Campfire wins Best Graphic Novel Award
For a convention of comic book producers, writers and artists, the Comic Con awards night was a sombre affair. It could have to do with the fact that it was the first award of its kind. Or, it could have to do with the fact that making a comic book is serious business.
As the nominees and guests for the Comic Con India (it has nothing to do with any of the Comic Cons that happen elsewhere around the world) gathered and the event got underway, everyone settled down for an evening of anticipation. 
American illustrator Robert Crumb and his wife Aline were special guests of the evening along with jury members Orijit Sen and Vaibhav Kumaresh.
Coming to the actual business on hand, Campfire Graphic Novels (from Kalyani Navyug Media) walked away with the Best Graphic Novel (Nelson Mandela) and Best Artist (Amit Tayal) awards. “Ecstatic – the high point was winning the Best Graphic Novel of the Year award,” smiles Girija Jhunjhunwala, director, Kalyani Navyug Media, adding, “we needed this boost and are constantly trying to improve our content.” In a span of just about four years, Campfire has published 60 titles.
“I am pleased,” was all Andrew Dodd, marketing and rights consultant, could initially manage in the excitement. He goes on to add, “Over the last four years, Campfire has endeavoured to produce the best graphic novels we possibly can. And tonight all our hard work has been made worthwhile. To win two awards at the first ever Comic Con India Awards means a great deal both to me personally, and to the Campfire team as a whole.”
Dodd hopes that the comic book industry in India will go from strength to strength in the coming years. “And I truly believe it will, if the publishers and creators continue to work together in a spirit of healthy competition and cooperation,” he points out
The highlight of the evening was the announcement of the Comic Con Special Grant for the best, unpublished work. With a Rs 50,000 prize and a promise by Twenty Onwards Media to publish that book, this award is the best thing that could happen to a young writer or illustrator of comic books.
“If you can fit into the genres that are generally published, it is easy to get picked by regular publishers. However, if you are into new genres, it is a bit difficult. This grant is our contribution to make it easier for those who experiment. We are open to all genres,” says Jatin Varma, founder, Comic Con.
Mohit Srivastava, a Bangalore-based artist, whose day job is with an IT firm, won the grant. “This award means everything to me. Credit also goes to my friend and partner, Gagandeep Kochar,” says a shy Srivastava, who first started doodling when he was three years old. “As a young boy in school, when I found a mathematical problem difficult, I used the grid lines on the notebook to draw Superman,” he grins. Now, with the money and an assurance that his book – Satya Police – will be published, Srivastava can keep smiling.
The night stopped for a moment as images of R K Laxman’s daily comic strip about the Common Man flashed on the screen. Laxman was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Among the other awards were one for the best retailer of comic books that went to flipkart.com and one for the best distributor, which was won by the Delhi-based Variety Book Depot.
The awards will be followed by the 2nd Indian Comic Con convention at Dilli Haat from 17-19 February. The programmes start at 11 AM and go on till 9 PM. For details, log on to comicconindia.com.
THE WINNERS
Best Graphic Novel/Comic Book
Nelson Mandela (Campfire Graphic Novels)
Best Writer
Suhas Sundar for Odayan (Level 10 Entertainment)
Best Publication for Children
Tinkle Holiday Special, Issue 37 (Tinkle Magazine, ACK Media)
Best Cover
I am Kalki (Vimanika Comics)
Best Artist
Amit Tayal for Jungle Book (Campfire Graphic Novels)
Best Web Comic
Beast Legion
Lifetime Achievement Award
R K Laxman
Comic Con Special Grant for the best Unpublished Work
Satya Police (Mohit Srivastava – with Gagandeep Kochar)
Best Retailer of Comic Books
Flipkart.com
Best Distributor of Comic Books
Variety Book Depot