Dheeraj Verma (22 October 1967 – 7 June 2021) was an Indian comic book artist and creator. He is often credited with being the first Indian to enter the US comics industry.
Early life
Dheeraj Verma was born on 22 October 1967, in
Delhi
Delhi, officially the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi, is a city and a union territory of India containing New Delhi, the capital of India. Straddling the Yamuna river, primarily its western or right bank, Delhi shares borders w ...
, India. He attended school at N P Boys Sr Secondary School and graduated from
Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo Vedic College
Pannalal Girdharlal Dayanand Anglo-Vedic (P.G.D.A.V) College is a constituent college of University of Delhi. Established in 1957, it offers various courses at the undergraduate, postgraduate level and open schooling.
The College is situated i ...
,
University of Delhi
Delhi University (DU), formally the University of Delhi, is a collegiate central university located in New Delhi, India. It was founded in 1922 by an Act of the Central Legislative Assembly and is recognized as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) ...
in 1991. Dheeraj spent his life in the heart of the capital, Connaught Place. As an aspiring artist he started drawing "The Phantom, Batman and Superman" in his 3rd grade. He was quite impressed with "The Phantom and Flash Gordon" which became his inspiration to draw.
Career
Verma started his career as an illustrator in the Indian comic industry in 1991 with the New Delhi-based publishers Parampara Comics and Fort Comics. He was noticed by the industry with ''Divaystro Ka Raja'', ''Ajoobey'' (Parampara Comics) and garnered more attention from the Indian comics industry with the comics ''Jangaroo'' (Fort Comics). Later, in December 1993, he moved on to
Raj Comics
Raj Comics, is an Indian comic books publisher, based in New Delhi, India. It published a line of Indian comic books through Raja Pocket Books since its foundation in 1984 by Rajkumar Gupta, Manoj Gupta and Sanjay Gupta. Some of its most we ...
, the leading Indian comic company of the time. There he created his famous one-of-a-kind wolfman character Bheriya. Bheriya (wolfman) represents Verma’s immense love and dedication towards wild life and nature, which have always been the strongest aspects of his lifestyle. His debut issue in Raj Comics was ''Bheria Aya'' in 1994. He also wrote as well as illustrated its initial issues which were a huge hit such as ''Wolfano'', ''Grahano'', ''Lazy'', ''Tilangey'' and many more. He worked on almost all the major Raj comics characters as an artist. His best selling comics were from the 90’s, and all of them were drawn by him. He also worked on covers, posters, trading cards, pin-ups, and other promotional merchandising for Raj comics. Verma was the first artist to introduce digital coloring to the Indian comic industry in 1996 on ''Parmanu''s cover and then ''Bheria's Digest''. He worked with Raj comics until April 2000. He joined a gaming company Escosoft Tech. (Division of Escort) as a senior visualizer and worked there for three years until June 2003.
In 2004, he got his big break in the American comic industry with
Avatar Press
Avatar Press is an independent American comic book publisher founded in 1996 by William A. Christensen, and based in Rantoul, Illinois. Avatar Press is most notable for publishing Bad girl art, bad girl comics, such as ''Faust (Avatar Press), Fau ...
where he worked as an artist for writer
Joe R. Lansdale
Joe Richard Lansdale (born October 28, 1951) is an American writer and martial arts instructor.
A prose writer in a variety of genres - Western, horror, science fiction, mystery, and suspense - he's also written comic books and screenplays. Se ...
on ''By Bizarre Hands''. His biggest series with Avatar was ''
Escape of the Living Dead
''Escape of the Living Dead'' is a five-issue zombie comic book Limited series (comics), miniseries published by Avatar Press, published in 2005. It is written by John A. Russo with artwork by Dheeraj Verma.Yuggoth Creatures'', ''Nightmare on Elm Street,'' and ''Night of the Living Dead''. He also worked on Dynamite’s ''The Complete Dracula'' series written by Alan Moore’s daughter
Leah Moore
Leah Moore (born 4 February 1978) is a British comic book writer and columnist. The daughter of comics writer Alan Moore, she frequently collaborates with her husband, writer John Reppion, as Moore & Reppion.
Biography
Moore was born to comics ...
. He also did cover art for
Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics is an American comic book publishing, publisher and the flagship property of Marvel Entertainment, a divsion of The Walt Disney Company since September 1, 2009. Evolving from Timely Comics in 1939, ''Magazine Management/Atlas Co ...
's invincible
Iron Man
Iron Man is a superhero appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character was co-created by writer and editor Stan Lee, developed by scripter Larry Lieber, and designed by artists Don Heck and Jack Kirby. The charact ...
. He worked on
Transformers
''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, suc ...
' series published by IDW Publications. His first series for IDW ''Transformers: Fall Of Cybertron'' was a superhit series on
ComiXology
Iconology Inc., d/b/a ComiXology (styled comiXology), is a cloud-based digital distribution platform for comics owned by Amazon, with over 200 million comic downloads . It offers a selection of more than 100,000 comic books, graphic novels, and ...
