India now has its own Comic Con, celebrating comic book culture complete with fanboys and fangirls in costume competitions. But its not just Hollywood imports that are omnipresent. A new breed of talent is unleashing a variety of homegrown characters, powering toon culture into the future. Move over Superman, here comes Superkudi ("Kudi" being the North Indian Punjabi word for girl). The buxom Superkudi served as the Comic Con mascot and easily bedazzled Superman. But when I spotted a worker cleaning the shiny stall for The Avengers, I wondered, can the magic of toons take him to the future too?
As India increasingly becomes part of the global village, the cultural evolution is obvious, especially amongst urban society. India now has its own Comic Con - which takes place in the capital New Delhi - a festive event celebrating all manner of comic book culture and geekdom, complete with fanboys and fangirls in costume competitions, portraying their favorite characters and superheros. But its not just Hollywood imports and western icons that are omnipresent. Indian heritage offers a universe of possibilities, just as a new breed of creative talent is unleashing a rich variety of homegrown characters, thus powering toon culture into the future. Move over Superman, here comes Superkudi ("Kudi" being the North Indian Punjabi word for girl). Dressed in a striking blue 'salwar kameez' - a traditional Indian outfit - with a flourishing red 'chunni' (scarf) styled as a cape, the buxom Superkudi served as the mascot for Comic Con India. Superkudi easily bedazzled a costumed Superman who posed in front of his female avatar. But when I spotted a lone worker cleaning the shiny display stall for The Avengers, I wondered, can the magic of toons take him to the future too?