Why Mapui Aka Wingstar is making headlines

Who?

Tinkle’s latest superhero — a 13-year-old girl from Northeast India.

Wow! That sounds cool.

It is. Marking the 35th anniversary, Tinkle magazine in its November edition has introduced a new superhero — Mapui Kawlim from Aizawl, Mizoram.

Tell me more.

Mapui is a crime fighter by night but is burdened with homework, hates Maths, and enjoys slumber party and cricket. Just imagine the number of children who would relate to this new avatar of Tinkle.

Great. What about her super powers?

Her powers come from gadgets of "super-flight" and "super-strength" given to her by her father Tashi Kawlim who, by the way, is an inventor with the space development arm of the government.

A tech savvy supergirl?

Yes, Mapui can use "rocket thrusters", which travel at a speed of 110 km per hour, is bestowed with "iron fists", which can break bricks with a punch, and "reinforced robotic arms", which can lift 1,000 kg each.

What do the creators have to say?

Tinkle’s editor Rajani Thindiath described Mapui as a "reluctant superhero" but "has the potential to be the most iconic female superhero characters in Indian comic history".

Is she Tinkle’s first attempt at introducing a female superhero?

No. Tinkle has had two female superheroes previously — Super Weirdos with Aisha in the lead and Maya headlining the futuristic PsyMage series, set in an era when magic is power.

Ok, but Mapui sounds to be just like us.

Exactly. And this new comic strip has the potential to break the prejudices and dispel the stereotypes attached to people from the northeastern states.