Manoj Comics had a distinct flair of its own in the world of Indian comics in the 1980s and 1990s. Manoj Comics mixed folklore, mythological stories, and modern thrillers in such a way that readers of all ages got connected to it. ‘Ajgar the Great’ is a similar awesome comic. This story is not limited to just a giant character named ‘Ajgar’, but it also features two legendary heroes like Mahabali Shera and Kala Phantom, making it more special.
Protector and Hunter of the Forest
The comic begins in dense and mysterious forests, where Mahabali Shera, the protector of the forests (who seems to be largely inspired by Tarzan), is fully active. Shera learns that some hunters are brutally hunting innocent animals. From here, the story gets a touch of action. Shera alone overshadows modern-armed hunters. This part makes the readers well aware of Shera’s strength, agility, and his fearless nature.
Meanwhile, a big twist comes in the story when a giant gorilla attacks Shera. The tremendous fight between Shera and the gorilla is shown in a very exciting way. But this fight is just a glimpse; the real story begins when the boss of the hunters steps into an old and mysterious ruin.
The Rise of the Dragon: Ancient Mystery and Willing Power
During a search of the ruins, the hunters discover a secret door, which leads them to a dark basement. There they find a giant man in a deep sleep. He also finds an ancient crown and an old letter. This is where the story goes into a flashback.
Through that letter, we come to know that the dragon is not an ordinary demon. He was a loyal servant of the ancient Surajgarh Empire. The dragon is a wishful creature, which can not only increase the size of its body but can also take the form of a terrible snake if needed.
This story of Princess Ratnavali and Raja Ratan Singh gives emotional depth to the comic. Ratnavali wanted to stop the war that broke out between her lover, Veer Singh (King of Bhairavgarh), and her brother, Ratan Singh. Ratan Singh had the dragon put into a magical sleep by the power of the crown to keep the peace and avoid bloodshed. It was clearly warned in the letter that whoever has this crown, Ajgar will become his slave.
The Villain’s Game: Ancient Terror in the Modern Age
The boss of the hunters, lured, puts the crown on his head and wakes the dragon. Under the influence of the crown, the dragon accepts the criminal as his master. From here, the story moves out of the forest and towards the city. The boss begins to use the dragon’s power for his personal ambitions, plunder, and crime.
The huge form of Ajgar starts causing massive devastation in the city. He crushes vehicles like toys and demolishes big buildings in a moment. Here, the artist has used spectacular low-angle shots to show the vastness of Ajgar, which creates both fear and surprise in the reader’s mind.
Alliance of Kala Phantom and Shera
When a great danger looms over the city, the dark ghost descends into the field. Kala Phantom, a Batman-inspired spy and warrior, is known for his sharp mind, tricks, and gadgets. He quickly realizes that the dragon is not actually bad but is under someone’s control.
During this time, Mahabali Shera also reaches the city. For fans of Indian comics, this is a cult moment, where two different types of heroes stand together. The combination of Shera’s tremendous physical strength and Kala Phantom’s strategic thinking makes the story even more powerful.
Black Eagle: An International Threat
The thrill of the story is further enhanced when the international criminal organization ‘Black Eagle’ takes to the field with its dangerous super-villains. This organization has terrible warriors like a giant monster named Lantia, a deadly speed cheetah, a human growler, a flying Franco in the air, and an electric human emitting thousands of volts of current. The real purpose of the Black Eagle is to capture the infinite power of the dragon and rule the entire world. He brutally kills the old master of the dragon and takes the magic crown into his hands. Now the dragon has become a puppet of an even more cunning and powerful criminal, causing Shera and the Black Phantom to face a global crisis they probably had not even imagined.
The Peak of War (Climax): Wisdom vs. Power
The last part of the comic is completely full of action. Shera and Black Phantom have to fight together on two fronts—the dangerous super-villains of the giant Ajgar on one side and the Black Eagle on the other.
Kala Phantom and Shera come together to make a very sensible plan. They know that it is almost impossible to defeat the dragon with direct force. So they try to weaken the city by using its electricity and railway lines. Here, a scene especially attracts attention when Ajgar tries to stop the speeding train. The scene is full of adventure and tension.
The last battle takes place at Black Eagle’s base. Shera encounters ‘cheetah human’ and ‘Lantia’, while Black Phantom encounters ‘electric human’. The biggest turning point of the story comes when the Black Phantom, with his agility and cunning, drops the magical crown from the head of the Black Eagle.
The Enlightenment and End of the Dragon
The dragon is freed from the magical effect as the crown falls. He realizes his condition and the devastation he has caused by his own hands. The dragon, full of anger and sadness, turns into his true form—a giant snake—and eliminates all the criminals who had enslaved him.
Finally, the dragon goes in search of peace again. Shera returns to his forests, and the Black Phantom vows to defend the city once again.
Critical Assessment
Illustration and Art (Art & Illustration):
The art of Vijay Kadam and Atmaram Pednekar is the biggest strength of this comic. The huge muscles of the dragon, the anger and helplessness on his face—everything is shown very closely. The use of colors seems pretty strong and lively for the 80s. Especially the way the devastation caused in the city has been shown in a big panoramic view is praiseworthy.
Character Creation (Characterization):
Ajgar is the real ‘tragic hero’ of this story. He is not bad at heart, but a victim of circumstances. His immense strength becomes his biggest weakness when it falls into the hands of the wrong people.
The coming together of Shera and Kala Phantom gives the story the feel of a multi-starrer film. Shera’s connection with nature and the forest, and Black Phantom’s connection with the city and dedication to justice—both meet each other.
Black Eagle is a classic comic villain—arrogant, powerful, and heartless. His partners, like ‘electric human’, were new and extremely exciting for the readers of that period.
Writing and Screenplay
The pace of the story is fast, and one does not feel bored anywhere. It’s a great idea to connect flashbacks from ancient times with modern city settings. The dialogues are simple but effective, easily engaging both children and teens.
Themes:
This comic is not just an exciting story but also gives many deep messages. The battle between nature and greed is clearly visible through the confrontation between Shera and the hunters, which reveals the truth about how humans harm forests and animals for their own small gain. The story of the dragon explains that if someone has too much power without understanding and discretion, it only brings destruction. The partnership of Shera and Kala Phantom teaches that even the biggest crisis can be defeated through mutual understanding and working together.
Conclusion
‘Ajgar the Great’ is not just a comic, but a great celebration of imagination and adventure. It takes us to a world where magic, science, bravery, and justice are seen together. Even though graphics have progressed a lot today, the story and style of this old comic still have the power to keep readers engaged.
This heritage of Manoj Comics must be read by everyone who wants to understand the roots and history of Indian comics. It’s a classic tale of good and evil, with a huge and wishful twist making it even more memorable.
Rating: 4.5/5
Reading Recommendation: For comic lovers of all ages, especially those who want to get lost in nostalgia once again.
