Raj comics character redesign

About 3 - 4 months back, I was going thro some of the comics someone had shared on their system. Thats where i came across some Raj comics. It was quite a surprise to see these again after quite a long time (the last i saw of them was when i was a little kid). I dont know how many of us are familiar with Raj comics. They are one of the companies, along with Diamond comics (Chacha Chaudhary) that brought Indian kids quality (Indian standards) comics. In fact, when others were doing folk tales with folk heroes and stuff, they introduced the concept of Indian superheroes. Frankly, these superheroes were nothing but clones of their western counterparts. But kids all over were hooked, however corny the stories or characters were. The proof is their humongous fanbase...
But this was when the concept of Indian comics hadnt yet kicked into the mainstream market. Even Diamond comics were printing Phantom, Mandrake, Spiderman, etc. Now, the situation in India has taken a u turn. Indian comics are now flooding global markets with the advent of one company...Gotham comics. Its titles like Ramayan 3392 AD, The Sadhu, Snake Woman, etc have dedicated fans all over the world. And quality wise, they're in level with giants like Marvel, DC and Top Cow. This is a good trend for Indian comics and gives great opportunity to talented Indian artsts.
Now, why am i saying all this? and whats it all got to do with this sketch? Well. as I said the Indian comic scene is getting better day after day.This leaves companies like Raj comics and Diamond in the danger of being ignored. With Gotham providing books rooted in Indian culture at better quality and cheap rates, who wouldnt buy them? So, the strategy I suggest for other comics houses (yeh I know im sounding like some marketing whiz) is to REINVENT some of their characters. Set ppls favourite characters in different settings. Give them different back stories... Like Marvel is doing in the 'Ultimates' and DC is in 'Elseworlds'. I made this concept sketch for a submission to Raj comics. But unfortunately, the website said that the images uploaded had to be less than 1 MB (no friggin' way!). I did this sketch by modifying some of the characters in Raj comics, namely Parmanu, Doga and Tiranga (from L - R)
. The costumes of the originals, are in my view, just plain clones of US comic heroes, if u compare. So, i tried to tone down the similarities to other existing heroes. The backstories I have Indianized and given it a grittier tone.
Id chalked out a plot for a mini series of sorts that introduces all the major characters in this new setting (I really dont kno if it is upto standards). Did a few pages of art too. But then, i repeat my earlier words, due to lack of moral support, I dropped it. I havent completed the designs for the other MAJOR characters Nagraj, Bhokal, etc. I wanted them to look really good without losing the essence that the creators gave them. So im still working on the designs.
I wouldnt want to post the backstories here as this entry is waaaaaay too long. If ur really interested, mail me...
Thats all for today (whew!). Over and out