This review is based on the comic “Ashwaraj” published by Raj Comics. This comic is not only an exciting story, but also reminds us of the golden era of Raj Comics, when imagination and brilliant artwork together created amazing stories. This detailed review of this 32-page comic is presented in the same order and framework, so that the full impact of the story is maintained.
Introduction and Background (Introduction)
“Ashwaraj” is a memorable and classic presentation from Raj Comics. Its author is Tarun Kumar Wahi, who has given many wonderful and memorable characters to Indian comics. The art direction is by Pratap Mulik, whose name is taken with great respect in the world of comics and illustration. The illustrations are done by Vitthal Kamble, and the editing is handled by Manish Chandra Gupta. The hard work of all of them makes this comic special.
The story begins in a fictional state called ‘Worrypokly’. King Chittint Singh announces a grand and unique event called the ‘Chariot Marathon’. It is not just a sporting event, but a display of strength, glory, and status. Kings and princes from faraway states come to participate in this event, creating a festive atmosphere throughout the entire state.
Plot Expansion
The story begins with an atmosphere of zeal, excitement, and intense competition. The warriors and rulers participating in the Chariot Marathon include interesting names like Prince Chaumin of Jadu Puram, Raja Sankat Singh of Sankatpur, Patal Jinn of Vishwapatal, Raja Jhingamasti of Babarpur, Amir Dadbora of Dadswaj, and Bhindi Singh of Cucumber-Kheera. There is a touch of humor and satire hidden in these strange names, which makes the story even more entertaining.
Meanwhile, a mysterious warrior enters the competition—Ashwaraj, the prince of Ashvaloka. While all the other kings have ten or more horses attached to their chariots, Ashwaraj has only five horses pulling his chariot. The rest of the contestants make fun of him and take him lightly, but Ashwaraj remains calm and silently endures everything.
As the race begins, the adventure reaches its peak. One by one, along the way, the chariots of all the contestants crash for one reason or another, or the weaknesses of their horses begin to surface. In the end, based on his wisdom, patience, and the strength of his special horses, Ashwaraj wins the Chariot Marathon. After the victory, Princess Kudumchummi places a jaymala around his neck, and a wave of happiness spreads across the kingdom.
But the story does not end here; rather, the real adventure begins now. Rich Dadbora, who appears wealthy and civilized on the outside, is actually a very greedy and cunning person. He hatches a dangerous plot to kidnap the princess. Using one of his magical boxes, he summons the dwarf devil ‘Bukhari’. Bukhari has the power to become invisible and is extremely cruel. He brutally kills the palace guards, kidnaps the princess, and takes her to Dadbora.
The next morning, when the king learns that both the princess and Rich Dadbora are missing, the entire palace is thrown into turmoil. Chaos spreads everywhere. In such a situation, Ashwaraj steps forward and resolves to bring the princess back safely. Maharishi Fook-Masan, who was the chief guest of the competition, describes Ashwaraj as an “eccentric human” and grants him permission to embark on this difficult journey.
Ashwaraj and His Five Elite Horses
Ashwaraj’s five divine horses are the most unique and memorable feature of this comic. These horses are not ordinary animals, but warriors armed with magical powers and can be seen as symbols of the five human senses. Raktambar can detect dangers from far and wide with his sharp vision. The Black-Eater is an expert at identifying the enemy’s scent from miles away. Ashwavat is known for his immense physical strength, and the special thing is that he can also talk to Ashwaraj. Neelkanth, with his sharp intelligence, formulates complex war strategies in difficult situations, while Audible Power has the ability to hear even the faintest sound from miles away.
When Ashwaraj chases Dadbora and these five horses use their special powers together, the story rises far beyond simple fantasy. It becomes a brilliant superhero-style team-up, giving Ashwaraj a distinct and memorable identity in the world of Indian comics.
The Side of Conflict and Villains
Ashwaraj’s encounter with three of Dadbora’s most dreaded bodyguards is the most exciting and memorable twist of the story. On one side is the sharp and deadly swordplay of Tambola, on the other side are the magical and frightening skulls of Bhootkapal, and on the third side is the poisonous, animal-like form of the Scorpion. Together, these three surround Ashwaraj from all sides. Ashwaraj standing alone amidst this triangular attack clearly shows his courage, bravery, and never-say-die spirit.
But the real turning point of this fight comes when the situation completely deteriorates and Ashwaraj reveals his real and shocking form—Ashvamanav (Centaur). The lower part is filled with the immense strength of a horse, and the upper part is adorned with human intelligence and war skills. This unique appearance not only surprises the enemies but also becomes a spectacular and memorable sight for the readers. This transformation does not allow Ashwaraj to remain just a prince, but gives him the identity of a superhero.
“Karun’s Treasure” and Climax
When Dadbora begins to clearly see his defeat, he tries to take the path of compromise instead of direct confrontation. He reveals the secret that he is not particularly interested in the princess. His real objective is to use the power of Ashwaraj to obtain the famous and mysterious treasure of “Karun”. He makes a deal that only if Ashwaraj brings that treasure to him, he will free the princess.
For the sake of the princess’s life and honour, Ashwaraj accepts this extremely difficult and dangerous challenge. In the final part of the story, a new and mysterious form of Maharishi Phuk-Masan comes to light. He tells Raja Chittint Singh that Ashwaraj has now set out on a journey to retrieve Karun’s treasure, and to stop him, twelve strange disciples of the Maharishi, who exist in different demonic forms, will even risk their lives. This ending creates tremendous curiosity in the reader’s mind and compels him to read the next part, “Caroon Ka Treasure.”
Art and Portraiture
The pairing of Pratap Mulik and Vitthal Kamble is the real lifeline of this comic. The artwork of these two artists clearly reflects the identity of Raj Comics from the 80s and 90s. Ashwaraj is depicted as a brilliant, strong, and confident prince, whose face clearly reflects bravery and strong determination.
When it comes to action scenes, the sequences of chariot racing and combat appear so lively that while reading, it feels as if everything is unfolding right before our eyes. The frightening and imaginative designs of characters like Scorpion and Ghostkeeper add to both the adventure and horror elements of the story. In terms of color usage, bright shades like red, yellow, and blue perfectly match the printing technology of that era and give the comic a distinct visual identity. The structure of palaces, forest backgrounds, and magical effects together bring the mythological and imaginary atmosphere of the story to life.
Writing and Dialogue
Tarun Kumar Wahi’s writing strengthens the story. The dialogues are short but effective. The names of the horses and their characteristics are described in a very creative manner. The pace of the story remains fast, due to which the reader does not feel bored at any point. The strange and humorous names of the kings bring light-hearted humor, while scenes such as kidnapping and war maintain seriousness and tension in the narrative. This balance makes the story more engaging.
Psychological and Cultural Aspects
The story of “Ashwaraj” revolves around themes such as loyalty, bravery, and greed. The relationship between Ashwaraj and his horses reflects harmony and mutual trust between humans and nature. The concept of the equine-man, or centaur, may appear inspired by Greek mythology, but it has been adapted into the Indian cultural environment and mindset in such a way that it feels completely fresh and original.
Conclusion
Overall, “Ashwaraj” is a powerful and memorable offering from Raj Comics. It is not just for children, but for every reader who loves stories filled with fantasy and adventure.
This comic reminds us of a time when stories, though simple, reached great heights of imagination. If you have not read it yet, this is a wonderful opportunity to step into its magical world. After finishing this part, the curiosity to discover the next installment, “Karoon Ka Khazana,” becomes the greatest success of this story.
