UNMUTE:
MORE THAN
JUST A COMIC
MORE THAN
JUST A COMIC
UNMUTE is a comic about Amina, a young girl living in a fictional Central Asian world where powerful voices, media, and competing narratives constantly shape how people see reality. Through her story, the comic explores critical thinking not simply as the ability to recognize truth or lies, but as the ability to understand how information is framed, presented, and used to influence us.
The world of UNMUTE is deeply inspired by Tajik and Central Asian culture, reimagined through a modern superhero universe. Traditional patterns, architecture, clothing, music, and everyday cultural references appear throughout the story.
The world of UNMUTE is deeply inspired by Tajik and Central Asian culture, reimagined through a modern superhero universe. Traditional patterns, architecture, clothing, music, and everyday cultural references appear throughout the story.
Even the doira, a traditional Tajik percussion instrument, becomes an important part of Amina’s character and her connection to sound and music.
UNMUTE also challenges the traditional image of a superhero. Instead of another physically powerful male character saving everyone through strength, the story places a young woman at its center. Amina represents a different kind of power — the ability to question, observe, express yourself, and make independent choices. Through this perspective, the comic also touches on gender stereotypes, voice, and representation without turning them into a lecture.
Created as part of the Hurford Youth Fellowship Program at the National Endowment for Democracy, UNMUTE brings together superhero storytelling, Central Asian identity, media literacy, and education. Rather than telling readers what to believe, the comic invites them to ask better questions, recognize manipulation, look beyond the headline — and ultimately think for themselves.
UNMUTE also challenges the traditional image of a superhero. Instead of another physically powerful male character saving everyone through strength, the story places a young woman at its center. Amina represents a different kind of power — the ability to question, observe, express yourself, and make independent choices. Through this perspective, the comic also touches on gender stereotypes, voice, and representation without turning them into a lecture.
Created as part of the Hurford Youth Fellowship Program at the National Endowment for Democracy, UNMUTE brings together superhero storytelling, Central Asian identity, media literacy, and education. Rather than telling readers what to believe, the comic invites them to ask better questions, recognize manipulation, look beyond the headline — and ultimately think for themselves.
critical thinking
democracy
freedom of speech
media literacy
🧠 Critical Thinking Quiz
Spot the Manipulation
Each poster presents a claim backed by a social media post. Read the description carefully and decide whether the claim is True or whether there is Not Enough Information to verify it. Click an answer to see the breakdown.
Truth Not Enough Info
UNMUTE COMIC
Timur Sharipov
Yasmina Lorents
2026
Yasmina Lorents
2026
UNMUTE is a superhero comic about Amina, a young girl navigating a fictional Central Asian world shaped by media, powerful narratives, and manipulation. Inspired by Tajik culture, the story combines action, visual storytelling, and media literacy to explore a new understanding of critical thinking — encouraging readers not only to question what is true or false, but also how information is presented and why.
Read UNMUTE COMIC
Timur Sharipov
Yasmina Lorents
2026
Yasmina Lorents
2026
UNMUTE is a superhero comic about Amina, a young girl navigating a fictional Central Asian world shaped by media, powerful narratives, and manipulation. Inspired by Tajik culture, the story combines action, visual storytelling, and media literacy to explore a new understanding of critical thinking — encouraging readers not only to question what is true or false, but also how information is presented and why.
Read 
2026 Oogway comics
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All rights reserved ©