I used to make comics once in a while, but never thought of doing it regularly. I had started following a lot of international comics on social media, and I wanted to see something more relatable in the Indian context. So about a year back, I decided to make such comics myself. I was worried that they weren’t funny enough, that no one would get my humour, that I was really bad at drawing them. But I realised that none of it mattered, because I wanted to do it for myself. The worst thing that could happen was that people would ignore my work, and I was ok with that. I had fun making the comics, so it was worth it. Initially, I showed them only to my mother and a few friends, and they really liked it. So I started posting them more regularly.
The biggest reasons for me starting Missfit Comics were my social awkwardness and soft-spoken nature. I always thought I had a good sense of humour. Somehow that never came across because I was really bad at making jokes in front of people. I would think of something funny to say, but never had the confidence to speak out loud. So I would end up creepily smiling by myself. Very often, people would not hear me because I have a low voice. My jokes would end up getting drowned by louder people, or I would be asked to repeat myself so often that the joke was lost. With comics, I could make people listen to me without even having to be present in the same room.
I started getting a lot of feedback from friends and strangers, most of which was positive. Many people told me that my comics are funny and relatable. I also got one very long message from a stranger explaining to me how I was completely wrong about my comic on abortion, and he also explained to me how marital rape is a hoax. I was actually very excited because it was my first comment from a troll, and it meant that I was making an impact. I make comics about anything that inspires me, from my daily life to the current news. The topic that inspires me the most is feminism. It’s very easy to get angered and dejected by the sexism which is present in every aspect of life. I find it easier to cope with by making comics about it.
My comics are also my way of expressing my opinions and asserting myself, which I can’t do verbally. Missfit has made me read more about issues to understand them, and question my own beliefs. I learnt a lot about intersectionality and also laws on sexual abuse while researching for my comics. Using colour pencils and sketch pens to make comics in children’s drawing books is no joke; I take my humour very seriously!