Comic Con India returns to Hyderabad for its thirteenth version

Comic Con India makes its return to Hyderabad with its thirteenth version this yr — a three-day celebration of popular culture operating from October thirty first to November 2nd. The occasion has grown into one thing of a household custom for a lot of within the metropolis.

Visitors can count on an immersive line-up that brings collectively the perfect of fandoms — from cosplay and gaming to movies, tv, anime and unique merchandise.

This yr’s version can even function worldwide friends, together with Mike Costa, the author and government producer greatest recognized for Lucifer, and J. Gonzo, the celebrated comic-book artist behind titles reminiscent of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghost Rider, Aliens and The Toxic Avenger.

Adding to the combination is a powerful line-up of Indian performers: Syed Bashaar (comic), Karan Singh (magician), Celinedee Matahari (singer), Vivek Muralidharan (comic), Geek Fruit (band/podcast), Kayden Sharma (rapper-singer), Mc Maahaa (rapper-singer), Black Diamond (hip-hop crew) and Team Artista (dance collective).

“Hyderabad is the primary host metropolis for Comic Con this yr,” says Akshat Rathee, co-founder and Managing Director of Nodwin Gaming, which owns Comic Con India. “We are creating deeper, extra immersive experiences for followers throughout India. From international popular culture icons to India’s most passionate cosplay neighborhood, from thrilling esports battles to unique panels and launches, Comic Con India 2025–2026 will rejoice every little thing that defines popular culture.”

Last yr’s Hyderabad Comic Con 2024 drew a record-breaking 40,000-plus attendees, bringing collectively players, comedian e-book followers, creators, and popular culture fanatics underneath one roof.

This yr, the Indian artist line-up consists of a number of the nation’s most recognised illustrators and storytellers: Rahil Mohsin (Hallubol), Savio Mascarenhas (Art of Savio), Faisal Mohammed (Garbage Bin Comics), Shubham Khurana (CorporatComics), Prasad Bhat (Graphicurry), Vivek Goel (Holy Cow Entertainment), and Rajesh Nagulakonda (illustrator and artwork director), amongst others.

Tinkle’s stars

Savio Mascarenhas, the artist behind Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha, will likely be on the occasion. He spoke about his journey — from being a childhood fan of those comics to now shaping the very characters he as soon as admired, reminiscent of Shambhu and Suppandi.

Savio shared that whereas he has launched refined updates to those beloved figures, the essence of their unique personalities stays untouched. “With me taking on, there are slight modifications to the characters,” he stated, “however nothing that distorts their core.”

He spoke warmly of the enduring affection that readers have for Shambhu, and of the curiosity surrounding one in all Indian comics’ longest-running mysteries — his hidden eyes. “I grew up studying Tinkle within the Nineteen Seventies and ’80s, and in 1997 I took over sketching the character from Vasant Halbe, the unique artist,” Savio stated. “Around the identical time, I additionally started illustrating Suppandi, aiming to proceed their legacy whereas including my very own contact.”

As a lifelong Tinkle fan himself, Savio as soon as requested Halbe concerning the secret behind Shambhu’s hidden eyes. “He instructed me that the coated eyes make Shambhu distinctive — it units him aside from different forest rangers,” Savio recalled. “Halbe additionally shared a humorous rationalization — that Shambhu retains his eyes hidden as a result of he’s afraid of animals!”

Maintaining this signature element, Savio added, is usually a artistic problem. “Even in scenes the place his hat flies off, I’ve to search out intelligent methods to make sure his eyes stay unseen,” he laughed.

Speaking about Tinkle’s timeless attraction, Savio expressed pleasure in its distinct model of Indian storytelling — tales that mix humour, coronary heart, and a deep sense of cultural familiarity that continues to resonate with generations of readers.

In an period dominated by anime and gaming, Savio believes Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha stay related due to their roots in Indian storytelling. Their viewers, he says, now spans generations — adults who as soon as learn the comics cross them on to their kids as a part of a shared legacy.

“It’s the Indian storytelling — the refined messaging round gender equality and childhood points with out stating values outright — that units us aside,” he explains. While the artwork has advanced with expertise, the center of the tales stays the identical: easy, relatable, and deeply human.

Sharing particulars of upcoming initiatives on the Hyderabad Comic Con, Savio talked about the launch of Suppandi-themed T-shirts, six immersive Tinkle stalls, and a forty fifth anniversary bumper subject of Tinkle. “There can even be particular city-specific posters and an interactive comic-making exercise for kids,” he added.

Comic Con 2025-2026 will likely be on from Oct 31 November 2 at HITEX Exhibition Centre.

Tickets obtainable on: https://www.district.in/occasions/hyderabad-comic-con-2025-1-buy-tickets

For particulars: www.comicconindia.com