‘Rajnagar Rakshak’, the third part of Raj Comics’ ‘Rajnagar Reboot’ (Rajnagar Reboot), is a story in the world of Indian comics that openly exposes the ongoing dangerous conflict between science, technology, and human emotions. This comic is special not only for the fans of Super Commando Dhruv and Inspector Steel, but also for those readers who think about Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the increasing power of machines in today’s era.
Presented by Sanjay Gupta and written by Stuti Mishra, this story gives a glimpse of a future where humans are standing on the verge of becoming slaves to machines of their own making.
Plot and role
The story of ‘Rajnagar Reboot’ starts exactly where ‘Hibernation’ ended. The entire series progresses in a non-linear fashion, showing the devastation of the present and the events of the past that brought Rajnagar to this dreadful state.
At present, Rajnagar has completely changed. It is no longer a city of humans, but has passed into the possession of machines and robots, called ‘Hiberzone’. Inspector Steele, once the city’s keeper, is no longer the law keeper that people knew him to be. His inner ‘immortal’— i.e. his human side — has been lost somewhere, and his mechanical mind has now started considering machines above humans.
On the other hand, the story of the past shows how the combat drones and ‘live metal’ technology made by Shweta (Chandika) gradually took complete control of the city’s security system.
The story takes a major turn when Dhruv saves Chandika and Black Cat from a truck explosion. This scene not only shows Dhruv’s agility and bravery, but also proves that he has the ability to understand and break the web created by technology.
Deep analysis of characters
Inspector Steele: The journey from protector to dictator
The most complex and effective character of this comic is Inspector Steele. Steel is actually a combination of the mind of an honest police officer named ‘Amar’ and the body of a very powerful machine. In ‘Rajnagar Reboot’, his change is clearly visible. He now begins to argue that humans become biased and corrupt because of their emotions, while machines work impartially and without fault.
The argument between Steele and Dhruv is the heart of this comic. When Steel tells Dhruv, “true soldiers of the law don’t have a heavy fan following like you,” he questions the entire superhero culture, not just Dhruv. This anti-hero or potential villain form of Steel shocks readers, as he now wants to keep everything under his control instead of keeping the peace.
Super Commando Dhruv: The Last Defender of Humanity
In this story, Dhruv comes across as a strategist and the last hope of humanity. While the whole world is bowing before machines, Dhruv stands firm with the help of his mind, courage, and human values. His suspicions about the machines prove to be correct when he sees that the technology created in the name of security has now become the cause of destruction.
Chandika (Shweta) and her responsibility towards Black Cat, along with her one-woman fighting nature, keep her an ideal hero — not just strong, but morally strong as well.
Natasha and the Black Cat: Loyalty and Duel
Grandmaster Robbo’s daughter Natasha and Dhruv’s old partner Black Cat (Richa) have deeper roles in this part. Natasha’s inclination towards the robo army on one hand, and her concern for Dhruv on the other, make her character stand in a gray shade.
Black Cat’s fearless actions and her courageous thinking maintain a constant thrill in the story. Her dedication to saving Dhruv and her confrontation with robotic henchmen—like the robotic teddy bear—sound extremely fun and thrilling to read.
Writing and dialogue
Stuti Mishra’s writing really makes an impact in this series. She has used words related to science and technology (like AI, Analytical Weapons, DNA Matching) openly, making the story’s atmosphere feel like a ‘cyberpunk’ movie. Yes, some readers may find this style a bit too convincing or overly technical, but this method suits a high-tech and futuristic world like Rajnagar very well. All this together strengthens the scary and machine-filled atmosphere of that city.
Talking about dialogues, seriousness is clearly visible here. The dispute between Dhruv and Steele is not just an argument between two characters, but a clash between two completely different ways of thinking and ideologies. Steele saying that “machines take control of the mentality of humans” shows our increasing dependence on the Internet and technology in today’s times in a very accurate manner. These dialogues do not limit the story to just action, but also force the reader to think.
Art and portraiture
The artwork of Hemant Kumar and Sushant Panda completely retains the traditional glory of Raj Comics. The colors used in the comics are very dark and vibrant, which makes every scene seem alive. Especially the scenes with dark blue and purple shades of ‘Hiberzone’ create a sad but futuristic atmosphere, perfectly in tune with the mood of the story.
The facial expressions of the characters also convey the feelings of the story very well—the red light burning in Steel’s eyes reflects his cruelty and madness, while the seriousness on Dhruv’s face brings out the ongoing conflict within him. The panels with blasts and action scenes are large and detailed, making the reader feel in the middle of the story. However, in some places, Dhruv and other characters show slight inconsistency in their facial features, which has also been felt by some critics.
Key Theme: Human vs. Machine
‘Rajnagar Reboot’’s biggest message is that technology can never replace human thinking and conscience. The ‘safety shield’ that Anees Raza and Shweta envisioned gradually becomes a ‘cage’. The story clearly warns that if we hand over the entire responsibility of our security and decisions to machines and algorithms, we will lose our freedom. Steel being ‘rebooted’ actually symbolizes the breakdown of the balance between law and humanity.
Critical evaluation
Pros:
It is a daring and new experience for readers to see an old and well-known hero like Inspector Steele in an almost villain-like role in this Raj Comics story. It breaks the boundaries of traditional superhero stories and tries to show something new and different. The non-linear style of the story, in which past and present go hand in hand, maintains suspense until the end and keeps the reader connected to the story. Furthermore, the social satire presented through a fictional world on the growing influence of AI and machines today makes these comics even more serious and thought-provoking.
Deficiencies:
The complexity of the story can be a little difficult for readers who are not familiar with the earlier parts of ‘Hibernation’ or ‘Rajnagar Protector’. It may take some time for such readers to understand the background and past events of the characters. Additionally, the pacing of the story also feels slow in some places, where too much technical talk and dialogue slow down the pace of the original adventure.
Conclusion
Overall, ‘Rajnagar Reboot’ comes out not just as a comic, but as a warning. This is one of those stories in Raj Comics that tries to move away from the traditional structure of superheroes and do something new and different. Dhruv’s wisdom and Steele’s drunken madness of power combine to create tremendous drama. If you want to be a part of this exciting story of the destruction of Rajnagar and its ‘reincarnation’, then these comics must be in your collection.
This part leaves the story on a ‘cliffhanger’ where the wait for ‘Rajnagar Reloaded’ starts on its own. What will be the future of Rajnagar? Will Dhruv be able to uproot this empire of machines? The answers to these questions are hidden in the coming parts, but ‘Reboot’ has laid the foundation of that great battle very strongly.
Rating: 4/5
