Mahabali Sando and Kaldev: Fort Comics’ Desert-Born Superhero Who Ruled Sand, Strength & Nature

In the world of Indian comics, ‘Fort Comics’ has its own unique style. While Raj Comics and Diamond Comics gave us glittering superheroes, Fort Comics created characters that were a little more raw, wild, and very close to nature. One of these powerful and memorable characters is ‘Mahabali Sando’ (Mahabali Sando).

‘Mahabali Sando and Kaldev’ is a very exciting story of this character, which takes us to the hot desert, the collision of mysterious powers, and modern weapons. The comic is not just a superhero story, but it features courage, true loyalty, and the uncontrollable force of nature in a very impressive way.

Detailed analysis of the plot:

The story begins in the desert of the Sahara, where conditions are so harsh that life itself becomes a challenge. It is in this desert that our hero Sando seems to rest with his two firm companions—Lipo, who is a cunning and fast wolf-dog, and Panther, who is a mighty white horse. Sando’s character seems to be a mix of a wild warrior like Tarzan and a man full of divine power.

The story takes a real turn when Lipo suddenly realizes some danger. A girl’s scream is heard from a distance. This girl is Chindrali, who is the daughter of Kapali, the chieftain of the Babu clan. She is being forcefully kidnapped by the men of a very cruel criminal named Kaldev. Kaldev intends to forcibly marry Chindrali through the ‘Gandharva’ tradition.

This is where we discover the most special strength of Sando. Sando is not just a powerful person, but he has complete control over the sand. Wherever he walks, it seems as if the Sando starts rising with him. He wreaks havoc on Kaldev’s goons. The bullets do no harm to him, because his body is harder than steel. Within no time, he defeats the goons and saves Chindrali safely.

Chindrali then tells Sando about the condition of her clan. Kaldev has attacked the clan, wreaking havoc all around and badly injuring her father, Kapali. Sando arrives with Chindrali at her clan. Here, another unique power of his comes to the fore—the power to heal. He places his hand on Kapali’s wounds, and the wounds gradually start healing like magic. The people of the tribe start considering him as a God, but Sando says very simply that he is also a common man like them.

On the other hand, Kaldev is furious at his base. His character is shown to be a classic villain—green skin, a dangerous face, and a mind hungry for strength. When he finds out that some ‘sandy devil’ has spoiled all his plans, he gets furious. He summons his master, ‘Kalagni’, a fire-god and a mysterious person possessing tantric powers. Here, a shocking secret comes to light—Kalagni tells him that Sando’s past is completely void, and his future is also undecided. It is clear that Sando is not an ordinary person.

Another tremendous twist in the story comes when Sando and Chindrali are walking through the desert and are attacked by Triphani, a giant three-headed snake. Sando overpowers her with his immense power. Triphani reveals that he is actually the king of snakes, but Kaldev has enslaved him with his tantric powers. Seeing Sando’s kindness and humanity, Triphani becomes his friend, takes the form of a huge demon, and agrees to help him.

Climax

The last and most terrible part of the story happens in the ‘Valley of Death’. This time, Kaldev comes with full preparation. Now, he is not just dependent on magic, but he also has modern helicopters and dangerous explosives. This entire scene clearly shows the battle of nature versus machines. Kaldev’s helicopters bomb Sando and his companions with a bang. Stones blocking the way to the water in the valley are blown away, so that Sando is washed away in the flood.

But this is where Sando shows his true and extreme power. He begins to spit sand out of his mouth, which in a few moments turns into a terrible sand whirlwind. This tornado is so powerful that Kaldev’s modern helicopters collide with each other like toys and get destroyed. Kaldev somehow escapes to save his life with the help of his fireproof jacket and parachute, but his goons and all the machines are completely destroyed. The story ends with Kaldev escaping and Sando’s spectacular victory, alluding to even greater struggles to come.

Deep analysis of characters:

Mahabali Sando:
He is the real soul of this comic. His blond long hair, strong and stocky body, combined with his deep connection to the desert, make him stand out from the rest of the superheroes. He is a character who follows the path of justice, and his love for animals is clearly visible. His powers—control over sand, an almost invincible body, and the ability to heal others—give him a semi-godlike appearance, far above an ordinary human being.

Chindrali:
She is not just a girl in trouble. She is devoted to her clan and shows courage when needed. Her character is strong in the story, and her relationship with Sando adds a soft, emotional aspect to the narrative, balancing the intense action.

Kaldev:
He is a powerful and memorable villain. He has money, power, and also tantric abilities. His green appearance probably reflects the poison, jealousy, and negative thinking within him. Most importantly, he is not someone who gives up easily, making him a long-lasting threat to Sando.

Lipo and Panther:
These are not just animals, but like Sando’s family. Lipo’s sharp sense of smell and Panther’s tremendous speed help Sando on many occasions. Without these two, Sando’s character feels incomplete.

Art and portraiture

The drawing by Pallavi Illustrator is one of the biggest strengths of this comic. The bright and vibrant colors created in the classic style of the 90s make the story more impressive. Yellow and orange colors have been used very beautifully in the desert scenes, which give a feeling of both warmth and desolation.

The use of lines to give a sense of movement in the fighting and tornado scenes is superb. The size and placement of words like ‘dhanay-dhanay’, ‘dhadam’, and ‘saay-say’ at the right moments take the reader directly into the action.

Especially the depiction of Triphani (the three-headed snake) and Kaldev’s palace is quite imaginative and scary. The facial expressions of the characters—especially the confidence visible in Sando’s eyes and the cleverness reflected on Kaldev’s face—say a lot even without dialogue.

Literary and moral values:

This comic is not limited to just entertainment, but also delivers many deep messages. It clearly shows that human machines and modern technology will always be limited in front of the power of nature. Sando’s love for his dog and horse also sets a beautiful example of compassion and sensitivity toward animals.

In the end, the story reveals the truth that no matter how powerful ego, injustice, and oppression may appear, their end is certain, and ultimately, truth prevails.

Critical Commentary

Positive side:
This comic creates a distinct identity because of its unique superpower. The idea of fighting through sand was completely new and exciting for readers at that time. The pace of the story is so fast that one does not feel bored anywhere, and the events change so quickly that the reader remains connected till the last page.
Also, the author has maintained mystery in the story by describing Sando’s past as ‘zero’, which creates curiosity about his origin and makes the story even more effective.

Areas for improvement:
Some of the dialogue may seem a little more dramatic by today’s standards, but this was also a common hallmark of comics of that period.
It is somewhat disturbing that Kaldev escapes so easily, although this was also necessary for the continuation of future stories.

Conclusion:
‘Mahabali Sando and Kaldev’ is a wonderful example of the golden era of Indian comics, when imagination was at its peak. This comic takes us to a world where magic and science, bravery and cruelty stand face to face.
Sando’s character reminds us how important it is to stay connected to our roots and nature.

If you are fond of old-fashioned comics and want to read something that departs from the common ‘city-based’ superhero stories, then ‘Mahabali Sando’ is a great choice for you. This comic is a treasure trove of memories not only for children, but also for adult readers who have lived their childhood with these stories.