“Aawaz Ki Tabahi”, a special issue of the Super Commando Dhruv series presented by Raj Comics, is a great example of this golden age. This comic is not just a story, but living proof of Anupam Sinha’s unmatched art and imagination, which still fills readers with the same thrill. This story is such a balanced blend of science, crime, espionage, and action, which made Dhruv the most realistic and beloved superhero of Indian comics.
Plot: Echo of Science, Conspiracy, and Destruction
The story of “Aawaz Ki Tabahi” grips the reader from the very beginning. It begins at the Sound Research Centre of Rajnagar University, where the talented Professor Kale and his assistant Patel have made a revolutionary invention — the Ultrasonic Gun. It is a device that can turn sound waves into a destructive weapon. Professor Kale considers it a boon to defend the country, but the very first layer of the story takes a dark turn.
That same night, a mysterious green-suited masked man (who calls himself “Soundraj”) infiltrates the lab and steals both models of the ultrasonic gun. Assistant Patel, who is unfortunately returning to his duty, witnesses the theft. He tries to stop Dhvaniraj but becomes helpless in front of Dhvani’s destructive power. Dhvaniraj orders his companion Girja over wireless to “eliminate” Patel.
Here, the other end of the story connects with Super Commando Dhruv, who is on his regular night patrol. He notices Patel running wildly down the road, and before Dhruv can understand anything, a speeding truck brutally crushes Patel. Dhruv immediately understands that this is not a simple accident but a planned murder. The dying Patel’s last words leave a riddle for Dhruv — “National Museum… Professor Kale… Ultrasonic gun… Ah!”
Dhruv, using his sharp intelligence, combines these broken words. He understands that Professor Kale’s invention (the ultrasonic gun) is related to this murder, and the next target could be the National Museum. His suspicion turns out to be correct. Dhvaniraj arrives with his goons to steal Korkhab’s Diamond from the museum. He breaks the impenetrable door of the museum in the blink of an eye with the stolen ultrasonic gun.
After reaching there, Dhruv tackles the goons, but he also becomes helpless in front of Dhvaniraj’s sonic weapon. Dhvaniraj, along with the diamond, escapes after burying Dhruv under the debris.
Now Dhruv faces a double challenge — to capture an unknown enemy and recover an extremely dangerous weapon. Together with Inspector Steel, he starts an investigation. In the lab, he learns that Professor Kale has also been kidnapped. Dhruv finds a strange seed near Patel’s corpse, which forms the sequel to his investigation.
This seed takes him to Toto, a unique character from Rajnagar. Toto, who lives in the ruins of the old city, recognizes the seed and reveals that it belongs to a special plant found on the Black Hill.
When Dhruv moves towards Kali Pahari, he encounters a strange and tall criminal named Eucalyptus on the way. Dhruv defeats him after a spectacular fight. Eucalyptus confesses that he was sent by Dhvaniraj to stop Dhruv. This was another sure proof for Dhruv that he was on the right path.
Reaching Kali Pahari, Dhruv discovers Dhvaniraj’s secret base. But Dhvaniraj has made a dreadful plan. He combines the ultrasonic gun and Korkhab’s diamond to create a destructive force, which he names “Karkesha” (Karkasha) — a living sonic phantom made of pure sonic energy.
Karkesha is unleashed upon Rajnagar for devastation. This sound-demon is invisible and invincible. Police bullets, rockets, even army tanks are ineffective against him. He moves towards the Vijay Stambh, demolishing buildings like cards. Dhruv confronts this demon and, showing his scientific understanding, finds that this demon is a balance of positive and negative energy. He produces a short-circuit with his steel rope, causing Karkesha to temporarily disappear.
Dhruv knows that there is only one way to stop this demon forever — to destroy Dhvaniraj and his instrument.
Characterization: Clash of Wisdom and Greed
Super Commando Dhruv: Dhruv is at his best in this comic. He is not just an acrobat or martial artist, but also a great detective and scientist. Solving the puzzle with Patel’s last words, reaching the culprit’s base from a small seed, and understanding the weakness of an abstract enemy like Karkesha — all this reflects his intelligence and wisdom. He doesn’t have superhuman powers, and that’s what brings him closest to readers. He relies on his star-belt, gadgets, and above all, his mind.
Dhvaniraj (Professor Kale): The biggest suspense of the story (the twist) is the identity of the villain. Dhvaniraj turns out to be none other than Professor Kale himself. This is a classic “abuse of science” plot. Kale, who is frustrated at not getting the right price for his talent (a salary of just a few thousand), follows the path of greed. He trades his own invention for money and power, gets his assistant Patel murdered, and pretends to kidnap himself by blaming his other assistant Nagar. He is a vicious and intelligent criminal who proves to be a great rival to Dhruv. His motive (money) makes him a realistic villain.
Chandika: Chandika’s entry into the climax of the story is a pleasant surprise. She is another scientist-warrior, an ally (and sometimes rival) of Dhruv. Her arrival adds a new dimension to the story. She is not just a ‘damsel in distress’, but a capable fighter who fights side by side with Dhruv.
Art and Painting: The Magic of Anupam Sinha
If this story is the soul, Anupam Sinha’s portrayal is its body and spirit, and every panel of the comic testifies to his hard work and talent. The strongest side of this comic is its action sequences — whether it’s Dhruv’s battle with Eucalyptus or the demolition caused by Karkesha in the city — there is tremendous dynamism in every scene. The pinnacle of this action is The Chase, which runs from pages 38 to 49 and is one of the finest chase sequences in the history of Indian comics. In this chase, Dhruv’s use of balance and his gadgets on his bike Jupiter on Kali Pahari is worth seeing — including the breaking bridge laid by Dhvaniraj, the falling stones, the tunnel-like “death well”, traps such as stunts on a ropeway cable car, and a fight with a giant mechanical falcon — all are so beautifully depicted that the reader holds his breath.
Moreover, Anupam Sinha’s panel layout is very innovative; he changes the size and shape of the panels according to the pace of the story and uses large and splash panels to show the demolition caused by Karkesha, which magnificently depicts the scene of devastation. In terms of design, the helmet and green suit of Soundraj, the abstract and sinister form of Karkesha, and the machines in Professor Kale’s base — the design of everything is very detailed and imaginative. Finally, the comic’s color combination is very vibrant for that period, where bright colors make the action scenes even more effective.
Analysis and Conclusion: Why is “Voice Devastation” Special?
“Voice Devastation” is not just a comic, but a complete package that succeeds on many levels: it is a hard-core science fiction story, with sound as its basis, and this story uses this scientific principle creatively — from making weapons to creating a living creature. It is not a simple action comic but has a touch of espionage, where Dhruv has to collect clues like a spy, which keeps the mystery and thrill alive in the story.
The realism of this story lies in its villain, whose aim is not to take over the world but only to earn money — and this greed, growing in the mind of a talented scientist, humanizes the story. Additionally, Anupam Sinha’s artwork is at its peak, especially the bike chase sequence, which is a benchmark in Indian comics.
In short, “The Devastation of Voice” is one of Super Commando Dhruv’s best stories — a roller-coaster ride with the wonders of science, the darkness of crime, the thrill of espionage, and the storm of action — reminding us of a period when stories were written and crafted from the heart. This comic is not just entertainment but an excellent piece of art and should be in every comic lover’s collection.
