By Aparmita Das
Indeed, the glorious ’90s – a time when technology was not as ubiquitous as it is today, and childhoods were filled with the sweet aroma of outdoor adventures and the thrill of imaginative play. There were no fancy laptops, iPads or mobile phones to distract us from the joys of youth. Instead, we had to rely on good old-fashioned ingenuity and creativity to keep ourselves entertained.
Our social lives were a symphony of coordination, with the ringing of landlines making us jump with anticipation. How we would eagerly await the sound of the dial tone, hoping that our friends were available for an evening of carefree camaraderie.
Time flies like a flock of birds taking wing! Back in the day, our lazy Sunday afternoons were spent reclining with our noses buried in the pages of comic books, relishing the colourful and captivating tales spun, transporting us to distant lands and introducing us to heroes and villains alike.
What was once a staple of our youthful escapades now reside solely in the hallowed halls of memory, or nestled comfortably alongside cherished family photo albums, or amongst our old course books.
Though the days of yore may have faded into the annals of history, the enchantment of those beloved comic books shall forever be imprinted in the very depths of the hearts and minds of most readers.
With that sublime thought in mind, Shillong-based Babatdor Dkhar, and his intrepid team embarked on a quest to resurrect those nostalgic days and breathe life anew into the wondrous world of comics.
Thus, was born, with much ardour and toil, two comic books, The Adventures of Man (pronounced as M-aa-hn, a Khasi name) and It’s A Kong’s World – steeped in the rich cultural traditions of the Khasi tribe – be it the evocative titles or the mesmerising storylines, the roots of these works run into the very essence of the Khasi culture.
Dkhar is the creative head of Half and One, and was bestowed the honour of being a Charles Wallace Fellow for the year 2021-2022 at the prestigious University of Kent, having already earned a postgraduate degree from Oxford University.
It was in the spring of 2018 that he founded Ka Ktien Media. There were challenges of course – the nascent stage was replete with tribulation and uncertainty. Dkhar recounted that it entailed a great deal of “starts and stops”, including a fair amount of trial-and-error, and many obstacles in their path.
Fortune, however, smiled upon him and his team in September 2019, when they were selected for the Incubation Programme of IIM Shillong.
Subsequently, in 2020, they were crowned victors of the Chief Minister’s E-Champion Challenge and the North Eastern Regional Entrepreneurship Summit, paving the way for further growth and development as incubates of their respective incubators.
Coming back to the veritable jewels in the Half and One crown… the two comic books proved to be a vital aspect of their work.
“Both the comic books have been close to three years in the making. Man is in the mould of the early Archie comics,” Dkhar said, adding, “The two comic books have different approaches in representing our culture and way of life. It’s a Kong’s World takes a direct approach, while The Adventures of Man is more subtle.”
The exquisite illustrations were crafted by the talented duo of Damehi Laloo and Allen Thangkhiew, and add a certain je ne sais quoi (an indescribable feeling) to their works.
According to Dkhar, “It’s a Kong’s World exudes an air of sophistication, appealing to a mature audience, while The Adventures of Man evokes a youthful spirit that transports one back to the golden days of teenage mischief and schooldays shenanigans.”
“These comic books are not limited to a particular state or region. They are meant to be savoured and enjoyed by a global audience, for their charm and wit know no bounds,” he added.
Dkhar is not only a huge fan of the Archie Comics and the classic 90s Batman and Superman, but also a connoisseur of independent comics. Thanks to Kickstarter and Indiegogo, he has been able to explore all kinds of new and exciting graphic novels.
Laloo, the illustrator of It’s a Kong’s World, has revealed the origin of this whimsical comic book. It all started with a humble pencil drawing, which he dusted off when Dkhar approached him with a comic book proposal.
In his words, “It’s a Kong’s World is a tapestry of relatable situations, characters, and locales. Though the inhabitants of this constructed world are not direct reflections of reality, they exude a sense of familiarity that draws readers in.”
Creating visual representations of intangible ideas is Laloo’s passion. “And how fortuitous that It’s a Kong’s World takes place in the Khasi Hills, where I can easily find inspiration for the comic’s characters and settings.”
As for the comic’s style, he credits his work at Half and One for honing his skills in creating illustrations that match the tone and style of their articles. He humbly admits that the constraints of his abilities in this medium, rather than the ideas themselves, dictate the comic’s aesthetics.
Laloo also shared insights on the creative process that brought the jainkyrshah (a Khasi checkered cloth worn mostly by the women, with their ends tied over one shoulder) to life. He divulged that their approach was purposeful and straightforward – to make it stand out like a majestic superhero cape!
“While most illustrators let the storylines dictate the colour palettes and lighting, I stuck to the books to ensure each frame looks exquisitely pleasing to the eye. The art of illustration is a strenuous craft, especially when crafting elaborate scenes with intricate details, such as the frames from the paila story that took me a while to complete. But that is because I still use a mouse to create these illustrations,” he said.
Laloo believes that the key to success lies in accessibility, in making one’s work appealing to the target audience. Thanks to the growth of technology and digital platforms, artists like him can now reach more people.
Allen Bawadphang Thangkhiew, the lead illustrator for Half and One and
The Adventures of Man, said that his philosophy on illustrating was simple… to create visuals that would delight even his own discerning eye.
The road to artistic glory, however, is not without its perils. For Thangkhiew, the most daunting obstacle is often the first frame, a vast expanse of blank space that taunts him with the possibility of creative stagnation.
“I feel that it is the scariest thing, staring at the huge blank space and not knowing where to start,” he said.
Yet, with tenacity and unwavering determination, he overcomes this hurdle, allowing his creativity to flow freely like a gushing river.
To breathe life into his illustrations, Thangkhiew draws inspiration from the world around him, “I meticulously observe people and their idiosyncrasies, before distilling them into the characters and settings of my imagination. Through countless sketches and revisions, I hone each detail until I’m satisfied with the final product. The images are created in such a way that I do not just see it from the point of the creator, but as an avid comic book reader as well.”
Regarding character design, he pointed out that his approach includes unleashing creative musings and conjuring up a series of rough sketches, carefully imbuing each stroke with the essence of mischief that the protagonist embodies.
Speaking about the role of local comic illustrators in shaping the comic culture in Shillong, he added, “They are the stalwart sentinels of our burgeoning comic culture here, bravely shaping and guiding it towards greater heights, not as mere passive consumers, but creators, using their talents to craft stories, reflecting their unique experiences and perspectives. No longer must they wait for others to tell their tales. They’re the ones wielding the pen and brush, bringing their vision to life for all to see.”
While acknowledging the niche status of the genre, Thangkhiew also noted the winds of change blowing through the land. “It is through these institutions that the seeds of transformation may take root, offering the perfect platform to showcase the wonders of the comic world to new generations of readers.”
With a soft launch of the two comic books at Comic Con Bengaluru and a grand introduction at Comic Con Mumbai, Dkhar and his team have already made quite the splash in the comic book world, interacting with over 5000 people over just two days.
“When it comes to good writing, I believe in the power of subtlety… something I’ve tried to incorporate into these comic books,” Dkhar said.
If one were to sum up their incredible journey, it would be this Jack Kirby quote, “Like I say, a tool is dead. A brush is a dead object. It’s in the man.” Or perhaps, the cheekier, “Homo Sapiens and their guns.”