The partnership will kick off with graphic novels to be published worldwide by Virgin with the first comic books to be released by the end of 2007. The new characters and stories will be co-created and co-owned by Virgin and UTV Motion Pictures.

Virgin Comics president Suresh Seetharaman and Spotboy creative and business head Vikas Bahl will be managing the partnership and supervising the creative development, informs an official company statement.

UTV Motion Pictures Plc chairman Ronnie Screwvala said, "Virgin Comics is an ideal partner as we look to develop new content in the character entertainment space. Their expertise and global resources will allow us to create superheroes that touch the hearts of audiences worldwide."

Virgin Comics CEO, Sharad Devarajan said, "In the same way the West created an age of heroes wearing capes and tights, our goal with UTV Motion Pictures is to redefine the archetype of the superhero and infuse a new sensibility that relates to today‘s Indian youth. Virgin‘s studio of leading Indian artists and writers have already created comics that are being published worldwide and turned into films, games and animation - this new relationship with UTV Motion Pictures is a perfect extension of what we do best and we are thrilled to be working with Ronnie and his team."

"For too long, western superheroes have dominated the stage, but in India, the original mythic characters were born and we are now ready for a re-launch of larger than life heroes that will reflect the ancestral ethos of the region from which they spawn. We expect this partnership with UTV Motion Pictures to launch a whole new universe of heroes and I couldn‘t be more excited," commented Virgin Comics chief creative officer Gotham Chopra.

"At SpotBoy we want to capture the imagination of audiences from all dimensions and mediums. So when we will create stories for all mediums the creative is bound to take a leap." added Bahl, "Our characters will exist in every creative form."

"It‘s time for a new wave of Indian superheroes to fuel the imaginations and foster the inspirations of the next generation of global kids and teens," commented Seetharaman.