Lion comics
Encyclopedia
Lion comics is a Tamil Comic Book series published by Prakash Publishers, in South India. Both Lion Comics and its sister publication 'Muthu Comics' (முத்து காமிக்ஸ்), are published monthly in Tamil language
. In fact, Muthu Comics is the forerunner to Lion Comics, even though the later has taken over as the leading brand of the comic publication. The Editor/publisher of the concern, Mr. S Vijayan, is based in Sivakasi
, where the comics publishing house also is based out.
Almost all of the stories published are Tamil translations of primarily European or American comic series, including those from the British Comics Publisher of the same name - Lion
. Tex Willer
, along with Lucky Luke
and Mike Blueberry are the most popular cowboy heros; Steel Claw
and The Spider
were the more popular superheroes during the comic house's best of times.
The first among the Comic House's expansion ventures - a weekly (முத்து காமிக்ஸ் வாரமலர) - was started in the early eighties, which was subsequently withdrawn after a few years. In 1984, after a brief lull, when there was no comics publications in the market, came Lion Comics (லயன் காமிக்ஸ). Lion Comics was a creation of Mr.Soundrapandian's son Vijayan. Vijayan became the Chief-editor of Lion comics when he was seventeen.
Expansion continued with the launch of the Junior-Lion (ஜூனியர் லயன்), Mini-Lion (மினி லயன்) and Thigil comics (திகில் காமிக்ஸ்), all of which were published in parallel, on a monthly basis. Festivals like Diwali
, Pongal
and summer holidays promised special Digest
Issues, which were bigger and costlier than the regular comic. These were the Golden years in Tamil Comics history.
1984 is also the year in which the Other major player in Tamil Comics - Rani Comics - was started by the ThinaThanthi (தினத்தந்தி in Tamil) group of Publishers. Rani comics would grow over to become the dominant market player for the next ten years or so.
Mid-eighties - The launch of private Television Channels and Satellite / Cable TV Public-access television
, marked the beginning of the spiraling decline in the readership in the State, and Comics readership was no different. Children and youth were increasingly drawn in to the new world introduced through Television media.
During the worst periods of hardship, readers were plagued with problems such as shortage of quality story/art work, non-availability in local stores and frequent delays in releasing scheduled titles. Those dark times have remained to stay, as far as Lion and Muthu Comics are concerned to date.
One by one, most of the local comic publishers perished, in this changed market place. Rani Comics bowed out with its 500th issue; Mini, Junior and Thigil comics were also eventually stopped, and later their comic characters or series were brought under the two "last men standing" brands, Lion and Muthu comics.
Of late, there has been a brief revival in the comics interests with the publication of 'Comics Classics' - reprinted popular stories of yesteryear. Lion Comics continues to penetrate beyond its niche audience, but always is pulled down, by its irregular publishing schedule.
The current issue of Lion Comics, is their biggest venture yet. A Jumbo Edition carrying one of their lead characters, XIII. It was originally scheduled for 2009, then was pushed to various dates in 2010, and has finally been released in October 2010. The issue is priced at INR 200, marking the costliest edition ever released by the comic publishing house. They have already attained quite an amount of success with their three specials, which were each priced INR 100, in past years. This issue is undoubtedly one of the fattest comic book releases ever in India, and probably the world over (in terms of a complete series in one volume).
There were also occasional appearances of Batman & Joker, James Bond (ஜேம்ஸ் பாண்ட் 007), Judge Dredd, Sexton Blake (செக்ஸ்டன் ப்ளேக்).
001 Kathi Munayil Modesty
.
.
207 Kolai Seiya Virumbu
Muthu Comics
001 Irumbu Kai Maayavi
.
.
310 Nizhal Edhu Nijam Edhu
Old issues of Lion and Muthu comics were stacked up in their warehouse at Sivakasi, which used to be a cynosure of eyes for those who visit the place. Reports of theft of comics, and illegal scans of those, have prompted the administrators to disallow access to this Treasure Chest, for all Tamil Comics lovers. Mr. Soundarapandan says that upgrading the ware house into a library is economically not feasible, due to the dwindling population that reads comics.
