The protector of Delhi is a unique confluence of ‘nuclear’, science and bravery. Today we will deeply review one such memorable comic of Parmanu, ‘Aatishbaaz’, which, like its name, is full of explosions of action, adventure and patriotism.
A Cocktail of Politics and Terror
The story of ‘Aatishbaaz’ is from the period when the atmosphere of mid-term elections is hot in India. The story begins with an international conspiracy where a neighboring country of India (possibly Pakistan, as was often depicted in the comics of those days) wants to cancel these elections. They fear that with the coming of a strong and stable government, their terrorist activities will be curbed and India will become a nuclear power nation. To carry out this work, they offer a huge sum of 100 crores.
It is here that the villain ‘Aatishbaaz’ enters the story. He is a mysterious and vicious criminal who has mastered all kinds of explosives and fireworks. He accepts the deal and starts a game of terror in Delhi that no one had even imagined.
The first major turning point of the story comes when during an election rally suddenly the road starts bursting like a string of firecrackers. It was not a simple bomb blast; it was a chain blast moving along, tearing up the road. Writer Tarun Kumar Wahi has showcased his creativity here. This scene simultaneously creates fear and thrill in the minds of readers. The sight of dead bodies, smoke and screams all around forces Delhi’s protector Parmanu to come to the spot.
The script moves very fast. The arrival of Parmanu, saving people, and then investigating the matter as Inspector Vinay, all this is written in a very well-organized manner. Another layer is added to the story when it is revealed that an independent candidate ‘Babbu Bhaiya’ also dies in this attack, which is given the form of an election murder.
The author also shows a glimpse of Inspector Vinay’s personal life in the story, in which his friend Sheena is mentioned. The Valentine’s Day incident adds a small emotional angle to the story, which shows that even a superhero’s life has emotions similar to those of ordinary humans.
The second part of the story becomes even more explosive when Aatishbaaz targets another election procession. This time he attacks by hiding explosives in elephants and decorative items. This entire incident is full of action and destruction. The comics end on a tremendous cliffhanger, where Aatishbaaz not only captures Parmanu, but also prepares to make him a living ‘burning torch’ and burn him in front of the whole of Delhi. This ending forces readers to read the next comic ‘Gunpowder Ka Khiladi’, which was a successful marketing strategy of that era.
Characterization: Strong confrontation between hero and villain
Parmanu (Inspector Vinay): In this comics, the character of Parmanu emerges on two levels. On one side is Inspector Vinay – an honest, brave and intelligent police officer who searches for clues within the ambit of law. On the other side is Parmanu – the powerful protector of Delhi, which has amazing power to control molecules and atoms. His robotic companion ‘Probot’ is always there to guide him. The character of Parmanu is imbued with patriotism and devotion to duty. He yearns even at the small scratch on Delhi. His action, his agility and ability to make the right decisions in times of trouble make him a perfect superhero.
Aatishbaaz: It is very important to have a memorable villain for a memorable story, and ‘Aatishbaaz’ meets this criterion. He is no ordinary goon. He is tech-savvy, a great strategist, and a ruthless criminal. His way of fighting is unique. He doesn’t just fire bullets or bombs, but he terrorizes his enemies with his explosive art. He also physically gives tough competition to Parmanu. His character is kept mysterious, which makes him even more dangerous. He manages to capture Parmanu, which proves that he is an extremely powerful and dangerous enemy.
Art and Painting: Pictures that bring action to life
The soul of any comics is its depiction. Painter Suresh Degwal and his team have done excellent work in ‘Aatishbaaz’. The distinctive style of Raj Comics of the nineties is in full swing here.
Action Scenes: The action scenes of the comics, especially the explosion scenes, are very impressively portrayed. Be it the scene of a road burst or an elephant screaming and causing havoc, speed and energy are felt in every panel. The artistic use of sounds like “tadadadam” and “dhadam” makes these scenes even more alive.
Design of characters: Parmanu’s costume, his muscular physique and his facial expressions establish him as a powerful hero. At the same time, the design of Aatishbaaz gives him the appearance of a harsh and merciless villain. The beard on his face, cruelty in his eyes and modern weapons represent a serious threat from him.
Panel Layout: The panel layout of comics is very dynamic. The use of small, large and oblique panels during action scenes increases the pace of the story and keeps the readers’ eyes fixed on the page. The scenes of Parmanu flying in the air or close-up shots of the fight are very well made.
Color Scheme: Sunil Pandey’s color scheme is quite bright and attractive according to that period. Yellow, orange and red colors have been used extensively in the explosion scenes which increases the effect of fire and destruction. Parmanu’s yellow-blue dress makes him stand out from the crowd.
Conclusion: A classic and money-seeking entertainment
‘Aatishbaaz’ is not just a comics, but a document of the golden era of Raj Comics when stories used to have a wonderful blend of simplicity, adventure and patriotism. Tarun Kumar Wahi’s tight writing and Suresh Degwal’s powerful painting together make it an unforgettable experience.
This comics is as entertaining today as it was at the time of its publication. Its fast-paced plot, powerful heroes and even more vicious villains, and spectacular action sequences make it a ‘must-read’ for every comics lover. Its cliffhanger ending will leave you restless and you’ll want to know immediately what happened next.
If you want to relive the memories of the nineties or want to come face to face with an important chapter in the history of Indian comics, then ‘Aatishbaaz’ is an ideal option for you. This is an explosive, entertaining and completely value-for-money comics that proves that our desi superheroes were no less than any foreign hero.
