The story picks up pace from where ‘Kali Maut’ ended. Nagraj is searching the whole world to save his friend Bharti. In Afghanistan, he freed six terrorists; in Africa, he defeated devils like ‘Thodanga’ and ‘Kali Mauti’, but Bharti remained one step away from him every time. Now Bharti’s GPS signals have brought her to America. These comics put Nagraj in an environment where technology and security systems are the most advanced in the world, but the roots of terrorism are deeply rooted there too.
‘Udaka’ air strike: When Nagraj’s life got stuck amidst the clouds!
As soon as he reaches America, Nagraj encounters ‘Udaka’, a winged hybrid hunter who has eagle-like agility and demonic strength. The opening pages of the comics itself feature an exciting air chase (Aerial Chase) where Nagraj is in a helicopter and the flyer is carrying Bharti in a hot air balloon (Hot Air Balloon). Since Nagraj cannot fly in this aerial action, his fight amidst the clouds is shown to be very difficult; also, when the blows of the flyer start becoming heavy, Nagraj uses his ‘cold snake’ powers to jam his wings with snow, and this scene is a brilliant example of Anupam Sinha’s imagination.
World Trade Tower and that horrific reference to 9/11: When Nagraj stopped the ‘plane of death’!
The most shocking and courageous part of this comic is where terrorists have hijacked a passenger plane. Their motive is to ram the plane into New York’s World Trade Tower (WTC). Written in the early 2000s, the story flashes the real-world tragedy of 9/11.
Nagraj enters the plane and uses his ‘hypnosis’ (Hypnosis) to confuse the terrorists. The scene where the pilots think the plane has collided, when Nagraj has actually hypnotized them, is hair-raising. This part establishes Nagraj as a global protector.
Bloody game of ‘Jonk-Serpent’: The demon who pulls poison from the veins of Nagraj!
The secret base of the terrorists is located in the hills of the Grand Canyon, where Nagraj encounters a gruesome creature like a ‘jonk-serpent’. The biggest specialty of this creature is the gem on its forehead, which has the ability to purify any poisonous blood. Here Nagraj’s helplessness is clearly visible because his biggest strength is his ‘poison’, but the leech-serpent starts sucking all the blood and poison from his body; also, the scary design of the leech-serpent, its many arms, and terrible face create a monster-like fear in the minds of the readers of a horror film.
Statue of Liberty becomes Kurukshetra: Death is hidden in the torch of freedom!
The final and biggest clash of the story takes place inside New York’s world-famous ‘Statue of Liberty’. Nagraj learns that the ‘master control room’ of the terrorists is hidden inside the torch of this statue.
Watching an Indian superhero fight inside an American icon was a unique experience for Indian readers. The security here is full of laser rays and high-tech sensors, which are almost impossible to cross. Nagraj overcomes these obstacles with his serpent-ropes and sense, which shows off his detective skills (Espionage Skills).
The Master: Who is the shadow that challenged Nagraj?
In the statue’s secret chamber, Nagraj encounters ‘Master’, a cyborg-like villain with half his body as machine and half as flesh. The specialty of the Master is that he senses every move of Nagraj in advance. The cracking of bones during this confrontation is clearly felt, as the physical fight between the two is so violent that Master even breaks Nagraj’s ribs; also, it is not only a physical but also an intellectual war, where Master reveals, to mentally tire Nagraj, that the person he has come to save was never Bharti.
Dr. Polka’s Betrayal: The Biggest ‘Cheat’ in the History of Raj Comics!
In the entire series (from Afghanistan to America), Dr. Polka was shown as a reliable companion of Nagraj. Readers felt that Polka had had a change of heart. But what is revealed in the climax is going to shake the ground under the feet.
Dr. Polka is actually the Deputy General of the ‘Supreme Head’! He won Nagraj’s trust only so that he could bring him directly into the clutches of the Master. This ‘backstabbing’ scene is so effective that even the reader feels cheated.
Nagraj’s ‘Reset’: When the superhero again became a ‘terrorist’!
The comics end on the biggest ‘Cliffhanger’ (Cliffhanger) in the history of Raj Comics. Together, Dr. Polka and Master erase Nagraj’s memory.
Remember, in 1986, Nagraj started as a villain that Professor Nagmani created to destroy the world. Dr. Polka brings Nagraj back to the same ‘Evil State’ (Evil State).
On the last page, the same old devilish red color returns to Nagraj’s eyes, he wears glasses, and stands with a machine gun in his hand. Then comes the title— “Terrorist Nagraj”.
Anupam Sinha’s Artwork: A Visual Epic!
A major reason for the success of this comic is Anupam Sinha’s brilliant art; the ‘global touch’ and detail shown in the structure of New York’s tall buildings, interior scenes of the World Trade Tower, and the Statue of Liberty are amazing. The characters’ portrayal deeply conveys the helplessness of the wounded Nagraj and the deviousness that lurks on Polka’s face. Also, Sunil Pandey’s color combination creates tension (Tension) and drama (Drama) in the scenes.
Final Verdict: Why is ‘Nagraj in America’ an essential comic?
This comic is not just an adventure; it is the story of the downfall of a hero. It teaches us that overconfidence can sometimes be suicidal.
“Nagraj America Mein” is a work from the golden age of Raj Comics, which still looks equally exciting. Dr. Polka’s betrayal and Nagraj becoming a ‘terrorist’ deeply shock the readers and make them desperate to read the next comic, ‘Terrorist Nagraj’.
