COMIC BOOK DESIGN | LEVER PRESS
As part of Queer Compassion in 15 Comics, I created Effeminared: Under the Lucky Star, a deeply personal visual narrative that reimagines a childhood marked by bullying, silence, and longing. Told through the eyes of my central character Anay, the comic is layered with maximalist textures, soft chaos, and symbols from my Odia heritage. It celebrates the tender rebellion of effeminacy, the power of chosen family, and the quiet strength in staying soft in a world that asks you to harden. Created in collaboration with researchers and grounded in real stories of queer compassion, this piece is my love letter to the ones who were told they were too much and still chose to be more.
The Making Of
CLIENT - Lever Press (for Queer Compassion in 15 Comics)
I was invited to be part of Queer Compassion in 15 Comics, an international anthology published by Lever Press that brings together LGBTQ+ artists and researchers to explore the many dimensions of compassion through comics. This was a deeply personal opportunity to reclaim narrative space and share a sliver of my story on a global platform.
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PROJECT OVERVIEW
My piece, titled Effeminared: Under the Lucky Star, is an autobiographical comic inspired by a moment in school when I was heavily bullied for being effeminate. Through fluid linework, vibrant colors, and a deeply emotive storytelling lens, I transformed that memory into a story of resilience and becoming. The visual aesthetic merges Indian comic traditions with soft gradients, symbolic motifs, and quiet strength. It reflects on chosen family, queer survival, and the power of art as a balm.
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ROLE - Writer, Illustrator, and Conceptual and Storyboarding Artist
I wrote and illustrated the piece entirely, crafting each panel to balance vulnerability and power. From storyboarding and scripting to character design and composition, I ensured that every detail aligned with the core emotion of the piece: tenderness through turmoil. It was also my honor to be the only Indian contributor featured in the book, representing a unique intersection of culture, queerness, and storytelling.
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1. Visual Exploration
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I began with pencil sketches and storyboarding to explore the emotional flow of the comic. The challenge was to balance my lived experience with a visual language that felt raw yet hopeful. Each frame was composed to guide the reader gently through pain, tenderness, and quiet resistance.
I wanted every panel to feel like a deep breath, some heavy, some soft, echoing the pauses and silences that often speak louder than words. Visual cues like body posture, empty space, and shifts in lighting have been placed to carry the emotion without overcrowding the page. This phase allowed me to reconnect with a part of myself I had long buried, turning memory into a medium of healing.
2. Character & Style
The protagonist is a reflection of my younger self- effeminate, unsure, and full of longing. He carries the emotional weight of a boy constantly negotiating his place in a world that didn’t see him fully. I drew him with soft lines, downturned eyes, and a slightly slouched posture, not out of weakness, but out of the exhaustion of constantly being watched and judged.
The delicate shading around his face and body was intentional, to evoke a quiet fragility, like he could dissolve into the page if not held carefully. I leaned into Indian visual sensibilities, drawing from traditional linework and familiar textures. His indigo navy night suit was inspired by one I personally wore, a quiet nod to memory and comfort.
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While the patterns and palette were rooted in home, I chose not to hold back. Minimalism felt too quiet for this story. Instead, I embraced a kaleidoscope of colors: rich, layered, unapologetically extra, because that’s who I am. The visual language bursts with emotion, ornament, and bold textures, reflecting not just memory but identity in full bloom. The watercolor-inspired finish added a dreamy softness to all that vibrancy, blurring the edges between past and present, grounding the protagonist in a space that felt both intimate and expansive.
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3. Refinement & Final Touches
Once the layout and base colors were done, I focused on pacing and dialogue, treating each frame like a pause in a conversation. I used empty spaces and panel breaks to let moments breathe and allow emotions to settle. Every silence, every look between characters was placed with intention, to evoke feeling without always needing words.
Feedback from the editors was incredibly grounding and helped me reflect deeper on how the story reads beyond my own lens.
Together, we fine-tuned the rhythm so that it stayed true to my voice while also resonating with a wider, global audience. The process felt like a dance between vulnerability and clarity, and I’m so grateful it led to a piece that feels both personal and quietly powerful.