Recently, Mr.Vijayan was interviewed for South India based Kalaignar TV, where he went over his comics passion and the business in general. In the Interview, he also stressed on bringing the Lion Comics official back online by the end of 2009, to keep the readers abreast of the latest happenings.
Tamil language
Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore...
. In fact, Muthu Comics is the forerunner to Lion Comics, even though the later has taken over as the leading brand of the comic publication. The Editor/publisher of the concern, Mr. S Vijayan, is based in Sivakasi
Sivakasi
Sivakasi is an active town and a municipality in Virudhunagar District in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is the capital of India’s firecracker industry with about 8,000 factories, big and small, producing 90 percent of the total fireworks output.It is also known as "kutti japan" meaning "small...
, where the comics publishing house also is based out.
Almost all of the stories published are Tamil translations of primarily European or American comic series, including those from the British Comics Publisher of the same name - Lion
Lion (comic)
Lion was a weekly comic published by Fleetway from 23 February 1952 to 18 May 1974. It lasted for 1,156 issues.-Publishing history:...
. Tex Willer
Tex Willer
Tex Willer is the main fictional character of the Italian comics series Tex, created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini, and first published in Italy on 30 September 1948. It is among the most popular characters of Italian comics, with translations to numerous ...
, along with Lucky Luke
Lucky Luke
Lucky Luke is a Belgian comics series created by Belgian cartoonist, Maurice De Bevere better known as Morris, the original artist, and was for one period written by René Goscinny...
and Mike Blueberry are the most popular cowboy heros; Steel Claw
Steel Claw
The Steel Claw was one of the most popular comic book heroes of British weekly adventure comics of the 1960s and 1970s. The character was revived in 2005 for Albion, a six issue mini-series published by the Wildstorm imprint of DC Comics....
and The Spider
The Spider
The Spider was one of the major pulp magazine heroes of the 1930s and 1940s.- Background :The Spider was created by Harry Steeger at Popular Publications in 1933 as competition to Street and Smith Publications' vigilante hero, The Shadow...
were the more popular superheroes during the comic house's best of times.
Related publications
Muthu Comics (முத்து காமிக்ஸ்), Thigil Comics (திகில் காமிக்ஸ்), Mini-Lion (மினி லயன்) andJunior-Lion (ஜூனியர் லயன்) are some of the other publications from the same concern. Comics Classics is the a latest addition with re-printed run of more famous titles published in the past, during the so-called Golden Age of Tamil comics.History
The first issue of Muthu comics was published in 1971 as a monthly (128 pages, INR 0.90). It featured The Steel Claw (இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி in Tamil). Although there had been a few comics publishers in Tamil from the early 60s, the entry of Muthu Comics marks the beginning of the Golden Age of Tamil Comics. Muthu comics enjoyed a warm welcome from the Tamil audience and with M.Soundrapandian, continued to grow steadily over the years.The first among the Comic House's expansion ventures - a weekly (முத்து காமிக்ஸ் வாரமலர) - was started in the early eighties, which was subsequently withdrawn after a few years. In 1984, after a brief lull, when there was no comics publications in the market, came Lion Comics (லயன் காமிக்ஸ). Lion Comics was a creation of Mr.Soundrapandian's son Vijayan. Vijayan became the Chief-editor of Lion comics when he was seventeen.
Expansion continued with the launch of the Junior-Lion (ஜூனியர் லயன்), Mini-Lion (மினி லயன்) and Thigil comics (திகில் காமிக்ஸ்), all of which were published in parallel, on a monthly basis. Festivals like Diwali
Diwali
Diwali or DeepavaliThe name of the festival in various regional languages include:, , , , , , , , , , , , , popularly known as the "festival of lights," is a festival celebrated between mid-October and mid-December for different reasons...
