TSPA


Author: Tito Dutta

TSPA (pronounced “Teespa”, IPA: /ˈtiːspə/) is a comic strip on The Sunil Abraham Project, started by Tito Dutta on 7 September 2026. The strips may explore technology, science, society, the internet, internet governance, policy research, everyday life, ideas, absurdities, and whatever else seems worth turning into a few panels.

TSPA is a rearrangement of TSAP, the short form of The Sunil Abraham Project.

The TSPA comic strip is a part of Tito Dutta (Zone).

Contents

  1. Issues
  2. Characters
  3. Naming
  4. Influences
  5. Tools

Issues

Each comic strip has its own page. Click a thumbnail to open the individual strip.

Characters

Ti, a front-facing cartoon boy character from TSPA

Ti

Species: Homo sapiens
Gender: Male
Age: Around 8, but not exactly known
Role: One of the central characters of TSPA
First appeared: TSPA #0001

To, a front-facing cartoon boy character from TSPA

To

Species: Homo sapiens
Gender: Male
Age: Adult
Nature: Ti's alter ego, representing a more critical and darker side of Ti
First appeared: TSPA #0013

Mi, a front-facing cartoon cat character from TSPA

Mi

Species: Felis domestica
Gender: Prefers not to say
Age: Unknown
Role: One of the central characters of TSPA
First appeared: TSPA #0001

Mo, a front-facing cartoon cat character from TSPA

Mo

Species: Felis domestica
Gender: Prefers not to say
Age: Unknown
Nature: Mi's alter ego
First appeared: TSPA #0013

Cha, a front-facing cartoon robot-like conversational character from TSPA

Cha

Species: Unknown
Gender: Not applicable
Age: Unknown
Nature: Conversational entity
Inspired by: Conversational AI, especially ChatGPT; Isaac Asimov's robot fiction; and fictional robot characters such as V.I.C.I. from Small Wonder
First appeared: TSPA #0010

To and Mo are alter egos of Ti and Mi respectively. They are not simply older or alternate versions of the same characters, but distinct expressions of the same underlying characters. The concept is closer to the literary idea of an alter ego, such as Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, than to complementary symbolic counterparts such as William Blake’s Lamb and Tyger.

Naming

TSPA is a rearrangement of the four letters in TSAP, the short form of The Sunil Abraham Project.

Several short names and arrangements of the same four letters were considered while looking for something simple, memorable and sufficiently distinctive. Some alternatives had existing meanings, associations or uses elsewhere, while others did not feel quite right as the name of a comic strip. TSPA was eventually chosen because it retains a connection with TSAP while giving the comic its own identity.

The choice also reflects a broader tradition of comic strips and webcomics having short, unusual or seemingly unexplained names. The name itself does not determine what the strips are about.

Influences

TSPA draws from the broad tradition of comic strips, newspaper cartoons, editorial cartoons, science humour and observational humour. Its two primary inspirations are xkcd and R. K. Laxman’s The Common Man - particularly their different approaches to using simple comic forms to engage with ideas, technology, society and everyday life.

Other works and creators that have influenced or inspired the idea of TSPA include:

TSPA does not copy any of their characters, artwork, visual identity, tone, jokes, storylines or other distinctive creative elements. The strips are independently and originally created.

Tools

TSPA may be created using a combination of different drawing, design, editing, AI and automation tools. The tools used may vary from issue to issue.

The tools are means of creation rather than part of the identity of TSPA. The final work remains independently and originally created.

📄 This page was created on 7 September 2026. You can view its history on GitHub, preview the fileTip: Press Alt+Shift+G, or inspect the . Last updated on 10 September 2026.