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Virgin Comics LLC is a comic book company, which produces stories (many of which are Indian-culture related) for an international audience. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country The Company was founded by Sir Richard Branson and his Virgin Group, author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and entrepreneurs Sharad Devarajan, Suresh Seetharaman and Gotham Chopra. Sir Richard Charles Nicholas Branson (born 18 July 1950 is an English Business magnate, best known for his Virgin brand of over 360 companies Virgin Group Ltd is a branded Venture capital conglomerate of separately run companies that each use the Virgin brand of British business tycoon Shekhar Kapur (Hindi शेखर कपूर born December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab Sharad Devarajan is the co-founder Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of the recently formed Virgin Comics LLC and Virgin Animation Pvt Gotham Chopra (born Gautama Chopra; February 23, 1975) is an author and entertainment/media entrepreneur

Contents

Company

Formation

Virgin Comics LLC and Virgin Animation Private Limited are collaborative companies formed by Virgin Group entreprenaur Sir Richard Branson, author Deepak Chopra, filmmaker Shekhar Kapur and Gotham Entertainment Group (South Asia's largest comics publisher) in 2006. Virgin Group Ltd is a branded Venture capital conglomerate of separately run companies that each use the Virgin brand of British business tycoon Gotham Entertainment Group LLC is a US based company established in 1997 to establish a leadership position in the Indian comic magazine and children's book market [1] The companies spun out of the previously announced partnership between Chopra, Kapur, and Gotham Entertainment (but not Branson). Gotham Studios Asia was announced in late 2004, planning its first release in 2005, which failed to occur. Variety reported in January 2006 that Gotham Entertainment head Sharad Devarajan and Chopra's son Gotham were the key movers, and approached Branson as a potential partner. Sharad Devarajan is the co-founder Chief Executive Officer and Publisher of the recently formed Virgin Comics LLC and Virgin Animation Pvt [2] With Branson on board, Gotham Studios Asia became Virgin Comics and Animation, with Devarajan taking the role of CEO, with Gotham Chopra as chief creative officer, with Indian advertising executive Suresh Seetharaman running Virgin Animation from India. [3] The companies are based in Bangalore, India, with the comics arm having its headquarters in New York. Bangalore ( officially Bengaluru ( Kannada: ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು) is the capital of the Indian state of Karnataka. [4] Variety reported that Devarajan and Chopra planned to spend 2006 "staffing the Indian operation with approximately 150 people, most of them artists". [5]

Devarajan, who continues to operate Gotham Entertainment as a separate entity, stated the aim of the Virgin imprint was to:

"create content that not only reaches a global audience but also helps start a creative renaissance in India. "[6]

Focusing on Asia "as an area to inspire and create content and drive revenue. . . to reach a global audience", the two arms allow for properties to be translated into "full media properties across a wide line of products and media outlets". [7]

The companies' Press Release qualified this focus, writing:

"The Company believes that in the next decade, Asia will become one of the largest producers, as well as the largest consumers, of entertainment products. Virgin Comics intends to look to Asia, and India in particular, as both a growing market for consumers of entertainment products and also a source for unique, innovative content to be brought to the world in comics and licensing into movies, animation, toys, video games and consumer products. . .
This partnership brings Virgin, one of the world's leading youth lifestyle brands, into the areas of comics and animation for the first time. Virgin Founder, Sir Richard Branson commented on the new partnership by saying, "India is an incredibly vibrant market which Virgin already, through Virgin Atlantic, has the pleasure of working in. Virgin Comics embodies all that Virgin stands for - innovation and launching, developing and opening up markets, for the benefit of the consumer - both at home and abroad. . . I am delighted that Virgin Comics, will not only help to launch the Indian comic market and spin it into the west, but will develop new and exciting talent - giving a whole generation of young, creative thinkers a voice. "[8]

Adrian Sington, Executive Chairman of Virgin Books noted that "the market for comics and graphic novels worldwide is exploding. Virgin Books is a United Kingdom book Publisher 90% owned by the publishing group Random House, and 10% owned by Virgin Enterprises, the company originally . . [partly due to] the emergence of comics out of Asia. "[9] Sharad Devarajan referred to the Japanese forms of Anime and Manga, stressing their impact on world media, and outling Virgin Comics' "mission. (anime in Japanese, ˈmɑŋgə is the Japanese word for Comics (sometimes called komikku コミック and print Cartoons In their modern form manga date from shortly . . to spark a creative renaissance in India, reinventing Indian character entertainment and permeating this new style and vision throughout the globe. . . launching a new wave of characters that simultaneously appeal to audiences from Boston to Beijing to Bangalore. "[10]

Virgin Comics' "Vision"

Virgin Comics claims a two-fold vision:

1. The creation of original stories and character properties that tap into the vast library of mythology and re-invent the rich indigenous narratives of Asia in a unique, compelling, and entertaining way.