, which was launched in August 2012. After this series he worked on ''Transformers: Robots in Disguise'' # 19 in July 2013 and it entered in Top 300 comics.
He has done up to 14 issues of Lady Death.
He was working on Conan the Slayer (Dark Horse comics, USA), as a penciller.
In January 2013, after a decade away, Verma made his comeback in the Indian comic industry with ''Jaljeevni'' (Bheria Series) from Raj Comics. ''Subhasya Sheegram'' ( Doga), Sarvanayak series was his latest project with Raj Comics.
Verma also ventured to exhibit his painting in the world renowned Indian Government national academy of fine arts
Lalit Kala Akademi
The Lalit Kala Akademi or National Academy of Art (LKA) is India's national academy of fine arts. It is an autonomous organisation, established in New Delhi in 1954 by Government of India to promote and propagate understanding of Indian art, i ...
in Delhi, and caused quite a buzz in the fine art circle by introducing original comics pages from Transformers and Lady Death in the gallery in a seven-day exhibition, which was inaugurated by Mr. Taj Hassan, Special Commissioner of Police.
Personal life and death
Verma married Malti Verma in 1991 and had two daughters. Verma died on 7 June 2021, in Delhi from pulmonary fibrosis complicated by a
COVID-19
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a contagious disease caused by a virus, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The first known case was COVID-19 pandemic in Hubei, identified in Wuhan, China, in December ...
infection.
Works
A:
*A Nightmare on Elm Street: Fearbook
*Amanecer Zombie
B:
*Bheria Series - Titles
1. Bheria
2. Bheria Aaya
3. Elephanto
4. Green Gold
5. Bhura Billa
6. Blast
7. Lazy Bheria
8. Meen Bheria
9. Laskula
10. Lutera Sher
11. Wolfa
12. Grahno
13. Tilange
14. Bali
15. Nahi Rahega Aatank
16. Baagad Billi
17. Bhatiki Ka Jaal
18. Bheria ka Kanoon
19. Hatyara
20. Ladake
21. Achook
22. Nagor
23. Maut Ke Parkale
24. Kaigula
25. Gajara
26. Maut Mere Andar
27. Indrajaal
28. Mogambo
29. Andhi Dhund
30. Totampol
31. Ayi Musibat
32. Jinda Pathar
33. Kala Sona
34. Jaag Kritya Jaag
35. Janwar
36. Bhujang
37. Neeli Lashein
38. Kobi aur Bheria
39. Mera Jungle
40. Aag aur Paani
41. Jen
42. Chaaro Khane Chit
43. Doma
44. Balikuthar
45. Bheel
46. Masaba
47. Bachna Mushkil
48. Budha Jungle
49. Bhaago Pagal Aaya
50. Kshetra
51. Thoo Thoo
52. Maaramari
53. Hurdang
54. Bura Na Mano
55. Apni Raksha Aap
56. Kadam Kadam Par
57. Pathar Kobi Pathar Bheria
58. Kaantein
59. Yuvraj
60. Bheria Vansh
61. Marr gya Bheria
62. Kobi Bajaye Baja
63. Jungle Jungle Maut Chali
64. Apshakun
65. Maut Na Maar Koi
66. Jal Utha Jungle
67. King Luna
68. Ajooba
69. Jeetega Thodanga
70. Dekh Tabahi Lakdi Ki
71. Wohi Puarana Jallad
72. Maut Kshetra
73. Chhupa Kabra
74. Sardar Kobi
75. Ashwa
76. Condor
77. Maut Jaegi Khali Haath
78. Jungle Paar
79. Kala Bheria
80. Kaise Ladu Kaise Bhidu
81. Uttradhikari
82. Jungle Meri Muthi Mein
83. Kale Log Musibat Bhog
84. Mai Bhi Rakshak
85. Jungle Ka Beta
86. Tarzoo
87. Jungle Sharir
88. Jungle Sabka Hai
89. Jungle Khali Karo
90. Asli Nakli
91. Yahi Hai Kobi
92. Aadamkhor Bheria
93. Gajbola
94. Ek Gin Ek Bheria
95. Chero Pao Maut
96. Jaan Par Bhari
97. Ichcha Aur Dhari
98. Pinjer
99. Prem Bala
100. Prem Na Khoon
101. Prem Hiran
102. Avdhoot
103. Prem Pishach
104. Prem Tadap
105. Prem Prateek
106. Prem Ratan
107. Prem Ashru
108. Prem Shradh
109. Van Rakshak
110. Shaapit Rakshak
111. Aahuti
112. Bheria Kaun
113. Bheria Ki Khoj
114. Jaan Ke Laale
115. Kobi Bhai
116. Ek Myaan Do Talwaarein
*By Bizarre Hands
1. Issue #1
2. Issue #2: Not from Detroit
3. Issue #3: The Pit
4. Issue #4: Tight Little Stitches In A Dead Man's Back
5. Issue #5: Night They Missed The Horror Show
6. Issue #6: God of The Razor/My Dead Dog, Bobby
C:
*Caliber Rounds
*Conan The Slayer
1. Issue #12: The Devil in Iron Part Six
D:
*Deadly Inferno: Battle of The Wilderness
E:
*Escape of The Living Dead
*Escape of The Living Dead: Airborne
*Escape of The Living Dead: Fearbook
