Yali Dream Creations has drawn a line in the history of Indian graphic novels, crossing which is a big challenge for any other publication. Their popular series Rakshak: A Hero Among Us is such a brilliant experiment in the Indian superhero genre that it does not just remain limited to the world of imagination, but directly collides with the bitter and scary truth around us. The hero of this story, ‘Adi’ aka ‘Aditya Shergill’, is not a superhero who has the power to fly or shoots lasers from his eyes. He is the ‘protector’ born from the filth spread in society, the failures of the law, and the strong discipline of a soldier, whose need is felt by every person in today’s unsafe environment. The first issue of ‘Rakshak’ is not just the story of the birth of a warrior, but it also brings out the truth of our society where justice is limited to just a candle march.
The real face of the Indian superhero: Who is Rakshak Aditya Shergill?
The most important character in Rakshak’s story is ‘Aditya Shergill’, who has been a brave captain in the Indian Navy’s special commando squad ‘MARCOS’. Aditya’s character looks very real and human. He is not a ‘perfect’ human being; he is dealing with the traumatic experience of war (PTSD) and a physical disability. He lost an arm during a very dangerous mission in Kashmir, and this shortcoming only adds to the mental pain inside him.
Adi is not suddenly born as a protector; rather, he is the result of the anger gradually accumulating within him after seeing the anarchy spread in society and the atrocities being committed against innocent people. He is a hero who knows that his training and his ‘killer instinct’, despite having only one hand, can make him the biggest threat to criminals. Adi’s character makes us understand that real strength lies not in the full strength of the body, but in strong intentions.
From the valleys of Kashmir to the streets of Delhi: A warrior’s painful return
The story begins with a snow-covered and terrifying mission in Kashmir, where Adi and his team embark on a rescue operation against ‘Lashkar’ terrorists. Here, writer Shamik Dasgupta shows the brutality of war in a straightforward way without using twisted language. The scene where terrorists use a small child as a shield and kill his family in front of him shakes the readers to the core. During this mission, Adi loses his hand, which in a way symbolizes the end of his old life.
After retirement, Adi returns to Delhi, where his sister Trisha, her American husband Ronald, and their daughter Saina live. The urban environment of Delhi seems completely alien to Adi; he is unable to fit himself into this modern and carefree world. His bond with his niece Saina gives an emotional and soft touch to the story, which later becomes the biggest reason for him becoming a ‘protector’.
System failure and personal revenge: the real strength of the defender’s story
The biggest quality of ‘Rakshak’ is how closely it connects with today’s reality. In the story, when Adi’s sister Trisha and Ronald become victims of a horrific crime (rape and murder), the whole story suddenly becomes very dark. Here, the author strongly attacks the increasing crimes against women in Delhi and the stone-hearted mentality of society. Due to the slow action of the police, media drama, and weaknesses in the legal system, criminals, especially juvenile offenders, escape punishment, and people lose faith in the system.
He sees lakhs of people demanding ‘justice’ by lighting candles at India Gate, but in reality, nothing is changing. It is from here that Adi decides to become a ‘protector’ — someone who will go beyond the limits of the law and teach criminals a lesson they will remember throughout their lives. This part of the story makes readers wonder whether our legal system is really capable of protecting common people.
The Art of Promit Santara and the Colors of Prasad Patnaik: A Great Visual Experience
The real soul of any graphic novel is its artwork, and Rakshak: A Hero Among Us feels like an international-level masterpiece in this regard. The pencil work of Promit Santara is very detailed and effective. He has created the streets, metro scenes, and military missions of Delhi with such realism that the reader starts feeling like a part of that environment. The pain, anger, and fatigue visible on Adi’s face can be clearly seen in every panel.
The coloring by Prasad Patnaik makes this whole visual experience even more powerful. The use of blue and black shades in the night scenes and dark red tones during violent moments completes the dark and gritty atmosphere of the story. The cover art created by Marcio Abreu perfectly captures the image of a protector who appears calm on the outside but burns like a volcano within.
Vampires, Bats and Real Defenders: When Comics and Reality Collide
The most interesting thing about this graphic novel is its ‘meta-narrative’. Adi’s niece Saina is a big fan of comics and superheroes. She sees the world through characters such as Batman, Flash, and Justice League. The debate between Adi and Saina regarding the costumes and mindset of superheroes gives a different depth to the story. Adi says that a shiny costume with a ‘silver edge’ is of no use in real fighting. He considers The Dark Knight Trilogy’s more realistic and grounded approach to be correct.
When Adi reaches her home, Saina loses trust in superheroes. She sets her comic collection on fire and screams, “It’s all a lie, no superhero comes to save us!” This scene shakes the readers to the core. This is the moment when Adi understands that he has to become the protector not just for Saina, but for the society whose faith Saina has lost.
Justice of the streets: When society becomes silent, the protector steps forward
Adi’s first step as a protector is shown in a very powerful manner. He goes out into the dark streets wearing a hoodie and rescues a girl from some brutes. Here, his military training with MARCOS is clearly visible. He turns the weakness of having only one hand into his greatest strength. He not only scares the criminals, but also injures them so badly that they cannot even think of ruining anyone else’s life again.
The use of ‘dirty tricks’ and a ‘garroting wire’ shows that Adi is not a kind superhero; he is a vigilant vigilante who knows that to fight wolves, one has to become a hunter himself. His statement, “I’m not a Phantom or Batman, I’m just a soldier doing his duty,” makes him feel grounded and like a real hero.
Shamsher Alam and the little soldiers of the system: The remaining hope of humanity
The character of taxi driver ‘Shamsher Alam’ is very important in the story. He represents that common man who is suffering because of the system, yet humanity is still alive inside him. Shamsher taking the injured Adi to the hospital and lying to the police for him shows that goodness in society is not completely dead yet.
The conversations between Dr. Banerjee and Adi in the hospital scenes make it clear that Adi’s fight is not only against external enemies, but also against his old memories and inner struggles. Such supporting characters in the protector’s story prevent it from becoming just another superhero tale and instead turn it into a powerful social drama that emotionally connects the reader to the narrative.
Conclusion: Why Rakshak Issue 1 is a must-read experience for every Indian reader
Overall, Rakshak: A Hero Among Us is a magnificent masterpiece in the world of Indian graphic novels. The writing of Shamik Dasgupta and the hard work of the team at Yali Dream Creations are clearly visible on every page. This comic reminds us that superheroes do not descend from the sky, but emerge from among us — people who refuse to tolerate injustice silently.
Adi becoming a ‘protector’ is not just an act of personal revenge, but the voice of every person who feels unsafe and helpless. This graphic novel presents violence and social issues in a very critical and intelligent manner with its ‘Teen’ rating. If you are a fan of superhero stories and want to read something that shakes both your mind and heart, then ‘Rakshak’ deserves a place in your collection. This is the face of the new era of Indian comics, one of which every Indian should be proud. ‘Rakshak’ is not just a story, but a movement.
