The “Gojo” series, using Raj Comics’ approach to fantasy and dark fantasy, still holds a special place in the hearts of readers. An important link in this series is “The Dictator” (Issue 429), which presents a poignant story of greed and the struggle for power. Wahi ji’s powerful script and Nandurkar’s unmatched artwork come together to make this comic a timeless creation.
Detailed plot outline
The story begins with a strange place named ‘Shake’, which is nestled in the depths of Hades. This place is full of mysteries because of its unique structure and the people living there. The king here, ‘Garu’, is a justice-loving but strict ruler. King Garu has a special ‘magic sword’, which is a very important part of this story. The specialty of this sword is that if it touches the body of an enemy, it absorbs all his blood.
The real controversy in the story begins when the notorious robber of the Gau Lok, ‘Baghi’, blinded by greed for power, rebels against King Garu. Baghi is not just a common robber but also a very clever and sharp-minded player. He knows that in face-to-face combat, he will not be able to counter Garu’s magical sword and his large army. For this reason, he awakens an extremely dangerous and ancient force—Cacroch.
‘Cacroch’ is not a minor worm, but a terrible monster that can devastate the entire city. When Garu’s army is overpowering Baghi’s soldiers on the battlefield, Baghi frees Kakroch. From here, the story takes a terrible turn. King Garu’s magical sword also proves ineffective against Kakroch’s strength, and finally, King Garu is killed after a terrible fight.
The cruelty of the rebel does not end here. He insults the dead body of the king and spreads an atmosphere of fear throughout the kingdom. Amidst this chaos, the loyal Prime Minister of the state, ‘Hor’, takes a very difficult decision. He knows that if the dynasty is to be saved, it is necessary to safely rescue Empress Ambika and little Prince Palak from there. He sends both of them to the upper surface, i.e., towards the Earth, through a special ship.
The story takes a new turn as it reaches Earth. Prince Palak, who lost his father and saw his kingdom snatched away, is burning deep inside with anger and revenge. But difficulties do not leave him here either. The cockroach reaches the Earth as well. When it seems that everything is over, only then does the entry of ‘Shakal’, a mysterious warrior from the world of Gojo, take place. This is where the story lays the foundation for the next exciting part.
Microscopic analysis of characters
King Garu (a tragic hero): King Garu is a ruler who never compromises his principles. His bravery is praiseworthy, but his defeat shows that courage alone is not enough every time, especially when the enemy resorts to cunning and divine forces. His magical sword is a recognition of his honor and power.
Baghi (brutal dictator): The name of the rebel itself tells about his nature. He is power-hungry and has no humanity at all. He is a villain that readers automatically hate, and this is the author’s biggest victory. His victory procession along with the dead body of the king clearly shows his evil thoughts.
Rajkumar Palak (Protector of the Future): Palak is the most emotional character in this story. The death of his father at such a young age and his exile from his country give depth to his character. The anger and revenge seen in his eyes indicate that he will become a great warrior in the future.
Maharani Ambika: Maharani Ambika is a living example of motherhood and patience. Despite the deep sorrow of losing her husband, she faces every difficulty for her son’s future.
Reference to Shakal and Gojo: Shakal’s entry looks like sudden divine help in the story. He symbolizes Gojo’s powers and arouses curiosity in the minds of readers about the relationship Gojo has with this entire story.
Drawing and visual presentation (Artwork)
Gopal Nandurkar’s work in Dictator is nothing short of extraordinary, demonstrating a brilliant ability to translate the imaginative, underworld realm of Hades onto the page with vivid precision. His mastery is most evident in the visceral battle scenes, where he captures the raw chaos of war—from the literal flow of blood across the battlefield to the palpable terror etched into the soldiers’ faces, contrasted sharply against the defiant pride of the rebel victor.
The character design of Cacroch further elevates the visual narrative; the antagonist is rendered with such immense scale and ferocity that he transcends the page to feel like a living nightmare. Nandurkar effectively communicates Cacroch’s destructive physical power through a meticulous bodily structure, all of which is heightened by Sanjay Vispute’s expert color scheme. Vispute utilizes a palette of deep, dark tones that perfectly encapsulate the grim, oppressive atmosphere of Hades, ensuring that every frame feels both lively and hauntingly atmospheric.
Writing and dialogue style
Tarun Kumar Wahi’s writing is strong and effective. The pace of the story is so fast that the reader does not get bored anywhere. The dialogues are short but leave a strong impact. When the rebel announces the coup, the pride reflected in his words makes the story even more serious. The balance between emotions and action is very well maintained.
‘Dictator’ is not limited to just entertainment. It also shows the misuse of power and the consequences of dictatorship. The story explains how a human being’s boundless greed can bring a happy state to the brink of disaster. At the same time, it touches upon the pain of becoming a refugee, when the Empress and the Prince have to take refuge in an unknown world—that is, the Earth—far from their roots.
The Gojo series was quite different from the rest of the Raj Comics series. A unique combination of science fiction and fantasy can be seen in it. ‘Dictator’ strengthens the foundation of this entire series and introduces readers to a universe where powers are infinite and conflict never ends.
Some shortcomings
Although it is a great comic, some readers may feel that the story ends a little early or that Shakal’s entry is very sudden. A little more detail could have been given about the origin of King Garu’s magical sword. Nevertheless, these small things do not diminish its overall impact.
Conclusion and final rating
‘Dictator’ is one of those comics that every comics lover must read. This is a story of courage, sacrifice, and deception, which keeps the reader engaged until the last page. If you want a comic that takes you to a completely different world and fills you with adventure, then it must be in your collection.
Last word:
‘Dictator’ ends with a big suspense, which makes readers think—Will Prince Palak be able to get his lost kingdom back? Will Gojo and Shakal together be able to end Baghi and his demon Kakroch? To know the answers to these questions, it becomes almost necessary to read the next part of this series. This comic is a very important chapter in Indian comics history.
