazon.com/Rip-Kirby-HC-Alex-Raymond/dp/1600105823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271226553&sr=8-1

அடுத்ததாக வரவிருப்பது நம் எல்லோருடைய மனம் கவர்ந்த சீக்ரெட் ஏஜென்ட் பிலிப் காரிகன்.

http://www.amazon.com/X-9-Secret-Agent-Corrigan-1/dp/1600106978/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1271226601&sr=8-2

அட்டைப்படமே பட்டயகிளப்புகிறது. ஜொள்ளு விட்டுக்கொண்டு எதிர்பார்கிறேன் இந்த தொகுப்பை.

கடைசியாக வரவிருப்பது என்னுடைய இன்னொரு favorite.

சிஸ்கோ கிட்!

http://www.classiccomicspress.com/cisco/cisco.html

வரும் தேதி அறிவிக்கப்படவில்லை ஆனாலும் இந்த பதிப்பகத்தில் இருந்து வரும் புத்தகங்களின் தரம் மிக உயர்தரம்.

வரவிருக்கும் கதையின் முதல் panel.

உங்களுக்கு Spectrum காமிக்ஸ் அறிமுகம் உண்டு என்றால் கண்டிப்பாக Heart of Juliet Jones தெரிந்திருக்கும். இந்த பதிப்பகம் வெளியிட்டுள்ள Mary Perkins On Stage மற்றும் Heart of Juliet Jones, புத்தக தரத்திற்காகவே வாங்கப்பட வேண்டியவை.

மேலும் பல ஆங்கில புத்தகங்களை பற்றி விரைவில் வேறொரு பதிவில் தகவல் தருகிறேன். இப்போதைக்கு இவ்வளவுதான்.

அட மறந்தே போய்விட்டேன். எல்லோருக்கும் தமிழ் புத்தாண்டு வாழ்த்துக்கள்.

அன்புடன்,

முத்து விசிறி

2009-11-05T17:30:00.022+08:00

புதிதாக எதுவும் பதிவில்லை என்று திருச்சி விஜயஷங்கர் என்னை கெட்ட கெட்ட வார்த்தையால் திட்டுகிறார் என்று நம்பத்தகுந்த வட்டாரத்திலிருந்து ஒரு தகவல் :-).

அதனால் சும்மா ஒரு மொக்கை பதிவாவது போடலாம் என்றுதான்!

அட்டைப்படம் பற்றி ரொம்பவும் விரிவாக பேசப்பட்டுள்ளது என்றாலும் இதை பற்றி பேசுவது எப்போதுமே சுவாரசியம்தான்!

2009-05-13T17:41:00.014+08:00

Second hand comics market and Comics collection in Tamil Nadu!!!

As you all know there is a sudden increased interest in Tamil comics in the past few years. Internet has played a major part in this revival of interest. Many fans have become serious bloggers to pen their thoughts about Tamil comics. Some bloggers cover Indian as well as foreign comics (available in India) and many Tamil bloggers also cover comics in general. The underlying link between this bloggers is, they are all Tamil comics readers.

Suddenly everyone want to buy the old issues, be it Muthu/Lion or any comics for that matter. Basically they want to read whatever they have read when they were young. Unfortunately the old issues are no longer available with the publishers, so you have to rely on the second hand market to get these issues. Some get these issues from friends and known circles. The not so fortunate will resort to buying it from spurious sources.

Whenever there is some interest in a commodity, there will be some businessmen in the scene. Some honest and some not so honest. Some downright cheats, who bank on the interest of this nostalgic fans. They exploit them for a profit, sometimes justified and sometimes unjustified. This blog is to highlight what is happening in Tamil Nadu as of now, as far as comics book selling is concerned.

I believe the price of any commodity is what the buyer is ready to pay, irrespective of what the seller/market feels as the worth of a commodity. I do not want to interfere in this process. I have already written a piece about this in my blog. But things have changed after this article.

I have heard from a friend of mine, who called me few days back to inform that he got a great bargain of Malaimathi comics. He mentioned that for 25 issues of Malai Mathi comics he has agreed to pay Rs 20000(Yes, rupees twenty thousand). I was shocked to hear this news. As this friend is staying overseas for the past many years, he is not aware of the market. Not that I have full knowledge of the market in India, but atleast I'm better informed than this friend. Someone has pestered him for a long period to push this deal. I have told him that the price he is ready to pay is way toooooooooooooo high. Even if the book is in mint condition(i.e. as if it was released from the publisher today) it is not worth more than Rs 100. Not that I know from where you can buy all these issues. Even this price is very much on the higher side. To show that it is still possible to get Malai mathi comics, I have asked a friend of mine from another part of Tamil Nadu to buy few issues. He bought one issues in great condition and 4 issues without cover, all for Rs 5 each. I have tried to tell him in many ways that the price is too high, but my friend feels that he has given his "Word" to the greedy seller that he will buy so he cannot back out now. As he is in India now, I have told him to attend one election meeting and hear what promises the politicians give, knowing fully well that they are not going to keep it. I have told him that will give him the motivation to backtrack from this purchase. Not sure whether he will do that though!.

Another interesting thing has happened in 2006. After I have posted my blog about Muthu Mini comics, one gentlemen has contacted me with the offer to sell the only issue missing in the post, that is issue 8, Muthal Vedhalanin Kathai. He has sent me a mail saying that he has the book, but the price expected as Rs 4000(Yes four thousand rupees). I thought he has typed one zero extra in the price, but he insisted the expected price is Rs 4000. Even if it was offered at Rs 400, in my opinion it was just not reasonable. Not sure whether he has managed to sell this book though. I have recently bought couple of Muthu Mini issues for Rs 10(without covers though).

While I was discussing this incident with other comic friends and bloggers, they have also mentioned that there are some people who exploit the interests of new fans, who do now have access to reliable sources. The "Raja" of Tamil comics mentioned how his friend got duped by someone whose name starts with the meaning "Azhagu". As usual this guy who wanted to buy the book was not familiar with the current market and he is a serious Lucky Luke fan. So when some one approached him with the offer to sell a Lucky Luke issue, he jumped with joy and paid Rs 500 for each issue issue of Lucky Luke. Only thing this seller did not mention was all these issues are still available with Prakash publishers for a cover price varying from Rs 5 to Rs 10. This new comics fan also proudly mentioned to the "Raja" that his new found seller is ready to sell Muthu/Lion comics in good condition for "just" Rs 100/each. Again when this seller was contacted about the list of available issues, the list came back with exactly the same issues that are in the "Virpanaikku Thayaaraga Ulla Puthakangal", published in every new issue of Muthu/Lion back pages. That is, this seller buys the book from the publishers for Rs 5 and sells to the unsuspecting new fans for Rs 100. This blog is to unmask the sellers like him and to protect the new fans. Whether I will succeed or not is not is a different issue, but I want to make an attempt.

Whenever some one contacts me asking for the old issues, I always tell them to get in touch with Prakash Publishers(Muthu/Lion owners) first. Even the list which is printed in the back inside covers new Muthu/Lion issues are not accurate as they were printed many months back. So it is better to contact them over phone(simply a local call now-a-days) and ask for the list available. If you do not have many issues with you it is better to ask for one copy each from all the available issues of Muthu/Lion/Comics Classics. Why this is important is, the list printed as the "Virpanaikku Thayaaraga Ulla Puthakangal" will contain only the issues which are in stock with atleast 20 copies. There may be few issues which are less than 20 copies, but still available with the publisher. You can ask for the cost with postage and send a money order to them(I guess now-a-days all the banks with internet banking facility offer this service online). It is that simple.

If they do not have the issues you need, then your option is to look for these issues in the second hand shops. But this is not possible if you are outside India. Also Chennai second hand shops are dry and in places like Salem, the price has shot up to the sky.

What we can do is we can have a network of buyers and sellers who want to exchange old issues. To start with, we can have this list only for exchange basis. You may have doubles of some issues or you may want to part with one issue to get another. The will not be any sales involved in this, just bartering. Post your suggestions as to how we can go about implementing this. If you guys want, we can include sales for cash at a later date.

But before we can do that we have to define what is the price of each issue. This is a tricky part. If you are just interested in reading the story you can get many golden stories from Comics Classics, there is no need to buy the original old issues are exorbitant prices. But if you want to collect the old issues then it is better to go for graded issues. Do you wonder what is Grading? Grading is the specification of condition of a comic book. Many of you would say, "No No, we never had anything like that in Tamil comics industry. There is nothing like preservation of comics in Tamil Nadu. Why are you starting this grading business now". Till some time back the back issues were available for few rupees, but they are sold for hundreds of rupees now. If you are expecting a price like Rs 100/200 then you better have a product worth that price. Not everything qualifies for this price tag.

For example issue number 1 of Muthu comics in Mint condition(as if it has come out of publisher today is worth Rs 750. However the issue you have does not have first two pages and last two pages, then it is work only Rs 10. All other conditions, like issues with binding, taped, torn cover and pages, price clipped(where the price is torn by the second hand shop owner) will fit in between these two prices.

I can give another real world example for this. Suppose you want to buy a second hand bike, will you pay the same price for the same model and make, if one has run 50000 km and looks in bad condition to another bike which was well maintained and has run just 12000km. The price should and will vary based on the usage and condition right? Just because one comic book purchased by some one for Rs 500 in mint condition, does not make your book which does not have first and last few pages to be sold for the same price. If you think your book value is same as the one in mint condition, you must be dreaming!!! Wake up!!!

Sadly this seems to be the case as of now. Somewhere, someone has bought few comics for a good price based on the condition of the book. Now everyone feels that even if they have few pages of the whole book, the value is same as the one which was sold in mint condition.

I think the time has come to demand the rights of the comics buyer, who is willing to pay huge price. He should be entitled to get a good quality product in return. It is time to empower him with this knowledge.

You can ask, who are you to fix a price like this and what is in it for me? Well the answer is, this is a qualitative decision and a personal opinion. I'm entitled for my personal opinion right, whether you agree with it or not. I do hope that some one from the small remote village in Tamil Nadu who has got a good collection gets benefited by this list, if he decides to sell his collection and if he searches the internet before selling(hopefully). I also hope that the Lucky Luke fan like the one who has paid Rs 500 for a book Worth only Rs 5, gets to read this blog before he shells out money on Tamil comics.

You may or may not agree with me, saying that please let me know the source from where I can buy the comics at this price. My answer is "Search on your own, but keep this price list as a reference". You may or may not get the issue you want at the price mentioned in the list, but these are the guidelines. If you get anything less than the price mentioned in the list, then be Happy. If you are paying above the listed price, then don't deviate too much from the listed price.

Next let me explain how this prices are determined. They are based on the price at which I and my friends have purchased the comics in the recent past and a bit of judgement based on my years of comics collecting experience. As I do not live in India my info could be slightly out-of-date, but most part should be fine I guess. If you have any reason to believe that the price is not correct or grossly inaccurate then please drop a note to me, either in the comments section here or by email. Or if you feel that publishing a price is a stupid idea, just laugh it off.

Here are the tips on preservation for those who are new to Comics Collection. The idea is, the book should be as close to the original condition as possible.

1. Never alter the state of the book in anyway.

2. Do not tear the price from the cover(tell this to the book shops from where you buy the back issues regularly)

3. Do not bind the book

4. Do not paste cello tape on the cover(however damaged the book is).

Here is the list of do's on preservation:

1. Keep the comics in a plastic cover, if possible with a card board back up and store them vertically(never horizontally, as the book tends to curl up when stored this way). Do not remove from book from the plastic cover unless required.

2. Store the comics away from Sun light or bright light.

3. Use book marks when reading, instead of folding the corners.

And here is a printed article about comics preservation with a photo of a comic book with a plastic sleeve and backup board. A picture says more than thousand words!!!

Before we close this topic, let me clarify about a rumour that is doing rounds, saying that someone is reprinting the old Muthu issues again for Rs 100. I was told that about 100 Muthu comics issues were printed like this. But when I have asked whether I can get a copy I was told it is not available now. So this is what it is, just a rumour. No one can sell the copyrighted material without the owner's permission(Prakash Publishers). If I come across anyone who is doing this I would not hesitate to pass the info across to the copyright owners. I encourage you to do the same. Let us all work together to preserve a medium we all love.

And where is the price list? Well, it is under preparation and will appear in this blog soon. Meanwhile I want to know your opinion about the issues posted above.

Happy Reading!!

Regards,

Muthufan

2008-12-08T03:09:00.001+08:00

It is no secret that most of the Muthu/Lion issues were originally created in English or from issues translated to English. Steel Claw, Johnny Nero, Modesty, Mandrake are the examples of the first category. Tex Willer, Captain Tiger, Iznogoud are the examples of the later. There is a third category, where the originals are never published in English, but stratightaway moved to Tamil. Reporter Johnny, Bruno Brazil, Chick Bill are the examples of this category.

In many cases, though the originals are non-English, still we have managed to get only the stories that were published in English. Captain Tiger(Blueberry), Mathi Illa Manthiri(Iznogoud), and to a large extent the initial Tex Willer stories were the examples of these. Reason for this could be that, is it is easy to translate from English to Tamil, than taking the French --> English --> Tamil route. Or the editor likes to translate the stories he has read and liked in English language. This is just my analysis, rather guess.

Editor Vijayan has mentioned about the English originals many times in the Hot Line and in Singathin Siruvayadhil. And we had a long discussion about the English originals of Captain Tiger in the now defunct Lioncomics.com site as well.

I have started collecting the English originals of Muthu/Lion from 2000 onwards. Almost a decade later, now I have a sizeable English collection (with a sizaeable whole in the bank balance). It started with Australian Frew Comics(for Phantom), followed by Quality Comics(Steel Claw), Fleetway Super Libraries (Steel Claw, Johnny Nero, Lawrence David and Spider), Iznogoud(Mathiilla manthiri), Blueberry(Captain Tiger). I never knew there was a English series of Tex Willer till I came across one book from a second hand shop(the famous Alwar Book Shop) in Mylapore in 2001. It was the first issue of Tex Willer in English pulished in 1970's in UK. Take a look at the cover of this issue.

This book is the part 1 of the story which appeared in one of the Lion issue, titled "Irumbu Kuthirayin Paathayil". Though the book was is very bad condition, it showed me that English version of Tex Willer is indeed available. I wanted to have the original of Thalai Vaangi Kurangu, first Tex Willer issue in Tamil(Lion Issue No 19), if it was published in this series. And my hunt has started. Take a look at the cover of this issue.

Then I came across a site which has listed out all the English issues of Tex Willer. Link below:

http://home.wanadoo.nl/texwiller/tex_in_engeland_UK.htm

Now I know my target number, it is just 14 issues. It sounded quite small, but at that time I never expected that it would take around 7 years to complete this collection. Ezharai(7 1/2) Naattu Sani?

