I ended my run on Virgin Comics‘ Devi in March, after finishing issue 10, primarily because the work was getting too much to handle and I needed to focus on finishing the book. Have never really posted about the comics (well, I haven’t really been posting about anything) so thought I’d put up links to some of the reviews Devi’s been getting.
I had a very good time on Devi – the biggest rewards were getting to work with Mackenzie Cadenhead, super-editor, and Mukesh Singh, easily-international-level comics artist, and the occasional opportunity to unleash my inner Khooni Dracula writer. Writing mainstream comics is really interesting, and shakes you up in many ways – I learned a lot from my eight Devi issues about structure, writing in a completely different voice and teamplay. I’d always wondered how writers took over universes that they hadn’t made up, what the boundaries were for things like new characters, voice changes, plot overhauls, deaths… now, well, I know. And I’m looking forward to doing it again.
The comics are (finally) out in India now, so do pick them up. The series is now in the hands of the extremely capable former juvenile delinquent Saurav Mohapatra, and Ron Marz has taken over editorially. Good times. I’m working on a few other projects for Virgin that I wish I could talk about. Soon, I hope.
Anyway, reviews: Devi 3, Devi 4, Devi 5, Devi 6, Devi 7, Devi 8, Devi 9
Samit Basu
Novelist, film director, screenwriter, columnist
Uncategorized
Devi
Samit Basu 
wow! you moved the content and still marked me as Juvenile Delinquent 😦
he he… anyways..this one looks cleaner… easier to read..
Posted by mohaps | May 14, 2007, 7:43 amWow, so you’re working on Devi, eh? Sounds good. Any plans for your own superhero character/series? I’m curious as to what kind of superhero character/story you’d make on your own from scratch, if you had the inclination.
In the Western comics market, the space is already so crowded with every kind of hero of all shapes, sizes and backgrounds, that I’d expect it would be hard to come up with something new to differentiate yourself. But in the Indian superhero market, on the other hand, the playing field is so empty that just about anything would be considered new and groundbreaking.
But I am really curious as to what kind of hero and backstory you’d write about, if you could have full choice in the matter.
Posted by sanman | May 27, 2007, 8:52 amHey, I just spotted http://store.virgincomicsstore.com/eos.html When is it coming out?
And hey, thank you!
I’ve been lurking around reading your blog fairly regularly after randomly picking up Simoqin Prophecies during a visit to New Delhi. I promptly had Manticore’s Secret shipped to me when it came out. I *thoroughly* enjoyed both. And Devi too… Sitapur; for heaven’s sake. My great aunt used to live there; I’ve been there a few times and I swear the Sitapur in Devi kicks the real one’s ass!
It is so so refreshing to see all this literature and graphic novels set in Indian; please don’t get hit by a truck or something…. folks like you are in short supplies. i don’t know if the money is good or not in what you do but PLEASE don’t ever give it up, keep the creative juices flowing!
Posted by Ayush | June 8, 2007, 4:09 amsay, where does one get this Devi comic? cant spot it in any of the stores..
Posted by shruti | July 9, 2007, 5:36 pmI ordered them online from http://store.virgincomicsstore.com/
Nice and toasty. Highly recommended.
Posted by Ayush | July 21, 2007, 5:38 am