The series marks a promising start for myth-inspired graphic tales that are not too common among Indian readers. While the plot opens in the middle of action, offering little context or foresight into the awaited editions, the vivacious illustrations by The Philippines-based artist Marko Mikhal and author Saahil S Sharma’s grand spatial negotiations with the Subcontinent have us charmed. When’s the second part dropping, we wonder.

Edited excerpts from an interview with the author of the series:

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If you had to describe the plot of the graphic novel in a simple sentence, what would it be?
‘When a demon king rises from his sleep after years, only a villain from Dwapar Yuga will be able to annihilate him,’ is what I will tell my readers. I want them to know that this able conqueror [Ashwatthama] is a mathematician and an armourer, too.    

Are you as fascinated by mythology in real life?
I love mythology. These epics hold truth; we will know only if we read between the lines. Much of Ramayana is lost in translation. The upcoming editions will carry snatches of translated shlokas from the original epic poem. I have translated them based on the meanings they were supposed to convey.

Saahil S Sharma

How many editions of Professor Ashwatthama are in the pipeline?
The original script that I had written could have been published in six editions. Given the way things are progressing, we might want to compile it in either five or seven editions. But that’s a call we are yet to take.

Illustrator Marko Mikhal follows the space western style; it is similar to what we spot in Borderlands or Rick and Morty. Was it difficult to introduce him to the Indian mythological milieu?
It was a little difficult towards the beginning. We had to correspond constantly. I would share parts of Hindu myths with him. Marko knew about Ravana, but I had to tell him the kind of look we were trying to achieve for Ashwatthama — he is cursed and his body is decaying.

Tell us about your inspiration for the series. Has the response been satisfying?
Things changed for me on reading Erich von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods. He helped me look at my culture’s epics differently. 
As per Indian comic standards, selling 500 copies after publication is seen as a good sign. We have sold nearly 700 copies in a month. That encourages me to carry on with my labour of love. 

Log on to: thewriteorder.com

New on the block

The Write Order, a self-publishing arm under Pratilipi, is based out of Bengaluru. The platform founded by Niket Raj Dwivedi (in pic) brings out stimulating stories across genres. Here are some of their milestone projects:

1. NINE by Vineet Singh Hukmani
2. National Education Policy by Dr Joseph Thomas
3. Taliban 2.0 by Dr Joseph Thomas
4. The Body Switch by Umesh Pherwani