, Pongal
Pongal
Thai Ponggal is a harvest festival celebrated by Tamils in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, Indian Union Territory of Pondicherry and in Sri Lanka. Pongal coincides with the festival Makara Sankranthi celebrated throughout India. Pongal in Tamil means "boiling over" or "spill over". The boiling...
and summer holidays promised special Digest
Digest size
Digest size is a magazine size, smaller than a conventional or "journal size" magazine but larger than a standard paperback book, approximately 5½ x 8¼ inches, but can also be 5⅜ x 8⅜ inches and 5½ x 7½ inches. These sizes have evolved from the printing press operation end...
Issues, which were bigger and costlier than the regular comic. These were the Golden years in Tamil Comics history.
1984 is also the year in which the Other major player in Tamil Comics - Rani Comics - was started by the ThinaThanthi (தினத்தந்தி in Tamil) group of Publishers. Rani comics would grow over to become the dominant market player for the next ten years or so.
Mid-eighties - The launch of private Television Channels and Satellite / Cable TV Public-access television
Public-access television
Public-access television is a form of non-commercial mass media where ordinary people can create content television programming which is cablecast through cable TV specialty channels...
, marked the beginning of the spiraling decline in the readership in the State, and Comics readership was no different. Children and youth were increasingly drawn in to the new world introduced through Television media.
During the worst periods of hardship, readers were plagued with problems such as shortage of quality story/art work, non-availability in local stores and frequent delays in releasing scheduled titles. Those dark times have remained to stay, as far as Lion and Muthu Comics are concerned to date.
One by one, most of the local comic publishers perished, in this changed market place. Rani Comics bowed out with its 500th issue; Mini, Junior and Thigil comics were also eventually stopped, and later their comic characters or series were brought under the two "last men standing" brands, Lion and Muthu comics.
Lion and Muthu post 2000
As of 2008, the Official Lioncomics.com website is no longer owned by Prakash Publishers. The site was up for renewal, and the publishers didn't show interest in keeping their presence on the Web, even though they continue to release Lion Comics and Muthu, often at prolonged gaps in between each issues.Of late, there has been a brief revival in the comics interests with the publication of 'Comics Classics' - reprinted popular stories of yesteryear. Lion Comics continues to penetrate beyond its niche audience, but always is pulled down, by its irregular publishing schedule.
The current issue of Lion Comics, is their biggest venture yet. A Jumbo Edition carrying one of their lead characters, XIII. It was originally scheduled for 2009, then was pushed to various dates in 2010, and has finally been released in October 2010. The issue is priced at INR 200, marking the costliest edition ever released by the comic publishing house. They have already attained quite an amount of success with their three specials, which were each priced INR 100, in past years. This issue is undoubtedly one of the fattest comic book releases ever in India, and probably the world over (in terms of a complete series in one volume).
Featured heroes
Some of the more popular comic heroes introduced to Tamil audience were- Lucky Luke
- Chick Bill
- Iznogoud
- Tex Willer
- Steel Claw
- The Spider
- Robot Archie
- Modesty Blaise
| Character | Tamil Name | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Barracuda & Frollo | Lawrence - David (சி.ஐ.டி லாரன்ஸ் - டேவிட்) | ? |
| Bernard Prince Bernard Prince Bernard Prince is a Franco-Belgian comics series, featuring an eponymous character and his sailor-adventurer companions. The series was created by Belgian cartoonists Greg and Hermann for the comics magazine Tintin, first appearing on January 4, 1966.... |
Prince | Belgian |
| Blueberry (comics) | Tiger (கேப்டன டைகர்) | French |
