It's going to be a comic book with a difference. After mythological and action heroes, it is time for the business hero to enter this genre.
On the occasion of the birth centenary of doyen Jehangir Ratanji Dadabhoy Tata, alias JRD, the Tata group celebrations will encapsulate his life in a comic book.
Titled JRD - The True Conqueror, the script is written by Margie Shastri and designed by Souren Roy. It will be edited by the master of comic books, Anant Pai, whose earlier works include the legendary Amar Chitra Katha series and Tinkle.
Says Pai, "The book will narrate the life story of JRD Tata. It will cover his growing years, his induction into the Tata group, his passion for flying, to his various achievements."
It will be a one-time effort, the story will unfold in 32 pages and the comic will be priced between Rs 30-Rs 35.
Says a Tata group executive, "We are supporting this project as this is the best medium to reach out to a younger audience."
JRD is only the second business personality to enter the hallowed world of comics. Fifteen years ago, industrialist Ghanshyam Das Birla (GD Birla), the founder of the Birla empire, became the first comic book hero.
India Book House, the publisher of Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha, plans to print around 20,000 copies of the Tata comic in August. A substantial number of copies will be bought by the Tata group; the rest will be distributed by IBH.
IBH has been second time lucky with the JRD comic. The project has been on the backburner for more than a decade. The idea was first mooted by IBH publisher Padmini Mirchandani in 1994.
This was shortly after JRD's demise in 1993. When she approached the Tatas, they had agreed in principle to bringing out the comic, but never actually got down to publishing it.
The concept, however, has been revived in the wake of the centenary celebrations. This year is founder Jamsetji Tata's death centenary, and the birth centenaries of JRD and Naval Tata.
