iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Conversations I'm always having with myself

Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

There are so many things that scare me about transitioning and they all have to do with how I'm perceived and treated by other people. They all have to do with transphobia And then the reasons I want to transition can summed up simply, I want to feel like myself in all my gender expansive glory

A picture of Lucky looking concerned with their body silhouetted on a large swathe of chaotic text.
Above it a line of text says: "All my reasons not to transtion are pretty external"
The text surrounding their exterior says things like "what if I don't look good post transtion?" and "what if it becomes harder to use the bathroom in public?" and many many others in varying degrees of legibility.
The text contained within Lucky's body reads: "But the positives are internal: I might finally start living as MYSELF"
The word myself is rainbow colored and surrounded by a rainbow aura.

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I view my gender as a journey. Sometimes I have the strength to take steps sometimes I don't. Sometimes the steps not taken have dire consequences and I can't put them off any longer. It's time to start seriously looking into medical transition!

A comic entirely in purple, featuring Lucky as a anthropomorphic mouse.
Panel 1:
LATELY...
Panel 2:
Text between two reflected faces eyes looking away from each other
"I can't look at myself in the mirror"
Panel 3:
Image of Lucky holding a top in front of themselves and frowning.
"I don't feel cute in any outfits. I feel I've lost fashion as a form of Creative Expression"
Panel 4:
Image of Lucky with a mess of curls
"my current hair feels uncomfortable but I have no idea what to do with it"
Panel 5:
Image of Lucky looking stressed and gripping their face
"things are going well but I feel restless & unhappy. You know what that means..."
Panel 6:
"Its time for: (another) Gender Transition!"
Image of Lucky looking at their phone, an arrow pointing to the phone saying "I'm researching HRT again"
"every couple of years I have the capacity to work on this"

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Starting to collect again ❤️

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

After years of not feeling them it's nice to get in touch again

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

After years of not feeling them it's nice to get in touch again

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Having a hard time with having an easy time

Panel one: (image of an anthropomorphic fennec fox with a cat in their lap)
THINGS ARE GOING WELL!
Personal Growth
Career
Self determination
Family, Love, Friends, Health!
YAY!
Panel 2: (a close up of the fox's eyes looking right and left as a bead of sweat drips down their head)
THINGS ARE GOING WELL
Panel 3: (an image of a sailboat heading away from a storm, the fox can be seen silhouetted inside)
Oh. No.

(A full page panel of the fox on the sailboat on a relatively calm sea)
HAVE I FORGOTTEN HOW TO SAIL...
WITHOUT THE STORM?

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Gonna start posting comics on Tuesdays again ones already up on Patreon!

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✶ J i j i ✶ NYCC K33 @jijidraws.art · 16/03/2025

Soft NOT weak. 🗡️✨ #art #bodypositive

🎨✨ A vibrant illustration of a demoness pinup. She is bent partially at the waist with a manicured, clawed hand near hip. In her other hand is a sword, tip glittering with sparkles to accentuate its sharp quality. She’s sneering at the camera, neon orange and yellow ponytail blowing in the wind. Below her is the phrase: SOFT NOT WEAK.

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 02/07/2026

Lovely NPR review for OPTING OUT, my latest book co-created with @luckyscomix.bsky.social :D

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

Saturday June 20 from 11am to 6pm @luckyscomix.bsky.social and I will be at QCON (Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA). We'll be tabling together and speaking on a panel from 1-1:30. qconprism.org Hope to see you there!

Saturday June 20 from 11am to 6pm Lucky Srikumar and Maia Kobabe, co-authors of the middle grade graphic novel OPTING OUT, will be at QCON (Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA). They will be tabling together and speaking on a panel from 1-1:30. https://qconprism.org/ Hope to see you there!

Saturday June 20 from 11am to 6pm Maia Kobabe, author of GENDER QUEER A MEMOIR, and co-author BREATHE: JOURNEYS TO HEALTHY BINDING and OPTING OUT, will be at QCON (Fiesta Hall in Plummer Park, 7377 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood, CA). E will be tabling with co-author Lucky Srikumar and speaking on a panel from 1-1:30. https://qconprism.org/ Hope to see you there!

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 10/05/2026

Book tours aren't really made for spoonies and autistics but never fear, I have an emotional support coauthor.