| Bruno Brazil Bruno Brazil Bruno Brazil is a Franco-Belgian comics series written by Greg, under the pseudonym Louis Albert, and drawn by William Vance. It was initially serialised in the comics magazine Tintin, first appearing on January 17, 1967... |
Bruno Brazil (ப்ரூனோ ப்ரேஸில்) | French |
| Buz Sawyer Buz Sawyer Buz Sawyer was a popular comic strip created by Roy Crane and highly regarded by comic strip historians. Distributed by King Features Syndicate, it had a long run from November 1, 1943 to 1989. The last strip signed by Crane was dated 21 April 1979.... |
Charlie | American |
| Chick Bill Chick Bill Chick Bill is a Franco-Belgian humorous Western series created by Tibet. It was first published in the comics magazines De Avonturen van Koenraad and Chez Nous Junior in 1953, and began serial publication on October 19, 1955 in Tintin under the title Les aventures de Chick Bill le... |
Chick Bill (சிக் பில்) | Belgian |
| Diabolik Diabolik Diabolik is a fictional character, an anti-hero featured in Italian comics. He was created by sisters Angela and Luciana Giussani in 1962. His stories appear in monthly black and white digest-sized booklets. The character was inspired by several previous characters from Italian and French pulp... |
Diabolik | Italian |
| Dr. Kildare Dr. Kildare Dr. James Kildare is a fictional character, the primary character in a series of American theatrical films in the late 1930s and early 1940s, an early 1950s radio series, a 1960s television series of the same name and a comic book based on the TV show, and a short-lived 1970s television series... |
Dr. Kildare | ? |
| Flash Gordon Flash Gordon Flash Gordon is the hero of a science fiction adventure comic strip originally drawn by Alex Raymond. First published January 7, 1934, the strip was inspired by and created to compete with the already established Buck Rogers adventure strip. Also inspired by these series were comics such as Dash... |
Flash Gordon (பிளாஷ் கார்டன்) | American |
| Iznogoud Iznogoud Iznogoud |French]] accent) is a French comics series featuring an eponymous character, created by the comics writer René Goscinny and comics artist Jean Tabary... |
mathi illa mandhri (மதியில்லா மந்திரி) | Franco-Belgian |
| Johnny Hazard Johnny Hazard Johnny Hazard was an action-adventure comic strip created by cartoonist Frank Robbins for King Features Syndicate. It was published from 1944 until 1977 with separate storylines for the daily strip and the Sunday strip.-Day before D-Day:... |
Wing Commander Johnny | ? |
| Johnny Nero | Johnny Nero | British |
| Lucky Luke Lucky Luke Lucky Luke is a Belgian comics series created by Belgian cartoonist, Maurice De Bevere better known as Morris, the original artist, and was for one period written by René Goscinny... |
Lucky Luke (லக்கி lukக்) | Franco-Belgian |
| Mandrake the Magician Mandrake the Magician Mandrake the Magician is a syndicated newspaper comic strip, created by Lee Falk , which began June 11, 1934. Phil Davis soon took over as the strip's illustrator, while Falk continued to script. The strip was distributed by King Features Syndicate.Davis worked on the strip until his death in 1964,... |
Mandhiravaathi Mandrake (மாண்ட்ரேக்) | American |
| Martin Mystère Martin Mystère Martin Mystère is an Italian comic book. Created by writer Alfredo Castelli and drawn by Giancarlo Alessandrini, it was first published in Italy by Sergio Bonelli Editore in 1982.... |
Marma Manithan Martin (மர்ம மனிதன் மார்ட்டின) | Italian |
| Modesty Blaise Modesty Blaise Modesty Blaise is a British comic strip featuring a fictional character of the same name, created by Peter O'Donnell and Jim Holdaway in 1963. The strip follows the adventures of Modesty Blaise, an exceptional young woman with many talents and a criminal past, and her trusty sidekick Willie Garvin... |
Modesty Blaise (மாடஸ்டி பிளைஸி) | British |
| Ric Hochet Ric Hochet Ric Hochet is a Franco-Belgian comics series created by Tibet and André-Paul Duchâteau . It first appeared on March 3, 1955 in the comics magazine Tintin.-Synopsis:... |
Reporter Johnny | French |
| Rip Kirby Rip Kirby Rip Kirby was a popular comic strip featuring the adventures of the eponymous lead character, a private detective created by Alex Raymond in 1946... |
