Radha Comics has given many memorable heroes to its readers, but ‘Dwarf Spy’ (Bauna Jaasoos) remained especially popular among children because of his different physical appearance and sharp mind. Recently, I had the chance to reread a very exciting comic, “Dwarf Spy and Rhinoceros” (Bauna Jaasoos aur Gainda), from this series. Priced at Rs 7, this comic is not only a hallmark of the adventure literature of its era, but also offers a unique blend of science fiction (Sci-Fi) and detective story.
Story Plot
The story begins with a highly dramatic and fear-inducing scene. At the ‘Red and White Bank’, everything is going normally when a mysterious and powerful criminal named ‘Unicorn’ breaks through the bank wall and enters. Unicorn’s look is quite scary—blue skin, a powerful body, and a strange glow in the eyes. He threatens the bank manager, but when the manager tries to call the police, Unicorn shows a strange ‘miracle’. He retrieves a small, live rhinoceros from his palm, which wounds the manager’s arm. Unicorn claims that this little rhinoceros will slowly grow by drinking the manager’s blood.
Incidentally, our hero ‘Dwarf Spy’ and his tall assistant ‘Sridhar’ are present in the bank at the same time. They directly challenge Unicorn. In the initial confrontation, Dwarf Spy shows his agility, while Sridhar demonstrates his strength. Together, with the help of a noose (lasso), they control Unicorn, and he is handed over to the police. But the real adventure starts from here.
Unicorn’s behavior in police custody becomes even more suspicious. As twelve o’clock at night strikes and the sound of the clock ‘ton-ton’ resounds, Unicorn’s body transforms into a real, giant, man-eating rhinoceros. He escapes by breaking the steel walls of the police station. Now Dwarf Spy faces a double challenge—first, how can a human be transformed into a rhinoceros? And second, how to stop this ferocious creature from wreaking havoc in the city?
During the investigation, the detective gets information about ‘Professor Ebony’, who is a mad scientist. The professor had transferred the properties of a rhino into the human body through genetic engineering. The climax of the story revolves around a high-speed chase and the detective’s intelligence, where Dwarf Spy uses his special car ‘Rampyari’.
Characterisation:
Dwarf Spy:
The biggest attraction of this comic is its hero. Despite being short in height, his brain works faster than a computer. He does not rely on mere strength, but resorts to scientific facts and keen observation. Recognizing the mental weaknesses of a criminal is his biggest specialty.
Sridhar:
Sridhar is a loyal companion of Dwarf Spy. His tall stature and the detective’s short height combine to create a funny ‘comical contrast’, which readers love. He is not only a companion, but also the detective’s protector and driver.
Unicorn (Criminal):
The character of Unicorn has been presented very effectively. His blue skin and special costume give him a full-on supervillain look. He is extremely ruthless, and his gimmick of showing a ‘small rhinoceros’ is enough to create fear in the minds of readers.
Professor Aabanoos:
Professor Aabanoos is the real mastermind of this story. His greedy nature and excessive pride in his own invention ultimately lead to his downfall. His character is reminiscent of the classic villains of that period, who used to sit in closed laboratories, conduct dangerous and immoral experiments, and consider themselves above the world.
Art and Portraiture
‘Drawing by Chemio Arts’ is really commendable. It clearly shows that ‘vibrant’ energy of 90s comics, where colors were used freely. The scene in which Unicorn gradually turns into a real animal is very intricately engraved—bodily swelling, skin color change, and finally the emergence of a horned rhinoceros is no less than a magical cinematic experience for readers of that time. It must have been.
Along with this, the fight inside the bank and the chase between the rhinoceros and the ‘Rampy’ car on the road (Chase Sequence) seem quite dynamic. The use of phonetic terms such as ‘hianss’, ‘thadak’, and ‘ton-ton’ further enhances the effect of these scenes. The gadget-filled design of Dwarf Spy’s car ‘Rampyaari’ also makes it different and memorable in its own right.
Writing and Dialogue
Tika Ram Simpi has written the story in a very careful manner. The story does not slow down anywhere in this 32-page comic. The dialogues are simple but have a direct impact. For example, when the detective says, “Raw pills have not been played even by our detective,” it clearly shows his confidence and experience. At the same time, a kind of eccentricity is reflected in the dialogues of Professor Ebony, which gives more depth to his character.
Scientific and Logical Aspects
Although it is a purely fictional story, it tries to give a scientific basis by using terms such as ‘gene’ (genes) and ‘reaction’. Starting the transformation with the sound vibration of the clock seems like an interesting and unique idea. The way the spy takes the rhinoceros into the pond and kills it by releasing a current of 2.5 thousand volts shows his logical and practical thinking.
Critical Analysis:
“Dwarf Spy and Rhinoceros” is not just entertainment, but it is also a reflection of the imagination and thinking of the society of that period. The use of the ‘Rampyaari’ car in the story also shows the influence of characters like ‘James Bond’ on detective stories.
Pros:
The fast pace of the story is completely successful in maintaining the curiosity of the reader from beginning to end. The transformation of a human being into a rhinoceros was a very new and unique idea for the comics world of that era, which thrilled the readers. Along with this, the intelligence of the hero is shown very effectively in the story, where Dwarf Spy turns his physical and other limitations into his strength. This not only makes the story fun but also gives an inspiring message to the readers.
Deficiencies:
The end of the story has been wrapped up a little early. Professor Ebony’s death and Rhino’s end conclude on a single page, which could have been expanded a little more.
Furthermore, the role of the police is shown to be quite weak, although this was common in most comics of that period.
Conclusion:
Radha Comics’ “Dwarf Spy and Rhinoceros” is a true classic creation. It takes us back to that innocent period, where happiness resided in the colorful pages of comics. This comic, edited by Manish Jain, still seems as readable as it was 30 years ago. The pair of Dwarf Spy and Sridhar remind us that on the basis of true friendship and mutual understanding, any big trouble—even a dreaded rhinoceros—can be defeated.
If you want to refresh your nostalgia or like the combination of espionage and fantasy, then this comic must be in your collection. It doesn’t just entertain, but tells the story of a detective who is not recognized by his small stature, but by his big adventures.