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

I drew these pages in my sketchbook a year ago to explain my thought process on thumbnailing while working on Opting Out. I co-wrote this book with Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social and it's out from Scholastic Graphix on May 5! bookshop.org/p/books/opti...

PAGE ONE:
For most projects I pick a "base" panel grid for normal pages that don't need extra emphasis. For Saachi, that was a 6 panel grid. I made a digital template to drop in every page. There are easy variations that include an establishing shot (single tier on top, middle, or bottom). Shifting the gutters to give some panels more space. Occasional 3 panel tier. Dropping panel borders.
Other page types:
4 tiers-used for a specific character or when Saachi is uncomfortable.
9 panels- used for phone calls and hard, wordy conversations. I like to alternate characters in 9 panel grids to create a checker pattern.
In grids I also like to alternate close-ups with medium or long shots on diagonals or patter speaking characters on diagonals.
Fantasy pages! Some pages contain stories, daydreams, or poems and these break out of the grid entirely and often have no borders!

PAGE TWO:
I use a large panel on top with just two below, or two on top and one below, when introducing a new setting- big establishing shot
The fight scene gets diagonal gutters- rare.
A fairy tale gets rounded panel borders.
Sometimes I "shrink" the last panel on a page at the end of a scene to transition to a new setting. Two times I used 4 tightly packed panels in combo with border-less panels in storytelling-mode.
There are only 5 full page images in the book. First & last are in the "real world" and the middle 3 are in Saachi's "poem world"
Most used Saachi page layouts- 181 of the 253 pages fall into these 8 categories:
85- 6 panel grid but with adjusted size
52- even 6 panel grid
20- even 3 tiers
5- full page
5- even 4 tiers
5- square 4 grid
5- establishing shot either above or below an even 6 tier grid
4- 9 panel grid

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 30/04/2026

The story of the origin of our book 😊 Opting Out by me and @redgoldsparks.bsky.social out May 5th! Pre order it now ✨

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

OUR BOOK DROPS IN 8 DAYS LET'S GOOOOOOOO

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

@luckyscomix.bsky.social and I will be at PLCAF in South San Francisco this Saturday April 4! smcl.org/comicartsfest/ Tabling from 10am-4pm, speaking on a panel together from 1-2pm. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/plcaf-smal...

headshots of authors Lucky Srikumar and Maia Kobabe with the cover of their new book, OPTING OUT!

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 20/02/2026

My forthcoming book, OPTING OUT, with @luckyscomix.bsky.social just got its first starred review from @publisherswkly.bsky.social! Review is here www.publishersweekly.com/9781546110125 and you can pre-order here bookshop.org/p/books/opti... The book is out on May 5 2026!

The cover of OPTING OUT, a middle grade graphic novel by Maia Kobabe and Swati "Lucky" Srikumar. The cover shows the main character, a 12 year old Desi teen named Saachi who has short black hair and brown skin, wearing a tshirt and shorts and gleefully dumping out a backpack full of eclectic items: a soccer ball, a sword, candy, pens, paper, a magazine, a book, a sunflower, a pumpkin vine, tape, a ruler, earrings and a nazar amulet

Opting Out
Maia Kobabe and Swati “Lucky” Srikumar, illus. by Swati “Lucky” Srikumar. Graphix, $25.99 hardcover (256p) ISBN 978-1-5461-1012-5; $14.99 paper ISBN 978-1-339-01224-7
A tween reconciles puberty’s effects on her body with shifting feelings about her gender identity in an empathic graphic novel from Kobabe (Breathe: Journeys to Healthy Binding) and debut creator Srikumar. Navigating seventh grade proves challenging for Saachi, especially since her best friend, Lyla, seems more interested in talking about boys than the fictional worlds the pair used to bond over. Saachi’s confusion surrounding recent dreams in which she is a boy, pressure from her parents to take on a more active role in managing the household, and mental and bodily discomfort from her first period manifest in emotional outbursts, which she channels into physical altercations with a classmate. Concerned about Saachi’s changing demeanor, her mother gives Saachi a book about puberty, and sections about nonbinary and transgender kids prompt personal reflection (“How would I know if I’m not a girl?... I think I prefer things that fall in the middle”). Saachi’s internal monologue, journal entries, and poetry provide multiple avenues across which the creators reflect on themes of identity and adolescence. Character expressions and body language rendered in rich jewel tones take center stage in this tender and intimate portrait. The protagonists are depicted with various skin tones. Ages 10–12. Agent: (for Kobabe) Emily Mitchell, Wernick & Pratt. (May)

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Maia Kobabe @redgoldsparks.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

@luckyscomix.bsky.social and I received the ARCs of our new book! OPTING OUT, on sale May 5 2026, from Scholastic Graphix. I'm very excited for all of you to read it :D Preorder here: bookshop.org/p/books/opti...

