Virgin Comics, the high-profile 2006 international joint venture between Sir Richard Branson?s Virgin Group and the India-based comics publisher Gotham Entertainment, has been shut down. The company?s New York office and publishing unit has been closed and the eight people that staff it have been laid off (sorry fellas?). Virgin Comics was launched in early 2006 with an ambitious program to create a list of high profile superhero and adventure print comics inspired by Indian/Hindu mythology that could also be licensed as potential film and merchandise properties to a global audience of pop culture consumers. The high-profile venture not only included financing by Branson but also included bestselling author Deepak Chopra ? which I think we all know is the best team to start a comic book publisher with. Last year the venture released the Director?s Cut line, which feaured comics series created by such Hollywood figures as Ed Burns (Dock Walloper), Guy Ritchie (Gamekeeper) and John Woo (Seven Brothers) that the company hoped would morph into blockbuster films. The company?s Voices line of comics emphasized projects created by actors and musicians including Nic Cage (Voodoo Child); Jenna Jameson (Shadow Hunter) and British musician Dave Stewart (Zombie Broadway). I guess all there is to say is that Virgin Comics will be missed by their four customers (two of which were Branson and Chopra).