In a significant move for India’s growing comics and graphic storytelling industry, Jatin Varma, founder of Comic Con India, has announced the launch of “The Comic Book Trust of India”: a not-for-profit initiative aimed at building long-term institutional support for Indian comic creators.
Backing the initiative with a personal pledge of ₹1 crore as the Trust’s initial corpus, Varma described the move as a shift from event-building to ecosystem-building. The announcement marks his first formal public venture following his exit from Comic Con India.
Building Infrastructure for Indian Comics
The Comic Book Trust of India has been set up to document, acknowledge, and elevate the comic book medium in the country. Its broader objective is to create structured support systems for artists and writers who have often worked in isolation, without consistent industry backing. Joining Varma on the advisory council are key industry leaders including Ashish Kulkarni, Chairman of the FICCI Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics Forum and Chairman of MCCIA Animation & Gaming Committee; Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and MD of NODWIN Gaming; Manoj Satti, Head of Sales, Product and Marketing at Penguin Random House India; and Mayank Shekhar, an entertainment industry leader. Sonal Varma has joined the Trust as a trustee alongside Jatin Varma.
Varma said that while Comic Con India created a stage for fans and creators to connect, sustainable growth for Indian comics requires deeper infrastructure. “Indian comics have always had extraordinary creative energy, but creators often build in isolation. The Trust is about creating the missing infrastructure that values craft, continuity, and cultural relevance,” he said.
Indian Comic Book Awards Announced
The Trust’s first national initiative is the launch of the Indian Comic Book Awards, an annual platform to celebrate excellence in Indian graphic storytelling. The inaugural ceremony is scheduled to take place in Mumbai on 9 May 2026. Awards will be presented across categories such as Best Writer, Best Artist, and Best Webcomic. Submissions are currently open and will close on 31 March 2026. The jury panel includes International Emmy-nominated filmmaker and animator Vaibhav Kumaresh and Dan Parent, a veteran associated with Archie Comics.
Aligning with India’s AVGC Policy
The launch comes at a time when the Government of India is actively promoting its AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, and Comics) policy under the broader Make in India framework. The Trust intends to focus exclusively on work created by Indian talent for the domestic market, strengthening the indigenous intellectual property pipeline.
Ashish Kulkarni noted that India’s AVGC-XR ecosystem is undergoing a transformation and requires focused action to nurture original IP and empower creators. He emphasized that institutional backing and industry collaboration are essential for positioning India as a global storytelling hub. Sonal Varma added that the Trust aims to provide creators with opportunities, recognition, and a platform to showcase their work at both national and international levels.
A Sector at an Inflection Point
With increasing global attention on India’s creative economy, the Comic Book Trust of India positions itself as a dedicated institution to champion graphic arts and comic storytelling. By combining financial commitment, advisory leadership, and structured recognition through the Indian Comic Book Awards, the initiative seeks to give Indian comics the seriousness and institutional backing long demanded by creators.
If successful, the Trust could become a key pillar in strengthening India’s presence within the global AVGC landscape.
-By: Shivani Solanki
