In the last years of the 80s, when the Indian comics industry was struggling to make its mark, Raj Comics introduced a character that not only gave a new color to the world of children’s imagination but also gave a whole new direction to Indian pulp fiction and the superhero genre. That character was Nagraj. Nagraj’s first comics were not just a story, but the foundation of a big and huge superhero universe. Written by Parshuram Sharma and created by veteran painter Pratap Mullick, this comic is still considered a cult classic.
Extending the Plot (Plot Summary)
The story begins in Rangoon, the capital of Burma (today’s Myanmar), where the leaders of dangerous terrorist organizations from around the world gather for a secret meeting. This meeting is organized by Professor Nagmani, who is a very clever and ambitious scientist. Nagmani wants to show these criminals his most dangerous invention—a weapon made of flesh and bones, but far more deadly than any modern machine. This weapon is Nagraj.
Nagraj is shown as a human being with microscopic snakes living inside his body. To prove his claims, Nagmani calls the four best shooters in the world—Yusuf bin Ali Khan, Don, and Hood. All of them open fire on Nagraj, but Nagraj’s agility and the snakes coming out of his body defeat them in the blink of an eye. Nagraj then shows his puzzling healing power, where the snakes in his body quickly heal his wounds.
Professor Nagmani then starts the auction to sell Nagraj at the world’s highest prices. Eventually, a criminal named “Mr. Bulldog” hires Nagraj for a mission by bidding a hundred thousand dollars. This mission is to steal a highly precious statue from the ancient temple of a clan settled in the dense forests of Assam.
From here, the story takes a new turn. Nagraj, who by now is acting like a slave under Nagmani’s brain control, reaches the temple. He fights the guard snakes and the clan warriors present there and also succeeds in stealing the idol. But Mahatma Gorakhnath comes in his way as the biggest obstacle. Baba Gorakhnath is a perfect man who has deep spiritual powers and also has a special black mongoose (Shikangi), who is the biggest enemy of Nagraj’s snakes.
Baba Gorakhnath, with his powers, stops Nagraj, takes him into a state of hypnosis, and makes him face to face with his past. It is here that the reader learns the true origin of Nagraj, that is, his origin story.
Origin of Nagraj: Confluence of Science and Tantra
Through Baba Gorakhnath, we come to know that Nagraj is not a machine, but the result of a divine coincidence and the cruelty of Nagmani. Several years ago, a wishful serpent entrusted Nagmani with a newborn baby to atone for her sins. The snake left its body and instructed Nagmani to use its ashes and poison to fill this child with immense powers.
Nagmani performed inhumane experiments on that child, that is, Nagraj, for 20 full years. He was bitten by thousands of poisonous snakes, his blood was turned into poison, and finally a microchip (capsule) was installed in his mind so that he would always remain under the control of Nagmani.
Baba Gorakhnath destroys that chip with his yogic powers, allowing Nagraj to be free from Nagmani’s mental control. When Nagraj regains consciousness, he realizes the mistakes he has made so far. He resolves to protect humanity, and this is where his journey changes. Now he becomes not a “terrorism messiah” but a “terrorism destructor”.
Characterization
Nagraj: The character of Nagraj looks quite complex in the first comics. In the beginning, he seems like a kind of anti-hero who commits murders without any emotion. But as the story progresses, he emerges as a hero fighting for justice. His costume—a skin-tight dress with a pattern of yellow and black snakes—was extremely new and revolutionary for that period, which gives him a distinct identity from all the other characters.
Professor Nagmani: He comes across as one of the most hated villains of Indian comics. His greed and his thinking of keeping his own ‘son’ (foster son) as a slave make him a very dangerous and effective villain.
Baba Gorakhnath: He plays the role of a mentor, i.e., guru, in this story. His character gives a clear message that no matter how far science progresses, in the end it has to bow before the forces of spirituality and nature.
Art and Portraiture
Pratap Mullick’s work is the real lifeline of this comic. The images of Nagraj created by him are a great example of muscle structure (anatomy) and the dynamics of action. The way snakes are shown coming out of Nagraj’s body in the panel layout of the comic still creates a shiver in the minds of readers. The choice of colors—especially the green and yellow shades of Nagraj and the saffron clothes of Baba Gorakhnath—brings the scenes alive. The intricacies of the forest scenes and the architecture of the temple are rarely seen in other comics of that period.
Theme and Message
This comic not only lays the foundation of the Golden Age of the Indian superhero genre but also has deep philosophical messages hidden within it. Through the character of Nagmani, it shows how destructive science can become if it is not accompanied by morality. Nagraj’s journey puts forward the principle of destiny and karma, where he breaks the shackles of his mental slavery and finally returns from unrighteousness to the path of righteousness.
In today’s time, its fast-paced story and scientific arguments, like snakes living inside the body, may seem a bit imaginary, but from the perspective of suspension of disbelief, it is a timeless masterpiece that shows the struggle for liberation and self-realization very effectively.
Pros:
This comic offers a strong and completely different kind of origin story. In it, a unique combination of the importance of snakes and modern science can be seen within Indian mythology. With brilliant visual artwork and a global issue like terrorism set in the background, the story creates a hero who strikes a balance between tradition and modernity. The character of Nagraj teaches that any hero can face the world’s great challenges while still being connected to his roots, and this is what elevates him above a simple fictional character to become a cultural icon.
Drawbacks:
The opening pages show Nagraj as being excessively cruel, which can be a bit uncomfortable for children. In the end, Nagraj’s change of heart feels like it happens a little too quickly through Baba Gorakhnath.
Conclusion: Birth of an Immortal Hero
This first episode of Raj Comics’ ‘Nagraj’ is a historical document of Indian pop culture. It not only established Nagraj as a brand but also gave Indian children an indigenous hero of their own over Superman and Batman. This 31-page journey takes readers through adventure, mystery, and philosophy that, even 30–40 years later, still feels fresh.
If you are a fan of Indian comics, then this story holds the same importance for you as the ‘Geeta’ or the ‘Bible’. It teaches us that our powers do not make us great, but our choices make us heroes. The journey of protecting humanity that Nagraj started from the forests of Assam is still alive in the hearts of crores of fans.
Rating: 4.5/5