2. Collaborating with creative talent from around the world – from filmmakers, to writers, to musicians, and other artists – to craft original stories and character properties initially in the form of comics and graphic novels subsequently to be developed into films, television, animation, gaming, wireless content, online, merchandise and more.

Envisioned as a creative exchange, Virgin Comics and Virgin Animation leads the transition of India as an outsource to a source of innovative and dynamic creations and creators. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country With an eye on the rapidly evolving entertainment market (550 million kids under the age of 20 in the next 10 years in India alone), Virgin Comics seeks to create properties infused with a mythic sensibility that resonate with readers and audiences around the world. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

Comic lines

Virgin Comics' initial lines were their flagship Shakti line, the Maverick (later Voices) line and the Director's Cut imprint. Although the first title, scheduled to debut mid-2006, was meant to be the first "Director's Cut" title, by John Woo, it in fact was the second "Director's Cut" comic, and Virgin's fifth overall when it debuted in October. John Woo Yu-Sen (born May 1, 1946) is an internationally and critically acclaimed Chinese Film director and producer.

Shakti

The Shakti line ("Shakti" means "power" in Sanskrit) feature Indian mytholgy, art, history, classical stories, and other related themes, often with a modern twist. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical It's debut titles - two of the first three to see print from Virgin Comics - were Devi and The Sadhu. Devi is the fictional character created by Shekhar Kapur and Virgin Comics, as part of their debut Shakti line which focuses on Indian settings The Sadhu is a Comic book series based on the character of the same name [11] Devi was written by Siddharth Kotain, and featured "a modern take on a very ancient myth", in which title character Devi becomes a "warrior of the light" after the pantheon of gods re-birth her in response to the "the rapid decay of the city of Sitapur" caused by "fearsome renegade god Bala. "[12]

Ramayan 3392 A.D.
Ramayan 3392 A.D.

The Sadhu, written by Gotham Chopra himself, is a story of revenge, from an individual who "was once a Sadhu – what, in the East, they call mystics. Ramayan 3392 AD (formerly called Ramayan Reborn) is a comic book series published by Virgin Comics based upon the Ramayana. Gotham Chopra (born Gautama Chopra; February 23, 1975) is an author and entertainment/media entrepreneur "[13]

Shakti titles

Director's Cut

7 Brothers #1Art by Yoshitaka Amano
7 Brothers #1
Art by Yoshitaka Amano

The Director's Cut line is designed to showcase the work of film directors, and effectively give them an unlimited budget to create works that might be more difficult to realise on screen. Devi is the fictional character created by Shekhar Kapur and Virgin Comics, as part of their debut Shakti line which focuses on Indian settings The Sadhu is a Comic book series based on the character of the same name Ramayan 3392 AD (formerly called Ramayan Reborn) is a comic book series published by Virgin Comics based upon the Ramayana. The Tall Tales of Vishnu Sharma is an upcoming comic created by Virgin Comics, loosely based on the Panchatantra The Asura Analogues is a series of comics from Virgin Comics, that re-tell stories of the Asura demons prevalent in eastern Hindu and Buddhist mythology as well as The Master Blaster is a yet to be published Comic book created by Virgin Comics. Project Kalki is a four-issue mini-series currently published by Virgin Comics. Beyond is an upcoming series from Virgin Comics. Launched in late May 2008, Beyond is created by Deepak Chopra and is written by (born July 28 1952) is a Japanese Artist known for his illustrations for Vampire Hunter D and for his character designs image illustrations It sees directors such as Shekhar Kapur, Guy Ritchie and John Woo creating comics, and is rumoured to include the legendary Terry Gilliam at some point in the future. Shekhar Kapur (Hindi शेखर कपूर born December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab Guy Stuart Ritchie (born 10 September 1968 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) is an English Screenwriter and Film director. John Woo Yu-Sen (born May 1, 1946) is an internationally and critically acclaimed Chinese Film director and producer. Terrence Vance Gilliam (born 22 November 1940) is an American -born British Writer, Filmmaker, Animator and member [14] Gilliam's reputed interest (and that of the other directors) is said to be in part due to the comics' ability to "provoke new Hollywood interest in old ideas and, if nothing else, give the audience a glimpse of what [was] intended" in a potential film version. [15]

