Mumbai Confidential

Finally, it’s out! (and some reviews/updates)

mohaps — Thu, 16 May 2013 06:18:09 +0000

First of all, Mumbai Confidential Book 1 “Good Cop, Bad Cop” hardcover from Archaia is now out in the wild! It is now available for purchase at Amazon, FlipKart (for India), ComiXology (digital edition for iOS, Android, Kindle and the Web), and your friendly neighborhood comic book stores. From May 21st, MC will also be available in bookstores nationwide.

MC was a labor of love for both Vivek and me. We set out to create the “best goddamn comic book” we could, and poured our heart into it. Now as I look back over the four long years it took to finally reach this stage, I can’t but feel a little bit proud of what we’ve achieved. We’ve managed to put out a book that is (for all intents and purposes) the first “Indian” crime-noir comic book. We couldn’t have done this without the support of our fans, friends and family. Industry veterans like Mike Carey, David Lloyd, and Bart Sears (to name a few) encouraged us with feedback and comments. I’m especially indebted to my mentor and friend Ron Marz for supporting the MC project with his kind attention and feedback from day one. (Ron also provided the foreword for the hardcover edition). Both Vivek and I would like to thank Gotham Chopra, Arnab Ray, Samit Basu, and Anupam Sinha for taking the time to write the forewords for the digital issues that ran from July 2012 to Feb 2013 on ComiXology.

A hearty round of thanks also goes out to Sid Kotian, Mohan Prabhu, Devaki Neogi, Saumin Patel, Shounak Jog, and Vinay Brahmania for doing the Mumbai Confidential interludes (backup shorts) that are also collected in the the hardcover volume.

Finally, the awesome team at our publisher Archaia – Mark Smiley, Mike Kennedy, Mel Caylo, Rebecca Taylor, and Scott Newman (also Howling Monkey Studios, that did the awesome casewrap and book design of the hardcover) – you folks rock! Big Time!

In many ways, MC was an experiment – an attempt at blending the universal sensibilities of noir with a fresh and unique setting (the genre born out of this fusion is sometimes referred to as “Mumbai Noir”). So it was a great kicker of a moment for both Vivek and me, when the acknowledged grandmaster of this genre – Anurag Kashyap invited us to meet him at Sundance 2013. He even tweeted about MC later.

On 14th May, 2013 MC debuted at #9 on Amazon’s Hot New Releases list for Graphic Novels/Mystery (rubbing shoulders with CRIMINAL, FATALE, FROM HELL and few other choice classics).

Here are some reviews from around the web:

Matthew Rosenberg over at Forbidden Planet called MC “Equal parts Hong Kong action flick and crime noir comic” and “well worth your time.”
Money Quote:

I love a book that comes out of left field and just floors you. For me that was MUMBAI CONFIDENTIAL. A gritty cop story that doesn’t look like anything else on shelves, Mumbai Confidential is a stunningly good book.

[full review]
Brett Schenker of Graphic Policy had this to say about MC

I found myself not just sucked in, but sucked in so much I had to complete it in one day. It’s look, characters and voice is something unique in the comic industry. Here’s hoping folks are willing to take a chance on this gem.

[full review]
David Goodman of Geekadelphia called MC “flat out brilliant”, “a perfect example of noir storytelling in comics” and “an instant classic”.

Money quote:

I try not to throw the word “classic” around that much when I write my comic book reviews. Who can know what will stand the test of time and become a book that people will look back on and consider a defining work in graphic literature?

But this once, I have to make an exception.

Mumbai Confidential is flat out brilliant, an instant classic that when people want to read a perfect example of noir storytelling in comics, this is the book they will look for.

[full review]

LiveMint (WSJ India) Article/Interview on Mumbai Confidential

mohaps — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 05:33:54 +0000

I was recently interviewed by Sanjukta Sharma of LiveMint / Wall Street Journal India and the article is now online.

Money Quote:

Reviews, Mentions, and the buzz – Oh My! :)

mohaps — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 05:42:35 +0000

First off, an update on the Amazon snafu : The amazon preorder page has been updated to reflect the release date of May 21st (which is playing it safe, the book should be with you before that). The India pre-order page at FlipKart.com correctly shows the release date as “Early May”.

If you haven’t preordered yet, please do book your copy on Amazon or FlipKart (India). Also do spread the word about MC and follow us on Facebook and/or Twitter for latest news/updates etc. We look forward to hearing from you.

Now, onwards to the buzz around Mumbai Confidential on the wild wild web:

First off, Anurag Kashyap (whose body of work was a big influence on Vivek and me in creating Mumbai Confidential) tweeted about MC. Thank you, sir! Coming from you, it’s high honors for both of us.
Criminal Element posted an awesome review of Mumbai Confidential.

… written with a mordant wit and illustrated with such clarity and attention to the small moments [...] that it genuinely brings something new to the genre. [read the whole review]
Pipedream Comics posted a review of MC and an interview.