Though I have managed to get the other English issues regularly from many sources, the English issues of Tex Willer have remained elusive. I used to get about one issue per year. In 5 years I have managed to get 7 issues(1,2,3,4,7,10 & 11). In one of these issues, was the ever popular Dragon Nagaram story(Lion issue 50). But I was always on the look out for the original story of Thalai Vaangi Kurangu.

I was not even sure whether this was ever published in English in this series. The title of the stories mentioned in the above mentioned site did not help in this matter. In 2005/2006 Singathin Siruvayathil, Vijayan has mentioned (Singathin Siruvayathi part 4, see below) that the originals of some of the Tex Willer stories were from this series, but he has not mentioned clearly as to whether the Thalai Vaangi Kurangu was ever published in this series. And this story has not appeared in any of the issues I have managed to buy so far. So it was always a thrill for me to wait for the Tex Willer issue I buy on the internet(mostly from ebay). First thing I check will be, whether the Thalai Vaangi Kurangu is there or not. Normally in each issue one story will end and another will start. Still no luck with the original of this story. This wait went on and on.

In 2006 there was an auction in EBay for all the 14 issues. Unfortunately the seller was very specific that he will post it his local addresses(UK) only. I tried to convince him that he will get a better deal, if he agrees for International delivery, but no luck. At that time I was in Singapore. Luckily for me, a friend if mine got posted in UK for a short assignment. I have reluctantly approached him whether I can use his address for payment and delivery. He has agreed. I thought I can get all the issues now. But unfortunately I was outbid at the very last moment. The bidding war took me to 75 pounds, but still couldn't win this lot. So the disappointment continued.

Then I have moved to middle east, and bought two more issues(8 & 12) in the 1.5 years I was there. Even these issues did not have the Thalai Vaangi Kurangu story. The collected issue numbers at this point of time(2007) was 1,2,3,4,7,8,10,11 & 12. So if the Thalai Vaangi Kurangu was ever published in this series, it has to be either in 5 & 6 or in 13 & 14. Remember a story starts in one issue and ends in the next issue. My frustrations continued.

And last month(Oct 2008) one more auction took place in EBay for all the 14 issues. This time I was determined to get these issues, though I needed only 5 from this lot. Once again a bidding war has ensured that I did not get them cheaply. But I did win the lot. Last week I have received this lot by post. I heaved a big sigh of relief when I have opened the issue number 5.My wait of almost 7 years is now over. The story(Thalai Vaangi Kurangu) has started in this issue and ended in issue no 6. Cover scan of these issues are below.

First page of this story.

I will go through all the 14 issues now and cross check the stories with the Lion issues and post about them soon. This series is as important as the Fleetway Super Library issues. If Fleetway Super Library series is important to know the history of Muthu, then this series is important from Lion's point of view.

Trivia : In every issue, the third page will always have this picture.

The same was used in few issues in Tamil as well.

And interestingly something similar was drawn in color by Prakash Publishers. This picture was taken from their archives. I remember seeing this in one of the Tex Willer issue as back cover, not sure which one though.

By the way, the only other English Tex Willer was published in 2004. Do you know that we(Tamil readers) are the first to read the story in full. Because the four part original English story(by Joe Kubert) was never completed. It stopped with the publication of first issue in 2004(by Dark Horse publishing). Only after Prakash Publishers released it (Saitha Vettai), it got published in Italian and in English in full. This book can be purchased directly from Joe Kubert(URL given below).

http://www.kubertsworld.com/texBook.html

My next write-up will be cross referencing the English Tex Will er issues with Tamil issues.

Whenever the gap is long between my posts, I used to feel very bad for letting down the fellow comic fans. No longer. With the tamil comics blogosphere in full steam ahead, I feel relieved and happy. Viswa, Dr Seven, Rafiq, Ayyampalayam, Kakokaku, Muthalaipattalam, Sharehunter etc are all doing an excellant job. Keep it up guys.

As usual post your comments below my signature.

Happy reading!!!

Regards,

Muthufan

2008-09-26T00:13:00.000+08:00

This posting is for Saleem in response to his request.

Panitheevin Dhevathikal was relased on 01 May 1978. Issue number was 74. Art looks like Al Williamson's work.

Story line : A handwritten copy of a story written by Ambrose Glyde(who died in 1912) from a Museum in USA. The writer claims that he met a race of people ruled by gods(Dhevadhaikal) when his ships sinks near an uninhibited island in Antarctic sea. The suspect is Prof Jonathan who has actually opposed for the book to be displayed in the exhibition. Though he opposed that the story is untrue not worhty of featuring in the exhition, he knows that the story is true. He was mote interested in knowing about the maching which featured in the story. This maching generates electricity using the rocks and sand quarried in the cold Antarctic climate. Prof Jonathan is interested in mastering the technology for his commercial gains. With the help of the book he searches and finds the island in the book. Philip Corrigan who was entruested with the job of finding the book is closely on his heels with the grand daughter(Theresa Glyde) of Ambrose Glyde. They all manage to reach the island but Prof Jonathan does not live to get the secret of the machine as the whole island sinks beneath sea when he activates machine as the earth becomes too weak because of years of excavation. Corrigan and Theresa managed to escape from the island before it is destroyed. Typical science fiction like Jules Verne etc, but made interesting with the elements of theft, murder and conspiracy all thrown in good measures.

Here is the front and back cover of this issue.

This story was published in Mekala comics in Jul 95 under the title Maaya Vimanam. Here is the cover of this issue.

But there is a huge variation in the presentation of this story, apart from the quality of translation.

Looks like Mekala has done some heavy editing. The first page of Mekala was infact page number 7 in Muthu. Take a look at both these pages below(First one is Mekala's first page and the second one is page 7 from Muthu).

The first few pages of Muthu were compressed by Mekala in this first page.

Take a look at the first two pages of Muthu.

End, however is same in both the issues. As usual muthu has printed almost the entire story in two colors except the last page. Take a look at the last page of this issue and the equivalent in Mekala.

This issue was followed by Mugamoodi Kalvarkal(Phantom). Ad featured for this issue is here.

All the sample scans in this posting were provided by Dr Sathish, Kovai. A big thanks Doctor!!!

Before signing off, I would like to welcome the new kid on the block. Mr Viswa has started his blog about Tamil comics. Link is given below.

http://tamilcomicsulagam.blogspot.com/

Welcome Viswa. It is encouraging to see many bloggers writing about Tamil comics. Sadly the same enthu is not shown by the publishers :-(

You can expect a write-up about Mekala comics from him soon. I understand he is already working on this.

Well, thats all for now dear readers. As usual post your comments below my signature or send mail to muthufan"at"ahoo.com.

Happy reading.

Muthufan

2008-07-27T18:39:00.000+08:00

Kolaikaara Kalaigan!!!!

This first ever Johnny Nero issue from Muthu, has got nothing to do with any of the political leader of Tamil Nadu, past or present.

Someone mentioned in one of the comments section of this blog, about the discussion he (over)heard, when this issue was released in 70s. Current CM was the CM at that time as well. So I guess you can make out the contents of their discussion. But I guess nothing much(of controversy) was made of this topic then (even now, as there was a Comics Classics issue as late as 2003/04) with the same title. Good for us and good for the publishers. :-)

I think the story line will give a better idea, as to why this has got nothing to do with political figures.

Accidental deaths take place one after other in France. In Oorleans, it was Pierre the postman, then it was Hans clipper the newspaper reporter and then in Naples, it was father Roger. There was no connection between these "accidental" deaths, except they all worked for Britain against the nazis in the second world war and the timing of the deaths coincide with the visit of Kohli circus to the city where they lived & died. British intelligence agency gets interested in this and they suspect Sir George, who has access to the secret info about the agents. He vanishes mysteriously with those files. Johnny Nero was asked to follow Sir George, but Sir George himself is only a black mailed pawn in this deadly game. The trial leads to the manager of a wax museum who tries to kill Sir George and Johnny Nero by lighting fire to the wax exhibits. However the manager leaves a trail by way of a cloth worn by circus clowns. Johnny immediately closes on the next target who happens to be the mayor of Leons where the circus is currently performing. Though he couldn't stop the killing of the mayor, he manages to nab the Kolaikaara Circus Kalaigan, Jospeh Krannen who was a ex-nazi, who wants to take revence on all the agents who worked against the nazi Germany. Typical war time story, but with the twists and turns at every stage, it is really gripping. No wonder this got published in Muthu thrice.

This was issue number 9 released in 1972/73. I do not have the original with me, so I'm not sure about the exact date. Most probably Dec 1972.

Take a look at the cover.

Cover courtesy and other Tamil scans below, by Dr Sathish, Kovai. Thank you Doctor.

This was later reprinted during 80s. Take a look at the cover of the reprint.

And it was re-reprinted in 2003/04 in the Comics Classics series. Issue number 15. Take a look at the CC cover. The second story in this issue was Vinnil Maraintha Vimanagal. The cover for this CC is different from other covers. This one was slightly hard cover(like the ones used for Muthu/Lion now). I like this kind of covers very much, as it would help to preserve the comics for a long time. Unfortunately the editor did not use this kind of cover after this issue. Thos who want to buy this CC issues, please get in touch with the Muthu Comics office, as they may still have this issue for sale.

This story was originally published in the Secret Agent series in Mar 1967, issue number 5. Take a look at the cover, sample scans and the corresponding pages from the Muthu issue.

Last few pages of this Fleetway issue which featured Sporty(Vichu Kichu in Tamil) is below. Enjoy!

And here is something linked to the CC issue :-)

As usual post your comments below my signature using the "Comments" link or by mail to muthufan@yahoo.com.

Happy reading!!!

Regards,

Muthufan

2008-07-18T23:53:00.000+08:00

I'm sure you are surprised to see another posting immediately (by my standards) after the last one :-)

This January(2008), when I was in India Mr Haja Ismail(Saudi Arabia), a long time comics enthusiast, visited me. I'm meeting him after fours years. Our last meeting was in Saudi Arabia in 2004. Though we talk regularly over phone, meeting in person is something special. We had a long discussion about, you guessed right, Comics.

He has shown me many interesting comics memorablia, which he has collected over the years, first as a distributor and then as a collector. Some of the things are really rare, like the posters, sample covers etc, meant only for the book shops and distributors. Lucky fellow!!!

Whatever he has in his collection is scanned to the extent possible, and they will feature in the forthcoming blog posts here. A big thanks to him!!!.

First to come is the ads for the Muthu and other comic issues, that have appeared in old Kalkandu, Gokulam issues.

I'm sure many of you feel very nostalgic about the issues advertised.

One has the cover scan of Malaimathi Comics(in Black & White though). I have few covers of Malaimathi Comics, collected from many sources. I'll post them soon. Couple of the covers are posted below, as a teaser preview :-)

Happy reading!!!

Muthufan

2008-07-10T04:23:00.000+08:00

I have been collecting the English originals of the Muthu and Lion group for some time now. Though the condition of the books I have managed to buy so far is far better than their Tamil counterparts, there is somthing missing in them. Yes, it is the language. Though the fluency and originality is there in the English versions, nothing comes near to the thrill of reading them in Tamil. I'm sure many of you out there wil feel the same way.

Recently I have come across a book in an old book shop, which attracted my attention. It is the first English issue of Steel Claw(Irumbukkai Maayavi) by Muthu comics. We have seen about this issue elsewhere in this blog. Take a look at the original cover of this English issue and the Tamil issue(first Muthu issue).

Note, the English comics is named "Moti Comics".

Coming back to the story, this book definitely looked much bigger than the English or Tamil issue. I have opened the pages and to my amusement I have found that the entire book has been translated, literally. Somebody has pasted the Tamil dialogues over the original English texts. Not on one or two pages, but in each and every page of the book. I was amazed by this guy's patience and interest. I do not know the reason why he has done it, but it is very interesting to see this issue.

Take a look at some of the pages, in Tamil(first issue), same page in English and the Tamil/English version.

Page Number 7

Page Numbers 32 and 33

Page Numbers 56 and 57

Page Number 100 and 101

Last Page 122

Few years back I have bought a French Lucky Luke for a friend of Mr RT Murugan. The issue is Billy the Kid(much before the current English version was released). At that time I have asked him, who is the guy living in Karur who is capable of reading a French comic. He said the person wants the book not to read in French, but to read in Tamil. He mentioned that the person will do a laser printing of the Tamil text from the Bayangara Podiyan issue(Lion issue 42 - Lion Super Special) and paste them over the French texts. I thought he was just pulling my leg. After seeing this Steel claw issue, I realise that it may be true. I have seen many comics fans so far, but this guy takes the cake. As the writings in Tamil follows the old style Tamil writing, I guess this was done end 70s before the Tamil Nadu government has changed the writing styles. Specifically look for the letters 'lai/nai'(page 32 bottom panel)

By the way friends, few months back I have moved to the land of our former rulers. I will be here for few more months, if not years. I hope to complete the originals buying during this period, specifically originals of the golden age issues of Muthu/Lion. My shopping is going on at full swing. So far I have found few issues of Steel Claw and Spider, which are not yet published in Tamil. I'll post about these stories soon. I may be wrong, as I do not remember about all the issues in Tamil. I need to verify this first(that they are not yet printed in Tamil), than cutting a sorry figure later on :-)

Stay tuned for more postings soon.

Muthufan

2007-10-23T01:53:00.000+08:00

During my recent India trip, one of my comics friend has presented a set of Phantom comics published in Tamil. I thought I have seen all the Phantom comics that were published in Tamil, but the sighting of these issues made a big dent to that confidence. I have three books with me now and I have seen the fourth issue as well. Also from the ad in the third issue, I could figure out that the publishers have also relased some Tarzan comics as well, in Tamil. Take a look at the damaged back cover.

Just like many other Tamil/Comics/Indian publishers, no forward from the editor or dates in these issues. In the absence of the publishing dates, I have to rely upon something else to guess the dates. In the back cover of the first issue, someone has written the date(9/8/75). And the stories that appear in these issues were created and published between Jul 1972 and Aug 74, so these issues were definitely release after this dates. So I guess it is safe to assume that this is the actual release date(9/8/75). The book looks old enough to have come from this period. Take a look at the back cover with the date scribbled.

This series was published from Kottayam, Kerala. Take a look at the credits page.

First story in this series is titled "Raththa Pei". Here is the cover and the first page of this issued.

This story was originally published as "Vampires of Koqania". This Daily story(No:121 originally titled "The Things") was written by Lee Falk and art work by Sy Barry. Looks like the story was edited heavily to fit into this format. Take a look at the first page of this story and the original pages below which makes this first page. Almost five pages from the original story was compressed into one page.

And one sample page from the middle.

The second story was titled "Kappal Killadigal". This daily story (No:117, titled "The Tanker Jackers") was also created and drawn by the same team. And once again the first page of this issue and the original page.

