Panchatantra Retold by Virgin Comics

Virgin Comics is releasing a five issue mini-series titled ‘The Tall Tales of Vishnu Sharma: Panchatantra.’

Panchatantra needs no introduction to Indians. It is the first anthology of animals and also the oldest collection of stories for children. The stories are credited to Vishnu Sharma.

So how is the story being retold? The flier of ‘The Tall Tales of Vishnu Sharma: Panchatantra’ in Virgin Comics gives some indication.

Something is invading the stories of our childhood, leaving death and oblivion in its wake. Now, a motley crew of animal heroes from ancient Indian fables must unite to survive. But first they must find the boy destined to save them, the chosen guardian of the Panchatantra. Thing is… he has no idea they even exist.

Vishnu Sharma, would be boy-hero, is too busy playing in online tournaments to care about fighting storybook wars. But when a none-too-fictional talking lion, monkey and bull arrive at his doorstep, Vishnu must choose between protecting the tales of the Panchatantra, or silently standing by as they disappear into storybook history.

With naughty boy wizards, cuddly anime-sciopaths, and a not-so-frightful King of the Jungle, this ain’t your Mother Goose’s story.

‘The Tall Tales of Vishnu Sharma: Panchatantra’ is written by Samit Basu and Art is by Ashish Padlekar. The book will be available from 28^th November 2007.