‘Soorma’ this comic is a great story of the jugalbandi of two of the most popular and powerful superheroes of Raj Comics—the protector of the metropolis, Nagraj, and the lord of nuclear power, Parmanu—and a big misunderstanding that arises between them. This nearly 90-page comic is not just an action thriller, but also a deep and thought-provoking story based on sacrifice, friendship, trust, and dangerous scientific experiments.
Background and Plot of the Story (Plot Summary):
The story begins in Delhi, the capital of India, which is already struggling with crime and pollution and now also falls prey to mysterious diseases. In this environment, the two main villains of the story—Doctor Virus and Surgeon (also called Operator)—plot an extremely dangerous plan. Doctor Virus, who is an expert in biological weapons, produces a ‘living cell’ (Living Cell) that can slowly swallow an entire city.
To carry out their plan, they send a strange and dangerous creature named ‘Dragon Fly’ to Mahanagar (Rajkot) so that it can steal Nagraj’s snakes. Dragon Fly manipulates Nagraj and convinces him that Nukam is behind this entire attack. On the other hand, in Delhi, Parmanu uses his nuclear powers to save a crashed fighter plane from falling on a populated area. He then encounters a radioactive monster named ‘Vikhvandi’, which was sent by Doctor Virus specifically to engage Parmanu.
The most exciting and memorable twist of the story comes when Nagraj and Parmanu come face to face. Misunderstandings lead to a fierce war between the two. Nagraj feels that Nukam has harmed his snakes and attacked Delhi, while Nukam comes to believe that Nagraj has lost his balance for some reason. This conflict becomes the soul of this comic.
Analysis of Main Characters:
Nagraj:
A serious, emotional, and very human form of Nagraj is seen in this comic. When his beloved snakes—especially Hawthorn and others—are harmed, he breaks from within. But the real greatness of Nagraj is reflected in his sacrifice. As soon as he learns that the life of Parmanu is in danger, he uses his subtle powers to enter Parmanu’s body and fix his blood circulation. In the end, he comes very close to death in the process of making himself an Anti-Venom to save humanity, which clearly shows the depth and sacrifice of his character.
Parmanu (Vinay):
Atom, i.e., Vinay, who is also a police inspector by profession, stands out as an example of duty and responsibility in this story. He gives his full strength to save Delhi. His conflict with Vikhvandi shows the balance of science and power very well in the story. His interaction with Professor Verma’s ‘Pro-Bot’ and his belt’s new capabilities—such as using a molecular compactor—establish him as a modern and technology-based superhero.
Villains (Doctor Virus and Surgeon):
Doctor Virus is a classic comic book villain whose aim is only to create havoc. The character of Surgeon or Operator reflects the greed and corrupt thinking prevalent in the medical world. The pairing of these two does not allow the story to remain limited to just action, but also gives it the form of a powerful biological thriller.
Plot Highlights
The misunderstanding and conflict between Nagraj and Parmanu is the biggest strength of this comic. The author has shown very closely how circumstances and conspiracies can bring even two good and well-intentioned people face to face.
The use of science has always been a special identity of Raj Comics, and ‘Soorma’ does not lag behind in this either. The molecular compactor of Parmanu’s belt, making him as small as an amoeba, and Nagraj’s fight through his army of snakes inside the blood cells—all these were very new and exciting experiences for the readers of that time.
New villains like Vikhvandi and Dragon Fly add freshness to the story. The saliva of Dragon Fly that can melt anything and Vikhvandi’s ability to absorb nuclear energy become the real challenges for our heroes and make the story even more interesting.
Art and Portraiture
‘Soorma’ is illustrated by legendary Raj Comics artists, and this is clearly visible on every page. The way action scenes spread across the pages and the way characters’ facial expressions emerge really bring the story to life. Especially the depiction of Nagraj’s snakes and Parmanu’s blast scenes look quite detailed and powerful. The story has been given a realistic feel by showing historical monuments of Delhi, such as India Gate, in the background. The 90s coloring style still takes readers straight into their childhood and a world of nostalgia while reading it today.
Writing and Dialogue
This comic, written by Sanjay Gupta and his team, is full of powerful dialogues. Nagraj’s passionate and heroic words, and Parmanu’s thoughtful and logical dialogues, maintain the pace of the story.
“Atom! You called me the professor’s attacker… it’s not true!”
The dialogues increase both tension and emotional depth in the story. The entire story moves quickly, and nowhere does it feel like the narrative is getting dull or dragging.
Social and Moral Messages
Although ‘Soorma’ is a fictional superhero comic, there are many deep and urgent messages hidden within it. It highlights threats such as biological warfare, which remain a major global concern even today. The story also teaches that real strength lies in unity. As long as Nagraj and Nukam fought separately, they remained weak, but as soon as the truth came out and both came together, they jointly averted the biggest threat looming over the world.
Nagraj drinking poison by putting himself in danger and then turning that very poison into an anti-venom shows the extreme limits of sacrifice and philanthropy. It especially teaches children that a real hero is not the one who only wins, but the one who is ready to lose—or even sacrifice his own life—to save others.
Climax and End
The climax of the comic is both thrilling and emotional. When the giant cell (Giant Cell) begins engulfing the whole of Delhi, Parmanu uses his ‘shrink’ power to enter its core. On the other hand, Nagraj reaches Doctor Virus’s laboratory and forces him to reveal the complete method of creating the anti-venom. Nagraj’s destruction of the cell, to the extent of nearly destroying himself, brings tears to the readers’ eyes and takes the story to emotional heights.
Finally, the arrival of a mysterious and divine character like Ved Kaljayi and the revival of Nagraj conclude the story with a happy, hopeful, and mysterious twist. This ending indicates that when the purpose is pure, divine powers also stand together to protect goodness.
Critical Conclusion:
‘Soorma’ is a precious gem in the treasure of Raj Comics. It is a complete entertainment package that combines action, suspense, science, and emotions beautifully.
Positive Side:
The brilliant combination of two major and popular superheroes makes this story special. Themes such as biological warfare and scientific experimentation set it apart from common superhero comics. The story maintains suspense and drama from beginning to end, which is made even more grand and exciting by the excellent artwork—especially the giant cell scenes.
Downside:
In some places, the scientific logic of the story may feel a bit more imaginary, but fiction has its own place in the world of comics. While some readers may find the 90-page length slightly long, the gripping narrative makes it feel like something you want to finish in one sitting.
Final Decision:
If you are a fan of Indian comics or want to relive your childhood memories, ‘Soorma’ deserves a place in your collection. This comic reminds us why Nagraj and Parmanu are considered strong pillars of the Indian superhero universe. The story is not just about defeating enemies, but about serving humanity by overcoming misunderstandings.
Even in today’s Marvel and DC era, desi stories like ‘Soorma’ have a unique and special identity because of their originality and Indian atmosphere. It is a fine example of the golden age of Raj Comics, which will continue to inspire future generations.
Rating: 4.5/5