This issue is reproduced at its best. Pages were used as it is. And last page from this issue and the equivalent from the original story.

The third story was titled "Uyir Vangum Silai". This daily story (No:124, titled "Llongo Luck" a.k.a. "The curse of the Sacred Image") was also created and drawn by the same team. And once again the first page of this issue and the original pages that make up this first page. Contents of almost nine pages were compressed into one page in this issue.

And last page from this issue.

I did see the fourth issue with my friend. However it was damaged so badly, I did not want to take it with me. I really do not know how many more issues were published by Vidyarthi Mithram. In any case, it does not deserve to be in circulation for long for the atrocious translation and editing. Refer back how the rank "Colonel" is pronounced in the first page of the first issue.

All the issues are of 24 pages long and A4 size, like Indrajals, except that these are in Black and White.

If the cover scans are looking good, it is thanks to the technology. I have done a bit of digital restoration. Particularly the third issue was damaged very badly. First issue cover is given as it is.

As usual post your comments below my signature using the "Comments" link or by mail to muthufan@yahoo.com.

Happy reading!!!

Regards,
Muthufan

2007-08-31T14:42:00.000+08:00

Just couple of things...

If posting of the latest Muthu Cover comparing it with old Fleetway covers has conveyed the impression that I was critisizing the editor for copying, it is not the intention. It is a trivia just like the earlier covers comparison for Comics Classics. As he holds the copyright for printing the stories, I guess he holds the copyright to use the covers as well. So I do not agree with the view that it is called "Copying". By using the old fleetway covers the issue only looks Classic in all sense, just like the good old Muthu golden days. Yes, as pointed out by Chezian and BN, Devil's Secret is published as "Malai Kottai Marmam" and The Mind Machine is published under the title "Microalaivarisai 848" in Muthu respectively.

Take a look at the covers once again. The difference between the lady's costume in Muthu and Fleetway cover. This is what the editor has meant in his article in Comics World, published in 2002. In his own words "In many ways MUTHU COMICS was a trendsetter for Tamil Comics. It provided clean fun – (scantily clad women in the stories were even given a modest covering-up by staff artists!!), excellent translation in Tamil and was always low-priced. Every other comic that came on the scene after MUTHU COMICS tried imitating this style."

As we are in the covers topic, take a look at the latest CC cover and its original.

Second thing is about the inner page scans of Pudhayal Vettai. I forgot to mention that those were provided by our friend Dr Sathish(Kovai). In fact, he has also done the proof reading of the posting for logical errors(!!!), which is, of late, becoming a habit for me.

As there is one more blog(http://comicology.blogspot.com/ by Rafiq Raja) which is covering the new issue releases, I'm not too keen on reviewing the new issues, atleast for the time being. So the review for Lion 200 is not going to happen any time soon. May be, just may be possible, when the issue number 250 is due for release.:-)

With this we come to the end of this short update.

Regards,

Muthufan

2007-08-07T17:16:00.001+08:00

No comments!!!

2007-08-07T16:22:00.000+08:00

Pudhayal Vettai!!!

That's what we have for review in this post.

I'm talking about the first time ever Rip Kirby has appeared in Muthu, who continue(d) to thrill the Muthu comics fan many times over. Anyway their first appearance merits a special mention. We will do more than just "mention" in this post.

As mentioned elsewhere in this blog, as the the Fleetway issues featuring Maayavi, Johnny Nero and Lawrence & David were fast running out, the Muthu publishers have have turned his attention to USA for the comics sourcing. Here is what Vijayan has to say about this in his article written for the Comic World issue 2, published in 2002.

The first issue had THE STEEL CLAW – a secret agent with an artificial steel hand with extraordinary powers of invisibility. Dubbed “Irumbukkai Mayavi” – he was a smash hit and to this day remains “Numero Uno” for the Tamil comics fan. Numerous indigenous creations on the lines of THE STEEL CLAW flooded the market – because putting a guy with a hand of iron on your comic’s cover page seemed to be a recipe for instant success! Such was the popularity of the THE STEEL CLAW!!!

Several more action heroes from Fleetway’s stable followed with equal success. A dashing pair of secret agents BARRACUDDA & FROLLO, a James Bond like JOHNNY NERO with a pretty secretary, were prominent hits.

Some popular heroes from King Features Syndicate in America – in the form of PHANTOM, MANDRAKE, RIP KIRBY, BUZ SAWYER, SECRET AGENT CORRIGAN, CISCO KID joined the fray.

However basically all the stories that MUTHU COMICS published dished up detective stories laced with action (PHANTOM & MANDRAKE being exceptions). So once Fleetway’s popular detective stories were exhausted - MUTHU COMICS found itself in a vacuum of sorts. War stories, western cowboy action, cartoons, sci-fi stories were hardly tried and naturally there was an ebb of interest.

First non-fleetway hero to appear in Muthu was Rip Kirby. It was issue number 28 Pudhayal Vettai, in Jul 1974. Rip Kirby was no stranger to Comics fan in India/Tamil Nadu by then. He was appearing regularly in Malaimathi Comics and in Indrajal Comics. So it was sort of "Plug & Play" him into Muthu without much problems. And he was a instant hit with many readers.

Here is the cover of this memorable issue.

And here is the back cover.

And the story line is simple. Desmond, Kirby's butler takes a daring bet with him in the game of Golf, though he doesn't know anything about Golf. And surprisingly he wins the game, with minor hiccups. Kirby learns that it was due to a band(Thayathu) Desmond got when he went for diving. The girl, Tommy, who gave the band to Desmond tries to chase anyone who comes near her diving site. Kirby learns that she is looking for a sunken treasure based on a map. She was closely watched by Muttai Kannan James(villain, of course you need one in every adventure story right?). When Tommy finally manages to get the bounty, which is nothing but drugs hidden in the sunken boat's life buoy, James moves-in to take hold of the catch. However a hurricane destroys James' boat as well as Kirby's boat. Kirby manages to survive along with his companions, where as the villains minus his girl friend get killed. Bad people gets punished, and good people live happily ever after!!!!

Sample pages from the story are given below.

The main story was only 101 pages long. As all the earlier Fleetway issues had minimum 122 pages, I guess the editor has decided to maintain the same length with lot of filler pages(in fact with 20 filler pages). Take a look at couple of filler pages.

To know more about Rip Kirby, follow the Wikipedia link below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rip_Kirby

Surprisingly, none of the stories featuring Rip Kirby appeared in the Top Ten list of the Editor in his article in Muthu issue 300. Roja Maaligai Ragasiyam, Moondru Thoon Marmam, Vazhipari Kollai are some of his best stroies.

And tips on preservation for those who are new to Comics Collection.
1. Never alter the state of the book in anyway.
2. Do not tear the price from the cover(tell this to the book shops from where you buy the back issues regularly)
3. Do not bind the book
4. Do not paste cello tape on the cover(however damaged the book is).
5. Do no use glue to paste any pages.

Here is the list of do's on preservation.
1. Keep the comics in a plastic cover, if possible with a card board back up and store them vertically(never horizondally, as the book tends to curl up when stored this way). Do not remove from book from the plastic cover unless required.
2. Store the comics away from Sun light or bright light.
3. Use book marks when reading, instead of folding the corners.

For the nth time this blog is behind schedule. Sorry guys, tied up with work and personal matters.

As usual please post your comments or mail me muthufan@yahoo.com.

Regards,
Muthufan

2007-06-04T23:01:00.000+08:00

As we are waiting for the arrival of the Cowboy special, which also will be the issue number 200 of Lion Comics, I think it is appropriate to recollect a Hot Line published in the 50th Lion issue Dragon Nagaram. Particularly read the letter from R Amutha(also known as Chinnanchiru Gopu). As per schedule, 200th issue would have got released sometime in 2000. However we are in 2007 and still waiting for the 200th issue. Better late than never.

Take a look at the hot line and the cover of the 50th issue.

Let us recall one more landmark issue. Take a look at the hot line of the issue number 150 and cover of the issue.

Though the issue number 200 was not released in 2000, issue number 157 will remain as a milestone of this period. Titled as the Millenium special, this was the highlight of the year 2000 as far as Tamil comics is concerned. I'm not going deep into this issues as most of the readers would have read the book very recently. So only the cover scan of this landmark issue is posted here.

I'll do a review of issue number 200 as and when it is released.

Regards,
Muthufan

2007-04-28T17:05:00.000+08:00

Sirai Meetiya Siththira Kathai!!!

I'm sure many of the old timers have very fond memories about this story.

This was the second ever Buz Sawyer(Charlie) story to appear in Muthu. Issue number is 42 and the book was released in September 1975. First Buz story was Kurangu Thediya Koolaiyar Pudhayal(issue number 39, Jun 1975).

This is one of the top ten stories of Mr Vijayan, Editor, Lion Comics. In the Muthu issue 300, he has the following to say about this issue.

In my opinion the cover is one of the best that has ever been published by Muthu. Take a look at the front and back cover of this memorable issue.

The story unfolds in Asia. Assuming that Muthu has used the original names as used in the English original, the country is something like Nepal. In the story it is called Malya, (people refer Nepal as HiMALAYAn Kingdom). And the capital of Malya is Singmodu in the story (capital of Nepal is Kathmandu) and the news paper which is used for drawing strips is called as Bangkok Post(capital of Thailand). After escaping from Malya they reach Calcutta(Kolkata now) in India. And most of the characters look like chinese. So we can assume that the setting is somewhere near India.

Americans Kelly and Booby visit Malya as tourists. When Kelly sits on a statue to take a photo,(without realising that it is their most respected king) she gets arrested and thrown in the jail. Kelly's father, who wants to please his artist son, so that he can join him in the family business, hires Charlie to rescue Booby from jail. Charlie takes the help of a circus family who reside next to the jail. The plan was to make a rope link from the jail complex and carry Booby out of the jail. To explain the plan to Booby, Kelly draws the entire escape sequence in a news paper which is delivered to the jail warden, which is also read by Booby. How they manage to escape from the jail and the country is the rest of the story. A gripping story.

This issue was reprinted in Muthu number 192. This time, with a different cover. This cover does not have anything to do with the story. If the cover was a let-down, size is even bigger disappointment. The reprint was printed in less than pocket size. Gross injustice to one of the golden oldies.

I don't have a clue about the English original of this issue. I guess this was printed some time between 1956 and 1975.

Some sample scans from this golden issue.

Well, regarding my previous post about Visithira Vendhan and my goof-up about not mentioning "Kal Nenjan" as Kildare issue, my brave defense is "SORRY". No excuses for the goof-up, but please hear my part of the story. Though I have the sample scans from Kal Nenjan, it never occurred to me to cross refer them before posting. As I have not read the full story so far, the story never got registered in my mind. Nevertheless, I'm not an official historian about Comics, but just an avid fan who wants to share his knowledge and joy with fellow fans, that's all. So please forgive me for the no-balls and wide balls. As my middle aged friends will surely agree, age really blunts one's memory :-).

Sorry Viswa. Couldn't post earlier than this. Belated Birthday Wishes(Apr 13).

Well, that's all for now guys. As usual, feel free to post your comments and suggestions in this blog using the Comments link below my sign or send mail to muthufan@yahoo.com.

Enjoy reading!!!

Regards,
Muthufan

2007-04-28T16:47:00.000+08:00

A star is born... Literally...!!!!

I mean, Star Comics is born!!!!

Time will only tell whether it is just a shooting star, or a Super Star... I hope it is the later...

When I heard about the idea of a new Tamil comics, first thing that came to my my mind was 'Hmmmmm... Another comics!!!. How long it will survive? What is the quality of the issue? Whether it will be acceptable to the fans? What stories? Periodicity?"

Well, I do not have the answer for the first one, but I do have the answer for the remaining questions now. Quality - You have to see it to believe it. I have not seen anything like this in Tamil. I prefer to call the quality as "First and best in Tamil", rather than calling it as a "Tamil comics in European standard". It is a bound book in A4 size with 48 pages. It costs Rs 100 and it will be available quarterly. I'm sure Tamil readers will be overjoyed by the quality, but I cannot say the same will be their reaction about price. Naturally a comic reader from a small town will start making comparision with the issues available in the market now. He may think in the lines of "For Rs 100, I can get a book of same size with 350 pages, with 5/6 stories(MDS, Jolly Special and Cowboy Special). Why should I go for something which is less page-wise and stories-wise for the same Rs 100. So what, if the paper is good and all pages are in color". A very genuine concern indeed. However we need to benchmark this book from the quality point of view alone. Once we were happy to travel in trains with just second class compartments. Then we moved to First class, then we were introduced the comforts on AC in 2-Tier and to enjoy the same comfort at an affordable price, AC 3-Tier was introduced. Now people prefer to fly in budget airlines than travelling by train. However each type caters for specific market segment. Same way, Star comics is meant for a specific clientele. This is to satisy the thirst of quality seeking readers, who can afford the quality. Till date they did not have the means to quench their thirst. This does not mean that it is not targetted for the poor reader from a small town. He is welcome to buy this book, but it will not be available through the normal distribution channels(read, petty shop in the main road). Not yet, anyway. The way, those who travel in II class aspires to travel by AC/Air, I expect/want the reader to migrate/support from reading normal issues at low price to premium editions. Nothing wrong in seeking for better things in life, right? This will make the Tamil comics industry to make inroads to the larger middle class segment which now frowns upon their kids reading Tamil comics, but happy to buy any of those sleek colourful English issues.

Coming to the current issue, the story is same as the Thihil issue number 11, Pani Mandala Kottai, published about 20 years ago. Captain Prince is the hero of this issue, ably assisted by his side kick Barne. Podiyan Jinn has very limited role to play in this story as Prince and Barne leave him with the ship to climb the misty mountains. Normally most of the Prince stories were, some way or the other, linked to sea. However to add variety, the editors have sometimes moved away from typical sea-scene. This story is one of them. It's a thriller in high altitude. Well, nothing much needs to be said about the story line, as it is well known to many of you.

I have attended two meetings in Mid-March 2007, one in Chennai and one in Salem, where the advance copies were shown to few fans. They have never expected that a Tamil comic book can be so attractive. Most of them were stunned to see the quality of the book. They were clearly running out of words to express their surprise and joy. They were unanimous in their opinion, that Star should continue indefinitely for the benefit of all Tamil fans, with the same quality.

You can see the other details, like preview page, cover page, coming soon issues, message board etc in the official web site of the comics. It is http://www.starcomics.in

You can see the back cover scan and the editor's forward for this issue below(this scans are not available in the Star Comics site):

Last words before signing off. A premium copy(better quality paper) of the same issue is available for Rs 500, on request. Please drop a line to the editor for further details.

Congrats to Raghulan, the editor of Star Comics. Many of us have dreamt of publishing Comics in Tamil, but only you had the courage to take the next step and make it a reality.

