‘People ask me to sign books for their future kids’: Savio Mascarenhas on Tinkle nostalgia at Kochi Comic Con

For many Malayalis, characters like Suppandi and Sikkari Sambu are not just comic figures but a slice of childhood. That nostalgia was palpable at the Kochi edition of Comic Con India, where veteran illustrator Savio Mascarenhas found himself surrounded by generations of readers who grew up on his work for Tinkle and Amar Chitra Katha.
“I still have people who come up to me with books to sign in advance for their future kids,” Savio said with a smile, describing the emotional connection readers continue to have with the comics. At Kochi, he said, meeting Malayali fans felt especially meaningful. “Sikkari Sambu is very close to my heart. Wherever I go, Malayalis come and tell me how much they love Sambu. That excitement is there for me here too. I know I’ll be meeting a lot of Sambu fans,” he said.

While Savio is widely associated with beloved characters like Suppandi and Sikkari Sambu through his long association with Tinkle, what stands out for him is not just the legacy of the comics but the way they continue to live on in readers’ memories. “I find different readers everywhere who say they’ve grown up reading my comics. That’s the most emotional part for me as an artist. Many tell me Tinkle reminds them of their childhood,” he said.
He recalled one particularly memorable fan encounter at a previous Comic Con. “A couple once brought their entire collection of old Tinkle issues and asked me to sign them for their child. I asked how far along they were, and they said they weren’t even pregnant yet. That’s how intense their love for these comics was,” he said.
Beyond nostalgia, Savio also reflected on how the creative process behind comics is evolving in the age of artificial intelligence. He acknowledged that AI is gradually becoming a part of artists’ workflows, especially for design assistance and colour palette exploration. However, he was clear about its limits. “AI can definitely enhance parts of my work process. But when it comes to the core of creativity, the human touch is important. A comic is a whole creative journey. A writer imagines the story, and then an artist brings it to life visually. If any part of that is replaced entirely by AI, that personal connect is lost,” he said.
According to him, the emotional depth that defines storytelling cannot be automated. “There are lots of things AI can do, of course. But some things only people can do because creativity comes from personal thought and experience,” he added.
As a regular presence at Comic Con events across the country, Savio said he remains optimistic about the future of comics. Contrary to concerns that reading habits are declining, he believes the interest is simply evolving. “I don’t feel the comic scene is diminishing. I see many young people entering this field and doing great art. This generation is smart. Whether it is comics, animation or any digital format, they are fully engaged with visual storytelling,” he said.