Comics begin with a serious and thought-provoking atmosphere. The author directly reminds the reader of Hiroshima, speaking of the atomic bomb and its terrible impact. In the middle of the story is Professor Bhaskar, who is a true patriot and an honest scientist. Together with his assistant, Light Ghost, he is working on ‘Super Protective Rays’. The objective of this research is to eliminate the dangerous effects of atomic radiation, so that humanity can be saved from such destruction in the future.
At the very beginning of the story, it becomes clear that this is not an ordinary action-oriented comic. The author has tried to create a serious and strong story based on science, which was rarely seen in the comics of that period.
Plot Expansion and Conflict
The second important part of the story is related to Professor Bhaskar’s daughter, Shreya Bhaskar. Shreya is a martial arts expert, winning competitions in judo, karate, and kung fu at Talkatora Stadium. The character shows a lot of forward-thinking for the 90s, because here a woman is shown to be not just brave, but also extremely strong and physically self-reliant.
As Shreya arrives at the lab to share the joy of her victory with her father, the story takes a big turn. Ranga, a professional assassin who is acting at the behest of foreign forces (the CIA and their agents), breaks into the lab. His objective is to destroy the professor’s research and prevent India from becoming a nuclear power.
Radioactive Explosion and Mutation
The most important part of the comic is the accident that later leads to the birth of both superheroes and supervillains. During a clash between Ranga and the scientists in the lab, radioactive radiation spreads into the chamber of rats. At the same time, a lizard and a cockroach are also present, which take the story in a different direction.
While dying, Professor Bhaskar hands over his entire research microfilm to Shreya and takes a promise from her to save his hard work. At this moment, the story becomes emotional, and the reader automatically begins to feel Shreya’s pain, with the hatred for Ranga becoming even deeper.
Ranga’s Metamorphosis: A Terrible Villain
Ranga, already a ruthless murderer, is struck by the same radioactive radiation as he escapes. When he reaches his masters, i.e., the foreign agents, and they try to kill him, his mutation begins. He transforms into a giant and fearsome cockroach-man.
Vinod Bhatia’s portrayal here is truly worthy of praise. Ranga’s cockroach appearance looks so disgusting and scary that his evil thoughts within are clearly visible. He kills his own boss and starts dreaming of becoming the uncrowned king of the world of crime. In this part, the story completely takes on the tone of an exciting creature feature.
The Mysterious Rise of Liza
The comic’s name may be “Liza”, but most of the story revolves around the confrontation between Shreya and Ranga. Moving into the last pages, we get our first glimpse of Liza. When some goons are harassing a common man, a mysterious woman steps forward. She has lizard-like markings on her face and possesses strange but powerful abilities, such as climbing walls and attacking with a long tongue.
Although it is not completely clear in this first issue whether Shreya is Liza, the gestures clearly indicate that this new superheroine, Liza (Lizard-Woman), is born due to the influence of the lizard and the radioactive radiation present in the lab. Her look is quite bold and memorable—her green and yellow suit makes her stand out from other characters.
Character Illustration
Professor Bhaskar: He represents an idealistic scientist whose sacrifice sets the story in motion.
Shreya: She is a modern, courageous, and righteous girl. Her martial arts background makes her a powerful hero.
Ranga (Villain): He is a greedy and cruel killer. His transformation into a cockroach gives physical form to the filth of his character.
Inspector Kale: The role of the police has also been shown in a respectable manner. He tries to get to the bottom of the matter and believes in scientific evidence.
Art and Portraiture
Vinod Bhatia’s art is the real lifeline of this comic. Like many comics of the 90s, it features extremely bright colors, which instantly appeal to children and teenagers. The scenes of explosions, lab equipment, and Ranga’s mutation are shown in great detail. Blur lines and sound effects like “Dhadam”, “Kadaq”, and “Ah” have been used brilliantly to make the action faster and more effective.
The use of yellow and orange colors, especially in nuclear explosion and radiation scenes, highlights the seriousness of the danger and devastation.
Writing and Dialogue
Tarun Kumar ‘Wahi’’s writing is tight and fast-paced. The story never feels burdensome at any point. Patriotism, courage, and revenge are clearly visible in the dialogues. The angle of foreign conspiracy, i.e., the CIA, was a favorite subject of comics of that period, and here too it is well woven into the narrative. Ending the story with “To be continued” successfully creates curiosity in the minds of readers about Liza’s real identity and Ranga’s next move.
Social and Moral Aspects
These comics, not directly but through subtle gestures, draw attention to the misuse of science and the dangers of nuclear weapons. They show how greed and foreign interference can harm the progress of any country. Along with this, the comic also highlights women power, where a daughter is ready to take revenge for her father’s murder and stand up for justice.
Review Findings
“Liza” is not just the story of the birth of a superhero, but also a strong saga of revenge and justice. Its features make it memorable.
- A unique mutation concept like cockroach vs. lizard.
- A powerful female hero.
- An interesting combination of patriotism and science.
Yes, some readers may find the cockroach–human concept a bit strange, but in the world of fantasy and comics, such experiments are what make the story fun. This first issue of “Liza” is completely successful in its purpose—it entertains, touches emotions, and finally leaves the reader in suspense.
If you are fond of old Indian comics, then this offering from King Comics will not disappoint you. It reminds us of a period where the victory of good was assured, and no matter how powerful evil was, some “Liza” was always born somewhere to eliminate it.