The cover of middle grade graphic novel OPTING OUT by Maia Kobabe and Swati "Lucky" Srikumar, on sale May 6 2026. The cover shows a smiling Desi kid wearing a yellow t-shirt and green shorts, dumping a collection of eclectic items out of a blue backback including a soccer ball, a sword, a tiny pumpkin, sheets of paper, pens, candy, a ruler, a magazine, a book, tape, eraser, earrings, a sunflower and a nazar amulet.

An interior spread from OPTING OUT by Maia Kobabe and Swati "Lucky" Srikumar

the front and back cover of OPTING OUT by Maia Kobabe and Swati "Lucky" Srikumar plus one interior spread

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Kori Michele @korimichele.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Gouache on paper, June 2025

A painting of a boot crushing ice cubes in a grassy field; behind the boot is a pansy, a sunflower, and a poppy, as well as a sun and a moon. The word "Crush" is at the top in desert chrome lettering, and the word "Ice" is at the bottom in an ice-cube style of letter. The boot is laced with a string that represents the colors of the contemporary pride flag.

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Everyday I get one step closer to holding my first book in my hands in real life and I can't wait for kids to read it like my nephew and and all the little baby queers and everyone 😭 ❤️ I hope it makes you feel seen little babies!!! I hope it makes you feel strong and less alone!

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ÆON FAMOUS @gaygaygay.gay · 27/10/2025

HEY SEATTLE i'm booking tattoos 🌈 I'd like to fill slots for this Thursday 10/30 to raise urgent rent support for a beloved friend. other available designs below! i'm very flexible with rates + can work with your budget because i know times are very 🌀😵‍💫🙀 DM for appts + RPs appreciated 💗

sketch of 3 gay bishōnen antihero furry characters with piercings. one is a unicorn wearing a heavy spiked collar and long feathered hair, another is an emo pup with a chain around its neck and the third is a silly alien cat with a studded collar and its tongue sticking out

same pic but blue background and purple lines instead of yellow background with rainbow lineart

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

Omfg I love being in my thirties! Finally a real adult (me) is taking care of me.

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 30/09/2025

@redgoldsparks.bsky.social and I can't wait for y'all to read our book! ❤️

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 12/09/2025

Me: what if I sent an artist's statement with my birthday invite? Also me: can't even write this email rn...

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 31/08/2025

The answer to life is talk to bestie.

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silas denver 🍎 @sweatermuppet.bsky.social · 01/12/2024

hi gay artists in my phone

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 29/07/2025

The character design 😭 the short Marco haircut that everyone teased him about! THE ATTENTION TO DETAIL. My animorphs book club is gonna LOVE this

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Kirsty Collins @kirstysamantha.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

A mural of the Statue of Liberty covering her eyes in shame was created by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw. It is in a high population area of immigrants in France…!!! She said ‘The values that the statue once stood for - freedom hope, the right to be yourself - have been lost for many’…!!!

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 05/07/2025

Me trying to explain the word "desi": it's like... Indian... Or heritage. Indian heritage. Like...Indian... subcontinent. Like brown, but *my* kind of brown, brown like me and other people from the Indian subcontinent. Does that make sense? The person: *has been nodding for 5 minutes*

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 19/06/2025

Hey! My pride postcards are now available for sale ✨ $3 for a mystery color $3.50 for a specific one

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

Do it. Their tits will be cold but they'll look fine af.

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 18/06/2025

My friend Alec said "draw your OC in a chainmail bikini top and Shadow the hedgehog jorts" and I was like, bet. You can pull anything off with the right accessories ✨ Shadow the hedgehog is a nonbinary icon ❤️

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Lucky Srikumar @luckyscomix.bsky.social · 17/06/2025

After threatening to for like 3 years, this year I sent out holi-gay cards for pride! I was struggling to think of a design so I picked something I'll never get sick of drawing. Dogs. ❤️

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