The second edition of Comic Con India in Kolkata witnessed fewer participants compared to the previous edition, the interest in comics in the city is still there according to the publishers. From the talks happening within the various stalls, the interest levels have been high, although the logistics of organizing the event were responsible for the lower turnout.
Due to its being conducted in an area far from the center of the city, Comic Con India experienced a decline in the number of people attending. However, sales and interaction have continued, thus proving that the reading culture in Kolkata is still alive.
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Fewer crowds, steady sales
Thoughts and Tales Founder Ritesh Singh, who used to work with Penguin Random House, mentioned sales worth ₹6.5 lakh during two days at the fest, compared to ₹10 lakh from last year's event. The former says that the dip in sales has not occurred due to any loss of interest on the readers' side but because of the change in venues.
“There are readers,” Singh told Outlook Respawn. “Calcutta has always been one of the best places where people come and buy.”
Singh's stall offered a plethora of books licensed from different parts of the world, ranging from manga from publishers like Kodansha and Seven Seas, to DC and Marvel comics via Penguin Random House channels. Works like Astro Boy by Osamu Tezuka were selling well at his stall.
Global IP thrives, but access remains a hurdle
Publishers pointed out that the Indian comics market is limited by access rather than readership; issues such as licensing are prevalent. Though the popularity of the manga genre has increased, they cannot be locally published due to licensing concerns.
Viz Media and Simon & Schuster representatives indicated that there are no immediate plans for releasing India-specific manga, as the popularity keeps rising.
Netflix and Crunchyroll have been major sources of interest in manga; viewers who enjoy anime on these platforms seek out their respective manga versions.
Indian publishers push new IP beyond mythology
While global titles dominate shelves, Indian publishers are actively building original intellectual property. At the Amar Chitra Katha and Tinkle booth, Group Art Director Savio Mascarenhas highlighted a shift toward new-age storytelling.
Among upcoming projects is “WingStar,” a young superhero from Mizoram, marking a departure from the brand’s traditional focus on mythology and history. The character is set to enter animation soon, signalling a broader transmedia strategy.
Mascarenhas also pointed to expanding educational initiatives, with comics being integrated into school curricula and digital platforms. The publisher currently maintains a readership split of roughly 60% print and 40% digital, a balance shaped partly by pandemic-era shifts.
Collectors driving premium market growth
Collectors were everywhere, a commonality throughout the stalls. Hardcover and deluxe versions continue to sell better than paperback versions, particularly for visual-heavy stories such as superhero comics.
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Publishers explained the existence of a market hierarchy from small versions to collector's editions whereby dedicated buyers prioritise the quality and appearance of their purchases rather than cost.
A city that still reads
In spite of a smaller venue, Comic Con Kolkata reiterated the love for reading material and comics in the city. Whether they are reliving childhood memories or getting introduced to manga via the internet, the audience is alive and well.
As publishers deal with licensing issues and develop more Indian IPs, the key takeaway for this year's convention is that the market exists; what is variable is the method of accessing it.
