‘Mercury Man’ Manoj is such an explosive and exciting episode in the world of comics, in which the imagination of the future, robotics, and the fearless courage of superhero Storm can be seen together. The cover page of this comic alone is enough to draw the readers into the story. A metallic human (Mercury Man) with a mercury-like glow is running through the devastation and is followed by Storm on his high-tech superbike. Just by looking at the cover, it becomes clear that something big and dangerous is going to happen in the future.
Crisis from the Future
The story begins exactly like a Hollywood science-fiction movie, especially in a manner reminiscent of ‘Terminator 2’. There is the silence of the night; suddenly lightning strikes, and a strange figure appears amidst the same glow. This is ‘Mercury Man’—a highly advanced and dangerous robot from the future. His body is liquid and shiny like mercury. Bullets have no effect on him, and even if his body gets cut into pieces, he regroups himself.
Mercury Man’s mission is very clear—to find and kill a child named Sandeep Sharma. He disguises himself as a police inspector and wanders around the city, scours the telephone directory, and starts killing every person named ‘Sandeep Sharma’. This spreads panic in the city, and no one understands why all this is happening.
Meanwhile, another mysterious character enters the story. It is ‘Robot Man’. He has also come from the future, but his motive is completely opposite to Mercury Man’s. Robot Man aims to stop Mercury Man and protect Sandeep Sharma. That means two robots from the future, but both with different purposes.
After these mysterious murders take place in the city, our hero Storm enters. Storm, known for his sharp wit, advanced gadgets, superbikes, and magic belts, begins to investigate this entire matter. While investigating, he reaches the real Sandeep Sharma just when Mercury Man is about to attack him in a video game parlor. During this time, an innocent child, Ajay, tries to save Sandeep and loses his life. This scene makes the story even more emotional and serious.
After this, there is a fierce clash between Storm and Mercury Man. But very soon Storm realizes that this enemy is stronger than he thinks. Even his destructive rays cannot do any harm to Mercury Man. This is where a tremendous and fast-paced chase begins, in which petrol tankers explode and Robot Man makes sacrifices to complete his mission.
In the end, the story reveals a big mystery in Professor Bhaskar’s laboratory. It turns out that in the year 2040, robots have rebelled against humans and they want to eliminate the entire human race. Sandeep Sharma is the same great warrior of the future who will end this robot army. For this reason, the machines of the future have sent Mercury Man back in time so that Sandeep can be killed in his childhood.
The climax of the story is very exciting. Storm, using his understanding and science, resorts to liquid nitrogen. He freezes Mercury Man completely and then breaks him into small pieces, ending him forever. In this way, this dreadful threat from the future ends, and the story reaches a powerful and memorable conclusion.
Character illustration
Storm (Toofan):
In this comic, Toofan is completely seen in the role of a protector. He is not just a superhero who fights on the basis of strength, but a wise hero who understands every situation and takes decisions accordingly. His scientific perspective comes up again and again in the story. The rays from his superbike and belt make him a true ‘high-tech’ superhero. Storm here shows that real strength lies not only in the muscles but also in the brain.
Mercury Man (Antagonist):
Mercury Man is the biggest attraction of this story. His character seems to be clearly inspired by Hollywood’s T-1000, but watching him in an Indian environment is quite an exciting experience in itself. His cruelty, killing people without any emotion, and changing his appearance when needed make him a very scary villain. He is such an enemy that while fighting him, not only strength but also wisdom is required.
Robot Man (Cyborg Protector):
Robot Man can be called a truly ‘sad hero’. He himself is half a machine, but human emotions are still alive inside him. He knows that his end is certain, yet he sacrifices his life to save Sandeep and stop Mercury Man. His sacrifice gives emotional depth to the story and leaves a deep impact on the mind of the reader.
Professor Bhaskar and Sandeep Sharma:
Both of these characters are the basis for moving the story forward. Professor Bhaskar represents science and logic, while Sandeep Sharma symbolizes the hope for which the entire battle is being fought. Sandeep is not just a child but the last hope of future humanity.
Art and portraiture
This comic has been illustrated by Dilip Kadam and Basant. The drawings are quite lively, clean, and full of nuances for the ’90s. The mercury-like glow of Mercury Man’s body and his changing appearance look very impressive. Action scenes, especially those involving bike chases and helicopters, keep readers engaged with the story. The choice of colors is also bright and effective according to the style of that period, which brings life to every page.
Screenplay and dialogue
The script written by Nazra Khan is fast-paced, and the story does not lose momentum anywhere. Every scene feels connected to the next. The dialogues are in simple language, but their impact is profound. Mercury Man’s silent killing without much speaking and Storm’s determination are clearly visible through the dialogues. Scientific terms such as ‘liquid nitrogen’, ‘transmit’, and ‘robotic revolt’ give the story a mature and serious sci-fi look.
Technical side and theme
This comic shows the old but always relevant conflict of “human vs. machine”. It gives a clear message that if technology falls into the wrong hands or becomes irrational on its own, it can become a threat to humanity. The theme of changing history from the future to the present was considered quite new and exciting in Indian comics at that time, and it has been presented here in a good way.
Drawbacks and critical approach
Although “Mercury Man” is a fantastic comic, it is almost certain to be compared to the Hollywood movie ‘Terminator’. The basic structure of the story—two robots coming from the future, one to kill and the other to save a child—resembles the film. This makes it slightly lacking in originality, but the way this concept is molded into the world of ‘Storm’ is praiseworthy.
Conclusion: Why read?
“Mercury Man” is not just a comic but a symbol of the thinking and courage of a period when Indian comics writers and artists were trying to convey world-class sci-fi fantasies to desi readers. This story is a great combination of courage, sacrifice, and science, which seems equally effective even today.
Final decision:
If you are fond of old-fashioned comics or a fan of Toofan, then this comic must be in your collection. It reminds us that superheroes are not just there to fly or show strength, but to save the world by taking the right decision at the right time. Robot Man’s sacrifice ultimately leaves a slight pang in the reader’s heart, and this is the biggest hallmark of a good story.
