2006年VOA标准英语-Comics Drawing on Indian Mythology Are a Hit in

By Shilpi Jha
Washington, DC
27 September 2006
 
watch Indian Comics report

Millions of comic books are sold in the United States each year. Some are bought by children, but many are sought by young adults who grew up reading about their favorite super heroes and villains¹. Now, a new company is trying to get into the business with stories based on legends and myths² from India.

 
Comic fans gather at conventions³
Comic books are not just for kids anymore. Young adults buy thousands of comics and related products. And tens-of-thousands of fans gather each year for comic conventions to celebrate heroes like Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl.

Now, British-based company Virgin⁴ wants to introduce comic readers to Snake Woman, the heroine of one of its new comic books, inspired by Indian mythology⁵. The books went on sale a few weeks ago in the United States, and have made a big impression already.

 
Geremy Hartwik, comic reader
Reader Geremy Hartwik says the comics combine good writing and fresh ideas. "I can see the Indian elements especially in the character names and everything," he says. "But I didn't think they seemed only accessible, if you know anything about Indian culture. I think they seemed very accessible because the story is very well written."

Virgin is producing the new comics in Bangalore, India, where it has a facility with 50 artists and writers. The firm says it wants to mine the rich history and mythology of India and other parts of Asia to produce new stories that appeal to American comic book fans.

 
Indian comics featuring Snake Woman
One of Virgin's first comic book hits, Snake Woman, is about a quiet young woman working as a waitress in Los Angeles, California, who suddenly discovers predatory instincts that seem to possess her. It is based on an ancient legend, in which the spirit of a serpent is born into a young woman.  

Other new titles include Devi and Sadhu, which include stories of Indian mystics and female super heroes. Aspects of the books should be familiar to all comic fans. They include plenty of action, adventure and stories about people struggling to do the right thing and help others.

Andrea Henessey says she is a fan of the Indian-inspired stories.  "I've been interested in Indian culture for as long as I can remember, I just think they're beautiful people. So, when I read Devi, I could see some of it in there. And the art is fantastic, too."

Many other American comic book fans agree. Virgin has sold 20,000 copies of its new comics in the first edition alone.

Comic book storeowner Jim Bernekon says sales of the Virgin comics have been strong.  "We sold out. We and other retailers⁶ across the country had trouble getting more copies from the distributor."

Virgin has launched another new series called Ramayan Reborn, written by filmmaker Shekhar Kapoor and lifestyle guru Deepak Chopra.

 
Sharad Devrajan
Virgin Comics CEO Sharad Devrajan says the story is based on an ancient Hindu text. "Our interpretation⁷ of the Ramayan is to take that mythology and use it as a springboard to tell a great new story that's not exactly true to the original mythology, but something we feel is a futuristic, science-fiction epic⁸."

Many American comic book super heroes have taken life in feature films. And Virgin Comics hopes to do the same.

The firm says American actor Nicholas Cage and Chinese director John Woo have already agreed to projects. And the marketing⁹ doesn't stop there. The company plans to launch video games and other products featuring its original characters. 

Some footage courtesy Columbia Pictures

1 villains   

n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼

参考例句：

• The impression of villains was inescapable. 留下恶棍的印象是不可避免的。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Some villains robbed the widow of the savings. 有几个歹徒将寡妇的积蓄劫走了。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

2 myths   

n.神话( myth的名词复数 )；杜撰出来的人[事物]

参考例句：

• They drew the material of their plays chiefly from myths and legends. 他们主要从神话传说中提取剧本的素材。 来自《现代汉英综合大词典》
• Jasper White is one of rare people who believes in ancient myths. 贾斯珀。怀特是少有的相信古代神话的人之一。 来自新概念英语第二册

3 conventions   

（某一职业、政党等的人士召开的）大会( convention的名词复数 )； 协议； 习俗； （美国）全国代表大会

参考例句：

• They broke away from conventions. 他们打破了常规。
• They disregard social conventions without being conscious that they are doing anything extraordinary. 他们不顾社会习俗，并未意识到自己在做些与众不同的事。

4 virgin   

n.处女，未婚女子；adj.未经使用的；未经开发的

参考例句：

• Have you ever been to a virgin forest?你去过原始森林吗？
• There are vast expanses of virgin land in the remote regions.在边远地区有大片大片未开垦的土地。

5 mythology   

n.神话，神话学，神话集

参考例句：

• In Greek mythology,Zeus was the ruler of Gods and men.在希腊神话中，宙斯是众神和人类的统治者。
• He is the hero of Greek mythology.他是希腊民间传说中的英雄。

6 retailers   

零售商，零售店( retailer的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• High street retailers reported a marked increase in sales before Christmas. 商业街的零售商报告说圣诞节前销售量显著提高。
• Retailers have a statutory duty to provide goods suitable for their purpose. 零售商有为他们提供符合要求的货品的法定义务。

7 interpretation   

n.解释，说明，描述；艺术处理

参考例句：

• His statement admits of one interpretation only.他的话只有一种解释。
• Analysis and interpretation is a very personal thing.分析与说明是个很主观的事情。

8 epic   

n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的

参考例句：

• I gave up my epic and wrote this little tale instead.我放弃了写叙事诗，而写了这个小故事。
• They held a banquet of epic proportions.他们举行了盛大的宴会。

9 marketing   

n.行销，在市场的买卖，买东西

参考例句：

• They are developing marketing network.他们正在发展销售网络。
• He often goes marketing.他经常去市场做生意。