Comic relief ; ACK Media hopes to tap the large captive audience in India for these titles and then look beyond to a sizeable diaspora, many of whom have grown up on these comics.

Samir Patil knows both the IT and animation markets well. The 36-year-old started Vertex Software in 1997-98 as a wide-eyed wannabeentrepreneur; after struggling for a few years, he headed to MIT,Sloan, for a management degree.

On graduating, Patil headed to consulting giant McKinsey & Co.for a six-and-a-half year stint with its media practice, beforereturning to once again pick up the reins of his tech start-up. Andthen last year, he sold it to NTT Data.

Patil has now pooled his expertise across these industries, tostart ACK Media, a Mumbaiheadquartered media and animation company.The company's initials reflect how Patil started his business: Byacquiring Amar …