A comic weekend with 'V for Vendetta'

Cult graphic novel co-creator revs up meet of comic book artists

Masked, sculpted in eccentric, multi-hued mannerisms, the ‘V for Vendetta’ protagonist had a mission to accomplish: To trigger a revolution against a brutal fascist regime in a diabolical, anti-heroic avatar. 

The dark legend leapt out of his British comic book origins to be a global phenomenon, and sparked unprecedented interest in graphic novels. That frenzy touched down in Bengaluru, engulfing the City’s avid comic book buffs this weekend.

Fifteen artists, from wannabes to professionals, had their brush with V’s famed co-creator David Lloyd. Their fledgling works of comic art duelled for space with the masked anti-hero of yore. At the Puma Social Club here, ‘The Legend of the Drawing Board’ was revving up for another giant leap of creativity. Buoyed by the success of his ‘Halahala’ graphic novel series, the City’s own Appupen was ready. So was Alok Sharma, with his spirited rendition of India’s comic book history from the 1940s till date. 

Lloyd’s was an imposing presence. Signing vintage Vendetta books, he obliged fans and talked art, content digitalisation and print medium’s diminishing stature. He had taken that inevitable big step online through his current project, a digital comic art magazine ‘Aces Weekly’ featuring the world’s top talents in graphic novels.

But he also went back to V and Vendetta, recalling how George Orwell’s ‘1984,’ ‘Brave New World’ and British television series stimulated its creation. Even if ‘V’ was modelled after Germany of the 1930s, the essence of that work was relevant everywhere. “Because, everywhere there is corruption, fascism, totalitarian tendencies. V is trying to warn people to be their own person,” he told Deccan Herald.

The central message of that pioneering work of comic art is ‘individuality,’ reminded Lloyd. “Hang onto it, that’s what saves society. In Vendetta, you could see the Germans intentionally blinded, deliberately blinkered. But they didn’t care.
They believed in a strong leader, who they thought would solve everything. It was about corruption of a people, an entire society.” 

Social relevance was that work’s classic forte. But Lloyd was yet to see that transition in the still emerging Indian graphic novel. Yet, in illustrating myths and juxtaposing good versus evil, Indian comic books had echoed social realities in soft tones. 

That vividly emerged in a collection of 30 vintage and rare comics displayed by independent history researcher Arun Prasad, and a stylised wall paper, blown up to nostalgic proportions!