Comics publisher Diamond Toons launches ‘The Exam War’ to create mental health awareness

The Talking Comics Series by Anvi Kumar

New Delhi-based comic book publisher Diamond Toons, part of Diamond Group of Publications, has recently launched a new title The Exam War under its Talking Comics initiative. The Exam War, penned by a 17-year-old grade 12 student Anvi Kumar, promotes mental health awareness among youth and children.

The title explores topics such as anxiety, bullying and stress in a light-hearted yet impactful manner, offering relatable solutions to foster a supportive environment for young people. The series is translated into English, Hindi, and various other Indian languages and is available in digital and physical formats. Since it is part of Diamond Toons’ Talking Comics version, it is specially designed in a video format with voice narration, and is optimised for schools equipped with screens.

The publication’s Talking Comics initiative in collaboration with Mind Canvas and the Andhra Pradesh state government, was unveiled at Delhi’s National Conference on Building Resilience. The Exam War was introduced by the comic-book publisher as part of Tri-Series, a three-part Talking Comic targeted towards children and young people with strategies to enhance resilience.

Last year, Diamond Toons collaborated with Kumar and the Andhra Pradesh Government to introduce Talking Comics into the curriculum of PM SHRI (Schools for Rising India). According to Diamond Toons, this campaign has garnered praise from mental health professionals, educational bodies like UNICEF and NCERT, and the governments of Andhra Pradesh and Haryana.

Diamond Group of Publications director Manish Varma stated, “The launch of the Tri-Series marks a significant milestone in our mission to combine education with creativity. Collaborating with a young and talented author like Anvi Kumar has enabled us to produce content that not only entertains but also educates and fosters mental well-being among students. We are confident that these Talking Comics will serve as an effective tool in addressing critical mental health issues in a relatable and engaging manner. The comics will be distributed via our 360-degree distribution network involving print, school integration, library programs, animation, outdoor, digital and social media.”

Speaking on the launch, The Exam War author Kumar said, “This conference is a vital platform for highlighting the importance of mental health. Many students silently face various mental health challenges. Events like this not only bring awareness but also provide practical solutions to these issues and explore how they can be made more resilient to combat rising academic and social pressures.” 

Diamond Toon’s comic titles have previously featured characters like Chacha Chaudhary, Billoo, Pinki, and Little Chanakya. The publisher has partnered with Zee Studios, the national project Namami Gange, smart city concepts, Swachh Bharat, The Energy and Resources Institute and state tourism boards for launching various titles.