Welcome Star, my Super Star!!!

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-12-23T21:35:00.000+08:00

Rip Kirby, Buz Sawyer, Cisco Kid, Phantom, Mandrake - you know them and you love them. What about Dr Gildare? Heard of him before?

Well, for the uninitiated, he was the hero of the first unusual (common man as hero) comic from Muthu. When Muthu finished most of the Maayavi(Steel Claw), Johnny Nero, Lawrence & David(Barracuda) stories from Fleetway, UK, they have moved to US based strips, starting with Rip Kirby, followed by Wing Commander George(Johnny Hazard), Charlie(Buz Sawyer), Corrigan and Cisco(Kid). Surprise package came out in issue number 48, titled "Visithira Vendhan". This was released in Mar 1976. One-off hero Dr Gildare was the hero in this story. Not sure whether he has appeared in any other strip again. Not able to trace the origin of this story as well. Take a look at the front and back cover.

Story line was very interesting. One world famous surgeon Dr Gildare was kidnapped to a kingdom called Paklas to treat the ailing ruler(Prince Vassini) of that country, who was suffering from "Mudakku Mootu Viyadhi(Rheumatoid Arthritis)" a disease Dr Gildare specialises. But this disease does not sound very life threatening as mentioned in the story(Uyirai Parikkum Kodiya Viyadhi). After realising the purpose, the doctor refuses to treat the ruler despite threats to his life. When sama, pedham, dhanam & dhandam methods did not work, the ruler changes his mind and decides to come to America with Dr Gildare for the treatment. A very different story line, compared to other stories Muthu has handled thus far, which were basically adventure and detective stories. Though this story has its share of fights, action, kidnapping etc, the level is not upto the mark that of a Buz or Kirby or Cisco story. Muthu followed up with two more stories of this type. Issue number 50, titled "Theevai Meetiya Theeran" and issue number 54, titled "Kal Nenjan". I guess the response was just luke warm to these stories, as they have not ventured to one-off heroes again for a very, very long time. Cover scans of both, Theevai Meetiya Theeran and Kal Nenjan are below.

The art work looks like typical American art work, however the hero Dr Gildare's features are more like a cross between Corrigan and Johnny Nero, as if Corrigan artist Al Williamson was asked to work in a Johnny Nero story. Take a look at the few pages from the story.

As were the norm in those days, this one also had 132 pages. The main story was just 93 pages, so two Kapish strips were used as fillers for the remaining pages. As I have mentioned elsewhere in this blog, Kapish is one of my favorites. I liked these two stories, than the main story. The Kapish story in this issue was part 2 and 3. Don't know about the part 1, most probably it would have appeared in the issue number 47, Rayil Kollai(first ever Cisco Kid story in Muthu). Few pages from the Kapish story.

Inside front cover has the ad for the next issue "Kaanamal Pona Kalai Pokkisham" featuring Philip Corrigan.

Inside back cover has the ad for the Muthu Mini "Thapal Thalai Marmam" featuring Puthaka Priyan Prabhu.

Also take a look at the list of books available at that time. One from Page number 93 and another from page number 130.

All the sample scans used in this post are from ERB and a big thanks to him.

As usual, post your comments and feelings in this page by clicking the Comments link below my signature, or through mail(muthufan@yahoo.com).

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-12-22T16:33:00.000+08:00

What do we have in this posting???

We have a guest posting by Dr Sathish about "Mayavi-Ripoffs".

For those who missed it, on 02 Oct 2006 a new 3-D tele-serial called "Maayavi" was started in Jaya TV. It's aired every Saturday. I'm not sure about the response, guess it is not very bad. If this serial is very successful, we may end up seeing even Lawrence David, Johnny Nero, Mandrake in Tamil!!!

Here is what our guest says about the serial. I haven't seen the serial so far, so no-comments from my side.

Ripping-off other people's success isn't new to India or the world for that matter. Stan-Lee, creator of "Spiderman" has himself admitted that he created the character as a parody on "Superman". He deliberately changed a few things like putting a hyphen between spider & man(Spider-Man), made him crawl walls as opposed to Superman who leapt tall buildings in a single bound, etc. I can keep the list going on forever. The earliest version of Peter Parker was looking a lot like Clark Kent for that matter, before Stan realized that since Spiderman wore a mask, he need not hide under a pair of goggles!

In India TV & movies have shamelessly ripped-off success formulas from abroad. Most notable are "Shaktiman-Superman", "Aryaman-Star Wars", "Hatim-Lord of the Rings",etc…But the recent "Jaya TV" serial "Mayavi" has pained me the most. Perhaps it is due to the fact that "Mayavi" is closest to my heart. These guys make tons of money through advertising revenue, while people like our editor are working for peanuts as profit.

I watched the first episode on "Vijayadasami" & was completely taken aback! The hero "Vikram" works for a secret organization called "President's XI" & of course he has a steel hand. He goes to investigate an illegal firearms factory & lets all hell loose. He emits noxious fumes off his fingers, fires shurikens (those star shaped razors you often see in Jet-Li movies) from the steel claw, fires bullets from his index finger, & when things get tough, he unscrews a 40w bulb & inserts two fingers into the socket. Need I say what happens next? He even emits electricity & destroys the factory after that!

My comments : Not sure whether these guys have bought the copyrights to telecast the serial. May be Vijayan/Fleetway will be interested to make some money by taking these guys to court, if they have not paid for the copyrights. Those who are watching the serial, can you tell me whether they mention Muthu Comics/Fleetway in the titles.

I'll write in detail about "Mathi Comics" mostly concentrating on how they ripped-off not only "Mayavi", but other "Classic Muthu Comics" as well. I don't have any back ground information on the comics, as to how, when & why they were published. Hence I'm just giving a review of each comic.

Besides these "Ponni Comics" also had a "Mayavi" of some sorts. I don't remember exactly what his name was & I don't have any books. I'll post the relevant info as soon as I get hold of a comic.

Mathi Comics was published some time around 1979-80. The stories werewritten by Mullai Thangarasan and the art-work is by Chellam, by far thegreatest Tamil comic artist. I've 3 issues with me. We'll take a lookat them one by one.

1. Irumbukkai Maya Mayavan:

Except for the title "Irumbukkai" is nowhere to be seen. Guess anything branded "Irumbukkai" sold those days. Take a look at the cover.

This story was supposedly published in 1979. I wasn't even born then!

The hero is called "Irumbukkai Maya Mayavan" because his fist is so powerful & he appears in crime scenes as if by magic (mayam) & captures the villains! Maayavan is his name, by the way. Confused? You will be! Take a look at the scan of page 20.

Simple story. 3 prisoners are rescued by a mad scientist called Dr.RaiChand. He is working for "Sarvadesa SadhigararKazhgam". Never heard of anything like this, have we? He promises to turn them intoyoung & strong people with different facial features so that they cango out into the world and lead a free life. Only, he turns them intoweird bat-men, who would carry out his evil designs. He also wants toresearch the hero's brain because his is the sharpest one in theworld! Therefore he kidnaps Mayavan as well, though only after some "Dishyum! Dishyum!" sequences. Predictably the bat-creatures get outof control. The rest of the story says how Maayavan stops them. Thestyle of art, layouts & story telling are strikingly similar to all theclassic Muthu issues. Take a look for yourself. Sample pages from the story are below:

2. Minnal Mayavi:

A Mayavi rip-off if there was ever one. The hero Prabhu is a secretagent of the agency called "Mark Bureau". His code name is "Mark–8".Sounds familiar? He is sent on a secret mission 2 spy on their archenemies "Sarvadesa Mosadi Gumbal" whose secret base is at Aanamalai.

The first few pages highlight the hero's so called 'sharp brain'. Brace yourself. This is right out of any "M.G.R." or "Jai Shanker" movie. For the younger readers it's a bit like the "Vijayakanth" cop flicks. Someone comes calling at the hero's home. He is Sukhdev, a colleague. The hero immediately guesses that the mission is something important & when he meets the chief, he immediately states the objective of the mission. "Enna? Sarvadesa Mosadi Kumbalai pidikka vaendum, avvalodhaanae?" Worse! He is praised for his intuition, both by his chief & colleague. He comes out of the secret office & is shot at, ran down by a car, chased by thugs & finally captured when he gets into a taxi driven by the villains. He is taken 2 the secret lair at Aanamali, where the villains are busy printingcounterfeit currencies of smaller countries. Don't ask which countries!

This story must have been published some time around 1979-80, but there is no sign of it. Both the author & artist seem to be caught in some sort of a time-warp. No bell-bottoms, no Rajini-style long hair, no long drooping mustaches, ancient telephones in a sophisticated organization, henchmen who seem to pop right out of an old Sean Connery "James Bond" movie, & most strikingly the hero wears a "Elvis Presley spit-curl", the type Jaishanker used to sport. To cap it all, the henchmen have names like Thalaivetti Rangan, Vettukili, Pal Pandian, Pattakathi, Vettu Karuppan, etc…Nambiar used to have thugs named like these in movies! Guess they were still caught in 1960. Or maybe it's due to the fact that all Muthu originals were published in the 60's.

Back to the story, the hero meets the villain "Dhigambaran" (who had aname like this in 1980? I was born in 1980 & had a decent name likeSathish), the leader of "Sarvadesa Mosadi Kazhagam". The hero escapesfrom him. The villain punishes two of his henchmen for letting thehero escape. The hero saves them. The thugs are converted. Plenty ofaction!

Now this is where the story takes a weird twist! An alien space-shipcalled "Sotaang" lands right where the villains are standing, for repairs. Out of it comes "Saamrang, the scientist", a native of "Minnal Graham". Bullets can't harm him when he has electricity running through him. Take a look at the scan of page 34; it is too weird to explain.

This alien is a peace loving fellow, who doesn't want to share his power with earthlings because they would misuse them. The villain cons him into having a cup of tea with him & imprisons him when the electricity running through him is drained & he's vulnerable. The hero tries to save him, but is again captured by the villains who cut of his fingers. Predictable! Something has to happen to get your fingers replaced with steel ones. Note! Fingers, not hand! That's original! The alien scientist saves the day by unleashing his robots on the villains. He gives the hero steel fingers.

Not only that. Take a look at the scans, you'll understand better. Especially the last page(given below). Remember seeing it somewhere?

3. Viral Manidhargal:

This story is on the lines of Lawrence & David classics like "ManjalPoo Maramam" & "Formula X-13" where a novel terror is unleashed upon the people, & governments are held at ransom. The threat this time though is more of a nuisance, than terror. There isn't any life threatening danger. A villain called Ranjan Bose, another mad scientist, who declares himself "Emperor" on the lines of "Nadunisi Kalvan". He calls himself a "Silent Revolutionist" on the lines of Buddhar, Aesu & Gandhi! Viral Manidhargal are his invention. He manufactures them in a machine! They're indestructible and cause a lot of nuisance. A bit like, 'what if a million flies attack you?', actually! How Minnal Mayavi defeats him forms the story.

The story begins in Kovai, my town! Take a look at the first page,especially the owner of "Anjaneya Café". Classic Chellam.

Take a look at the pages 4, 5, 7, 8, 12 &13. Reminiscent of Lawrence &David stories, aren't they?

Take a look at these pages for "Mayavi" type sequences. 20, 30, 53, 54and of course the last page.

As a complement 2 the article on "Mayavi Rip-Offs", here's a very short write-up on "Irumbukkai Agent".

IRUMBUKKAI AGENT:

He appeared in only a couple of issues in Thihil. Take a look at the scans.

Thihil #17: Thihil Kodai Malar – Thihil Payanam
(Ad for this issue and the back cover scan of this issue are below-sorry, no front cover scan available as of now)

First page of the first story is below:

Thihil #18: Kadarkottai Marmam + Vinnil Maraindha Vin Kalangal

He was originally published under the title "Agent Iron Hand" in "D.C.Thompson" during the 1970s. He was a toned down version of the "Steel Claw". His hand was made of iron & the similarities end almost there. It was more of a gadget rather than an integral part of the body mechanism like "Mayavi's Steel Claw". He didn't turn invisible at all. But the hand had some cool gadgets, mostly non-lethal. Like for instance he had the index finger doing all the stuff like emitting noxious fumes, laser beams, oil slick, etc…He could even turn the hand into a powerful electromagnet. The hand was strong anyway even without the gadgets. Mostly his stories were of a lighter tone compared 2 Mayavi's grim settings! You could almost say he was a kiddy version of Mayavi. I still wonder whether he merited a place in Thihil. Lion would've suited him better. But maybe our editor felt he was cramped for space already in Lion & filled the vacant slots in Thihil with him. Internet searches about him were fruitless. Only the international superheroes site offers something about him. Not much though. It features all the British comic characters which were published in all forms of Tamil comics.

http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/u/uk.htm

Well, That's all in this post guys. You can expect the next one very soon.

As usual post your comments and suggestions, by clicking the Comments link below my sign or through email to muthufan@yahoo.com.

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-12-07T22:46:00.000+08:00

This is the posting I was trying to make in the Lion Comics discussion forum. Due to errors in the site, I couldn't post it. I have sent it as a mail to the editor for posting it in the site. So it may take some time for them to post in the site. Till then you can read it here.

Dear Editor,

I have been following the postings about resale of our old comics and the discussion about prices, re-opening of book market etc. I feel that I should say what I think about the resale of old issues for your consideration.

I strongly feel that you should not interfere with whatever is happening in the resale market. Why do you feel that you need to interfere in the market? Is it because the price is too high for the resale issues. High for whom? The buyer? Certainly not. Only if there are buyers who are willing to pay high prices, the sellers with high prices will exist. When the buyers are not willing to pay high prices, naturally the sellers will reduce the prices or withdraw from the market. The market forces of supply and demand should determine the price of back issues. It is absolutely between the seller and buyer to determine what should be the price of a back issue. If you do not want to be party to it, and you do not want any posting about the resale of back issues in the discussion forum site, please indicate the same in the site. Let the sale continue in some other way, in some other media, without your knowledge. Personally I feel that you should allow the postings about the resale to continue in the site as this site has got maximum exposure about our issues than any other media/site. Anything related to our comics should be allowed in the site, however controversial it is for you and for others, as long as it does not hurt anyone's feelings by inappropriate/vulgar words etc.

I appreciate your intention that the price should be regulated. But why it should be regulated?. I have to point out that you can regulate the price only at the time of first sale. You have little or no control over the resale market. Do you think you have control over how much I can pay for a back issue? Certainly not. Can you ask all the platform vendors all over Tamil Nadu to sell it to the price printed on the cover?. No way. They are smart enough to sell it at the right price, over or below the cover price. You can only ask the book shops to sell at the price printed on that cover for the new issues. That's all.

