Stormy night, flowing blood and burning separation: Is the biggest conspiracy of the comics world hidden under the sea?
What happens when two of the most powerful and destructive superheroes in Indian comics history—’Nagasamrat Nagraj‘ and ‘Ichchadhari Sarpasamrat Tausi‘—come face to face on an unknown island on the same stormy night? Is Nagraj, fighting a human crocodile deep in the sea, able to see the coming storm that is taking shape over the water? And on the other hand, is Tausi, burning in separation from his nymph, able to understand that his anger is not revenge for his past, but a dangerous trap laid by a third unknown mastermind?
When the balance of the entire creation is deteriorating between Guru Gorakhnath’s warning and Nagbaba’s tantric practice, only one question arises before the reader: is this the historic union of two snake heroes, or the countdown to the annihilation of the Ichchhadhari snake species? This work, ‘Nag Pralay’, by Nitin Mishra and Adil Khan Pathan brings the reader to this hair-raising turn.
Separation, deception and bloody game: How were the swords of Nagraj and Tausi drawn on the same island?
‘Nag Pralay’ is not just a one-on-one fight between two superheroes, but it is a story of two different storms hitting the same place. Author Nitin Mishra has woven the story into two very exciting and co-existing streams.
Nagraj is moving from Switzerland towards a metropolis in India on the secret orders of his Guru Gorakhnath. On the way, in the middle of the swollen sea, he saves Interpol Officer ‘Grace’ from pirates and a dangerous aquatic demon (half-human, half-crocodile). Nagraj’s style is calm, sensible and defensive.
On the other hand, Tausi is burning in the fire of separation from his lost girlfriend ‘Apsara’. He tears his old enemy Danger Duboli to pieces, but moving forward, he comes across some creepy clues that show that his girlfriend and the serpent species have been made pawns in some high-tech lab.
The biggest shock in the story occurs when these two superheroes reach the same island. Due to misunderstandings, different circumstances and the tricks played by the enemies, a bloody war breaks out between the two, which no fan could have imagined.
Nagraj vs Tausi, a calm sea vs a volcano: Who outweighs whom?
The biggest strength of this comic is that it beautifully shows the basic differences in the nature of Nagraj and Tausi.
Nagraj emerges here as a sensible and far-sighted hero. Despite reaching his last breath underwater, he does not lose his temper. He outwits the enemy with serpent poison and his wise tactics. Even while confronting Tausi, his first objective is to protect the innocent and know the truth.
Tausi’s character is at the peak of emotions. His love is his greatest strength and also his most destructive form. He can cross any limit to get Apsara. His gestures and manner of attacking are those of a wounded and angry king.
Interpol officer ‘Grace’ is not just a girl pleading for help; she herself knows how to fight with a grenade in her hand. The characters of Nagbaba, Guru Gorakhnath, Shikangi and Kalu Jinnah, playing in the background, fill the entire story with tantric and mythological mystery.
Hollywood also fades! That underwater fight that came out of the pages shocked the fans
Adil Khan Pathan’s artwork is the biggest ‘selling point’ of this comic. Every page of the comic feels like a storyboard from a Hollywood blockbuster movie.
The panels of the Nagraj and Crocodile-Demon battle between pages 15 and 17 are spectacular. The water bubbles, the stifling pressure of the ocean’s depths, the agony of running out of oxygen on Nagraj’s face and the fine detailing of the demon’s spine-chilling skin are extremely spectacular.
Tausi’s fight scenes have tremendous momentum (Dynamic Pacing). Be it a scene where he cuts Danger Daboli’s body in two or a lone encounter with an army of wolves and navals, Adil has brought Tausi’s muscular body and his anger to life on canvas.
Throughout the story, the falling rain in the background, the rising sea and the thunderous lightning make the dark atmosphere of the story even scarier and more exciting.
From water bubbles to lightning: The magic of colors that holds your breath!
The coloring of Basant Panda (Cooperation: Manmeet) has added hair-raising magic to the artwork of Adil Khan Pathan.
The sea views use dark navy blue and teal shades in a way that makes the reader feel immersed in the depths of the ocean.
Tausi’s scenes use red, orange and dark brown tones, which show the burning anger inside him and the scary atmosphere of the underground labs.
The lettering of Mandar Gangele and Gaurav Gangele is very clear and effective. Sound effects like ‘Ka-Boom’, ‘Dhawak’ and ‘Chin-Chin’ bring life to the action scenes.
“I am the death of the enemies of humanity!”—Know about the dialogues that created the hair-raising thrill
The dialogues written by Nitin Mishra make the atmosphere of the comic very exciting and effective.
Words from Tausi’s mouth echo like an epic—”Apsara’s god of love had become the god of doomsday…” or “I am the death of enemies of humanity like you!” These dialogues make fans of Tausi’s classic era rejoice.
Nagraj’s dialogues are sensible and calm. He understands the situation and thinks—”I had often heard from the cunning Professor Nagmani about Ichchhadhari snakes… But this Ichchhadhari serpent will answer me.”
The strongest aspect of the story is that it is not limited to just fighting, but it blends together science fiction, tantric mysteries and the mythological history of Ichchhadhari snakes.
Masterstroke or old formula? Know the biggest strengths and weaknesses of this historic crossover
Why is this comic a masterstroke? (Strengths)
For the first time in Indian comics history, watching Nagraj and Tausi fight together in the same frame is a ‘dream come true’ moment for every comics fan.
The underwater battle and the direct Nagraj-Tausi clash on the island are spectacular.
The story ends with Tausi fainting from a powerful kick from Nagraj, while on the other hand, the tantric battle between Guru Gorakhnath and Nagbaba begins—it makes the reader desperate for the next part.
Where does it fall a little short? (Weaknesses)
Since this is the first part of a multi-part series, it raises more new questions than answers. There remains suspense as to who the main villain is.
The two superheroes clashing over a misunderstanding as soon as they meet is an old formula, although it is shown here quite convincingly due to Tausi’s mental stress.
Should you buy this comic? Know the final verdict and rating of ‘Nag Pralay’
‘Nag Pralay’ (Part 1) is not just a comic but a masterpiece by Raj Comics and Sanjay Gupta that aims to take the Indian comics industry back to its golden age. Nitin Mishra’s tight story and Adil Khan Pathan’s brilliant artwork prove that desi comics are no longer behind international comics.
If you’re a big fan of Nagraj, an old reader of Tausi or you like a cool action-thriller comic, then ‘Nag Pralay’ must be on your shelf.
