Rajat's Random Rambling 2-In-1 Review : Chairman Meow + Widhwa Ma Andhi Behen

Last year at the first Indian Comic Con India (2011) in New Delhi, for me, the find of the 2-day event was without doubt UBiMa. I have written about it in detail in one of my first few reviews for Comic Addicts.

After a few months, I heard that a sequel was in motion and that excited me to no end, I hounded both Adhiraj Singh and Abhijeet Kini to send me pics, and Abhijeet even promised to send a few sample art pieces but I guess they got busy or something, the sequel hasn’t happened yet. Disappointing, but what the hell. Life goes on, right?

Since there was no UBiMan #2 or for some unexplained reason Retrograde #2 either (fellow addict Akshay can perhaps shed some light on this!), and Sumit Kumar wasn’t launching anything, I had no major expectations from this Comic Con, as far as the artist and writers I knew were concerned.

There were going to be some new launches and Rovolt looked totally kickass, but didn’t expect much from the humor section. Anyway, 3 days went in a breeze. Due to Cosplay, I missed out checking out and buying anything from the stalls this time as well!!! Note to self: Next CC BUY stuff on day 1 and then follow it up with the fooling around in costumes!

Thankfully, one of my unofficially adopted kids won the Cosplay contest on day 2 and got a bagful of comic books – which is what we wanted in the first place!

Among others, the 2 that caught my immediate attention, the subject of this review, were

Chairman Meow and the Protectors of the Proletariat by Abhijeet Kini & Anant Singh and Widhwa Ma Andhi Behen by Adhiraj Singh and Harsho Mohan Chattoraj!

You say you want a revolution?

My dream team, but split in 2 parts? What on earth…?

So I picked up Chairman Meow and as soon as I started reading it, my cab reported and I had to leave for the office, but the ride if some 40 odd minutes, so I took the book with me.

In the cab, there I was, reading, while others were gossiping around, and that did absolutely nothing to my reputation, which is already that of a grown up man who read comics and if not that, he reads books! Well – ask me if I really care b*****s?

Half way through the journey, I started laughing out loud, and a few cab-mates turned around to take a glare and gave me the look that said – “Oh, it’s just him. Ignore him, that’s how he is”. Impervious to such looks and even verbal jibes through extensive experience over several years, I carried on.

Chairman Meow! The glorious leader of a revolution, that was intended to raise the country to the level where everyone was equal and had equal opportunities, but something went wrong and things were going south fast.

Abhijeet’s inimitable artwork is immediately recognizable but I had no idea he was this good with colors too! Very vibrant panels, bright characters and an overall very, very interesting look that at the first glance said – "pick me up and you won’t regret it!"

"You take the red pill - you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes..."

Now I must mention I enjoyed both the artwork and the overall story, humor, satire, not-so-hidden poke at certain personalities from our past, but I am pretty familiar with the history of red China and Russia, the struggle, the party, the cause and the revolution.

There MAY be a slight awkwardness in the first few pages for those who are completely unfamiliar with China’s history, but just carry on for a few pages more and after 4-5 pages the plot becomes clearer, becomes a bit generic and easier to follow without any prior knowledge about the subject.

Oh, and those who have seen the beautifully painted cover (colored by Yogesh from Holy Cow) and noticed the animals drawn and came to the conclusion that it is anything even remotely close to the Kung Fu Panda – you’re in for a big surprise :D

Yes – the animal species are pretty much the same – but as I said, if you read about China, you’ll find out that these ARE the animals everyone ever writes about in any context with China and it’s mythology.

You should just carry on until you reach a particular panel where you can see something quite clever and then you’ll know!

"Meow Hoon Na?" - Chairman's first appearance!

Anyhoo, the story – as per the blurb – is a basic good vs. evil tale and revolves around… wait. Lemme paste the blurb itself and save myself the hassle!

“Around 30 years ago, the Party came to power… the Politburo decided that it was time to give democracy a chance. And just like that, Total Revolution came to an end… and a crack team of True Revolutionary Heroes faded into the People, disbanded. But now, the Bastion has fallen. And the Proletariat needs its heroes again.

This is the tale of those lost heroes… The Protectors of the Proletariat And their Leader… Chairman Meow. Chairman Meow gathers the Protectors together again and gets ready to wage a new war of Revolution against the Imperialist Pug Didi and her running dogs.

Chairman Meow and the Protectors of the Proletariat is a story about the Dreams of Revolution and how far they are from the Reality of a Bengal inhabited by cute pants-less animals.”

Now – ignore the fact that I am a lazy bum or maybe I am so busy in saving the universe that I need to conserve time in ever manner possible, but pay attention to the storyline.

Revolution. Party. Leader. Teacher. Imperialism!! That’s the fun part.

