The ‘Nagayan’ series is such a milestone in the history of Raj Comics that it not only increased the level of storytelling but also tried to give recognition to Indian superheroes across the world. ‘Varan Kand’ is the first step of this great story. This comic is not just for entertainment, but is the result of the visionary thinking of Sanjay Gupta and Anupam Sinha, where they tried to connect Indian mythology (especially the Ramayana) with future science fiction. This review will try to show every part of this 78-page comic that made it a ‘cult classic’.
Plot expansion and structure
The story of ‘Varan Kand’ is divided into three main parts, which take the reader on a scary but exciting journey from the present to the future.
Chapter 1: The Seed of Sin (The Seed of Sin)
The story begins in the year 2023, when the world is facing a great threat. In the language of science, it is called a ‘comet’, but in the comic it has been described as the ‘Seed of Sin’. This seed comes from the dark forces of the ‘Mahakalchhidra’ (black hole). The opening pages of the comic show the tension very well, when the world’s leading scientists and military officers have given up.
Nagraj enters from here. Now he has become not just a protector, but a searching warrior and is on a mission to destroy Nagpasha’s hidden hideouts. In this chapter, the old feud between Nagraj and his uncle Nagpasha comes to the fore again. Nagpasha’s Gurudev promises to give him immense powers, but then the comet hits Earth. It was not a simple collision; it changed the geography and destiny of the Earth forever.
Chapter 2: Center (The Center – 2025 AD)
The story progresses two years from here. The world of 2025 is no longer what we know. Here, ‘underground megacities’ rule, and the surface is occupied by ‘black powers’. The author gives a big shock to the readers—Nagraj has been in a coma for two years, and the life of Super Commando Dhruv is completely shattered.
The role of ‘Bharti Communications’ becomes important in this part. Bharti has legally married Nagraj to save his empire, but this marriage is not based on love, rather on ‘compromise’. The story also adds a sci-fi element—Nagraj’s ‘Bio-Robots’ (Xerox) being used to save society.
Chapter 3: Swayamvar (The Wedding)
This is the most emotional and strategic part of the comic. Just as Sita’s swayamvar was a turning point in the Ramayana, similarly, here the swayamvar of Visarpi decides the fate of the entire world. Baba takes Gorakhnath, Nagraj, and Dhruv to the ‘Ayudh Kshetra’, where they gain knowledge of ancient weapons. The main conflict is that if any black power (like Nagpasha) wins this swayamvar, the Naga caste will be subjected to evil forever.
In-depth analysis of characters
Nagraj: Modern form of Maryada Purushottam
In ‘Varan Kand’, Nagraj is shown as a hero who is burdened with responsibilities more than his powers. When he wakes up after two years in a coma, he finds a changed world in front of him. His dichotomy is that he loves Visarpi, but his legal marriage to Bharati binds him in social obligations. Anupam Sinha’s portrayal of Nagraj’s powers like ‘Swap Shakti’ and ‘Shit Nag’ further increases his greatness.
Super Commando Dhruv: Wisdom and Compulsion
Dhruv has always been known for his intelligence, but here he is shown as a broken human being. He is getting divorced from Natasha, and their son Rishi, who wants to be with Natasha, becomes Dhruv’s biggest weakness. This human side of Dhruv elevates him from being just a ‘masked hero’. In ‘Varan Kand’, Dhruv’s role is that of a strategist, who, along with Nagraj, takes charge against the black powers.
Nagpasha and Nagina: The New Face of Evil
Nagpasha has now become not just a villain but a ‘cruelpasha’. His ten heads show his growing evil and greed. Nagina, famous for her tricks, spoils the power game here. She takes advantage of Nagpasha’s arrogance and takes herself closer to the black powers.
Bharati and Visarpi: Renunciation and Rights
Bharti’s character is very complex in this comic. She married Nagraj so that her ideals and empire would be safe, not for herself. On the other hand, Visarpi’s pain is clearly visible in her eyes. She pretends to hate Nagraj because he married Bharti, but deep inside she still waits for him.