More over, when I'm buying a back issue, what I'm trying to buy is the childhood happiness, nostalgia, not just the papers in which it is printed. Basically I want to relive those childhood moments. How much I'm willing to pay for it, should be left to me. If I can afford it as per my current lifestyle, I'll go for it. Why you should interfere?. It is like trying to control the house rental market. Let's say someone who gets an IT job as a fresher with a salary of Rs 20000 trying to rent a house. He may be willing to pay Rs 5000 for a house in Chennai in which a middle class employee is at present staying for a rent of Rs 2500. The house owner may ask the current occupant to vacate and give it to the one who pays the higher rent. What anyone can do about it? If the middle class employee feels that he is getting a raw treatment, he should upgrade his skills to get better pay and thus better house. He can not simply expect the house owner to rent the house to him at a lower rent for ever, just because he gets less salary. The house owner may still give the house to rent to the middle class employee out of compassion, but it should be the option of the house owner, not by law. He should not be forced to give it for less rent and the middle class employee should not take it as his right to get that house for lower rent. Can the govt enter to fix the rent? No way. It will amount to rewarding inefficiency. Or let's say the government trying to control the price of old stamps it has issued in the 40s and 50s. If the Rs 10 Gandhi stamp issued in 1948 is costing about few thousand rupees today, can the govt can do anything about it? Nothing. Is it not absurd if the govt tries to control the price now? There is a distinct difference between selling a cinema ticket in the black market and selling gold you have bought few years back, for a profit. I'm sure you will agree that resale of comics is not like selling ticket in black, but like the later case.
Now let us see who gets benefited by this resales. First, of course, is the seller. He feels that he gets a good price for his hobby/business. Even if he is one of a speculator who bought multiple back issues for the purpose of resale at a later date. Anything wrong with it?. I have spent the money given for my snacks to buy Muthu issues in 70s/80s. Let's say I have spent Rs 100 to buy books in 1980s. If I can not sell the book for Rs 500 today (assuming that I would have earned the remaining Rs 400 as interest for the Rs 100), can I come and ask you for a refund now. Don't you think it is rubbish. What would be your response? It would be "All I can do is it to sell at cover price printed on the book. It is up to you to buy at that price, if you can. If you can not buy at that price, just leave it. No one has forced you to buy it?. You are buying it for reading, not for resale value" Right? Second person to benefit is the buyer, who feels that he bought piece of his childhood memory. Can you blame him for that?

Let's take one more scenario. I have bought 6 copies of MDS and gifted 2 copies to my friends and given two copies free of cost to two of the discussion forum readers when they have expressed that they have missed this issues. Lets say I sell the remaining two issues for Rs 300 each, is it a fair sale or not? It's simply up to me to decide at what price I should sell it, if I decide to sell it. Can you ask me to sell only at Rs 100 each time it changes hands? Sorry, it is not possible and you do not have any control over it as well.

However you don't have to lose hope on the small town (resale)buyers. I still know of few fans who manage to buy back issues for less than Rs 5, for the very same issues which are advertised in our discussion forum site for Rs 400. This has happened in the last month, when the buy/sale was happening at peak in the discussion forum. Many avenues are still open, particularly in the form of platform books shops/old book shops. The individual buyer will decide what is appropriate for him. Anyway how many small town readers use our site for selling/buying old issues. And personally I have bought a very early Muthu issue for Rs 100 recently. In fact few months back, one more person approached me to sell his copy of this issue for Rs 8000, after getting my mail id through the discussion forum. I have decided to ignore the absurd Rs 8000 offer, because I know that I can get it for around Rs 100. And I got it after few months for Rs 100. Not to forget my purchase of Muthu first issue for Rs 10 from resale market last year. It is true that the books are not available at this price all the time for all the fans. The buyers should always be on the look out for the back issues. So blocking one media(our discussion forum) is not a remedy to this. I should not call it a remedy, because there is nothing is wrong with it in the first place.

Having said all this against the controlling of back issue sales, I will now suggest what you can do, if you decide to go for it anyway. If you decide to go for it, it should be for the reason of being a bridge between buyers and sellers, rather than to control the market. Book market will definitely help small town readers, if they are the sellers because they can get good price for it. It will help affluent buyers(I assume so, because those who can browse your site can be called that way, spending a minimum of Rs 20/per hour for browsing) because they can buy nostalgia, which otherwise would not be possible in any other way. For people like me, internet is the only way I can buy something like this, as I do not spend more than 10/15 days a year in India. I can't go round old book shops to buy the back issues during this period, though I would like to do so.

Also you should get into book market, IF, AND ONLY IF, IT IS NOT GOING TO AFFECT THE RELEASE SCHEDULE OF OUR NEW ISSUES IN ANYWAY. Absolutely there should not be any compromise on this.

You can explore the following options for the book market. To include buyers from all walks of life, viz small town, big town and overseas, you have to give the option for all of them to participate. First of all you can ask all the sellers to send the books to you before putting it up for sale. You can also ask them what should be the minimum price at which they should be sold. The books should be available in full, ie.e from cover to cover. Then you can advertise the books for sale in the muthu/lion new issues and also in the discussion forum with a cut-off date before which the bidding should be sent. The details should be provided are issue number, title, cover scan(if selling though internet), minimum price, condition of the book and other details as relevant. You can create another section in our site itself for this purpose or you can create a EBbay shop for this purpose. Two models I have found merits discussion. One is EBay model, where everything is done in the internet. This is the fastest and most automated method to do the transaction. Also you can have a permanent shop for Muthu group and display all back issues available for sale with "Buy It Now" option at the cover price. However this may not reach all the readers, particularly someone from small town. The second model is compalcomics.com auction model. In this site they sell the back issues every quarter, by listing out all the issues available for sale and cover scan for some issues. They will then accept bidding though their site, mail, phone, fax and letter till the cut-off date/time. Of course all the bidders should give their credit card details first, so that they do not back track later, when it comes to payment. One week after the closing date they announce the winners and their price. They charge the winner 10% of the price as commission and also the actual postage costs. However following this model is a bit difficult in India. If someone agrees to pay Rs 500 for an issue, back tracks later, there is no way you can force him to pay that money. Registration and communication will also be a problem. You can't ask them to pay in advance by MO, Draft and you may have to refund if they are not the winners. You may end up being the loser, if you get too many small MOs for one issue and you have to return them all back, except the winning one. So each model has got its own advantages and disadvantages. We need to see which one is appropriate for us. We can create a mixed model, in which you do not spend too much of time and at the same time cover all readers.

Here is my suggestion:
1. Periodicity : Once every quarter, say Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct. Bidding opens between dates 1 and 15. Monthly auction will take up too much of your time.

2. Details : Should be available in the internet and also in the print issues, published prior to that. Say for example, for the Jan auction it should be made available in the internet by Nov/Dec and in the printed issues of Oct, Nov and Dec prior to that.

3. Registration : All those who want to participate should first send Rs 100/200/500 (as you decide) as a deposit, which will be forfeited(in part or full) if they do not honour their bids.

4. Bidding method : Mail, phone or letter. Mail Ids should be registered at the time of paying deposit. Signature should be verified for letters. On the last day you can update the site with the max bid recd till then and also inform the max amount over phone if someone calls up.

5. Payment : Highest bidder should pay the amount within 15 days after the results are made known to him, by mail, letter or phone(incoming). Payment can be by DD, MO or bank transfer, if you can provide bank details. The buyers pays for the postage and packing as well. You can also charge the buyer a premium for your services and for covering costs.

6. You can note down the top three bidders. If the first one does not pay, you can offer it to the next highest bidder and then next, if second one is also not interested. If the third one also refuses to pay, you can put up for auction again. You can penalise the non-payers, by deducting a fine from their deposits or by not accepting their future bids.

7. You can also inform the most up-to-date list of back issues that are already available with you, which will not be accepted for auction. They should only be bought straightaway from you at the cover price.

I think this model will work in our scenario, reaching out all sorts of buyers and sellers. However this requires the time and attention of someone from your team. You will effectively become a re-seller of your own books. Do you have the resources to do that?

Suggestions and discussions are welcome from other fans as well for fine tuning this process. Finally this loooooooong post comes to an end with a reminder to you about the Chennai book fair. You have promised that you will set up a stall in the 2007 bookfair. Hope the preparations are going on for the same.

Thanks for all those who had the patience to read through this post.

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-09-08T20:09:00.000+08:00

Virus-X!!!

In the recent times there was an increased interest in the Philip Corrigan stories. Many of our old fans have requested for a Corrigan special. And all of them mentioned Virus-X as their most wanted Philip Corrigan story, along with Madalaya Marmam. So I thought it would be appropriate to take up this issue for my review.

After completing the publication of Fleetway issues from UK, starring Maayavi, Lawrence & David and Johnny Nero, the publishers have turned their attention to US for more adventure strips.Most of the heroes who have appeared during this time from the other side of Atlantic were from the well known publishers, King Features Syndicate. First to appear from the non-fleetway was Rip Kirby(Issue 28 - Pudhayal Vettai), followed by Modesty Blaise(Kazhuku Malai Kottai), Wing Commander George(38 - Otran Vellai Nari), Buz Sawyer (39 - Kurangu Thediya Kollayar Pudhayal). Next one in this series was Philip Corrigan. His first appearance was in issue number 45(Madalaya Marmam). The next issue was also a Philip Corrigan issue. And that's Virus-X, released in dated Jan 76, issue number 46.

See what Mr Vijayan has to say about this landmark issue in his column in the Muthu issue 300, which featured his top 10 stories.

Originally known as Secret Agent X-9, Philip Corrigan was created in 1934 by Dashiell Hammet and drawn by Alex Raymond(Same artist who handled Rip Kirby). Initially Corrigan did not even have a name or the agency, he was simply known as X-9. In the early stories he was called as "Dexter" on few occasions. Only after few years he was assigned to FBI and was given a full name. Though the strip was around many years, the golden period of the strip was definitely between 1968 and 1980, when Al Williamson handled the art work. After Williamson's departure, George Evans has taken over the art work. Most of the popular stories that have appeared in Muthu were drawn by Al Williamson. For those of you familiar with Al Willamson's style of art work, I strongly recommend you to buy Star Wars series drawn by Williamson. You'll find striking resemblance between Corrigan stories and Star Wars stories. In fact, if you compare Muthu issue number 102, Parakkum Thattu Marmam(Philip Corrigan story drawn by Williamson) with Rebel Storm (Star Wars), it will look as if he has used the same art work for both the strips.

Coming back to Virus-X, the story was superb thriller. Though you would have seen many movies with this theme, this one was quite something in print form.A disgruntled employee from an American reserach facility, Dr Reeper steals the glass vial contaning Virus-X, which is a prototype of a deadly chemical which can remain in the air for 12 hours and can kill anyone who inhales the contaminated air. The Virus in the glass vial can effectively kill all the people of any big modern city in no time. Corrigan's job was to find who has stolen the vial and to retrive it immediately before it reaches the wrong hands. Unfortunately for Corrigan it reaches the wrong hands even before he could come near it. It reaches the leader of a bike gang known as "Viking". He wants to take over the Borderville town, from where he was chased out by the residents and sheriff. Can Corrigan reach there in time to save the town? Well, I do not want to tell the whole story here, as there is a possibility that this story may appear in the proposed Corrigan special.

Take alook at the cover of this fantastic issue.

And few pages from inside the story.

And here is the credits page.

And the back cover which has the calender for year 1976 with the pciture of K Kamaraj, former CM of Tamil Nadu.

Big thanks to ERB, Chennai for helping me out with the cover scan and sample page scans.

Additional Info 1 : I have missed out what Mr Vijayan has said about Kazhuku Malai Kottai in my previous posting. Read what he has said about KMK, in his column in the Muthu issue 300, which featured his top 10 stories. As the page 3 of this article is already posted in this blog above, I'm posting the remaining two pages of his article titled "Ninaivil Nindravai".

Additional Info 2 : (For those who have missed out the comments section))In my Jan'06 posting about Aaviyin Geetham I haven't mentioned about the reprint of this story in Muthu. It was reprinted in issue number 176, Summer Special(Year 1990/91/92?). Thank you Dr Sathish, Kovai for this info.

As usual, post your comments using the comments link below my signature or mail me
"muthufan@yahoo.com"

Thats all for now guys!!!

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-08-12T15:07:00.000+08:00

Kazhugu Malai Kottai!!!

The one and only Modesty Blaise story to appear in Muthu Comics was released in 1975(?). With the Fleetway stories featuring Steel Claw(Maayavi), Barracuda(Lawrence & David) and Johnny Nero were fast running out, Muthu turned its attention to strip stories from US/UK in 1974/75. First to appear from this list was Rip Kirby in issue number 28(titled Pudhayal Vettai) and after a brief break, next non-fleetway hero(ine) was introduced. It was Modesty Blaise in Kazhugu Malai Kottai, issue number 32.

Fantastic cover design and very imaginative title. I can't imagine what would have been the reaction from the fans, if the title was something like "Naraka Manithargal", which would have been the nearest translation I can imagine of the original title "The Hell Makers". (Nalla kaalam ennidam peyar vaikka ketkavillai:-)). Take a look at the cover of this landmark issue.

The story-line goes like this. Willie Garvin goes missing and Modesty receives a blackmail note with the information that Garvin will be killed, if she does not help them with their espionage activities. In a rage of anger, Modesty kills the messenger and decides to stage a road accident to cover the messenger's death. After that, she sets out to secure the release of Garvin, who is kept under the influence of drugs. She manages to penetrate the hide out, which is on top of a steep, unapproachable hill. Though she kills all the enemies, the problem was far from over. Willie Garvin, under the influence of drugs was unable to recognise Modesty and tries to kill her. Modesty decides that only a shock treatment will cure him from the drug effect and stages another drama with the help of a war veteran called Fletcher, who accompanies her to the hill top, though he initially refused to go with her, as he hates all women. She takes sedatives and fakes bloody injury. She asks Fletcher to tell Garvin that she was hurt during the fight and needs medical attention immediately. He tells Garvin that the only way to reach the bottom was by the same rope Modesty used to climb up. Unconscious Modesty was tied to the back of Garvin and the climb down begins. Garvin becomes unconscious every now and then during the climb down. He loses grip with reality due to the drug effects. Slowly he manages to do the impossible task of bringing Modesty down to the plains with the help of Fletcher. By the time he comes down to the hill bottom, he is completely cured from the drug effects. Very gripping story. And superbly illustrated by Jim Holdaway.

Even the domesticated eagles of Fletcher in the story play a very significant part. I used to imagine how nice it would be, if i had two eagles like that. Once i realised it was difficult to catch and train eagles, for many days i seriously thought i'll atleast catch a crow and train it to do something like that. Ippothu ninaithal siripputhaan varukirathu. Is it just a coincidence that I'm now living in a country where Falconry is a popular sport?