I kid you not – I was munching an apple in the cab, while reading (multi-tasker that I am) and the name Didi did conjure some images in my mind, but when I saw the first panel I almost turned into Snow White!!!

You know? The whole choking on the apple thingy? What’s wrong with your fairy tale knowledge? I shouldn’t have to explain every witty remark or reference I make! Shame on you! :P

Sneak Peek at Didi's look - see for yourself! :D

Anyway, after a few more glares and coughs from the cab mates, I finished the book and was pleased as punch – however pleased a punch might get. It is a fantastic book and if I hadn’t gotten it for free, I would have been happy to buy it. It’s a tad expensive at Rs. 250/- (225/- at Dial-a-Book with a 10% discount) but believe you me, this is a keeper. You WANT to keep it.

The art work is beautiful and pleasing to eyes, and the story is witty, full of puns, satirizing several personalities, mocking the system and passing a very genuine message without being cheesy or boring.

In fact, since the J.N.U elections are happening after a few years of wait – I was genuinely interested in talking this to one of the bookshops there and asking them to start stocking it! It will sell like hot-cakes there!

Pop Culture Publishing – You listening here guys? 15% for the idea on all the profit made from J.N.U, else, I know people in the system – you know what happens to punks who try to revolt, don’t you? :D

Okay okay.

Just kidding.

...10%... :P

The Pickchar Ishtaarts NAAU!

Now let’s come to the second book. This one is written by my good friend Adhiraj (umm, not so much a friend as a guy whom I inadvertently meet in comic conventions, and who happens to share similar interest in pop culture, music and humor - but hey! This is how you exploit your acquaintance to popular people :D) who was the co-conspirator with Kini on UBiMa!

Harsho Mohan has done the pencils – which are a long way different from his regular art, at least as far as I have noticed it. This one is in the spirit of all the Widhwa Ma Andhi Behen strips that featured in the Random Anthology (although I am not sure who drew those) and have a very rough and raw feel to it. I find it very interesting, and it goes extremely well with the plot.

Oh wait. Did I say PLOT? :P

I meant a freakin real estate treasure – prime property!

A warning, however. If you were not born in the 90s, this book will lose half its charm for you. Even if you were a kid in the 90s and remember only bits and pieces, you will enjoy it immensely!

I was already 10 and growing, when the 90s hit and although I wasn’t a great fan of the 90s – primarily because everyone I know looked like a dork, including myself – but they were heaven, if compared to the 80s! Music had become suddenly better, primarily with the advent of the Big 4 grand daddy’s of thrash metal and several movies, albums and books were launched which turned out to be outright cult favorites!

This book – if I can call it that – is a collection of a few short stories featuring the 2 protagonists, the Widhwa Ma and the Andhi Behen, with a series of shuffling villains and other interesting creatures – I had almost forgotten but they were as clear in my mind as if I had seen them yesterday, as soon as I encountered any reference to them.

The writing style is very similar to that of UBiMa – obviously – but the characters are extremely funny and each has a life of it’s own.

Teaser pages from the digital preview for your visual pleasure!

Sadly, I can’t really tell you too much about the plot, but let me share the blurb with you (heheh. This looks like a neat trick. I think I might make this a regular part of my reviews. Saves me the hassle of writing about the actual story and stops me from getting carried away and give away the plot):

“An old-school, fast-talking, hard-walking crime-fighting duo who'll take care of all your Retro/Filmy Mystery-solving needs! Whether its the Bride-Abducting Were-Yeti of Ramgarhpur, or the Ghost of AK Hangal, Ma and Behen are on the case and at the scene (Usually before anything even happens.)…”

As you can see, just the blurb itself is so exciting, that anyone who loves humor, enjoys a good laugh and wants to read a comic book without picking up a dictionary or trying to understand the underlying philosophies and morals hidden inside the plot should go and pick this one too.

The protagonists! Handicap? Hah!

It is for Rs. 125/- (115/- at Dial-a-Book) and is an excellent companion to Chairman Meow.

I wish I could tell you more about these books – discuss specific panels that I loved, scenes which had be in splits and overall the immense fun I had while reading these 2 books, but then that would spoil the fun for you.

So go, buy them, read them and then mail me on Facebook and we can have a good laugh together!

I am not a great believer in the number system, but if I had to rate these 2 books, I’d say,

FINAL SCORE:

Chairman Meow: 8.5/10

Widhwa Ma Andhi Behen: 9/10 (.5 extra only because of inclusion of unforgettable Salma Sultana – whom I had completely forgotten until she made an appearance in this book!!!)

A special introduction to the star cast.
The actual font wasn't very readable, so I had to overwrite the names. I hope PCP guys don't mind it much :)

Respect guys. Can’t wait for the sequels to both!