In the vast universe of Raj Comics, ‘Bhediya’ and ‘Kobi’ are two characters who are not only known for their physical strength, but whose complex relationship of love, hatred, and coexistence has always thrilled readers. The comic ‘Budha Jungle’ written by Tarun Kumar Wahi and brilliantly illustrated by Dheeraj Verma is a very important and philosophical link in this series. Not only is this comic full of adventure, but it also hits deep themes like time, old age, and abuse of power.
Story summary and flow:
The story begins with the harsh rule of the jungle where “power is truth.” There are thousands of tribes in the forest, some innocent and some extremely violent. The main villain of the story is introduced as ‘Lalkota’ and his clan, who are notorious for looting and bloodshed.
A mysterious palanquin, ridden by a shabby old man, comes under the target of Lalkota. Lalkota and his companions attack the palanquin, but then Bhediya, the protector of the forest, reaches there. In the middle of the war, an event occurs that shocks the readers—suddenly a mysterious black bull (Black Bull) appears, and all the dreaded warriors of Lalkota, who moments ago were in the spirit of their youth, suddenly become old and weak. Their skin hangs loose, their bones weaken, and they are no longer in a position to fight.
Bhediya is astonished by this incident. He sees how that mighty black bull drains half the power of the enemies through its collisions. But the biggest mystery is how those people became “old.” Bhediya goes to his friend Jane and guru Fujo Baba to find a solution to this mystery.
Naga tradition and the mystery of divine power:
In this part of the review, the most interesting aspect of the comic is the ‘Naga tradition.’ Fujo Baba reveals that Naga tribes in the forests of Assam have a belief—if a Naga human completes 300 years of life, he gains ‘divine powers.’ But it is almost impossible to live for 300 years in wildlife. The mysterious old man in the story is Baba Nganna, who has completed 300 years and has now become a timeless saint. All his divine power is contained in that black bull.
Kobi’s arrogance and his plight:
Another end of the story connects to ‘Kobi.’ Kobi, a violent and powerful form of Bhediya, is intoxicated by his ego. He wants to scare the animals and humans of the forest and call himself a god. He harasses an elephant and forces the clansmen to cheer for him. But when the clan cheers for ‘Baba Nganna’ instead of Kobi, Kobi’s anger erupts.
When Kobi encounters that black bull, his strength is reduced to nothing. A single bump from the bull turns Kobi into a helpless and trembling old man. This scene creates both compassion and fear in the reader’s mind. To see a character like Kobi, whom we always saw as invincible, reduced to a helpless old man, is a very big creative victory for the writer.
The rise of Gonja and the orgy of destruction:
The story introduces another powerful warrior named ‘Gonza,’ who belongs to the Osaka clan. He wants to establish his rule over the entire forest using the powers of Baba Nganna. Wherever he goes, he humiliates and disempowers his opponents by making them “old.” He does not spare even ferocious animals like lions. The entire forest starts turning into an “old forest,” where no one is able to protect anyone.
Character illustration
Bhediya: In this comic, Bhediya emerges as a rational and patient hero. He does not rely only on physical force but tries to understand the circumstances. His morality is visible when he respects an elder like Baba Nganna, even though his power is being misused.
Kobi: Kobi’s character represents “ego and its fall.” His power itself becomes his biggest enemy. His transformation into an “old man” teaches readers that time is the strongest force.
Baba Nganna: He is like a “tragic hero.” He possesses immense power but is constrained to witness wrongdoing (helping Gonza) due to loyalty to his clan. His character reflects the Indian philosophical principle of “debt (loan).”
Gonza: He is a classic villain who is hungry for power. He demonstrates how spiritual powers can be abused for political purposes.
Art and portraiture
Dheeraj Verma’s artwork takes this comic to the pinnacle of excellence, where the signature style—strong anatomy, wide backgrounds, and dynamic action sequences—of 90s Raj Comics appears at its peak. The portrayal of characters aging is extremely subtle and impressive, bringing the effects of time to life through facial wrinkles and helpless eyes. The black bull is magnificently carved as a “divine being,” shown through the sparkle of its eyes and the aura emanating from its body, rather than as an ordinary animal. Moreover, the forest environment is so vivid that the synergy of tree textures and lighting makes the mystery and thrill of the story even darker.
Writing and dialogue:
Tarun Kumar Wahi’s writing is agile and impactful. There is seriousness in the dialogues, especially when Baba Nganna expresses his helplessness—the choice of words there is deeply emotional. The pace of the story is fast, and there is no sense of lethargy anywhere. The name of the comic does full justice to the title ‘Old Jungle,’ as it is not just a story of humans growing old, but of the entire jungle’s soul fearing decay.
Philosophical and social messages:
This comic conveys messages on many deep moral and philosophical levels. The most prominent message is the power of time, which teaches that no matter how powerful one is, everyone has to bow before the pace of time and the cycle of old age. The story also exposes the dangers of the abuse of power and how spiritual or divine powers, when they fall into the wrong hands, cause only destruction for society. Additionally, the poignant portrayal of gratitude versus duty through Baba Nganna—the conflict between his love for Bhediya and his responsibility toward his clan—illustrates moral dilemmas that arise in every human life with great impact.
Conclusion:
‘Budha Jungle’ is an excellent creation from the golden age of Raj Comics. It is not just a superhero-versus-villain battle, but a beautiful blend of folklore, magic, and human emotions. It is a must-read comic for fans of Bhediya and Kobi. It reminds us that a hero is not someone who fights only with claws or brute strength, but one who maintains a balance of intelligence and morality during difficult times.
If you are looking for a story that makes you think along with adventure, then ‘Budha Jungle’ must be part of your collection. Dheeraj Verma’s art and Tarun Kumar Wahi’s storytelling together create an experience that still feels fresh and impressive even after decades.
Review Rating: 4.5/5
