While characters like Nagraj, Super Commando Dhruv, and Doga made their mark in the world of urban crime and fantasy, a hero emerged from the ravines of the jungle whose stories were based on primitive powers, mysterious tribes, and the oldest fears. We are talking about ‘Bhediya’ (Wolf). The most special thing about Wolf’s stories was that they were not just the saga of a superhero but the discovery of that untold, unheard, and unseen world of the jungle, where the laws of nature and ancient magic still dominate.
In this series, a special issue of the ‘Kobi Aur Bhediya’ series is ‘Doma’. Written by Vicky Khanna and featuring the powerful artwork of Dheeraj Verma, the comic is not just an action-packed story but a wonderful blend of horror, suspense, and fantasy that captivates the reader from the very first page. This review will take a detailed look at various aspects of this comic, such as its plot, characterization, art, and deep messages.
When an ancient curse woke up in the forest
The story begins with a quiet and panoramic scene, where Bhediya is eating berries in the forest with his friend Jane. This peace is disturbed when they witness a strange and frightening sight — a man being brutally scratched by a herd of hyenas. But the man shows no expression of pain or fear on his face. He stands motionless like a living corpse. When Bhediya rescues him, the mysterious man picks up the dead body of a huge wild buffalo lying nearby as if it were a basket of flowers, says nothing, and walks away. This incident leaves an unsolved puzzle in Bhediya’s mind.
The other end of the story introduces us to another powerful character in the jungle, Kobi. Kobi is also a wolf-human like Bhediya but has an arrogant and aggressive nature. He is angry because his servant wolves are not responding to his call. When he finds them, he sees that they are all enjoying a meat feast given by Jangaru, a chieftain of a primitive clan. Jangaru is performing a mysterious ritual to please the ‘Wolf God’. Kobi’s arrogance makes him confront Jangaru, but Jangaru is not an ordinary tribal chieftain. He displays superhuman powers such as spewing fire from his mouth, leaving Kobi shocked.
Meanwhile, Bhediya reaches his guru Fujo Baba to solve the mystery of the strange man. Fujo Baba, turning the pages of ancient texts and history, reveals a horrifying secret — the mystery of ‘Doma’. He explains that ‘Doma’ is not a person’s name but a state. Thousands of years ago, a cruel Tantrik named Khunkhar used to oppress the people of his tribe. With his powers, he would raise the dead, who became emotionless corpses obeying him. These living dead were called ‘Doma’. The soul of Khunkhar was somehow captured and locked in a coffin, and it was warned that if this soul were ever freed, it would again wreak havoc by making a human body its new ‘Doma’.
Now the picture becomes clear. Bhediya realizes that someone has freed that ancient evil spirit and that Jangaru is his servant. The emotionless man named Shakal is actually the new ‘Doma’ possessed by Khunkhar’s soul. Now Bhediya is faced not only with a clan but with an ancient and diabolical force that knows neither pain nor fear of death.
The middle part of the story turns into a triangular conflict between the powers of Bhediya, Kobi, and Doma. Kobi fights Jangaru to avenge his insult, while Bhediya confronts Jangaru and Shakal to save the forest from Doma’s havoc. This battle takes the reader to the pinnacle of adventure. Shakal, powered by Doma’s spirit, appears to be an invincible enemy. Bhediya attacks him with termites and mud, trying to trap him, but Doma escapes each time.
The climax of the story comes when Doma demonstrates his true and most terrifying power. He revives the dead body of Kopjila, an ancient giant white tiger buried in a nearby cave. Kopjila, now possessed by Doma’s spirit, becomes a cataclysmic giant. Both Bhediya and Kobi lose their strength in front of him. Here, the story takes a turning point — against their common enemy, the two rivals, Bhediya and Kobi, decide to fight together. It’s a temporary alliance, but it’s their only hope.
The final battle is extremely devastating and thrilling. Together they attack Kopjila with all their might. After a long and fierce struggle, they succeed in defeating the monster. Doma’s spirit is freed as Kopjila’s body is destroyed, and it tries to take over Bhediya’s body — but fails against Bhediya’s steely will and pure spirit. In the end, Doma’s soul is imprisoned forever, and the forest survives a major crisis.
Eligible Analysis
Bhediya: In this story, Bhediya is at the peak of his heroism. He is not only physically powerful but also intelligent, strategic, and a true protector of the jungle. His concern is not just for his own power, but for the balance and safety of every creature in the forest. His character is a symbol of patience and righteousness.
Kobi: Kobi is a perfect anti-hero. He is arrogant, hot-tempered, and power-hungry. At the beginning of the story, he fights only for his own interests, but when faced with a major threat like Doma, a positive change appears in his character — albeit a temporary one. His fighting alongside Bhediya indicates that personal differences should be forgotten in times of great crisis.
Doma (and Jangaru): Doma is the real villain of this story — a pure, ancient, and abstract evil. He fights not physically, but through his spirit and magic. He is a symbol of fear, control, and destruction. His servant, Jangaru, represents blind faith and fanaticism. He becomes a slave to a demonic force by his own will, which shows how false belief can lead a human being on the path of destruction.
Shakal: Shakal is a scary and memorable character. He is a weapon that has no will of its own. His inability to feel pain makes him more dangerous than an ordinary enemy. He symbolizes how terrifying one can become when there is only a body left — without a soul or consciousness.
Art and Painting (The Magic of Dheeraj Verma)
Dheeraj Verma’s artwork has been a hallmark of Raj Comics, and his work in Doma is among his best. The physical appearance of the characters created by him, especially the muscular bodies of Bhediya and Kobi, infuses a different energy into the story. He has depicted speed and brutality very well in the action scenes. Whether it’s the hyenas scratching Shakal, the fiery battle between Kobi and Jangaru, or the huge and terrifying form of Kopjila — every panel seems alive.
Facial expressions, especially anger, pain, and surprise, say a lot even without dialogues. The comic’s coloring scheme is also reminiscent of the 90s — vibrant and impactful, perfectly aligned with the tone of the story.
Writing and Dialogue
Vicky Khanna’s script is tight and fast-paced. The balance of mystery and action in the story is excellent. The mystery woven at the beginning unfolds slowly and keeps the reader’s interest alive till the end. Revealing Doma’s background through Fujo Baba is an excellent narrative technique, giving the villain historical depth instead of making him one-dimensional.
The dialogues are short, sharp, and impactful, typical of the comics of that era. Lines like, “Now your mouth will spit blood, not fire!” still feel memorable.
Conclusion: Why is Doma Still a Readable Classic?
Doma is not just another story of battle between Bhediya and Kobi — it’s deeper than that. This story tells us that some evils in the world are so ancient that they never die; they just wait for the right opportunity. The story is also a commentary on the dangers of blind faith and the arrogance of power. Most importantly, it gives a message of cooperation and unity. When archenemies like Bhediya and Kobi can unite against a greater threat, it teaches us that even the greatest crises facing humanity can be faced only by forgetting mutual differences.
Doma is a priceless gem for Raj Comics fans due to its amazing confluence of art, story, and characters. It can also be a great experience for those who want to understand the world of Indian comics. It takes you back to a time when stories were simple but powerful, and heroes were known for their values, not just their powers. If you find this comic in your hands, don’t forget to read it. This is a saga of the dark secrets and indomitable courage of the forest that will leave a deep impression on your mind.
