Raj Comics has given many tremendous superheroes in its journey; names like Nagaraj, Dhruv, Doga, and Parmanu remain on the lips of every comics fan. But apart from these big heroes, there have been some characters who may not have become very famous but could make a special place in the hearts of readers due to their different identity and unique stories. One such character is – ‘Shukral’.
Shukral is the kind of hero that comes in the style of ‘sword and magic’ (Sword and Sorcery), just like Bhokal, Ashwaraj, or Gozo. But there is a different kind of fun in Shukral’s story. In this, a tremendous combination of rebirth, history, and great warriors can be seen. The comic “Shukral” (number 397) is the first comic of this character, showing the complete story of his birth, past, and his transformation into a hero.
In this review, we will carefully look at the story of this comic, its characters, artwork, and dialogues, and understand how interesting and full of entertainment these comics were in their era.
Plot and story expansion:
The story begins with a powerful and thrilling prison break scene. Here, Shukral is shown as a dangerous prisoner who escapes by dodging the high walls and tight security arrangements of the Central Jail. The author has shown Shukral’s strength, agility, and courage very well in this scene. He runs away from police bullets and proves that he is not a common man by crossing a ditch full of crocodiles.
The real twist in the story comes when Shukral meets Professor Rana. Professor Rana is a mysterious scientist who owns a special supercomputer. This computer can extract complete information about the past lives of any person. From here, the story is not limited to the present but takes us directly into the world of the past and ancient history.
Glimpses of the Past: The War of Alexander and Smaria
The most interesting and memorable part of the story begins when the truth of Shukral’s previous birth comes to light. We are taken into the pages of history, where an ancient state, ‘Smaria’, is attacked by the great warrior Alexander (Alexander the Great) with his huge army. Smaria’s army cannot stand against Alexander’s strength, and defeat seems almost certain.
Meanwhile, a masked warrior enters the battlefield – this is Shukral. This Shukral is not an ordinary soldier but is completely expert in the art of war and an example of courage. He single-handedly creates chaos in Alexander’s army. Even a great warrior like Alexander is surprised to see his bravery. But behind this bravery lies a deep and bitter truth. Bargos, the General Secretary of Smaria, has joined Alexander due to power hunger and greed.
Extremes and tragedy:
The most emotional and painful part of the story comes when it is revealed that the masked warrior Shukral is actually the son of the same traitor, General Secretary Bargos. Embarrassed by his father’s betrayal, he even puts his life at stake to protect his country. At the last moment of the battle, when Shukral and Sikandar stand face to face, Sikandar’s girlfriend Helena interrupts and pleads with Shukral to spare Sikandar’s life.
Shukral is a true warrior. He does not attack an unarmed person or someone who is begging for mercy. In the end, he kills his own traitorous father, Bargos. But after this, he is unable to forgive himself. He feels that it is better to die than live as a traitor’s son. With this thought in mind, he commits suicide with his own sword. This sacrifice makes him a great martyr in history.
Character illustration
Shukral (present):
In the present day, Shukral is shown as a criminal, but the same courage, strength, and bravery are hidden within him as in his previous life. He works in his own way, regardless of rules and regulations.
Shukral (past):
This character is the soul of the entire comic. He is a symbol of patriotism, respect, and morality. Standing against one’s own father shows that, for him, the country is above family.
Professor Rana:
Professor Rana plays the role of a guide in the story. His character interweaves concepts like science and spirituality, especially rebirth.
Alexander:
The comic does not just feature Alexander as a ruthless conqueror. He is portrayed as a warrior who knows how to appreciate the bravery and honor of his enemy.
General Secretary Bargos:
The main villain of the story. His character clearly shows how power hunger and greed can completely bring a person down.
Art and portraiture
Bharat Makwana has played the responsibility of painting ‘Shukral’ and according to the comics of his time, this work is really praiseworthy. The pictures are not only clean and impressive, but also bring life to every scene. Despite the limited technology of that period, the artwork has been done in great detail.
Battle scenes:
Alexander’s huge army, the orgy of elephants in battle and the clash of swords, all these are shown in a very grand and exciting style. Every panel feels a different kind of energy and while reading fight scenes it feels as if everything is going before our eyes. The feeling of speed (Motion) is clearly visible in the action.
Character composition:
Shukral’s height, body shape and facial expressions seem to change according to his every situation. While the tension and restlessness on his face is clearly visible while escaping from jail, fearlessness and confidence are visible in his eyes on the battlefield. This is what makes the character stronger.
Raj Comics has always been known for its fast and bright colors, and ‘Shukral’ is also not behind in this. The use of colors well reflects the mood of the story—whether it is a dark and scary prison night or a battlefield full of blood and dust.
Dialogue and writing:
T. R. Sippy’s writing is straightforward, clear and effective. Bravery, respect and morality are clearly visible in the dialogues. When Shukral says that he cannot live as a traitor’s son, that thing directly touches the reader’s heart. The pace of the story is fast, so that the comics do not loosen anywhere and the reader is bound from beginning to end.
Theme and message:
These comics are not limited to just entertainment, but also give many deep messages related to life. It shows the principle of reincarnation and karma— how our past karma affects our present. The ongoing struggle between patriotism and betrayal has been put forward through the characters of Bargos and Shukral. The story also explains that true sacrifice is what makes a person immortal. At the same time, the lesson of forgiveness and respect from the incident of Alexander and Shukral shows that even in war-like situations, rising above hatred and following humanity and high ideals is the real bravery.
Critical analysis
‘Shukral’ is not just a common comics, but it also shows the thinking and creativity of the Indian comics industry of that period. When superhero based stories were in trend, such comics were working to connect readers with history, philosophy and moral values.
Positive side:
The balance of suspense and action in the story is very good. The transition between past and present is so smooth that the story doesn’t seem broken anywhere. The depiction of battle scenes is extremely impressive, filling the reader with adventure. In the end, the emotional and effective climax of the main character gives a deep impression to the entire story.
Downside:
Professor Rana’s supercomputer giving such accurate information seems a bit unreliable from a scientific point of view, but since it is a fantasy comics, it can be ignored.
Some of the dialogue sounds a little too dramatic, but this was a common feature of comics of the time.
Conclusion:
Raj Comics’ ‘Shukral’ is a true classic comics. It reminds us that no hero becomes great not just by his strength, but by his character and sacrifice. Atonement for one’s father’s sins with one’s own life makes Shukral’s character very emotional and memorable.
In today’s digital era, this comics seems as effective as it was in the 90’s. If you are fond of Indian comics and want to read a story that has history, bravery and deep emotions, then ‘Shukral’ must be in your collection.
This story teaches that even though the body is mortal, the soul and its great deeds always remain alive. The echo of Shukral’s bravery can be felt from the battlefield of Smariya to today’s modern jails.
Rating: 4.5/5
