ComicBitsOnline.com

Rafiq Raja’s excellent site -

http://comicology.blogspot.com/ 

-well worth checking out- provides us with the following -THANKS,Rafiq!

Muthu - #308 - John Steel - April ‘08

Prakash Publishers shook me out of my own imposed hibernation, and surprised me (and I believe everyone) with the next release of Muthu Comics #308, featuring John Steel in a mystery filled two stories titled Kathai Sollum Kolaigal  and Karuppu Vattam .  It’s been a long time I read two quality detective comics, and what more when you get classics from 1960’s.  The Cover Art seems to have been shooted away from a Johnny Nero story, I wonder aren’t there any Original Cover arts for John Steel, which could have been more suitable for a first issue devoted completely to him?  But, the cover art is real stunning, so the oddity is acceptable.

This edition marks a come back for Muthu, with the last issue (#307) releasing way back in September last year.  Editor easily didn’t even mention about the delay this time, as it seem to have become a tradition with the publication, and he seems to take pride in continuing the saga.  This time around, there are announcements for more than 5 detective stories in the line-up this year, but I am not hopeful enough for Mr. Vijayan keeping up the promise.

Since it’s a detective storyline, I will post my reviews little late, in order to not play spoilsport to the suspense.  Meanwhile enjoy the Cover Scans, and Other features, and do post in your reviews. 

Lion - #202 - Lucky Luke

Prakash Publishers another flagship brand, Lion Comics, makes it return with Issue #202 this month.  Featuring our favorite cowboy Lucky Luke in “Merke Oru Maamannar”, Multi-color saga promises to be another classic Lucky Luke stories, where Lucky tries to save an American city from a puppet millionaire, calling himself as the King of USA. A hilarious tale for which the Man who shoots faster than his own Shadow, is known for. Release of Lion Comics and Comics Classics from Prakash Publishers at the same month, shows a promising start to the new year for the legendary publishing house from

The paper quality though is a worrying factor.  I don’t remember a Lucky Luke issue being printed in a sub-standard paper for a long time.  That has discredited the usually stunning artwork in color.  Seems, editor has used the same paper which is used for printing the black and white stories.  After witnessing the high quality Lucky Luke series released by Tara Press recently, this brings us back to the sub-standard at which Tamil Comics Industry still lingers at.  Hope it changes for better.