*Escape of The Living Dead: Trade Paperback Collected Edition
*Escape of The Living Dead: Resurrected
G:
*G.I. Joe
1. Issue #1: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part One
2. Issue #2: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Two
3. Issue #3: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Three
4. Issue #4: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Four
5. Issue #5: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Five
6. Issue #6: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Six
7. Issue #7: The Fall of G.I. Joe Part Seven
8. Issue #8: The Fall of G.I. Joe Conclusion
*Grimm Fairy Tales presents Alice In Wonderland One-Shot
I:
*Iron Man 2.0
1. Issue #1: Palmer Addley Is Dead Part One
2. Issue #2: Palmer Addley Is Dead Part Two
3. Issue #3: Palmer Addley Is Dead Part Three
4. Issue #4: Palmer Addley Is Dead Part Four
5. Issue #5: Fear Itself Part One
6. Issue #6: Fear Itself Part Two
7. Issue #7: Fear Itself
8. Issue #7.1
9. Issue #8: The Palmer Addley Infection
10. Issue #9: The Palmer Addley Infection, Part Two
11. Issue #10: The Palmer Addley Infection, Part Three
12. Issue #11: The Palmer Addley Infection, Part Four
13. Issue #12: The Palmer Addley Infection, Conclusion
K:
*Kade: Sun of Perdition
L:
*Lady Death
1. Lady Death: Unholy Ruin
2. Lady Death: Apocalyptic Abyss
3. Lady Death: Hellraiders
4. Lady Death: Hot Shots
5. Lady Death: Chaos Rules
6. Lady Death: Damnation Game
7. Lady Death: Extinction Express
8. Lady Death: Oblivion Kiss
9. Lady Death: Merciless Onslaught
*Lynx
1. Issue #1: Call Me G-d!
2. Issue #2: Lynx Origin
3. Issue #3: Phone Home
4. Issue #4: Who is Yahweh?
N:
*Night of The Living Dead: The Beginning
*Night of The Living Dead: Just a Girl
*Night of The Living Dead: Hunger
*Night of The Living Dead: New York
*Night of The Living Dead: TPB
*Night of The Living Dead: Death Valley
*Night of The Living Dead: Aftermath
P:
*Plague of The Living Dead
*Plague of The Living Dead Special
*Project 26
S:
*Snow White One-Shot
T:
*The Complete Dracula
*The Transformers Series - Fall of Cybertron Issues
1. Issue #1: Good Intentions
2. Issue #2: Secrets
3. Issue #3: Siege Mentality
4. Issue #4: Last Stand
5. Issue #5: Fragmentation
6. Issue #6: Fall
*The Transformers: Robots In Disguise
1. Issue #1: The Autonomy Lesson
2. Issue #2: The World And Everything In It
3. Issue #3: Stick Together
4. Issue #4: Devisive
5. Issue #5: A Better Tomorrow
6. Issue #6: Syndromica (1)
7. Issue #7: Inference Patterns
8. Issue #8: Dinobot Hunt
9. Issue #9: Night And The City
10. Issue #10: Syndromica
11. Issue #11: The End Of The Beginning Of The World
12. Issue #12: City On Fire
13. Issue #13: The Verge
14. Issue #14: Before The Dawn
15. Issue #15: Plan For Everything
16. Issue #16: Heavy Is The Head
17. Issue #17: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Shockwaves
18. Issue #18: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Second Exodus
19. Issue #19: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Homecoming
20. Issue #20: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Three Monologues - 1. Long Night, 2. Young Evening, 3. Early Dawn
21. Issue #21: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Shockpoint
22. Issue #22: Dark Cybertron Prelude - Soundwaves
23. Issue #23: "Winners & Losers" - Dark Cybertron Chapter 3
24. Issue #24: Finest Hour - Dark Cybertron Chapter 5
25. Issue #25: The Dead Are Not Enough - Dark Cybertron Chapter 7
26. Issue #26: Finis Temporis - Dark Cybertron Chapter 9
27. Issue #27: Black Planet - Dark Cybertron Chapter 11
28. Issue #28: EarthFall Part 1 - Hello Cruel World
29. Issue #29: EarthFall Part 2 - Detonation Boulevard
30. Issue #30: EarthFall Part 3 - The Mind Bomb
31. Issue #31: EarthFall Part 4 - Full Fathom Five
32. Issue #32: EarthFall Part 5 - I Dream of Wires
33. Issue #33: The World Of Tomorrow
34. Issue #34: The Crucible
*The X-Files/Transformers: Conspiracy
Y:
*Yuggoth Creatures
*Alan Moore's Yuggoth Creatures And Other Growths
Z:
*Zombie Dawn: Safe House