Bangladeshi comics are becoming popular day by day and emerging as a potential competitor of American and Indian comics among children and teenagers. 

Children and youths yesterday at the Ekushey book fair swarmed around Panjeree Publications Ltd and Dhaka Comics to buy comics of their favourite characters.   

Panjeree Publications has brought 30 different comic books. Of these, Basic Ali, Babu, Somo Mongol Abhijan, and Somo Kalpa Shikari written by cartoonist Sharier have become immensely popular among children.

Nayan, a third-grader, pleaded his mother to buy him a copy of Babu. Even though she was reluctant, she yielded to her son's persistence.

"I love to read Babu," said a jubilant Nayan.

Photos: Star

Shimul and Jyonti, two university goers, brought three sequels of Basic Ali, another creation of Sharier, a hilarious comics based on various aspects of daily life.

Dhaka Comics also set up a stall at the book fair. A group of young cartoonists and comic book artists initiated the organisation with an aim to publish comic books that can cater to Bangladeshi preferences and culture.

Their popular character is CK Jaki, a Bangladeshi member of a fictional international intelligence agency SBI, assigned to find out the godfathers of human trafficking. CK Jaki's two sequels Mrittu Pathar-1 and Mrittu Pathar-2 are available at the stall.

Besides, Muhammad Zafar Iqbal's sci-fi graphic novel, Ruhan Ruhan has become popular among children.

Isha, a fifth-grader of GNB Mirpur School, visited along with other students. She bought the novel from Dhaka Comics.

"It [Ruhan Ruhan] looks good. That is why I have bought it," she told this correspondent.

Her classmates were also seen curiously turning over the pages of other comics.

Marketing manager of Dhaka Comics Rabiul Awal said Bangladeshi comics are gaining popularity among locals. "It is not very far when we will be able to compete with Marvel and Diamonds," he added.

Meanwhile, to inspire children and teenagers with Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's teachings and principles and to introduce him to the children, the Centre for Research and Information (CRI) has published graphic novel series on his autobiography.

The second episode of the novel will be launched on Saturday during the fair's Shishu Prohor (children's hour). Earlier in March last year, the first episode was launched.

110 new books arrived at the fair on the ninth day.