Virgin Comics' initial comments stated that the aim was "to launch comic titles in collaboration with iconic film-makers", with "Woo’s Seven Brothers [originally listed as] the debut comic of the Director’s Cut line". [16] In fact, the first "Director's Cut" comic, and Virgin Comics' second overall was Snakewoman, from Shekhar Kapur and artist Zeb Wells. Snakewoman is a fictional character created by Shekhar Kapur and published by Virgin Comics for their Director's Cut line Shekhar Kapur (Hindi शेखर कपूर born December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab Zeb Wells is a Comic book writer known for his work on Marvel 's Heroes For Hire and Civil War Young Avengers/Runaways It revoles around 25-year-old Jessica Peterson, a Los Angeles-based woman with the tagline: "STUDENT…WAITRESS…MASS-MURDERER. "[17]

Virgin's highest-profile comic in the west, and the one announced before any other, became the company's fifth release in October, 2006. John Woo's Seven Brothers was a Chinese folklore idea was expanded by Preacher, Hitman and Punisher author Garth Ennis into "a modern, global story," in a manner that is "clearly a brother to the film medium," said Woo. Preacher is a Comic book series created by writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon, published by the American comic book label Vertigo Hitman is a violent darkly humorous sentimental and occasionally romantic Comic book published by DC Comics, written by Garth Ennis and illustrated Garth Ennis (born January 16, 1970 in Holywood, Northern Ireland) is an Irish Comics writer best known for the DC [18] John Woo described his experience "working in comics [as] quite comfortable", since "it's like the ultimate storyboard". John Woo Yu-Sen (born May 1, 1946) is an internationally and critically acclaimed Chinese Film director and producer. [19] Ennis described the manner in which he became involved as remarkably straightforward. Indeed, in his own words:

"All they had to say was ‘John Woo’ and I was sold instantly. "[20]

The covers were by Yoshitaka Amano, with Greg Horn producing a variant for #1. (born July 28 1952) is a Japanese Artist known for his illustrations for Vampire Hunter D and for his character designs image illustrations Greg Horn is an American Comic book artist best known for his work as a cover artist for Marvel comics and various other publications

Director's Cut titles

Voices

The Voices line (formerly known as the Maverick line) is intended to feature new talent, as well as presenting comics by actors and musicians. Dock Walloper is a current Comic book series from film star Edward Burns and Virgin Comics. This article is about the actor-director born in 1968 for other people with the same name see Edward Burns (disambiguation. Guy Ritchie's Gamekeeper is a comic book series from Virgin Comics and film director Guy Ritchie. Guy Stuart Ritchie (born 10 September 1968 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) is an English Screenwriter and Film director. The Megas is a 5-issue mini-series from Virgin Comics and film director Jonathan Mostow ( Terminator 3 Rise of the Machines, U-571 Jonathan Mostow (born November 28, 1961, Woodbridge CT) is an American Film director, writer and producer John Woo Yu-Sen (born May 1, 1946) is an internationally and critically acclaimed Chinese Film director and producer. Snakewoman is a fictional character created by Shekhar Kapur and published by Virgin Comics for their Director's Cut line Shekhar Kapur (Hindi शेखर कपूर born December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab The lines first release was in December, 2006, and written by Eurythmics frontman Dave Stewart. Eurythmics (often incorrectly referred to as The Eurythmics) is a British Musical duo, formed in 1980 by Annie Lennox and Dave David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and Dave Stewart's Walk In #1 was loosely based on "Stewart’s real-life experiences as a young man doing stage shows as "Memory Man" and – during this time of his life – suffering from odd moments of memory loss himself". [21] It was scripted and expanded by Jeff Parker, author of the acclaimed comic Interman. Jeff Parker can refer to more than one person Jeff Parker (ice hockey, a professional Ice hockey player

