Coming up: An imprint exclusively for comics

A new imprint exclusively dedicated to comic books is being launched in India, courtesy Westland Books and the French Embassy and French Institute in India. It kicks off with a series of adaptations of classic Indian stories. Set for publication in 2026-27, the initiative will produce 24 original comics in English, each adapted from a story, novella or novel originally written and published in one of India’s many languages.

A press release states that The India Comics Project aims to bring together the richness of Indian literary heritage with the creativity and dynamism of the country’s contemporary comics scene. “By reimagining iconic works through the graphic novel format, the series seeks to introduce these stories to new audiences in India and abroad, while celebrating the diversity of India’s languages, cultures, and artistic traditions,” it further reads.

The organisers have invited portfolios from artists. The entries will be reviewed by a four-member jury, including Simon Lamouret, one of France’s most acclaimed contemporary graphic novelists, best known in India for his graphic novel ‘The Alcazar’, and George Mathen aka Appupen, a pioneering figure in India’s independent comics scene, both considered key voices in their respective countries, with a vast knowledge of the contemporary comics art scene.

Shortlisted artists will work closely with Westland editors over 8-12 months to complete their adaptations, ensuring the books are ready for publication in 2026–27. Selected creators will also benefit from a dedicated training programme by French and Indian experts, to hone their craft in the field of comics.

“We are excited to be able to create a whole new imprint dedicated to contemporary Indian stories in the graphic novel format, and to do this in partnership with France, a country renowned for its vibrant contemporary comics scene. We hope that together we can truly expand and deepen the comics space in India,” says Karthika VK, publisher, Westland.

“The India Comics Project is part of a larger initiative by the French government that aims to support the emergence of a new generation of Indian talents in the field of AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics and Extended Reality) and to create bridges between our two creative ecosystems,” Gregor Trumel, Cultural Counsellor at the French Embassy in India and Director of the French Institute in India, adds.

The first series of comics is set to be published by July 2026, coinciding with the opening of the first large-scale exhibition on the history of Indian storytelling traditions, from timeless traditions to modern comics, co-curated by Amruta Patil, the International Cité of Comics and Images in Angoulême and the Museum of Art and Photography in Bengaluru.