As mentioned above, the original name of this story was "The Hell Makers". This was created in 1969. The strip story has appeared in the London newspaper "The Evening Stadard" between 24.03.69 and 16.08.69. See the English pages 1, 16 and 32(sorry, no scan of Tamil pages).

This was reprinted in the 80s by Muthu again, with a different cover. See the reprint covers. Sorry about the quality of the cover.

Though this story was printed by many publishers, for those who want to buy this book(in English, of course), Amazon is the best source now. Take a look at the cover of the latest editions from Amazon.

Follow the URL below, if you want to buy this issue.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1840238658/104-8818818-8576764?v=glance&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;n=283155

Eventhough the drug culture was relatively unknown in India during 70s, I guess the response for this issue was fantastic. Many of the old timers, with whom I have spoken to, very fondly remember this issue. Mr Haja Ismail, Saudi Arabia told me that this is one of the favorite stories of his mother(who may be in her 60s now). It seems, even now she re-reads this book, time permitting.

See what Mr Vijayan has to say about this issue in his first part of the "Singaththin Siruvayadhil".

What surprised me was, why the publishers have not followed up with any more Modesty stories after this issue in Muthu. Only with the entry of Lion Comics in 1984(after a gap of almost 10 years), Modesty has started appearing in Tamil again. Any idea, whether this particular story was published in Rani Comics?

Sorry for the huge gap guys. And also sorry for the lack of scans from the Tamil issues. I've just moved to Middle East(again!), on employment. This place is not so well connected by the modern means known to mankind, like phone and internet. Though they are available, they are expensive. I'm just settling down here.

And one request guys(and gals, if any). Please do let me know what you think about this posting and this blog as a whole. Depending on your feedback I'll decide whether to continue with more articles or kill this blog. It is really dishearening to see that not many have bothered to post any comment(though the page statistics say the number of hits is about 35 per week), though it is now possible to post comments anonymously. It typically requires about ten to twelve hours(over a month) to make one post possible, and when I don't see encouraging feedback, I really wonder whether it makes sense to anyone, or I am just blabbering something which is of no interest to anyone? You can hope to see more postings soon, if I get encouraging replies for this post.

Please post your comments by clicking on the "Comments" link below my signature here or through mail to muthufan@yahoo.com.

Thats all for now guys. See you later.

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-04-18T10:36:00.000+08:00

Muthu Mini Comics!!!

Thanks again for the comments you have posted here and sent to my mail. Your comments are what keeps me going!!! :-)

Not many know about these Muthu Mini(MM) issues. May be because, not many issues were released. And these were not very popular with the comics reading public during those days, I guess. Only in the past few years, I see a lot of search for these issues, of course, among collectors. I'm one among the searching collectors. Still frantically searching for these issues, without much success though!!!

Following the success of Muthu, the publishers would have felt that the Indian characters deserved a comics on their own. The quality of work was as good as overseas publications. Particularly the works of Anand Pai and artists like Ram Waerkar. So they have lauched a new publication called Muthu Mini comics(MM) in Nov'74!!!

See the aim of the publishers about bringing up this new series. This is the forward from the publishers, printed in issue number 1.

To my knowledge only 8 issues were published. I have the cover scans of 7 issues. Eighth issue(titled "Muthal Vedhalanin Kathai") is eluding me for the past many years. None of my friends have the copy of this issue, so no cover scan of this issue in this site. If you have this issue, please send me the cover scan and if possible, first page of the story. And if any one willing to sell this issue, I would be glad to pay a good price for it!!!

I have reasons to believe that these stories have appeared in Tinkle or its sister publications(???), because these were created by the same set of people(that is writer/artist combinaton) who worked/working for Tinkle. Take a look at a page from Tinkle digest, published recently, and the credits for the story. Also take a look at the story published in the MM with the same combination. Recently I have come across the English version of one of the issues published in Tamil in Tinkle Digest.

Main characters used were Vayu Vega Vasu, Puthaga Piriyan Prabhu(Bipin in English), Soorappupli Sundar. Apart from these characters, some standard features of Fleetway were used in MM, like GK/puzzles and Sporty by Reg Wutton(Vichu Kichu in Tamil) as filler pages to make up a uniform 64 pages per issue. It even had a two page story of Micky Mouse, created by Walt Disney. In one issue I saw one Akbar/Birbal text story as well.

Size of these books were sligltly shorter in length compared to the current Muthu/Lion size.

First issue was released in November 1974, titled "Vayu Vega Vasu". This story was based on 1962 war with China.

See the last page and the credit section.

Second story to hit the stand was "Padagu Veedu Marmam" in Dec'74.

Take a look at the Micky Mouse from issue number 2.

Cover of the third issue released in Feb 75.

Cover of the fourth issue released in May 75.

By the time it reached issue 5, there was a huge gap. Issue 5, titled "Kantha Malai Marmam" was released in Oct'75. In fact, by Oct'75 it should be issue number 12. It had all the indications of the impending doom for this series. Cover of issue 5 and the credit pages are below:

Recently when I was in the Chennai airport, I was looking for a children's mag to keep my daughter engaged during the flight. Her favorite is Kapish(Yes, the same Chutti Kurangu Kapish), so I was more than happy to pick up the latest issue of Tinkle Double digest from the Higginbothams outlet, which contained four Kapish stories. After she fell asleep, I have started reading the book and to my surprise found the originals of one of the story published in Muthu Mini. It happens to be this story. The (current)English edition varies to some extent from the Muthu Mini version. The first page of the current English version is actually the fifth page in the Tamil version and the very last panel of the English and Tamil version are different. Anyway is was fun to read this story in full color.

First page in Tamil.

First page in English and the corresponding Tamil pages.

Last page of the English and Tamil versions is below, note the minor variations.

This issue also had an ad in the back inside cover for the forthcoming issue of Muthu. Take a look at this ad.

To my knowledge there was no such issue published from Muthu. However there was a story Kollaikaara Pisasu, which was released after this ad is published. I guess this ad refers to that issue.

Issue # 6 was released in Apr 76, titled "Thapal Thalai Marmam". I had this issue with me for a long time, without cover. So I was under the impression that this is one of the Muthu issues. Only in 2002 when I have started collecting info about Muthu Mini I have realised that this could be one of the MM issues. Only in 2005 I got a chance to see the cover of this issue.

Issue # 7 was released after a gap of three months in Jul'76. The title is "Inspector Vikram".

Soon it folded up, after releasing issue number 8, titled "Mudhal Vedhalanin Kathai".

If you think this is the only off-shoot publication from Muthu(apart from MCV), think again!!! Indeed there are couple of more publications from Muthu. Sakthi Comics and something known as "Sirukathaigal" were also published in the 80's. I'll update you with more details soon. Very recently I have come across couple of books, named "Lion Vidumurai Malar". Don't know how many off shoots are still there, unlisted & unheard of.

Thats all for now. Post your comments or mail me about this article.

MF

2006-03-08T10:06:00.000+08:00

Lion Super Special!!!

Hi All,

Thanks for your feedbacks!!! That is what keeps me going!!!

In this post, we'll take a look at the fattest Tamil comics book ever released. Yes, it is the Diwali issue of 1987 titled "Lion Super Special", issue no : 42. See what Mr Vijayan has to say about this issue in his article about Tamil comics in the magazine "World Comics" issue 3, published in 2001.

Meanwhile,LION COMICS was going great guns and, in October,1987,published a "DIWALI SPECIAL" [a festival issue],which,to date,remains the thickest comic ever published for children in Tamil with 532 pages [10 stories],several in multi colour and priced at 10 Rs!

Though the editor mentioned that 10 stories were published in this issue, actually 12 stories were published. Yes 12 stories(including Vichu Kichu, which was just one page) were published in this issue. Lucky Luke in color and other stories in B&W.

See the advertisement leaflet for this issue. This advertisement was given to the shops for the promotion of this issue. Note, the advertised Irattai Vettaiyar was not published in this issue, but another story called Tigers was published.

The front cover:

And the back cover:

And the editor's forward is here:

And the ever popular Hot-Line was started in this issue. See the complete first ever Hot Line below:

Story 1 :Lucky Luke - Bayangara Podiyan(Full Color, except last nine pages)Those who have seen and read the MDS, have one grouse, that the last two pages of Lucky Luke were printed in B&W. You can feel better with the knowledge that this was not the first time the editor has published last few pages in B&W. In this issue, the last nine pages were in B&W(Though it was advertised that Lucky Luke would be in full color). Take a look at the page were both color and B&W pages are joined.

This story was published in French as "Billy The Kid". The cover scan and the same page, which was shown above is here:

Story 2 :TigersThis is a six page story from one of the Fleetway issues, I guess.

Story 3 :Captain Prince - Visithira PaadamThis one is also a short story. The original French

story cover in which it was published and the first pages of Tamil and French issues are here:

Story 4 :Lawrence & David - Nadukkadal KollaiI believe this one was published in one of the Lion Annuals. Short and sweet.

Story 5 :Spider - Doctor Agrovin Visithira SavaalThis was published in Fleetway Super Library issue number 18, titled "Dr Argos Challenge". Take look at the cover of this issue and the equivalent pages in the original and in Tamil.

And the cover for this Fleetway issue.

Story 6 :XIII Part 2Nothing much to say about this. XIII was a smash hit straightaway with the Lion readers. The second part is no exception. However I have a complaint about the quality of printing. Take a look at the recently published Alias page and the equivalent in this issue, and you will know what I mean. The very first scene was taking place in a place where the mountains are snow covered. However in the Tamil edition it looks like it was a junk yard. Hmmm!!!!

Story 7 :Robot Archie - Hongkongil ArchieIn a super hit issue, if Spider is there and Archie cannot be far behind. This small story is for Archie lovers.

Story 8 :Modesty Blaise - Kolai ArangamMy favorite comics hero. Original story was published under the title "Killing Ground". Take a look at the Tamil and original equivalent pages.

Story 9 :Karuppu Kizhavi Kadhaigal Kannadi KoonduAnother short story.

Story 10:Reporter Johnny - Oodu SoonyamTypical Johhny story. Complicated plot, clear story line, neat art work, unexpected turns, and the mystery finally unfolds only in the last few pages.

Story 11:Batman - Bayangara ParavaiThe short lived hero from Thihil comics fights Penguin in this story.

Story 12:Vichu Kichu(One Page story)

This issue is in great demand among collectors. Due to its high price(in those days), I guess not many copies were printed. And also it is very difficult to maintain the book in good condition as this book gets damaged very easily if you open it for few times. I heard a mint copy of this issue was sold recently for over Rs 4000!!! Copies in good condition are still going for Rs 500+. Some price!!!

I have written this blog sometime back. But I was not sure whether to go ahead with this article or not, as Mr Vijayan is covering the history of Lion Comics in his "Singaththin Siruvayathil" articles every week and this issue is bound to have a special place in that. Anyway I have decided to go ahead with this, as it would take a long time for him to reach this issue and also his way of narrating would be from the editor's point of view, where as mine is from readers'.

Saleem : Regarding your query about Maalaimathi Comics. I'm not sure whether Coorigan was the first issue of Maalaimathi Comics. A friend of mine mentioned that "Morocco Marmam" was the first Corrigan story in Maalaimathi. This issue was relased some time in Oct'75. Earlier issues(starting from 73) were dominated by the other 3 characters, Rip Kirby, Cisco Kid and Johnny Hazard. We'll soon see about Maalaimathi Comics in this blog. I do have few Ponni issues, just as samples. I do not have the list. Same for Vaasu comics.

Dr Sathish : Yes, If you can find time to write an article I don't have any issues about posting it here under your name. Or if you want to create your own blog and want me to link up from here, thats also fine with me. See which is convenient to you.

Ganesh : I'm not sure about the other Vaandumaama stories. I do have few stories of Vaandumaama, but I don't think they are copied from any other source(i know of).

Thats all for now week friends!!! See you soon with one more issue!!!

Post your comments or drop a line to me.

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-02-03T23:59:00.000+08:00

Tintin in Tamil!!!

I'm sure many of you are surprised to see this topic!!!

Well, because of the popularity of the character created by Herge, there were many attempts all over the world, to translate/imitate/copy the character in the hope that they can also hit the jackpot. Tintin even appeared in a erotic comic book called "Tintin in Thailand". How is that!!!

Though most of the translations are legally done, that is, after obtaining the permission from the original copy right holders, many were done illegally. Those who do not want to get into legal hassles, do smart copying. That is, keep the original story line in-tact, but re-draw the whole art work. This is something similar to what T-Series recording company has done in the 80s/90s in the Hindi film music industry. If the print-run is small and non-profitable for the original copy right owner to take legal action, the copycats go scot-free.

I do not want to categorise this particular issue in to any of the above, I'll let you draw your own conclusions!!!

Let's move on. The issue under discussion is the fifth book in the Parvathi Chithira Kathaigal series, titled "Ankathan Kottai Athisayam", published in Apr 94 and "The Black Island" featuring Tintin. Take a look at the cover below:

This story featues Balae Baalu, a character created by Vaandumaama, a well known children story writer. I guess he created many more stories based on Balae Baalu. But I'm not sure whether the other stories featuring the same character were also based on Tintin stories. See the introduction for this story below:

Some minor changes were made in the story. For example, in the opening pages, Tintin was shot by someone from a stary aircraft. In the Tamil version, Baalu was shot by someone from a stray boat. Well, you can't expect a plane flying in the east coast of India right? It would sound too fictional and absurd, even to this day. See the pages from the Tintin issue and Tamil issue.

Also take a look at the next few pages from the Tamil issue and the corresponding Tintin issue.

And few pages from the middle of the issue.

And finally the last page from the Tamil issue and the equivalent Tintin page.

Thought the story continues for few more pages in English, the story was cut short in the Tamil version.

The idea of this post is not to ridicule the efforts of Vaandumaama, who wrote many stories for children in Tamil. I still enjoy reading his stories, text as well as comic stories. This is just to highlight that, something like this has happended in Tamil comics industry, that's all. Sort of a trivia!!!!

My sincere thanks to Mr RT Murugan, Chennai for the Parvathi issue. In fact, he is the one who informed me about the similarities between these two stories. My part in this particular blog post is very limited, scanning and posting. The original input is really from him.

Hope you have enjoyed this post.

Let me know what you feel about this post.

Regards,
Muthufan

2006-01-28T23:07:00.000+08:00

Goscinny!!!

I would have lived without the knowledge of this genius writer, had he not been introduced by Prakash Publishers.

One of the biggest contribution of Prakash Publishers to the Tamil comics industry is the introduction of European comics. Till mid-80s, the comics printed in Tamil were mainly from the English originals. However, once Lion family entered Eurpean market to bring the non-English speaking heroes, we had choice like never before. Characters like Iznogoud(Mathi Illa Manthiri), Bruno Brazil, Bob Morane(Roger & Bill), Paul Foran(CID Marshall), Ric Hocket(Reporter Johnny), XIII have become household names among Tamil comics fans. They have also become familiar with the names of their creators, Goscinny, Greg, Van Hamme, William Vance etc.