Voices titles

Other

Additionally, "the company will tap into innovative creators in comics, film and entertainment from around the world. David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and Voodoo Child is an upcoming comic series published by Virgin Comics, and created by Nicolas Cage and his son Wes Cage Nicolas Cage (born Nicholas Kim Coppola; January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award -winning American actor The Stranded is an American comic series created by Virgin Comics, and published by Diamond Comics Val Valentino (born June 14 1956 is a American magician, Illusionist, and Actor, who gained notoriety by starring in four magic specials Breaking the Magicians' Code Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed was a series of five specials aired on the FOX Network in the US and on Sky Shadow Hunter is a three issue Comic book Limited series by Virgin Comics and entertainer and author Jenna Jameson. Jenna Jameson (born Jenna Marie Massoli on April 9 1974 is an American pornographic actress and Entrepreneur who has been called the world's Zombie Broadway, or Dave Stewart's Zombie Broadway, is a Graphic novel created by Dave Stewart, David Harris and Christine Schenley and published by David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and Plot Nowhere Man is a comic Limited series from Virgin Comics created The series will be an odyssey of futurist science fiction in a epoch Hugh Michael Jackman (born 12 October, 1968) is an Tony Award -winning and Emmy Award -winning Australian Actor "[23] Virgin Comics animators have worked on graphic novels, and the venture is linked to Virgin Animation.

One such graphic novel is the upcoming children's environmental book The Econauts.

At the NYCC it was revealed Grant Morrison would working with Virgin Comics to produce "webisodes" (short animated stories) based on the Mahābhārata, he said it wouldn't be a direct translation but "Like the Beatles took Indian music and tried to make psychedelic sounds…I'm trying to convert Indian storytelling to a western style for people raised on movies, comics, and video games. The New York Comic Con held annually in New York City is a convention dedicated to comics graphic novels anime manga video games toys movies and television Grant Morrison (born January 31 1960 is a Scottish Comic book writer and artist "[24] It was also announced that Stan Lee will create a new superhero team to appear in a new Virgin title, the details of which were being kept secret for the moment. Stan Lee (born Stanley Martin Lieber; December 28, 1922) is an American Writer, editor, creator of comic book characters [25]

Virgin also started Coalition Comix on MySpace[26], where users could suggest ideas for a comic which would then get made. MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and The first one was Queen's Rook, written by Mike Carey. Mike Carey (born 1959 is a British writer of Comic books, Novels and Films. [27]

Novel art

Comics creators

Virgin Comics' creators include:

Television

Virgin Comics will also be co-producing a number of TV series with the Sci-Fi Channel and the first will be The Stranded, written by Mike Carey. The Kama Sutra ( Sanskrit: कामसूत्र (alternative spellings Kamasutram or simply Kamasutra) is an ancient Indian Deepak Chopra's Buddha is an upcoming book on the life of Buddha, featuring artwork by Virgin Comics artists written by Deepak Chopra. Jenna Jameson (born Jenna Marie Massoli on April 9 1974 is an American pornographic actress and Entrepreneur who has been called the world's John Woo Yu-Sen (born May 1, 1946) is an internationally and critically acclaimed Chinese Film director and producer. Nicolas Cage (born Nicholas Kim Coppola; January 7, 1964) is an Academy Award -winning American actor Garth Ennis (born January 16, 1970 in Holywood, Northern Ireland) is an Irish Comics writer best known for the DC Nelson Alexander "Alex" Ross (born January 22, 1970) is an American Comic book painter, Illustrator and Guy Stuart Ritchie (born 10 September 1968 in Hatfield, Hertfordshire) is an English Screenwriter and Film director. Shekhar Kapur (Hindi शेखर कपूर born December 6, 1945 in Lahore, Punjab Gotham Chopra (born Gautama Chopra; February 23, 1975) is an author and entertainment/media entrepreneur Samit Basu is the author of The Simoqin Prophecies, The Manticore's Secret and The Unwaba Revelations, the three parts David Allan Stewart, often known as Dave Stewart (born September 9, 1952 in Sunderland) is an English Musician and Andy Diggle is a British Comic book writer and former editor of 2000 AD. Mike Carey (born 1959 is a British writer of Comic books, Novels and Films. Saurav Mohapatra is an Indian Comic book Writer based out of Massachusetts, USA Shamik Dasgupta (born August 28th 1981 is a writer known for his work for Virgin Comics, specifically his acclaimed work on Ramayan 3392 A Terrence Vance Gilliam (born 22 November 1940) is an American -born British Writer, Filmmaker, Animator and member This article is about the actor-director born in 1968 for other people with the same name see Edward Burns (disambiguation. Duran Duran are an English Pop rock band famous for a long series of popular singles, albums and vivid Music videos for which they've won two Mike Carey (born 1959 is a British writer of Comic books, Novels and Films. [28]

