4 Ways Comics Fight Back with Appupen
Appupen on satire, censorship and making superheroes sweat.
This week’s TGP Samachar (#10) dives deep into the dark, ironic, and visually explosive world of comics with Appupen—a.k.a George Mathen (formerly ▶️Audiogyan Ep.165). From redefining art to blowing up superhero narratives, Appupen uses comics not as escapism, but as confrontation. His characters don’t just live in fantasy—they speak truth to power, whisper rebellion, and reflect the rot we sometimes ignore.
1️⃣ Are comics still relevant in this scroll-fast world?
Short Answer: More than ever.
Long Answer: We live in a visual world now. My dad had never noticed app icons before. But now, he spots even tiny color changes in updates. Comics are a visual language—like emojis, but with more depth. They’re not just for kids anymore. Today, comics are tools. They bring clarity, spark rebellion, and speak protest. In a world full of media noise battles, comics are bite-sized grenades of truth.
Do you like comic books? Share the name of your favourite comics below 👇
2️⃣ Do you think free speech still exists in India?
Short Answer: Only with an asterisk.
Long Answer: Free speech in India comes with conditions. The Constitution says we have it, but the mob often decides otherwise. Say something they don’t like, and you’re suddenly called anti-national. That’s why I turn to comics. They help me speak without shouting. They use symbols, whispers, and irony. You laugh, but you also think. I once created a character called Propagandhi. He started as someone who questioned the system. But later, he joined the “right” side and became a hero. That’s how fast things flip. Comics let me tell that story. No loud placards. Just quiet resistance. That is how I make sense of this performative nationalism.
Check out Rashtrayana II: Divide and Fool which featured Propagandhi
3️⃣ Is satire enough in the face of rising fascism?
Short Answer: It stings. Still.
Long Answer: I don’t think art can save the world. But I believe it can shake things a bit. Satire works like that. It doesn’t attack directly. It shows power slipping on its own ego. When I see fake news or blind belief spreading, I don’t argue—I draw. In Aspyrus, I asked a simple question: who puts that dream in your head? The story came from my own time in advertising. We sell dreams people didn’t even want. In Halahala, I create worlds where power looks different. Sometimes the hero fails. Sometimes love turns strange. These stories don’t shout, they whisper. If someone pauses to think after a laugh, the comic has done its job.
Can comics help us escape an Orwellian state? Check out this TedEd video
4️⃣ What's your issue with superhero narratives?
Short Answer: Dangerous worship.
Long Answer: I used to take Batman seriously. He had that dark edge I liked. But then I started thinking about Wayne Enterprises, which was involved in arms deals. These heroes make dangerous things look okay. Kids treat them like gods. That’s the problem. We stop questioning. That’s why I created Rashtraman. He’s loud, proud, and full of himself. But people still cheer for him. Through him, I show how easy it is to turn a hero into a tool. I make fun of heroes to show them their place.
Check Appupen’s work (appupen.wordpress.com) and follow him on Instagram.
In today’s climate, where satire is under scrutiny and comedians face courtrooms for punchlines, comics like Appupen do the quiet work of rebellion. They don’t shout, but they cut deep. His panels mix sarcasm, surrealism, and subtext to show the fears we’re not supposed to talk about. When headlines are curated and outrage is manufactured, art becomes one of the last free spaces. And it’s artists like Appupen who remind us that even in silence, resistance speaks.
If you are interested in the full conversation 👉 Spotify | Youtube | Substack | ApplePodcast
