NEW DELHI: Over 80 participants and around 50 exhibitors are taking part in the second Comic Con India commencing in the capital tomorrow, with over 22 exclusive launches including book releases and the launch of the Indian Comic Journal.

Apart from the launch of the first-ever Comic Con Awards to felicitate the best new Indian Comics and Comics Creators in the industry, the meet will see around 30 sessions on different subjects relating to comics and animation.

Unlike the first event in February last year, the second meet will be spread over three days from 17 to 19 February at the Delhi Haat.

Comic Con India founder Jatin Varma told indiantelevision.com that the first Annual Indian Comics Convention had seen a turnout of about 15,000 with sales touching Rs 2.5 million while the traveling version, Comic Con Express Mumbai, in October saw a turnout of 12000 and sales touching Rs 3.5 million. He hopes the footfall will double in the second event. "We expect to see a healthy mix of families and young adults, based on our experience last year," he said.

There will be workshops and interactive sessions every half hour at the dedicated stage area. Exclusive launches of comics titles, more book signings, competitions and Cosplay will mark the various events. Cosplay will be bigger and better, with more prizes and more participants. There will be two different categories for Cosplay contests for kids as well as for adults separately.

The participants and exhibitors include those from the comics industry, publishing, merchandise, toys and games, animation and films, speakers ranging from the legends of the Indian comics Industry, to veterans of the industry from outside the country as well.

Awards are being given in categories like writer, artist, political cartoonist and graphic novel.

Varma said the aim was to felicitate the best Indian comics and comics creators, and give them the recognition they deserve, among their peers.

The Awards aim to recognise the work that the professionals in India‘s comics Industry do. It?s an attempt to bring into focus the novelty of this art form and acknowledging the efforts of numerous writers, artists and publishers in this field.
Awards are being presented in the following categories: best graphic novel/comic book of the year - (For Comic Book Series Only One Issue Is Eligible To Enter); best publication for children of the year; best webcomic; best writer - (Includes Adaptations); best artist, best cover - (Includes Illustrated Published Covers Of Publications Of Any Genre), and best political cartoon of the year.

In addition, there is a Lifetime Achievement award and a Comic Con India grant for best unpublished work - eligible for artists and artist-writer teams. Winners will receive a Rs 50,000 grant towards completion of the project and a publishing dealing with Comic Con India.

Other events will include a costume play with people dressed as their favourite comic characters and launch of Anand Pai?s Amar Chitra Katha by his wife Lalitha Pai.