King Comics had carved a niche for itself in the Indian comics market in the 90s. While the superheroes of Raj Comics were famous for their tremendous powers, the stories of King Comics often touched society, science, and human emotions. Hunter Shark Force is a similarly memorable comic. Its team of editor Vivek Mohan and writer–painter has created a world that is as imaginative as it is emotionally shocking.
A scientist’s dream and a corrupt system
The story begins with Dr. Harbans Khurana, a very honest and dedicated scientist working in the Department of Agricultural Research. Dr. Khurana dreams of creating ‘genetic mutation’ trees and fruits that are as tall as the Qutub Minar and can meet the wood and food needs of the entire country.
Here, the writers directly attack the shortcomings and politics of our system. A capable scientist like Dr. Khurana is removed from research and put in the records department only because he is unable to agree with corrupt officers. Self-respecting Dr. Khurana, instead of giving up, resigns from his job and invests all his savings to buy a small farm in Mehrauli, where he starts his own private lab.
Shadow of loyal companions and betrayal
Dr. Khurana is not alone in this journey. With him are his faithful bitch ‘Lyca’ and his pet cat ‘Matty’, whom he jokingly calls his private secretary. The story takes a new turn when Mr. Sapola (MLA), a man named Sapola, comes with a proposal to fund his research. A money-stricken Dr. Khurana compromises with him out of emotion.
Sapola sends his two men, Michael and Ranganath, as Dr. Khurana’s assistants and posts them at the farm. During this time, Lyca gives birth to six children, and Matty gives birth to three children. The entire farm is filled with happiness, but this happiness is not going to last long.
The orgy of tragedy: a soul-shaking scene
Soon, Dr. Khurana learns that Michael and Ranganath are secretly growing plants in his lab to make drugs like cocaine. Then he realizes that Sapola is actually an international drug smuggler. When Dr. Khurana protests and tries to call the police, the real, creepy face of Sapola’s gang comes to light.
This part of the comic is extremely painful and heartbreaking. Sapola’s punk ‘Bhuchcha’ not only brutally murders Dr. Khurana but also crushes Lyca and Matty’s little children under his shoes. Lyca is martyred while trying to save her master. Somehow, Matty and Lyca’s two children—a puppy and a kitten—escape alive. The Sapola gang takes over the entire farm and buries all the corpses there.
Mutation: When nature took revenge
Now the only remaining Matty is completely broken. During this time, she comes in contact with Dr. Khurana’s incomplete research and a rare plant that Khurana brought from the area of the Bermuda Triangle, where shark fish are found. That plant and the medicines made from it affect Matty and the two orphan children.
This is where the true color of science fiction begins to fill the story. Changes start taking place in the bodies of all three overnight. They start speaking and thinking like humans. A ‘fin’, like that of a shark, emerges on their heads, which becomes a sign of their strength. Matty understands that if they want to stay alive, they have to run away from there. She prepares a secret hideout under the ruins.
Birth and training of the Hunter Shark Force
Matty now names herself ‘Matahari’. She names the two children ‘Tiger’ and ‘Cheetah’. Tiger, who is Lyca’s son, is extremely powerful and specializes in boxing, while Cheetah, who is Matty’s son, achieves lightning-fast speed and martial arts skills.
Matahari trains them by keeping them near a commando training range. She watches the training of real commandos through binoculars and gets the same practice done by her children. After about one and a half years of hard work, they become dangerous commandos. During this time, they find an old cache of weapons belonging to terrorists, which contains stun guns, hand grenades, and many modern weapons.
Mission Vengeance: End of the Sapola Gang
When Tiger and Cheetah are completely ready, Matahari tells them the truth about what happened to Dr. Khurana and the rest of the family. The fire of revenge turns them into the ‘Hunter Shark Force’.
In the climax, they attack Sapola’s farmhouse, where her gang is celebrating. The battle between Tiger and Cheetah is worth watching. They take advantage of the darkness to eliminate the guards one by one. Michael and Ranganath are locked in a sack and thrown into the river, which is referred to as ‘sending to Haridwar’.
When these strange animal-like humans come face to face with Sapola and Bhuchcha, the condition of both worsens. Tiger reminds Bhuchcha of his sins, and Cheetah defeats everyone with his speed. Eventually, Sapola and Bhuchcha are punished for their deeds. Bhuchcha meets the same end he once gave to innocent people.
Analysis of art and portraiture
Dilip Choubey’s portrayal is the biggest strength of this comic. The characters’ expressions—especially the mix of revenge and affection in Matahari’s eyes—are shown in a very spectacular way for the 90s. Bhuchcha’s scary face and Sapola’s cunning expressions clearly define their characters. The scenes of violence are kept quite graphic, which was common in comics of that period.
The use of colors is also quite lively. Fine details can be seen in the lab and commando training scenes. Especially the lines drawn in the fight scenes of Tiger and Cheetah give a tremendous feeling of speed and action.
Evaluation of main characters
Dr. Harbans Khurana is the symbol of an ideal scientist who falls prey to the system.
Matahari (Matty) is the real hero of this story. She is not just a cat but a strategic mother whose journey is extremely inspiring.
Tiger and Cheetah are a unique combination of innocence and immense power. Their loyalty to their mother and their cause is commendable.
Sapola and Bhuchcha are complete symbols of evil. Their ending gives satisfaction to the reader.
Review findings
Hunter Shark Force is not just an action comic; it is a story of nature’s rebellion against injustice. When both humanity and law become weak, nature delivers its own justice—this is its core message.
Overall, Hunter Shark Force is among the few creations of King Comics that comic lovers still remember with great affection. This story of vengeance, sacrifice, and justice touches the heart. If you like classic Indian comics and revenge dramas, then this comic is nothing less than a masterpiece for you.
