ABOUT STUCK IN THE MIDDLE
Stuck in the Middle (SitM) is an upcoming digital/print comic by Dirchansky. The story follows Mesha, a millennial service designer who is newly promoted to a manager role. Without formal managerial training, she navigates turbid workplace dynamics, clients, and relationships — will she sink, or swim?
- Audience: nearly-adults and adults
- Genres: fiction, drama, comedy, slice-of-life
- Execution: black and white with tones
- Length: ~six main chapters and side stories, ~150-200 pages
- Vibes: contemporary management philosophies × questioning concepts of corporate professionalism × heartwarming (ish) × fun chaos × personal growth
- Comp titles: Heaven's Design Team, Tokyo Tarareba Girls, and other josei-leaning manga
- Warnings: some swear language, some misogynists, a lot of business jargon and glasses-wearing characters
CHARACTERS
Mesha Gill
Designer ➝ new manager
Part of Mason's Service Design team. Never had ambition to climb the corporate ladder but believes in the potential impact she could make through her work. Baseline anxious and self-deprecating.
Mason King
Director, Service Design
Leads the Service Design team. Sports an unconventional look for an office worker, which could be related to his bad boy era. Appears gruff but can be rather caring in private.
Ladi Sistla
Director, Research and Insights
Leads the Research and Insights team. Has the longest tenureship (after the CEO) and used to be Mason's boss until they became peers. Can be sweet and/or terrifying and has many office admirers.
Cardigan Drake
Manager, Research and Insights
Part of Ladi's team. Competitive and fairly intense about work (due to Ladi's tutelage) and his hobbies. Tends to be snarky and enjoys pushing Mason's buttons.
WORK IN PROGRESS / CONCEPTS
Concepts for the side characters
Thumbnails for chapter 1-3
Thumbnails for chapter 3-4
Past concepts for the main characters
Past concept for comic page