Resistance in the Gutter: Appupen’s Superhero Satire Rashtraman

Abstract

In the face of rising authoritarianism and shrinking freedoms, visual protest is a crucial tool for challenging dominant political narratives. One particularly striking form is the superhero satire, which subverts the conventions of the genre to expose ideological contradictions and excesses of power. Well-known examples include Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ graphic novel Watchmen (1986/87) or Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson’s comic book series The Boys (2006-2012), the latter recently adapted into a widely discussed Netflix series (since 2019). A lesser known but equally incisive example is the Indian comics series Rashtraman (since 2016), created by graphic novel artist Appupen. Featuring a deeply flawed, anti-heroic ‘guardian’ of a fictional authoritarian, ultra-nationalist state, Rashtraman offers a sharp critique of populism, nationalism, and state control in contemporary India. In my paper, I will look at how Appupen employs colour, visual metaphors, intertextuality, and wordplay to create satirical hyperbole that deconstructs the narratives of the Hindu-nationalist ideological project. What visual and verbal cues invoke the superhero genre? How – and to what effect – does Appupen subvert them? Finally, I will consider how Rashtraman operates within a shifting media landscape, where digital platforms become both a site of engagement and a battleground for resistance in the face of growing censorship and control.