First in the series of European characters is Lucky Luke created by Goscinny, who also created Asterix, Ompa-pa, Iznogoud (Mathi Illa Manthiri in Tamil). Illustrations were done by Morris for this issue.

He entered the Tamil comics scene like a super star. First issue itself is a special issue, that too in color and for just Rs 2/-. Wow!!! What a grand entry!!! He never looked back since then. Even today he remains the No:1 cartoon character among Tamil comics fans. He is as popular as the other cow-boys, Tex Willer and Captain Tiger(Blueberry).

The editor has selected a very lively comedy story as the first story of this super star. Titled "Super Circus", this was released under the Junior Lion banner on 01 Jan 1987. Take a look at the cover and the editor's forward for this issue below:

Note, the editor wrongly mentions, that the artist name is Goscinny Morris, in fact they are two different persons. Goscinny is the writer and Morris is the artist.

The story starts with an introduction about Lucky Luke and his horse & campanion Jolly Jumper. He can shoot faster than his own shadow. Hmmm!!!That is too fast, even for a comic book hero.

A very simple and comical story line. Lucky Luke comes across a circus which was moving to the next town through Indian infested territory. Looking at the condition of the owner Lucky Luke decides to accompany them to the next town, where they would be safe. However problem was awaiting them, as soon as they enter the next town. Mr Regan, who owns almost everything in the town does not like the circus to become the attraction during his rodeo competition. He tries his level best, not to let them perform in the town. The story revolves around how Lukcy Luke manages to thwart all his attempts against the circus and how Mr Regan finally becomes a part of the circus. Ever drinking gambler owner Morris, his wife and Trapeze artist Vanessa, his son-in-law and jestor, and horse riding daughter all play their part in making this a lively story. Even the elephant Jumbo and Lion play a major role in the story.Each time Luke punches Mr Regan, his diamond tooth falls down somewhere. In one scene he asks Lucky Luke to wait to remove his diamond tooth, before hitting him.

The first and last page of the story is below:

Also take a look at the ad for the forthcoming issues.

See what the editor has to say about this issue, in his article about Tamil comics in the magazine "World's Comic" issue 2, published in Spring 2002.

In Jan 1987 – JUNIOR LION COMICS, a new comic exclusively for cartoons and MINI-LION a pint sized mag for short action tales were introduced.

The first issue of JUNIOR LION COMICS had the international favorite LUCKY LUKE in full color at a price of Rupees Two!!. One daresay this will stand as an unsurpassed feat because virtually nobody can ever again do a multicolor issue at this price. This was the first taste of a full length cartoon story for Tamil readers and the response was overwhelming. This was a period in which Tamil readers had a choice like never before to savor the very best of world comics.

This story was released under the title "Western Circus" in the Orignal French and in English. Take a look at the English cover. This issue is one of the few English Lucky Luke titles you can get in the market now.

The write up for this issue at the Amazon site is given below:

In this tale, he joins a circus at risk of going out of business, and takes on the bigwig who "owns" a town and doesn't want an alternative entertainment to his annual rodeo. You get bandits, hitmen, "injuns", elephants, lions, drunks, all leading up to the final climax at the rodeo.

Recently I watched the cartoon VCD of this issue. Needless to say, I have enjoyed the whole episode. 26 minutes of non-stop fun. Even my three year daughter can identify Lucky Luke now, thanks to this VCD.

Those who watch Star One in India, don't miss out this episode of Lucky Luke for anything.

Thats all for now guys. Do let me know, what you feel about this post.

See you soon!!!.

Regards,
MF

2006-01-19T18:46:00.000+08:00

I'm back after a long break!!!

As suggested by Saleem, I'll take one issue at a time and write about it, the story, background information, release date and any other related info. Also my opinion, when I have read it, what I feel about it etc. Hope this is OK with you guys. Drop a line as to what you feel about this new approach.

First in this series is the 72nd issue of Muthu. Title is Aaviyin Geetham. See the cover scan below.

This issue was released in April 1978, which can be seen in the page 3 scan of this issue.

I have read this issue sometime in early 80s, when I was in Mettur. This must be the fourth or fifth Muthu issue I have read in my life. This is the first ever Cisco Kid I have read, and my first double color issue as well. The name Cisco impressed me very much, Panjo as well. I thought I'll change my name to Cisco, when I have read this book. :-) Couldn't tolerate when I saw the name of the character changed to Disco in Rani comics. Funny guys!!!

The story goes like this. Some one is trying to murder Randy, a popular singer in a small American town. Cisco, friend of Randy, thwarts the first attempt just in time. Even Randy does not know who the enemy is, as he is such a simpleton. One more indirect attempt was made to kill Randy, by spreading the rumour that Randy carries all his money in the Guitar he carries. And this time Cisco manages to trace the culprit. The originator of the rumour turns out to be Mr Alex, a local banker, who wants to marry Randy's wealthy sweetheart Lisa. Alex is more interested in wealth, which he can inherit by marrying Lisa, that any love for Lisa.As Alex knows that Lisa will never agree to marry him, as long as Randy is alive, he tries to remove Randy from the equation. However Cisco manages to terrorise Alex with Randy's music and songs, who Alex believes was killed for the money in the guitar. He was caught when he tries to escape the supposedly dead Randy, after looting his own bank(of course the money belongs to the public).

The scene I have enjoyed very much is in 29, where Alex runs scared to death, thinking that Randy's ghost is after him.

Very interesting story line. For a long time I was under the impression that this was the only Cisco story in Muthu, as Cisco stories were no longer published in 80s, the time when I have started reading comics seriously. Old issues were rare to come by, even in those times in the town of Mettur, because this was the only entertainment for the kids, when TV transmission was unheard of. You have to go to "Pattanam" (Chennai) to see the idiot box, in those days. Cricket coverage was only through, Akashvani, which will alternate between English and Indhi(as pronounced), except for the test matches in Madras. The copies I have bought from the news stand were mostly the repints of early Muthu issues featuring Mayavi, Johnny Nero, Lawrence & David (issue numbers 140+). I felt very happy when I got some issues of Muthu Comics and Malai Mathi Comics featuring Cisco Kid recently. Luis Jose Salinas, who drew Cisco Kid from 1952 to 1968, remains my favorite strip artist. So I never pass an oppurtuniy to acquire Salinas art work. Few years back I have bought some Dell Cisco Kid issues from Milehigh comics at exhorbitant prices, thinking that they were drawn by Salinas. However I was disappointed, as they turned out to be pre-Salinas issues, with very average artwork.

Take a look at the other non-story pages from this issue.

Front cover inner

Back cover

Back cover inner

This story was reprinted in Rani comics under the title "Pei Manithan" in issue number 125 dated Sep 1-15, 1989. Translation stadard is nowhere near Muthu, apart from Cisco being called Disco. Grrrrrrrr!. Take a look at the cover page and first page of this Rani comics reprint. Compare the translation of Rani with its corresponding Muthu page. I would love to see the original of this issue in English to check, why the translation varies so different between Muthu and Rani.

Rani Cover

Rani Title Page

Compare the translations:

A very big thanks to Dr Sathish(Kovai) for his valuable scans. All the Muthu scans in this post are provided by him.

Hope you have enjoyed this posting. Drop me a line, if you like this approach and for any feedback.

See you soon guys.

MF

2005-11-06T12:45:00.000+08:00

What do we have for this week? Its all about the Muthu/Lion's English editions!!!

Prakash Publishers(or should I say Muthu Comics' publishers) made another attempt to get established in the Indian English comics market in the 90s(First issue was released in Aug 92). They have tried their hand briefly with English comics in India in 70s with the publication of Steel Claw(Maayavi). However apart from the Tamil market they were not able to penetrate the other Indian language markets.I do not have the Steel Claw published in 70s with me, but the proof that there was indeed an English edition, is available in the back pages of the Muthu comics released in late 70s, which shows that the English edition is for sale at Rs 1.50. Take a look at one such ad, which appeared in issue number 94, dated 15 May 1979.

I believe this story is same as the Fleetway Super Library issue number : 1 (original Fleetway cover is shown below, story is titled "The Raiders of the FEAR"):

When I have met Mr Vijayan in Dec'04, he mentioned that, they have tried out in other South Indian languages as well. However due to distribution problems, they couldn't continue. I do not have any further info about this language editions, except this reference in wikipedia, which mentions that it was published in Malayalam by Regal Comics. If you have any more info about the Indian English editions and other language editions please let me know. Lets now get back to the original discussion!!!

In late 90s Prakash Publishers came out with the English edition of the Lion Comics, featuring the characters appeared in the Tamil edition of Lion Comics. It was started as a single story issue, following the popular Fleetway Super Library format of 132 pages. First issue featured Spider, under the title "Child's Play" in Aug'92.

This one was originally published in Fleetway Super Library issue number 26, in Jan 1968.

The same cover was used when it got published in Tamil under the title "Sirupillai Vilayattu", issue number 54.

However a different cover, similar to the cover of Fleetway Super Library number 2 was used for this Indian edition. Fleetway Super Library cover number 2 is shown below:

This issue has an ad for the forthcoming Steel Claw issue. Look at the similarities of this ad and the ad in the back cover of Fletway Super Library issue number 2.

This Steel Claw story never got published, however Steel Claw made a brief appearence in issue no:4.

Second issue featured Robot Archie, released in Sep'92, titled "Robot Archie inthe Island of Death".

Robot Archie was not published by Fleetway in the Super Library format, but there are some references about Robot Archie published in Lion Picture Library as a single story. Follow this LINK, if you want to know more about Lion Picture Library. The cover design used was same as the Lion Annual cover of 74. Take a look at the cover.

The story featured in this issue was already published in Tamil edition under the title "Marma Theevu"(Lion issue number : 13).Back cover of the Tamil edition is below:

This story was originally published in Lion Annual 73 in United Kingdom. Cover of the Lion Annual 73 and the first page of the story are below:

Third issue featured a Spider story, titled "The Chessman". This was originally published as Fleetway Super Library number 10 in May 1967 in UK. Take a look at the cover of the Indian edition and the Fleetway cover.

This story appeared in Lion under the title "Sathuranga Veriyan", issue number 12.

From issue number 4, publishers have moved to multiple(small) stories. And in my opinion this made the English edition stories less interesting, though many of these pages were in full color. Number of pages is also reduced. Fourth issue featured about 10 stories, including one Steel Claw story, which featured as "Vibathil Sikkiya Vimanam" in Muthu(issue number 117). This story also featured in the CC edition number 17. Cover scan of the issue 4 is below.

First page of the steel claw story from this issue is below:

If you want to have the complete story(in English) drop me a mail and I'll let you know, how to get the scan of the complete story.

Fifth and final issue featured about 10 stories. Many of the characters appeared in issue 4 and 5, also featured in the Mini Lion & Junior Lion published by Prakash Publishers. Some of them are, Billy Bunter(Gundan Billy in Tamil), Sporty(Vichu Kichu in Tamil), Zip Nolan(Nolanodu Thuppariyungal), Phil the Fluter(Kuzhaludhum Kannan), Tatty Mane(Parattai Thalai Raja). And it even had a story of Johnny - Thupparium Computer(originally known as Number 13 Marvel Street).

Sadly it ended with issue number 5 and with that, the hope of seeing Maayavi in single Indian English edition also died. With this short run, it will remain as a small chapter in the history of Muthu Comics.

Size of these issues were similar to the current size of Muthu/Lion.

You would have notied, that, I use lot of scans. I do this deliberately, because visuals have got a better way to convey a message strongly, than words and also it has the power to bring the nostaltic memories. And in any case, looking at the scans is better than what I blabber about them. Right?

Post your comments or send mail about this article.

MF

2005-10-29T14:31:00.000+08:00

14.11.1982!!!

This day will be remembered not only as Deepavali day, but also for the launch of a new comics based weekly magazine in Tamil. Muthu Comics Vaaramalar(MCV)!!! Publishing Editor of this magazine was Mr Mullai Thangarasan!!!

MCV was different in many ways. It had everything that a kid can ask for in a children's magazine. It had both the comics section & text stories section. In comics also there were varieties. Science thriller in the form of Maayavi story, fun in the form Athi Methai Appu & Kapish, Action stories in the form of Vanaraja and Inspector Garuda. And half page fun like Ramu & Somu as well. In the text section also there is no dearth for variety. There was a mayajaala thodar kathai, and lot of one page/half page and two page neethi kathaigal. Even a half page puzzles section was there. It is like eating full virudhu, starting from Appetizer and ending with Ice Cream. Even question and answer section was later included. And the best part was, 8 pages were in colour and the size is A4. All this for just 60 paise and 16 pages per issue. See the hotline from the editor in the first issue.

All the text stories were locally created. And most of the comic stories were also locally created. Notable exception was Maayavi story, which was created overseas. Later, another overseas creation, Bruce Lee also joined the party. Inspector Garuda, Kapish, Ramu & Somu were popular creations from North India(from Tinkle magazine). And Athi Methai Appu was locally created in Tamil Nadu, with fantastic art work from Mr Chellam. I'm not sure who wrote the stories??? See the first ever Athi Methai Appu story from the first issue of MCV.

Tail piece, Chellam was the artist for the much popular Jam, Jim & Jack story in Ratnabala as well, after Mr Vivek moved out of this project.

MCV remained as my favorite publication from the Muthu group(atleast till the launch of Lion Comics). It had just everything. You name it, we have it sort of magazine. And to top it all, it was a weekly, so you don't have to wait too long to get the next issue. The only complaint I had about MCV was the use of Color and B&W for the Maayavi story. In every issue, one page of the story was is color and the next page was in B&W. See the Maayavi story from the first issue below.

I still vividly remember the days when I used to visit the book shop(Elango Book Stall in Square Market, Mettur Dam), almost every day to look for the ever elusive new issue. To get the 21 issues from the stands, I would have visited the book shop atleast for 300 times. Part of childhood fun!!! Issue number 2 was not at all available for a very long time as there was a competition based on this issue. In fact I have read the issue number 2, almost after the publication was stopped in 1984. That was much after the release of issue 22. The competition was to find the three mistakes made in issue 2. Prize amount was Rs 100.

As you can guess, there was a huse response for this competition. 175 readers have given the correct answer, more than what the publishers expected. Instead of balloting, prize amount was increased to Rs 350 and Rs 2 was given to each one!!! A big amount in those days!!!

