In the nineties, publishers like Tulsi Comics ruled the hearts of readers with their characters. A great offering from this period is the “Angara” series, whose protagonist, Angara, created a special identity due to his unique powers and ability to talk to animals. Today we will do an in-depth review of issue number 352, “Angara Aur Hawa Ka Beta” from the Angara series published by Tulsi Comics, which reminds us of the creativity, storytelling art, and wonderful portraiture of that period.
The flow of the plot and story
The story of “Son of Wind” picks up where the previous issue ended. At the very beginning of the story, the reader is thrown into a whirlpool of action and drama. Angara’s arch-enemy, the skeleton-faced Sinharaj, has escaped from his captivity and reached Dragon Island. The island is a stronghold of followers of Commando Dragon, who follow a ruthless cult. Near this island, there is a small country of dwarfs called ‘Kimba,’ where girls are sacrificed to the Commando Dragon.
The central conflict of the story begins when Princess Juni of Kimba rebels against this cruel practice. She is also captured for sacrifice, but here a new and funny character, ‘Godfather Charlie,’ enters the story and saves Juni. Seeing Charlie’s technique and strange costumes, Kimba’s innocent dwarfs mistake him for ‘Godfather.’ This misunderstanding remains an amusing source of humor throughout the story.
On the other hand, Sinharaj attacks Kimba again. Meanwhile, Angara reaches Kimba in pursuit of ‘Chilli,’ who redeems his enemy. After reaching there, Angara once again defeats Sinharaj with his power and hangs him in the air. Seeing this amazing power of Angara, the dwarfs consider him a ‘God.’ Now the situation is that there is a ‘God’ (Angara) and a ‘Father of God’ (Charlie) in Kimba, and both intend to protect Princess Juni and Kimba.
The main twist of the story comes when Charlie, in order to impress Princess Juni and prove his heroism, decides to punish Sinharaj himself. He frees Sinharaj from the ropes and harasses him by twisting him with his jet-pack-like technique in the sky and finally hangs him. Angara, who always follows logic and science, checks Sinharaj’s pulse and declares him dead. According to the custom of the dwarfs, Sinharaj’s body is dumped into the sea.
But the story does not end here. Sinharaj was not actually dead; he had stopped his heartbeat with his yogic powers. As soon as he reaches the sea, he comes alive and sends a message to the sea creatures with his mental powers and calls his companion ‘Chilli.’ Chilli, who calls himself the ‘Son of the Wind,’ is a winged, human-like creature whose eyes emit destructive rays.
Chilli attacks the dwarves’ festival and kidnaps Princess Juni. Now the real match starts between Angara and Charlie vs ‘Son of Wind’ Chilli. The air battle scenes are brilliantly painted. Charlie tries to confront Chilli with his technique, but Chilli proves to be more powerful. In the end, Angara defeats Chilli using his wisdom and extraordinary strength. He uses his ‘elephant force’ to trap Chilli in a deep pit and then fills the pit with stones.
The story ends on a positive note. Charlie and Angara recognize each other’s powers and join hands. Angara explains to everyone that the real threat is not Sinharaj or Chilli, but their master, Commando Dragon, who wants to make the whole world his slave. In the final panel, Angara invokes all the animals, birds, and fish of the island and declares war against Commando Dragon, setting an exciting stage for the next issue, “Angara and Commando Dragon.”
Characterization
A major credit for the success of this comic goes to its well-developed characters:
Angara: He is not just a powerful hero, but also an intelligent strategist. His ability to talk to animals makes him unique. He is just, kind, and a true leader. In this issue, he not only demonstrates his physical strength (elephant force) but also uses his intelligence, such as confirming Sinharaj’s death and laying a trap for Chilli.
Godfather Charlie: Charlie is the source of humor and light-hearted moments in the story. He seems a timid and bragging man at first glance, but his love for Princess Juni makes him a brave warrior. His scientific techniques and Angara’s natural powers create an interesting contrast.
Sinharaj: He is a classic villain — cruel, cunning, and burning in the fire of revenge. His skeletal appearance makes him even more frightening. His ability to control his heartbeat shows that he is not just an ordinary criminal but a very dangerous enemy.
Chilli (Son of the Wind): The title character of this issue, Chilli, is a memorable villain. The ability to fly in the air and the power to shoot rays from his eyes make him a tough opponent. He is arrogant and creates fear among people by calling himself the son of God.
Princess Juni: She’s not just a ‘heroine in crisis’ (damsel in distress). At the very beginning of the story, she shows her courage by raising her voice against the practice of sacrifice. She is a source of inspiration for both Charlie and Angara and plays an important role in moving the story forward.
Art and portraiture
The work of painter Pradeep Sathe is the life of this comic. The distinctive style of Indian comics of the nineties is clearly visible here. The sketches are dynamic and full of energy, especially in the action sequences. Aerial fight scenes, explosions (represented by sound-words like ‘mud’), and facial expressions of the characters add life to the story. The use of colors is vibrant, making the fictional island of Kimba come alive before the readers’ eyes. The design of the characters is also memorable — Angara’s muscular body, Sinharaj’s spooky skeleton, Charlie’s bizarre suit, and Chilli’s bat-like appearance.
Conclusion
“Angara and the Son of Hawa” is not just a comic, but a time capsule taking us back in time. It commemorates a period when comics were a major means of entertainment. Writer Parshuram Sharma’s tight screenplay, with its perfect blend of action, drama, comedy, and suspense, keeps readers engaged till the end. The story is not only complete in itself but also lays the foundation for a larger narrative, making readers eager for the next issue.
Overall, this comic is an excellent example of the Indian superhero genre. It takes us into the world of Angara, where the eternal battle of good and evil is fought against an imaginative and exciting backdrop. If you’re a fan of classic Indian comics or want to relive that golden period, “Angara and the Son of Hawa” is a must-read issue for you.
