As Appupen gazed out into the Never-ending abyss of the night sky, he felt a great sense of dread about the world and all its complexities. Despite the darkness that surrounded him, the stars glimmered in the distance, as if to remind him of the endless possibilities of the universe.

George Mathen, a graphic artist based in Bangalore and famously known as Appupen, dives into the world of graphic novels through his unique perspective. Though he cannot recall the exact moment he became Appupen, he has an array of stories surrounding the origin of his moniker, which translates to ‘grandfather’ in Malayalam. He attributes the name to his thick, framed glasses, a common trait among grandfathers.

A man of dark tales and dystopian universes, Appupen reflects on his views of the world through his work. He has traversed various interests, including music, tattooing, cricket, event management, before finally settling on art. Disillusioned with the advertising industry, Appupen laments, “Artists have sold their soul for thing they don't believe in and have become empty shells."

In 2004, he began showcasing his artwork on the Internet, which eventually caught the eye of Blaft Publishers in Chennai, which published his first book in 2008. Appupen's work has always been known for its dark, macabre themes. His first book, ‘Moonward’, was released in 2009 and incorporated dark humor to lampoon various aspects of life. His second book, ‘Legends of Halahala’, explores five silent stories that shape-shift to fit the narrative. In ‘Aspyrus’, Appupen challenges readers to question the limitations of the world they live in. Through a dragon-like creature representing capitalism's aggressive nature, he highlights the idea that the freedom we experience is often restricted by the boundaries imposed upon us.

Beyond his writing, there is a captivating allure to Appupen's train of thought and nickname, hinting that there is more to him than meets the eye.