Raj Comics has created ‘Rajnagar’ in the world of Indian comics not just as a city, but as an identity of justice, courage, and heroism. ‘Rajnagar Protector(Rajnagar-Rakshak)’ is a deep, mysterious, and thrilling story revolving around the security of this city and its two biggest defenders—Super Commando Dhruv and Inspector Steel. This comic is part of the ‘Sarvanayak’ series, considered to be Raj Comics’ biggest and most ambitious crossover event to date. In this issue, hidden secrets of the past, dangerous technology of the future, and big crises of the present intertwine in such a way that the story holds on till the last page.
Plot expansion: Shadows of the past and fears of the future
The beginning of the story takes us straight into the Second World War era of 1942. In a secret base camp of the British Indian Army, scientists Professor Christopher Hammond and Commander Bates are trying to cover up a discovery that, if it falls into the wrong hands, could upset the balance of the entire world. Professor Hammond believes that ancient Indian science, such as the weapons of the Ramayana and Mahabharata, was much more powerful and advanced than today’s modern nuclear weapons. It is in this line of thinking that they call their invention ‘Brahmastra’ and want to prevent it from reaching the Axis Powers in any case. This mystery remains a deep suspense till the end of the story.
In the present time, the story shows a scary picture, where the whole of Rajnagar is in a state of ‘hibernation’. This city, which was once full of activity, has now turned into ruins. Broken buildings, deserted roads, and signs of devastation are clearly visible everywhere. In this same environment, the Delta Force is engaged in the search for a particular ‘subject’. Only then does the story take a tremendous turn, when Super Commando Dhruv is shown confronting robotic humanoids in a nuclear plant. Dhruv escapes from there with his sharp-minded moves and agility, but he clearly understands that this danger is bigger and deeper than he thinks.
On the other hand, Inspector Steel, i.e., Amar, and Dhruv’s sister Shweta are working together on a new and very dangerous project, ‘Security Drones’. These drones are so advanced that they can track any criminal based on his DNA and heartbeat. The story becomes more complicated when a British cargo plane is attacked by a ‘Gladiator Gang’. The purpose of this gang is to steal those ‘analytical weapons’ which can easily break even the strongest security systems in the world.
Analysis of main characters
Super Commando Dhruv:
Dhruv is the brain of this whole story. His biggest specialty is that he does not have any magical or supernatural power; rather, he trusts his sharp intelligence, scientific thinking, and ability to take the right decisions at the right time. In this comic, Dhruv faces tough challenges not only in physical battles but also on a mental and moral level. His dialogue with ‘Protoplast’ in the forest brings out the philosophical and thinking side of the hero as well.
Inspector Steel:
Inspector Steel symbolizes the strength and toughness of Rajnagar. He is a cyborg—half human and half machine. This issue depicts the ongoing conflict within Steel, with increasing reliance on machines on one side and his human heart and intuition on the other. When he fights the Gladiator Gang and their mysterious machines, his courage and spirit are clearly reflected in every panel.
Shweta:
Shweta’s role as Dhruv’s sister and an excellent scientist is very important in the story. She is not just a supporting character, but the backbone of the entire security system and technology. The systems and decisions made by her sometimes change the direction of the story. The light banter between Dhruv and Shweta adds a touch of human emotions and relationships to the story.
Protoplast (Villain or Guide?):
Protoplast is a new, unique, and thought-provoking character. He is a refugee from another planet, ‘Protoplanet’, whose entire world has been destroyed due to nuclear war. He warns Dhruv that if humans continue on this path, the Earth will also meet the same fate. His character not only moves the story forward but also gives a deep social and human message.
Art and Portraiture
Sushant Panda’s artwork is the real lifeline of this comic. The modern and fast-paced panel layouts created by him make the story more impressive. During hibernation, the ruins of Rajnagar, the debris-filled roads, and burning buildings seem so alive that the reader starts feeling the sadness and fear themselves. Dhruv’s agile acrobatics and Inspector Steel’s heavy weaponry, especially the ‘Mega Gun’, emerge in action scenes in a very powerful manner. The color work of Saadia, Bhakta Ranjan, and Mohan Prabhu is also fantastic—sepia tones in the past and dark and vibrant colors in the present bring the mood of the story completely alive.
Writing and Dialogue
Stuti Mishra has written the story in a very balanced manner and has maintained an atmosphere of mystery throughout. The dialogues are short but effective. For example, when Shweta tells Dhruv that “machines do not have their own reasoning power,” this fits perfectly in today’s AI era. This dialogue is not limited to just the story but also raises questions about today’s technology and our dependence on it. Technical terms used in the comic, such as ‘DNA mapping’, ‘cardiac activity’, and ‘protoplasmic energy’, give the story a strong sci-fi identity, yet the language is not so complex that the reader loses engagement.
Themes and Symbolism
‘Rajnagar Protector’ is not just a superhero action comic, but deep issues like technology versus morality are hidden within it. The story repeatedly raises the question of whether it is right to rely solely on machines for one’s own safety. The story of Protoplast is directly reminiscent of events such as Hiroshima and Nagasaki and warns against the dangers of nuclear annihilation. His character presents a frightening picture of the future. On the other hand, Dhruv and Shweta’s brother-sister relationship beautifully shows that no matter how big the crisis is, the company of loved ones becomes the greatest strength.
Plot Twists and Suspense
The biggest suspense of the story revolves around the machines of the ‘Gladiator Gang’. These machines are not just iron-metal structures, but also have the ability to capture biological energy (Biological Energy). Even when Inspector Steel destroys these machines, the danger does not go away completely. It seems as if an unknown power—maybe the real main villain—is hiding in the dark and watching everything. The “to be continued… the ending on hibernation” creates both curiosity and unease in the minds of readers and makes them wait eagerly for the next issue.
Review: Features and Some Shortcomings
Features:
‘Rajnagar Protector’ goes far beyond a typical superhero story because of its complexity and multiple layers. The mutual coordination between Dhruv and Inspector Steel takes the development of the characters to a new height, which thrills readers immensely. The art level in this comic appears to be much higher than the older issues of Raj Comics and seems to touch the standards of modern comics. At the same time, the philosophical depth present in Protoplast’s dialogues not only makes the story serious but also forces readers to think about humanity, survival, and the future.
Drawbacks:
If a new reader starts the ‘Sarvanayak’ series directly from this issue and has not read the earlier ones, they may face slight difficulty in understanding references such as ‘hibernation’ and ‘Delta Force’. Additionally, some parts of the story spend relatively more time on technical information and drone testing, which makes the pace of action feel a little slow in certain places.
Conclusion: Why Read ‘Rajnagar Protector’?
‘Rajnagar Protector’ is a great example of the modern golden age of comics. This comic proves that Indian superhero stories can have as much depth, science, and thought as seen in Marvel or DC comics. This story does not just entertain but also raises serious questions about the responsibility of science and the future of human civilization.
If you are a fan of Super Commando Dhruv’s sharp intelligence and Inspector Steel’s tremendous strength, then this issue must be in your collection. This is the fight for the existence of Rajnagar—and this fight has just begun.
Final Decision
Rating: 4.5/5
This comic is a true visual treat. Its script is strong, and the portraiture feels international in scale. ‘Rajnagar Protector’ reminds us that a city is not protected only by high walls, but by the determination of those guardians who are willing to risk their lives to protect justice.
Now the question is, what will be the future of Rajnagar? Will Dhruv and Steel be able to pull the city out of the trap of this ‘hibernation’? To know the answers to these questions, one must be a part of this exciting journey.
