 Lion Comics is well known Indian comics magazine published by Prakash Publishers in Tamil language on a monthly basis. Lion Comics has a sister publication named Muthu Comics which was its predecessor. But gradually Lion Comics became the leading brand of the publishing house. Prakash Publishers is based out of Sivakasi and the publisher and editor of Lion Comics is S. Vijayan. The comic publishes American or European comic series translated in Tamil. Some of the most popular characters featured in the comics are Tex Willer (a cowboy), Mike Blueberry and Lucky Luke. Some of the most admired superheroes of Lion Comics are The Spider and Steel Claw.
Some of the other publications of Lion Comics are Thigil Comics, Mini-Lion Comics, Junior-Lion Comics and Muthu Comics. Another recent title from the publishing house is Comics Classics which re-prints popular titles that were published in the early years. History of Lion Comics Lion Comics was originally established as Muthu Comics in 1971, by M. Soundrapandian. It was published as 128 pages monthly comics and initially it published The Steel Claw in Tamil. The emergence of Muthu Comics marked the Golden Age of Tamil comics and it continued to develop over the years. During the 1980s, the state of comics publication had declined and after a brief pause, in 1984, Muthu Comics was replaced by Lion Comics, which was created by Vijayan, the son of M. Soundrapandian. Vijayan became the Chief-Editor of the newly formed Lion comics when he was merely 17 years old. More comics were introduced by the publishing house namely Junior-Lion, Mini-Lion and Thigil comics, which were published every month. Special Digest Issues were published during special festivals like summer holidays, Pongal and Diwali, which were larger in volume and more expensive than the regular comic. One of the main competitors of Lion Comics was Rani Comics which was established in 1984. Eventually, with the introduction of satellite television channels the demand for local comics had declined. Moreover due to lack of original content, quality artwork, non-availability, frequent delays in publishing, comics readership suffered further. Junior-Lion, Mini-Lion and Thigil comics were shut down and only Lion and Muthu comics remained in print. Development of Lion Comics Lion Comics had launched their official website were the earlier issues of all the titles are available. Lion Comics and Muthu Comics are still published at prolonged gaps. Comics Classics is also published with the reprint of popular stories of the early years. Lion Comics has also published a Jumbo Edition featuring one of the major characters named XIII. Although it was planned to be released in the year 2009, but due to production delays it was published in October 2010. This issue is perhaps one of the largest comic book releases ever in India, in terms of a complete series in one volume. Publications of Lion Comics The published issues include Lion Comics 001 Kathi Munayil Modesty 207 Kolai Seiya Virumbu and Muthu Comics 001 Irumbu Kai Maayavi 310 Nizhal Edhu Nijam Edhu. Some of the most popular characters that were published in Lion Comics in Tamil are Lucky Luke, Chick Bill, Iznogoud, Tex Willer, The Steel Claw, The Spider, Robot Archie, Modesty Blaise, Barracuda and Frollo (Lawrence-David in Tamil), Bernard Prince (Prince in Tamil), Blueberry (Tiger in Tamil), Bruno Brazil, Buz Sawyer (Charlie in Tamil), Chick Bill, Dr. Kildare, Flash Gordon, Iznogoud (Mathi Illa Mandhri in Tamil), Johnny Hazard (Wing Commander Johnny), Johnny Nero, Lucky Luke, Mandrake the Magician (Mandhiravaathi Mandrake in Tamil), Martin MystŠre (Marma Manithan Martin in Tamil), Modesty Blaise, Ric Hochet (Reporter Johnny in Tamil), Rip Kirby, Secret Agent X-9, The Phantom (Maayavi in Tamil), The Cisco Kid, XIII (Thirteen), Batman and Joker, James Bond, Sexton Blake and Judge Dredd. (Last Updated on : 12-12-2011) |
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