At the upcoming Mumbai Film and Comics Convention, creator of well received Graphic Novel ‘Vrica’, Chariot Comics, will be launching Zombie Rising Volume 1,a prequel to ‘Rise of The Zombie’ feature film that is Directed by Luke Kenny and Written by Devaki Singh.
In Conversation with AnimationXpress.com, Aniruddho Chakraborty-Co-Founder and 
Executive Editor of Chariot Comics, Luke Kenny and Devaki Singh unveil exclusive insights of Zombie Rising Volume 1.
Aniruddho, we would like to start the conversation with you, can you share how did the association with Luke Kenny and Devki Singh happen?
So one day, I was gloating over the response we got on the Free Comic Book Weekend activity we did with Readwhere and Comic Con India – when suddenly I get a mail from Devaki and Luke asking us if we would like to partner on a GN. And obviously, I totally jumped at the opportunity! And it’s been a pretty fun ride since then with Luke, Devaki and the crew at Luminosity Pictures.
Devaki, Can you put light on the story line of Zombie Rising Volume 1?
Zombie Rising Volume 1 is a spinoff story to ‘Rise of The Zombie’ India’s 1st zombie drama/horror feature film. It is set a few years before ROTZ. It is set around Neolife Pharmaceutical Industry, in a small North Indian town. The main characters work here and discover some strange things and activities. Some other characters are the town locals, the doctor and his daughter, a town drunk, a trekker and his friend, etc. We want to expand the story of ROTZ – to create the back story of what happened a few years before ROTZ. To talk about the incidents happened with the new characters we are introducing in Zombie Rising, so that a whole world is created around the story. We want to make sequels to the film. But if that won’t be possible, we might consider telling our whole story via graphic novels.
Luke, it is a pleasure to have a conversation with you, can we have your comments on
this graphic novel?
As a constant reader of comic books and a voracious consumer of pop culture at large, it’s always been a dream to be able to be a part of that universe. The purpose of the comic book was to expand the universe that began with the film and set it up for the sequels to follow. So the approach has been true to the genre and not lull any punches as you will discover.To me a good product always comes from the like minds that are part of its creation right up to its execution and subsequent release. The fact that Devaki and I along with Luminosity Pictures found kindred spirits in Chariot comics, who were gung ho to jump onto this mad journey we’ve all been on has been the most invigorating. You can’t keep a good Zombie down. Just make sure you have enough bullets. Always!
Is the book targeted to mass audience?
Devaki Singh: Anyone who is a horror or zombie fan. No age limits, as zombies have been around for decades. Aniruddho: Well most of our titles are aimed at the 12+ category. That being said, I’ll second what Devaki has said.
So is Chariot Comics also the publisher of this book?
Aniruddho Chakraborty: Chariot Comics is handling the publishing and distribution. The entire effort is jointly done with Kenny Media and Luminosity Pictures. The Volume 1 of Zombie Rising will clock in at 60 odd pages with loads of bonus material added in!
We would like to know more about the color blends used?
Aniruddho Chakraborty: For the look and feel our artist Tarun has gone in for a simpler yet horror feel in volume 1.The coloring is more on the lines of Losers – simpler, 3 shades at max. For Volume 2 you’ll see a mix of Tarun’s and Tamal’s artwork – which will be a whole new ballgame and very, very interesting.
Were there any inspirations that went into creating the book Aniruddho Chakraborty: Losers, 28 days later – those are on my favorite lists!
How was the research like?
Devaki Singh: Regarding the story- I’ve read lots of books and seen lots of films about zombies and the supposed outbreaks. Here, I wanted to tell a story set in India, and as our film and graphic novel are a continuing story- we travelled to a small North Indian town, where we shot the film. We incorporated lots of little elements of the place. Lots of zombie films have been made and stories been written, of how an outbreak can be caused. These days we have so many new forms of viruses, diseases and unexplained illnesses. Some caused by pollution, contamination, industrial waste- which is quite a serious problem and gets overlooked and brushed aside. I’ve read that certain insect/spider/scorpion bites too cause extreme symptoms like seizures, blackouts, hallucinations, brain damage, etc. So I’m exploring that aspect, to lead to a possible outbreak that causes weird symptoms in people… Zombie? And as our story is set in a small town surrounded by jungles, unusual things can happen.
Can we have a credit run down?
Zombie Rising Vol. 1
Writer: Devaki Singh
Creative Director: Luke Kenny
Pencil + Inks: Tarun Kumar Sahu
Colours: Aniruddho Chakraborty
Editor: Kate Lyons
What were the technologies used for creating the book?
Aniruddho Chakraborty: We follow a pretty straightforward traditional and digital hybrid process. The pencils and inks done on paper, the coloring in Adobe Photoshop and Design/Layout in Corel Draw
How much is it priced at?
Aniruddho Chakraborty: It will be priced in the INR 100-150 range and we’ll have some bonus materials and giveaways!
From where can one buy the book?
Aniruddho Chakraborty: After Mumbai Film and Comic Con, the book will be available on Amazon.in, popcracker.com and rajcomics.com in print. Readwhere.com for web and android and Comic Circle for iphones!
Any Closing Comments
Devaki Singh: I’ve been reading comics since I was a kid- and now with this opportunity, very excited to create a graphic novel of our own- especially in the Zombie genre. It’s fun to contribute a little to the pop culture scene in India, that’s growing by the day. So whether it’s films, art or graphic novels, so exciting to see a whole new interest level, among the fans of the same. And thrilled to explore this world of imagination, fantasy and story telling