The project is an attempt to define science fiction through a set of criteria formulated by assortment of various existing definitions and their further tweaking and restructuring. In addition it tries to classify a few existing (and widely considered) science fiction graphic novels through the guidelines formulated. The idea is to make certain guidelines for a stepwise classification of available science fiction graphic novels which helps facilitates further analysis of specific themes in such graphic novels. The project limits largely to the American comic book industry though it does touch upon briefly, the Indian and the Japanese comic book scenario.

“Silent Whispers” is a six page sequentially illustrated story. It was made after being inspired from various anthology Graphic novels like “Flight”, “Batman in black and white”, “Out of picture” etc. where a writer tries to follow the comic book format for shorter stories. However, such endeavours are more inclined towards artistic brilliance and have a lot of experimentation with style and medium, way beyond those seen in ordinary comic books. My story deals with the everyday ranting of a puppet, who assumes herself a dancer in a troop. It is with the narration that the inner yearnings of the character get revealed- a character who though perky and lively has now been retrained from the one thing she truly loved- her dance. In addition it gently titillates the reader to seek for something he truly desires. The overall mood of the story though mildly dark, is inviting because of the chirpiness of the character and her accentuated Hindi reactions between her broken English lines. However, it does not poke fun at her language or empathize it at any point. Instead it tries to indulge into it adding to the liveliness of her character.

‘The Candy Tree’ is a simple story of a little kid who invests all his efforts in a sleeveless notion. The story is not only representative of his genuine belief in the notion; it also reveals in his unbridled desperate pursuit. In addition, it embodies a certain disregard for the maturity of an adult thought process. Metrophorically, the film is a representation of one’s belief in one’s idea. It exhibits how an honest idea is nurtured, and protected despite the arguments of it being futile. It craves to support nihilistic pursuits by supporting the idea of how every action has a reaction- in this case the end twist where the child’s attempts bear fruit in a different world. The pursuit in the film also supports the notion of ‘phal’ or fruit to one’s ‘Karma’ or duty as described in one of the verses in the Gita, which essentially puts forward the idea of being committed to duty and not being driven by the fruit. The end twist is a homage to a child’s naivety; the child in the other world is representative of the joy he derived in the process, while the adult is a representative of discontent and dissatisfaction- one who is unable to realize the fruit.

‘Viswarakshak’ follows the misadventures of a comic book superhero displaced into the real world. While a kid enjoys the comic book’s developing plot, the superhero makes valiant attempts to get back inside the comic book before the villain succeeds in his evil schemes. With subtle references to a few cultures that people of various classes relate to the film attempts to make allusions to the nature of the hero we idolize in our world, and reveals in the simplicity of a child’s understanding of the superhero. The film also commiserates the dilemma of such a superhero who finds himself a misfit in the other cultures.