Chennai: With the city geared up for the Chennai Comic Con 2026, one of the key international names on the guest list is a writer who once helped shape India’s modern mythological comic movement — Ron Marz, the American comic book writer known for his celebrated run on ‘Green Lantern’. Marz is set to release a short story in collaboration with an Indian publisher, illustrated by Tadam Gyadu, an Arunachal Pradesh-based graphic artist who also works for Marvel. “I’m quite keen to continue contributing to Indian comics,” he said.This is not the first time Marz has worked with an Indian writer. In the mid-2000s, serving as editor at Virgin Comics, Marz spearheaded the launch of comics such as ‘Devi’, ‘Ramayana 3392 AD’ and ‘Sadhu the Sage’ — projects that sought to present Indian mythology to global audiences. “Working with visionaries such as Deepak Chopra and Shekhar Kapur was a wonderful experience. It really exposed me to Indian mythology and storytelling more than I had ever been exposed to. It was an education for me. I really loved exploring those worlds and those characters,” Marz says.At the time, the collaboration was experimental; Western editors were working with Indian narratives and writers. Marz describes the process as one built on a willingness to learn. “I didn’t know what I didn’t know, so I depended on the artists and writers I was working with to teach me. Cultural sensitivity is hugely important with any adaptation, so that you’re honouring the spirit of the material. There’s a lot of pressure to get things right. You’re dealing with stories that are thousands of years old, passed down from generation to generation,” he adds.Nearly two decades on, he sees a changed landscape. When he first began collaborating with Indian creators, Western comics were already influencing Indian fandom. Now, he says, the exchange is mutual. “Thanks to Marvel and DC films being worldwide phenomena, the influence has spread everywhere. And I think Indian influence has spread to the West as well. It’s a two-way street.”That shift is part of why he believes India is better positioned today for global collaborations with other international publishers. With the increase of comics worldwide, from American superheroes travelling East to manga finding Western audiences, he says Indian stories are ready for a broader readership. “I feel like the West’s increasing familiarity with Indian media, especially film and television, makes it easier to bridge any gap that might exist. Indian myth, heroes, crime, romance; they’re all good fodder for international readers,” he says.Talking about how up-and-coming young comic writers can begin, he says, “The best way to learn how to tell your story, especially in comics, is to tell your story. You learn by doing. Make your story and put it out. The world is waiting.” The Comic Con event began on Saturday and will continue today at Chennai Trade Centre, Nandambakkam.