Artistic side and portraiture
It would not be much to call Anupam Sinha the ‘Leonardo da Vinci’ of Indian comics. His art skills are at their peak in ‘Varan Kand’. He has used ‘flowing panels’ by breaking the traditional grid system in such a way that, in the action scenes, characters are seen crossing the boundaries of pages and coming out.
The futuristic world of 2025 has been brought to life by designs such as ‘Magnetic Levitation Trains’ and ‘Holographic Interfaces’. The physical appearance (anatomy) of Nagraj and Dhruv and the fine glow of their costumes make it even more impressive. Sunil Kumar did wonders in terms of colors—cold blue for underground cities and aggressive red and purple for black powers bring the thrill and tension of the story alive before the eyes.
Technical and scientific elements (Sci-Fi Elements)
Science in ‘Varan Kand’ is not just a background element, but an important part of the story. Bio-robots (Xerox), created to run society in Nagraj’s absence, raise questions about ‘artificial intelligence’ and its moral aspects. Humanity’s stay in underground megacities seems like a scary but accurate prediction due to increasing pollution and external threats.
The unique combination of science and spirituality is visible in the ‘Ayudh Kshetra’, when Baba Gorakhnath describes ancient weapons as ‘sound-driven’. This shows that ancient mantras were actually sophisticated scientific codes, based on specific sounds and frequencies.
Social and psychological messages
The comic is not just a fictional epic, but also conveys social and personal messages on many levels. The comet’s collision with Earth shows human negligence and possible destruction. Dhruv and Natasha’s divorce shows that superheroes also struggle with complications and incompleteness like ordinary humans.
Bharti and Nagraj’s marriage, which took place due to legal compulsion, raises the question of ‘law versus morality’ in the story. It makes readers wonder whether legal decisions are always the right moral decisions as well.
Comparative study with Ramayana
The name and story of the ‘Nagayan’ series are clearly inspired by the Ramayana, giving it modern mythological glory. Nagraj is a hero completely dedicated to his word and duty, like Lord Ram, whereas Nagpasha is a symbol of ego and hunger for power, like Ravana.
Just as the war in Lanka was necessary for the destruction of evil, similarly the war after the ‘Varan Kand’ is essential for the protection of the Earth. The process of becoming a hero is also similar. Just as Shri Ram took weapons and knowledge from Sage Vishwamitra, similarly Nagraj and Dhruv prepare for this crusade by learning from Baba Gorakhnath and Drona.
Editing and Presentation (The Green Pages)
The ‘green pages’ given at the end of the comic clearly show Sanjay Gupta’s vision. These pages show how the entire team worked hard day and night to shape this great story. The editing is so precise that the story does not wander anywhere. Every dialogue has its own weight. Launching ‘Varan Kand’ as a series was a big gamble for Raj Comics, and this gamble proved to be completely successful.
Influence and legacy on readers
The ‘Varan Kand’ incident has inspired an entire generation of Indian comic fans. It proved that Indian stories have as much strength and depth as DC or Marvel stories. This comic gave new life to Nagraj and Dhruv and provided them with a ‘dark’ and ‘mature’ tone.
Conclusion of the review
‘Nagayan: Varan Kand’ is not just a graphic novel, but a complete experience. It gives lessons of courage, sacrifice, and intelligence. Its story both creates fear and gives hope. Talking about art, it is world-class. Talking about the story, it is timeless.
This comic is for everyone who is looking for a great story. It connects you to your roots and also gives you wings to imagine the future. This pair of Nagraj and Dhruv will maintain its place in the hearts of Indian readers in the times to come. ‘Varan Kand’ is a wonderful beginning of that journey, which is destined to end with the destruction of evil and the victory of humanity.
Final thoughts
If you still consider Indian comics to be only a child’s thing, then the ‘environment scandal’ will change your thinking. It is a deeply political and social drama, wrapped in a cover of superheroes. Anupam Sinha’s magical pencil and Sanjay Gupta’s excellent editing have together carved a diamond whose shine will never diminish.
