Out of the box
I'm launching my new comic this weekend 🥳 🥳🥳
Hello, dear reader,
Apologies for not writing to you sooner—“life moves a little faster here.”
That’s how I’ve been feeling, and my friends have been saying the same. Five hours at home feel like five days, but in Bangalore, it’s the total opposite.
What gives this city its rapid momentum? How does it manage to cater to so many ambitions and dreams? The city of countless startups rises like the sun, casting rays of innovation in every direction. Some win, some lose, but the city has no say in it. It’s almost like a show that must go on.
I miss home, I miss my mother, and I miss the home-cooked meals. I miss a dear friend, and I dearly miss our hangouts. As I look forward to seeing her, I remember what she said when I was leaving: “Don’t think about the past too much. Don’t miss me! Go on living your life and live in the present.”
I check up on her at times, but mostly it’s the conversations I have in my head with her. I find it a little draining to talk for hours on the phone, so I don’t call, but I know I’ll talk non-stop when I see her, and she’ll lend me her ear.
Anyway, I want to talk about my new comic that I’ve been working on. I’ll give you a brief overview of what you can expect from it.
So far, I’ve drawn and self-published four comics, and this will be my fifth. I’ve created comics on mental health, dating, and my childhood stories, and this time I’m highlighting the issues faced by the LGBTQ+ community and its members.
It’s a coming-out story about a person and the struggles they face when opening up to their friends or families.
How people react to such issues can adversely affect the mental health of some individuals. Imagine being clear about your identity, but society tells you to fit within predefined gender categories.
I read something recently, and I’d love to share it because it resonates so much with the ongoing comic story.
“The mind has no sex” and on the fate of sexes “Is not in the heavens but in the earthly construction of gender as a function of culture. - Johannes Kepler
There’s another one in which Margret fuller she says,
“In each one of us two powers preside, one male, one female. The mind is androgynous , resonant and porous. Naturally creative, incandescent and undivided.” She denounced the dualism of gender and insisted that there is no wholly masculine man, no purely feminine woman”.
The story is set in the near future, somewhere in India. There’s a hint of technological advancement and our complex yet fun lives. With ever-growing startups and corporations, there is something called “MEM HACK.” It is believed that they can help you alter the memories of your loved ones so that you can be accepted by the society. The memories are freshly sourced from the USA.
Since the West seems so open and understanding about these sensitive issues, I thought it would add a touch of humor.
I’m still illustrating the last few pages. This entire comic is purely hand-drawn. While it’s a work of fiction, it has touches of real-life experiences.
It fulfils my desire to create a sci-fi comic with wit. For the first time, I decided to cut down on written content, making it very open-ended. The work can be interpreted in multiple ways.
I want people to create fan theories around it or even come up with their own stories after reading it.
I invite you to join me on this journey of self-discovery and expression. Let’s celebrate the beauty of our identities, just as art celebrates the complexities of life and time.
I look forward to sharing more about my comic, where every page reflects the struggles, triumphs, and the ever-evolving nature of who we are.
Join Me at the Indie Comic Fest!
I’m excited to announce that I’ll be at the Indie Comic Fest on October 27, 2024, in Bangalore! It’s a great opportunity to connect with fellow comic enthusiasts, and I’d love to see you there. Come by to check out my latest comic and share in the celebration of creativity and storytelling.
Join Me at Aley, the Literature Festival of MAHE Bangalore!
I’m thrilled to share that I’ll be conducting a zine-making workshop at Aley, the Literature Festival hosted by the Manipal Academy of Higher Education, on October 23rd. I’m super excited to be a part of this incredible event and can’t wait to create something amazing together!
Let’s make some unforgettable memories together!
Until then,
Take care.
Bye-bye!
❤️