See also

References

  1. ^ VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION Press Release. Indian comics are Comic books and Graphic novels associated with the culture of India. Gotham Entertainment Group LLC is a US based company established in 1997 to establish a leadership position in the Indian comic magazine and children's book market Raj Comics is an Indian Comic book line published by a division of Raja Pocket Books Indrajal Comics was a series launched by the publisher of The Times of India, Bennet Coleman & Co in March 1964 Amar Chitra Katha ( "Immortal Captivating (or Picture Stories" is one of India 's largest selling Comic book series with more than 90 million copies India Book House Pvt Limited is an importer Distributor and Publisher of books and magazines in India. Accessed February 6, 2008
  2. ^ Gardner, Chris Branson taking a passage to India: Virgin comics goes East. Accessed February 6, 2008
  3. ^ Gardner, Chris Branson taking a passage to India: Virgin comics goes East. Accessed February 6, 2008
  4. ^ BRANSON ENTERS COMICS WITH VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION & Press Release. Accessed February 6, 2008
  5. ^ Gardner, Chris Branson taking a passage to India: Virgin comics goes East. Accessed February 6, 2008
  6. ^ Gardner, Chris Branson taking a passage to India: Virgin comics goes East. Accessed February 6, 2008
  7. ^ Matt Brady BRANSON ENTERS COMICS WITH VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION. Accessed February 6, 2008
  8. ^ VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION Press Release. Accessed February 6, 2008
  9. ^ VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION Press Release. Accessed February 6, 2008
  10. ^ VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION Press Release. Accessed February 6, 2008
  11. ^ Bring On the Virgins. Accessed February 6, 2008
  12. ^ Bring On the Virgins. Accessed February 6, 2008
  13. ^ Bring On the Virgins. Accessed February 6, 2008
  14. ^ Johnston, Rich Lying in the Gutters Vol 2.68. Accessed February 6, 2008
  15. ^ Johnston, Rich Lying in the Gutters Vol 2.68. Accessed February 6, 2008
  16. ^ Weiland, Jonah, JOHN WOO AND GARTH ENNIS CREATE NEW PROPERTY FOR VIRGIN COMICS July 13, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2008
  17. ^ Bring On the Virgins. Accessed February 6, 2008
  18. ^ Weiland, Jonah, JOHN WOO AND GARTH ENNIS CREATE NEW PROPERTY FOR VIRGIN COMICS July 13, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2008
  19. ^ Weiland, Jonah, JOHN WOO AND GARTH ENNIS CREATE NEW PROPERTY FOR VIRGIN COMICS July 13, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2008
  20. ^ Weiland, Jonah, JOHN WOO AND GARTH ENNIS CREATE NEW PROPERTY FOR VIRGIN COMICS July 13, 2006. Accessed February 6, 2008
  21. ^ Review of Dave Stewart's Walk In #1 at Broken Frontier. Accessed February 6, 2008
  22. ^ Hugh Jackman to Create Comic Book Property for Virgin, press release, Newsarama, March 25, 2008
  23. ^ VIRGIN COMICS, VIRGIN ANIMATION Press Release. Newsarama is an American Website that publishes News, Interviews and Essays about the American comic book Accessed February 6, 2008
  24. ^ NYCC: Virgin Comics Announces Grant Morrison Webisodes, Comic Book Resources, April 18, 2008
  25. ^ Stan Lee to oversee Virgin Comics' superheroes, LA Times, April 19, 2008
  26. ^ Coalition Comix at MySpace
  27. ^ Mike Carey talks Virgin & MySpace's Coalition Comix, Comic Book Resources, May 8, 2008
  28. ^ The Virgin Days Of Mike Carey - Talking The Stranded And Voodoo Child, Newsarama, October 9, 2007

External links

Interviews

Comic Book Resources also known as CBR is a Website dedicated to the coverage of Comic book -related news and discussion The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and Comic Book Resources also known as CBR is a Website dedicated to the coverage of Comic book -related news and discussion Newsarama is an American Website that publishes News, Interviews and Essays about the American comic book MySpace is a popular social networking Website offering an interactive user-submitted network of friends personal profiles blogs groups photos music and Comic Book Resources also known as CBR is a Website dedicated to the coverage of Comic book -related news and discussion Comic Book Resources also known as CBR is a Website dedicated to the coverage of Comic book -related news and discussion Variety is a weekly entertainment trade newspaper founded in New York in 1905 by Sime Silverman
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