I have managed to collect all the 22 issues by the end of 1984. Some time in 1985, I have given all the books, in exchange for issue number 94(Kaanaamal Pona Vaarisugal featuring Rip Kirby) from Muthu. I was cursing myself for a long time, for doing this kind of stupid exchange as I have realised that it was very difficult to get the MCV issues due to its odd size. When I have got all the 22 issues in my hand few weeks back, which was bought through a friend of mine, I was on top of the world. The condition was also immaculate. It is very difficult to see the issues in this quality now-a-days.

MCV was banking on the popularity of Maayavi for its success. Maayavi story was more than what Tex Willer is for lion and what Captain Tiger is for Muthu, atleast for the first few issues, till it got stabilised.

Bruce Lee story started appearing from issue 10, after much fanfare. See the Ad for this story in the page 16, of issues 8 and 9, which, till then was reserved for the second hero of MCV, Athi Methai Appu. Shifting him to the inner pages was like changing the Metti Oli timing from prime time to some obscure time like 3 PM. After these two issues, Appu was moved back to the prime page 16. My friends circle felt very angry about shifting Appu to the inner pages.

Not sure what was the response for Bruce Lee story, personally I did not like it much. See the scan of the first page from the Bruce Lee story.

Anyway, as with other publications from Muthu group, this one also got into the "Always Late" mode. There was a huge gap between issue 19 and 20. Issue 19 was published on 22.05.1983 and 20 was published on 29.01.1984, a gap of more than seven months. They have barely managed to complete the Maayavi story in issue number 21 dated 05.02.1984. Ultimately this magazine was stopped with issue number 22, dated 19.02.1984. Had it been published weekly, it would have been 67 issues, from 14.11.1982 to 19.02.1984. When it was closed, many stories were left unfinished. Maayavikkor Maayavi was later published in Muthu(issue 152). Scans of both, from issue 22 and Muthu 152 (cover & first page) are below:

Other stories left hanging were, Vana Raja, Bruce Lee and Inspector Garuda. I'm not sure whether these stories were later completed in some other publication??? One text thodar Thanga Mayil Dhevathai was completed in issue 22.

I really do not know why it was stopped. Was it because they couldn't cope up with the weekly schedule(in that case, they should have converted this to a fortnightly or monthly!!!) or lack of response from readers(I doubt it!!!) or is it something else. I'm not sure whether this stoppage has got anything to do with the departure of Mr Mullai Thangarasan. The last issue was dated 19.02.1984 and Mr Mullai Thangarasan started the short lived Mehta comics in May 1984 as a direct competition for Muthu comics. That means, he should have started working on Mehta comics from early 84, immediately after leaving Muthu. Just a coincidence or something to do with Vaaramalar's closure??? Just my speculation!!! See below, what Mr Vijayan has to say about the difficulty he has faced with the publication of the first issue of Lion Comics in 1984, because of Mr Mullai Thangarasan. Not very charitable!!!!

When I have realised that MCV was stopped once for all, I felt very sad. It was like losing your long time friend. However Lion comics compensated for the loss of MCV soon!!! More about Lion Comics later!!!

Thanks for the comments about my previous posting. If you want anything, please drop a mail or post your comments!!!

Saleem: I do have atleast the cover scans of the issues you have mentioned. Don't worry, they will all get featured in this blog, sometime soon. My next posting will cover your question about English edition of Maayavi.

Rafiq: Please let me know, how I can help you to get going with your web site.

BN: Yes, "The Phantom Captain" is "Thisai Mariya Kappalgal". "Kollaikkara Pisasu" Was "The phantom Pirate". Sorry for the goof-up!!!

Next posting will feature about the English language publications from the Muthu Group. If you want to see any other topic, please let me know!!!

Stay tuned!!!

MF

2005-10-22T12:51:00.000+08:00

Thanks for visiting my blog and a big thanks for those who posted their comments and mails!!! Your feedback is very much appreciated!!!

In this issue we will be dealing with some TRIVIA about CC!!!

I have noticed some interesting things about the CC covers. Look at the cover of Nadunisi Kalvan and Kollaikara Maayavi. I think the same sketch of the hand was used in both the covers. And Maayavi in the cover of Kollaikara Maayavi look like actor Abbas, than the face we are used to!!!

Covers of Paathala Nagaram and Paambu Theevu has got some similarities!!!

Not many differences between the covers of Flight 731 and The Destroyers(Panikkadalil Bayangara Erimal in Muthu) of Fleetway!!!

Very identical covers used for Johnny In London and The Shadows of the Samurai(Johnny in Japan in Muthu) of Fleetway!!!

Except for minot change in Spider's expression, cover of Sirupillai Vilayattu and Spider(Saithan Vinjani in Lion) of Fleetway are same!!!

Covers of Marma Theevil Maayavi and Treason by Request(Kollaikaara Maayavi in Muthu) of Fleetway has lot of similarities!!!

And finally the covers of Thikilootum Nimidangal and Phantom Captain(Kollaikaara Pisasu in Muthu) of Fleetway!!!

I think there are many instances where the cover used for one story is also used for another story during the reprint run of Muthu in 80s. Do you know any cover which was used partially or wholly??? Please let me know.

Next to come is a big write-up about Muthu Comics Vaaramalar(MCV)!!!

Post your comments or just drop me a mail.

Regards,
MF

2005-10-16T15:43:00.000+08:00

Apologies!!!Apologies!!!Apologies!!!

Thanks for pointing out my lapses about Editor's hotline!!!

I have checked all the issues once again and found that I have infact missed out Editor's hotline from 5 issues!!! They are reproduced below for your information!!!!

1. Hotline from Issue 2.

2. Hotline from Issue 5.

3. Hotline from Issue 6.

4 Hotline from Issue 7.

5. Hotline from Issue 9.

Also included is the subscription information for CC below(as of Oct 2005)!!!

Oh!!!Just one more thing!!! The cover!!! A thick cover, in the lines of present Muthu and Lion was used for issue 15. But not followed afterwards. This card board type cover will definitely help to preserve the comics for longer duration. Why not use the same type for the furture issues????

Post your comments or just drop me a mail.

Regards,
MF

2005-10-15T08:53:00.000+08:00

Thanks for the encouraging messages for my first post!!!

Let's get started!!!!

We will talk about Comics Classics(CC in short) in this posting!!!

If you have read and enjoyed Muthu comics in your schools days, then Comics Classics should make you to relive those wonderful days, again!!!. Take a look at the message from the editor about this new member to the Muthu family.

Comics Classics was started in late 90s to rekindle Muthu comics Nostalgia for the old timers. It sure does!!! As of Oct 2005, 19 issues have been released. Each issue of CC has two stories, exceptions are issue 9(only one story), 10(three stories) and 18(three stroies). The combination of stories for early issues are the same combination used in the Fleetway Super Library series of 1967/68(which is the original series in United Kingdom, in which the original stories appeared). The combination is Steel Claw(Maayavi) and Spider in the Stupendous Series and Barracuda & Frollo(Lawrence & David in Muthu) and Johnny Nero in the Secret Agent series for the Fleetway. The same combination was used in 12 issues of CC as well. For more about the Fleetway Muthu link visit here.

Though the editor has announced that there will be four issues per year, I guess it was never fulfilled. Particlarly it has become very sporadic in the years 2001/2002. Issue number 10 was released in Dec 2001 and issue number 19 was released in Sep 2005, which means only 9 issues in four years, and it also means 2/3 issues per year. Atleast 2005 has seen three issues(17,18 and 19) so far(as of Oct 2005). Hopefully the fourth CC for the year 2005 is released before Dec 2005 making it an ideal year for CC. Recent announcement about taking subscription for CC should appeal to those who hate to visit the shops frequently.

Quality and the size of the books merits a deeper discussion!!!!.

Though the print quality is not quite the same as the original first print of 70's, they are passable. Of course in some issues the lettering is so bad, you have to use a magnifier to read it. And smudging is also another issue with the pictures. Thalai Ketta Thanga Pudhayal is an example for this. Take a look at a page form this book below.

I guess the reason for the bad quality print is that the original blocks can no longer be used as they are too soiled and the actual books from Muthu were used for printing the CC. So we have to be satisfied with "Something is better than nothing!!!". The best in the series for print quality is Micro Alai Varisai 848. I guess the whole artwork was redone for this issue. Take a look at a page from this gem. How nice it would be, if all the CC issues are produced with this quality!!!.

However the pocket size decision is a welcome one, as it is easy to handle and definitely value for money. 244+ pages for ten rupees is a bargain. Pocket size(the success formula of Lion) was used for the all the issues, except 9!!! The format for 9 was the result of the many overseas(old) readers asking the editor to print it in the original size. However I guess this did not work out very well, as the size was reverted to pocket size from 10 onwards, and it stays that way.

Characters appeared so far in the CC are:
1. Maayavi(11 stories)
2. Spider(8 stories)
3. Johnny Nero(8 stories)
4. Lawrence & David(8 stories)
5. Tex Willer (One story)
6. Irubukkai Norman (One story)
7. Robot Archie (Two story)

I think it would be a good idea to include the Corrigan, Rip Kirby, Cisco Kid, Johnny Hazard and Buz Sawyer issues in the CC. And why not Phantom and Mandrake as well???? On second thoughts, may be Phantom is not a good choice, as many stories were already published in Rani comics. Editor has thought of including the Reporter Johhny story in the second issue. However for some reasons he has dropped the idea. Talking about the forthcoming issues announcement, I have noticed that many times, the announced story was changed at the last minute(whatever it means!!!). Most of the times this is the norm, rather than exception. Anyway I do not have any complaints about the substituted story, it is also equally good :-). By the way, issue number 19 does not have any announcement for the next issue. However I guess CC project would not be shelved any time soon.

As pointed out by BN in the Lion Comics discussion forum, many of the golden oldies are not yet printed. Titles mentioned by him are:
1. Katril Karaintha Kappalgal
2. Panikkadalil Bayangara Erimalai
3. Vaanveli Kollaiyar
4. CID Lawrence(not so good anyway)
5. Moolai Thirudargal
6. Beirutil Johnny
7. Thanga Viral Marmam(one of my favorite)
8. Nayagaravil Mayavi(another favorite of mine)
9. Naasa Alaigal
10. Iyanthirathalai Manithargal(One of Editor's top 10)
11. Johnny in Paris(Is it really a classic)
12. Uraipani Marmam
13. Malaikottai Marmam

What is missing in CC is the hotline!!! As the editor is giving his input in the other two regulars(Muthu and Lion), he should also give some background info about the CC as well. He has done this on only two issues of CC(Hotline from issue 1 was shown above & hotline from 3 is shown below).

Since he is writing something about the history of Lion Comics in each issue, he should use CC to give the historic info about the issues. Atleast why he has selected the story, how was the response when it was first released, etc etc. And what about Vasakar feedback section????

What can make CC more interesting? Or is it OK to maintain as it is? Post your comments!!!

Dr Sathish from Kovai, has helped me with the cover scans of the first issue and as well as the inside scans of Editor's hotline section in the same issue. He has sent me many more scans as well, which I'll be using in the furture posts. A big thanks Dr Sathish!!!

And finally here is the list and the cover scans!!!!

1. Paathala Nagaram(Maayavi) Doctor Takkar(Spider)

2. Sathikarar Sangam(Johnny Nero) Sirai Paravaigal(Lawrence David)

3. Paambu Theevu(Maayavi) Kadaththal Kumizhigal(Spider)

4. Pazhi Vangum Paavai(Tex) Kolai Karam(Johnny Nero)

5. Kal Nenjan(Spider) Irumbukkai Maayavi

6. Flight 731(Lawrence David) Johnny IN London

7. Imayathil Maayavi Sirupillai Vilayattu(Spider)

8. Manjal Poo Marmam(Lawrence David) Thurukkiyil Johnny Nero

9. Kollaikara Pisasu(Maayavi)

10.Kadathal Mudhalaigal(Johnny Nero) Thavalai Ethiri(Spider)

11.Formula X-13(Lawrence David) Thisai Maariya Kappalgal(Lawrence David)

12.Newyorkil Maayavi Marma Theevu(Archie)

13.Kolai Padai(Spider) Nadunisi Kalvan(Maayavi)

14.Johnny IN Japan Thalai Ketta Thanga Pudhayal(Lawrence David)

15.Kolaikara Kalainjan(Johnny Nero) Vinnil Maraintha Vimanagal(Lawrence David)

16.Pazhi Vangum Bommai(Spider) Kollaikaara Maayavi

17.Microalaivarisai 848(Johnny Nero) Thanga Vettai(Archie)

18.Paathala Porattam(Spider) Parakkum Pisasu(Maayavi)

19.Marma Theevil Maayavi Thikilootum Nimidangal(Lawrence David)

If you have read up to this point, it means you are interested in the Tamil comics and my posting is somewhat interesting to read. Why don't you spend couple of minutes more to post your comments!!! That will help me to fine tune this blog!!!Thanks in advance.

MF

2005-10-12T18:34:00.000+08:00

I always wanted to have a place of my own in the web to discuss about my passion...Comics!!! Specifically about the comics I have read and enjoyed!!! Mostly Tamil and English!!!

With this in mind, I have hosted couple of sites http://muthufan.tripod.com and http://muthufan.0catch.com between 2001 and 2005. However I have realised that maintaining the site in Tamil is not so easy. With little or no encouragement from the readers, soon I have lost interest. The sites are still there, but not updated frequently to keep them alive and interesting. Also everytime I get a new info I have to edit the whole page or site, to upload the info, 'cause the whole thing is in Tamil(so it has to be edited using a Tamil editor), which is time consuming. This did not suit me at all. I just wanted to have a place where I can upload something very quickly, sort of a chaotic yet organised place and get the feedback from the readers, that can be viewed by all. Those two sites did not quite fit to this requirement. A web site has to be a organised place, where as I'm not. So I was thinking what else to do???

Some time in April,2005 I came across a comics site dedicated to the Indrajal Comics, which posts the scans of Old Indrajals. Blogs are formal and yet informal place where the like minded people can have a go!!! So I thought, "OK let me give it a try!!! If this works, fine, if it doesn't, let's see what else can be done".

So here we are, at the first posting of Muthu Fan's Blog, which will be discussing about the Comics, Comics and Comics!!!! I'll soon be posting info about Comics Classics including all the cover scans.

Apart form this casual blog style, the major difference between my sites and this blog will be the language. I'll not be posting anything in Tamil(atleaset, not yet anyway). It is too much of a hassle to do the typing in Tamil and hosting it as HTML. Don't know whether this will make it more/less attractive!!!

Don't expect any full issue scans, at best you can get the cover scans and hotline or other pages for which I have permission to display.

And finally about the name. I wanted to use muthufan.blogspot.com, but unfortunately it was already taken!!! By whom???? Don't know!!! So I had to settle for something else. muthufanblog sounded OK to me!!!

Drop a line if you like, hate, enjoy this postings!!!!

See you later!!!

MF