It reads like a sub-continental version of Sin City and has all the best elements of classic crime noir, with twists, turns, violence and corruption, all played out in the grimy, monsoon ridden streets of Mumbai and the glamour of Bollywood instead of downtown LA and the Hollywood Hills. [read the whole review] [read the interview]
And we end this update with a great reader review on GoodReads that sums the book up as “dark and mesmerizing”. Thank you for your kind words, Jamie Chadam.

Arcane Algorithmic Anarachy aka Amazon Preorder Hijinks

mohaps — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 18:53:28 +0000

Due to some algorithmic snafu, Amazon preorder page for Mumbai Confidential shows the ship date as July 9.

That is not correct. The books are already in the warehouse(s) stateside and should reach you on schedule latest by mid-May from Amazon.

They will be available in comic book shops even earlier (May 1).

So if you received an “Order update”email from Amazon for your pre-order, don’t worry. MC will reach you on time. We’re working with Amazon via our distributor Diamond to correct the info on the Amazon system and the pre-order page. Will update when that is done.

The India pre-order page thankfully is free from such shenanigans. (You rock FlipKart!):)

India Preorder Link now up!

mohaps — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 07:46:48 +0000

Just a quick note to say that the India pre-order link for the Mumbai Confidential Book 1 Print Hardcover is now up on FlipKart. This has the whole graphic novel and also all of the awesome shorts.

Thanks to the wonderful folks at FlipKart for setting this up, and Abhishek Singh for putting me in touch with team FlipKart.

So, if you’re in India … preorder your copies today! #NoMoreExcuses

In other news, the digital first edition of the complete Book 1 (156 pages hardcover) is now available at ComiXology for your digital reading pleasure.

Back from Wondercon Anaheim

mohaps — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 17:38:07 +0000

[Reposting from mohaps.com]

Had a ton of fun at Wondercon 2013, Anaheim over the easter weekend. Archaia, the publishers of Mumbai Confidential had arranged for signings of advance copies of the hardcover edition (a WC exclusive prior to the scheduled release on April 30th. Amazon Preorder : http://bit.ly/mcprint). It’s always fun to meet up with the Archaia team.

As soon as the show floor opened, I was pleasantly surprised to find that a couple of fans actually came seeking to buy Mumbai Confidential hardcover (as they had read the PREVIEWS magazine interview I had given). Joe (pictured here) set a record of sorts by becoming the first-ever person to purchase a hardcover copy of Mumbai Confidential vol 1 “Good Cop, Bad Cop”

On Saturday, I was on a panel about “Writing For Comics” with other Archaia writers (moderated by Archaia EiC Stephen Christy). It was a fun time shooting the breeze about being a writer in comics and responding to audience questions.

As usual, had a lot of fun catching up with friends and other creators, and generally geeking out watching the cosplayers.

Mumbai Confidential Advance Copies on Sale At WonderCon Anaheim

mohaps — Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:48:04 +0000

Great News! Mumbai Confidential advance copies will be on sale at WonderCon Anaheim! Swing by the Archaia Booth (#609). There are only 20 or so advance copies available, so they will go fast.

You can also get your copies signed as I’m there on Fri/Sat. The signing schedule (Archaia – Booth #609):

Friday, 29th March 4PM – 5PM
Saturday, 30th March 3PM – 4PM

I shall also be participating in a panel on “Writing For Comics” on Saturday, 30th of March 11:30PM – 12:30PM in Room 208AB. Details here.

So swing by, say hello and get your shiny signed Mumbai Confidential hardcover! See you at Anaheim.

It’s Here! :) (sort of)

mohaps — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 17:36:57 +0000

Quick post! Mumbai Confidential editor Rebecca Taylor just emailed me the photo of the first advance copy of the hardcover edition (Preorder: http://bit.ly/mcprint / Releasing April 30). Feels so great!

Advance Reviews

mohaps — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 05:02:34 +0000

The advance reviews of Mumbai Confidential Book 1 : “Good Cop, Bad Cop” (Releasing April 30th, 2013, now available for preorder at Amazon) are trickling in. The whole series (9 issues) is available for purchase at ComiXology.

First off, Avril Brown of Comics Waiting Room has posted a review of an advance copy of the print hardcover.

Money Quote:

Read the full review here and an earlier review of issues 1 and 2 that Avril did is here. You can also check out other reviews and articles about Mumbai Confidential here.

There are some initial/advance reviews at GoodReads too.

The Digital Edition covers

mohaps — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 22:24:20 +0000

When Archaia decided to release Mumbai Confidential as a 9 issue “Digital First” edition on ComiXology, Vivek and I had to scramble to create 9 covers. It was a fun gig. We reused concept art, interior sequentials and pin ups submitted by other artists to create the covers. Scott Newman and I ended up doing the “dressing up” for the final versions.

Mumbai confidential “Digital First” editions can be purchased here for reading on iOS/Android/Web/Kindle. The print hardcover edition is due April 30, 2013 and can be pre-ordered via Amazon.