Posted in: Comics, Recent Updates | Tagged: bbc, Comics, india

BBC Report On The Decline Of Indian Comics Seems Rather Familiar

Published Tue, 29 Nov 2011 10:00:53 -0600

The BBC have reported on the current decline in the Indian comics industry from its glory days. See if you recognise any of the following statements.

"Like many other youngsters around the world, he has abandoned comic reading and instead catches up with his favourite characters on the Cartoon Network."

"Ayan's knowledge of the daily offerings provided by this satellite TV channel is no doubt every bit as detailed as his parents' knowledge – when they were his age – of comic book characters."

"In the industry's heyday, a popular comic could easily sell more than 500,000 issues over the course of its shelf life of several weeks. Today its equivalent will sell between 50,000 and 60,000 copies over a similar period."

"Comic expert Peter Dias says that it was during this "golden era" that comics held the monopoly on the reading entertainment of most children."

""I loved the character of Chacha Chaudhary," he reflects, "and in a way it was an age of innocence."

""Comic characters were so powerful that it is no exaggeration to say that they even played a role in shaping our personalities.""

"Another reason put forward for the decline in comic sales is the price, which ranges from 190 rupees ($3.80;£2.40) to 4,000 rupees ($80;£50) for a collector's item."

"Manoj Gupta, the owner of Raj Comics, says that spiralling prices have undoubtedly affected sales, which declined significantly from 1997 to 2003."

"Comic publishers meanwhile have been accused by critics of lacking innovation in the face of digital competition – allowing complacency to set in rather than spearheading the fight against TV and the internet."

""There is a shortage of new titles and a lack of long-term investment. Moreover distribution plays a big role in our business and in recent years this has become weaker," Mr Gupta said."

""These days there are better marketing opportunities – remember that in the 21st century it's possible for a comic character to be turned into a money-spinning animation character."

It's like deja vu…

"Competition is tough," says Mr Varma, "but that doesn't mean that comics – like the death-defying characters that are sometimes portrayed in them – cannot stage a remarkable comeback and survive against the odds."

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