Rip Kirby ( | American |
| Robot Archie Robot Archie Robot Archie is the name of a fictional comic book character who first appeared in Lion #1 published in February 1952.-Publishing history:... |
Robot Archie (இரும்பு மனிதன் ஆர்ச்சி) | British |
| Secret Agent X-9 Secret Agent X-9 Secret Agent X-9 was a comic strip begun by writer Dashiell Hammett and artist Alex Raymond . Syndicated by King Features, it ran from January 22, 1934 until February 10, 1996.... (Phil Corrigan) |
Phil Corrigan | American |
| Tex Willer Tex Willer Tex Willer is the main fictional character of the Italian comics series Tex, created by writer Gian Luigi Bonelli and illustrator Aurelio Galleppini, and first published in Italy on 30 September 1948. It is among the most popular characters of Italian comics, with translations to numerous ... |
Tex Willer (டெக்ஸ்வில்லர்) | Italian |
| The Cisco Kid The Cisco Kid The Cisco Kid refers to a character found in numerous film, radio, television and comic book series based on the fictional Western character created by O. Henry in his 1907 short story "The Caballero's Way", published in the collection Heart of the West... |
The Cisco Kid (சிஸ்கோ கிட்) | American |
| The Phantom The Phantom The Phantom is an American adventure comic strip created by Lee Falk, also creator of Mandrake the Magician. A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crimefighter operating from the fictional African country Bengalla.The Phantom is... |
Maayavi (மாயாவி) | American |
| The Spider The Spider The Spider was one of the major pulp magazine heroes of the 1930s and 1940s.- Background :The Spider was created by Harry Steeger at Popular Publications in 1933 as competition to Street and Smith Publications' vigilante hero, The Shadow... |
Spider (ஸ்பைடர்) | British |
| The Steel Claw | Irumbukai Maayavi (இரும்புக்கை மாயாவி) | British |
| XIII (Thirteen) | XIII | Franco-Belgian |
There were also occasional appearances of Batman & Joker, James Bond (ஜேம்ஸ் பாண்ட் 007), Judge Dredd, Sexton Blake (செக்ஸ்டன் ப்ளேக்).
Issues published
Lion Comics001 Kathi Munayil Modesty
.
.
207 Kolai Seiya Virumbu
Muthu Comics
001 Irumbu Kai Maayavi
.
.
310 Nizhal Edhu Nijam Edhu
The role of the editor
It must be stressed here that unlike the rest-of-the-world, in India, there is still the dominant view that comics 'are just for kids'. Successfully running a comics publishing house in such social milieu speaks greatly of the determination and the sense-of-purpose of the publishers. Mr.S Vijayan, the editor has a good chemistry with the readers, through his 'Hotline' and 'Comics Time' forewords that appears in every issue of Lion comics.Old issues of Lion and Muthu comics were stacked up in their warehouse at Sivakasi, which used to be a cynosure of eyes for those who visit the place. Reports of theft of comics, and illegal scans of those, have prompted the administrators to disallow access to this Treasure Chest, for all Tamil Comics lovers. Mr. Soundarapandan says that upgrading the ware house into a library is economically not feasible, due to the dwindling population that reads comics.
Recently, Mr.Vijayan was interviewed for South India based Kalaignar TV, where he went over his comics passion and the business in general. In the Interview, he also stressed on bringing the Lion Comics official back online by the end of 2009, to keep the readers abreast of the latest happenings.
External links
- Tamil Comics Ulagam: Latest Happenings & Reviews of all Tamil Comics http://www.tamilcomicsulagam.blogspot.com)
- Tex Willar around the World http://www.ubcfumetti.com/tx/este_in.htm (in Tamil)
- Muthufan Blog http://muthufanblog.blogspot.com/
- Tripod page on all lion/muthu characters http://lioncomics.tripod.com/
- Comicology: Indian Comics Review Site (including Lion & Muthu) http://www.comicology.in/
- Fan Reviews வானம்பாடி http://vanampadi.blogspot.com/2005/02/21.html
- Fan Reviews சும்மா டைம் பாஸ் மச்சி... http://madippakkam.blogspot.com/2006/06/blog-post_114974529066605796.html
- The Cowboy Comics http://www.thecowboycomics.blogspot.com
- Facebook Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=37137139775