In the golden era of Indian comics, many such heroes emerged who gave a new flight to the thinking and imagination of children and teenagers. ‘Fouladi Singh’, published by Diamond Comics, is also one of those memorable and popular heroes. ‘Fouladi Singh and Iron Man’ is a very important and thrilling episode of this series. This comic is not only a wonderful combination of science and fantasy, but also showcases the entire journey of an ordinary young man becoming an extraordinary superhero. This 62-page story takes us to a world where technology can bring destruction if it falls into the wrong hands, but with wisdom, courage, and right thinking, the same technology can be defeated.
Brief Description of the Plot:
The story begins with some greedy and evil scientists who dream of ruling the world. For this purpose, they build an ‘iron human’, i.e., a huge robot. A very powerful computer brain has been installed inside this robot, through which it can think for itself and take decisions. Dr. Gustaf and his companions show this robot to the ambassadors of different countries of the world so that they can instill fear with their power.
During the demonstration, the Iron Man shows his tremendous power. He easily picks up elephants and uproots big trees. But the situation worsens within a short time. The robot gets out of control and murders his own creator, Dr. Harrison. After this, he starts causing huge devastation in the city.
This is when the story introduces Dr. John Ka, who is a good and humanity-believing scientist. He works for peace and the well-being of humanity. Dr. John starts giving special training to a young man named Shekhar. Shekhar goes through rigorous physical and mental exercises. He is made adept in arts like judo-karate, horse riding, and shooting. Finally, Dr. John names him ‘Fouladi Singh’ and gives him many modern scientific instruments, which make him a true superhero.
The story takes a funny and interesting twist when Lambu, a friend of Fouladi Singh, accidentally drinks a drug that makes him very small and dwarf-like. Now this small Lambu helps Fouladi Singh by staying in his pocket. Fouladi Singh comes out to confront the Iron Man with the help of his ray pistol, gravity-free belt, and transparent attire. Finally, with his wisdom and the help of Lambu, he manages to enter the Iron Man, locate the base of the evil scientists, and destroy all their dangerous intentions with a loud bang.
Analysis of characters:
Fouladi Singh (Shekhar): He is the main hero of this story. His character development is quite inspiring. He is not only powerful, but also knows how to use technology properly. He is humble by nature and fully respects his mentor, Dr. John. He is determined to never misuse his powers.
Dr. John: He is an example of an ideal scientist. He believes that the aim of science should only be the welfare of humanity. He is the guru and guide of Fouladi Singh. The equipment he created, such as the ray pistol and flying belt, gives the story a powerful science-fiction feel.
Lambu: He brings humor to the story and also helps in times of need. His small size helps him reach places where the steel lion cannot go. The friendship between Fouladi Singh and Lambu creates an emotional connection in the story.
Dr. Gustaf and the evil scientists: All these characters symbolize the greed for power and the misuse of science. Their aim is only to gain money and power by scaring people.
Art and portraiture
The artwork done by Baldev Singh seems quite impressive for that time. Despite being black and white, the depth and movement of the visuals are clearly felt. Especially the huge form of the Iron Man and the scenes of devastation he causes, such as tossing cars or demolishing buildings, thrill children immensely. The facial expressions of the characters, especially the powerful look of Fouladi Singh and the clever smiles of the scientists, make the atmosphere of the entire story more lively.
Scientific approach and imagination:
This comic is a great example of 80s science fiction thinking. Things like robots and computers were not common at that time, but this story gave a new flight to readers’ imagination by showing computer-powered robots like the ‘iron human’. The story also gives a glimpse of nano-technology, especially through Lambu’s dwarfing and the use of shapeshifting medicine, which offers a perfect blend of science and imagination. Also, modern gadgets used by Fouladi Singh, such as anti-gravity belts and transparent safety costumes, are reminiscent of the high-tech equipment of today’s international superheroes. This clearly shows how far ahead the thinking of the writers of that period was.
Social and moral messages:
‘Steel Lion and Iron Human’ is not limited to entertainment but also hides a clean and strong moral message. This story explains that knowledge and power should always be used for the betterment of humanity. Dr. Gustaf misuses his power and knowledge, which leads him down the path of destruction, while Fouladi Singh uses the same power for justice and security. In this way, the story proves again and again that in the end, goodness always wins.
Critical Commentary
Pros:
This story of Fouladi Singh maintains its thrill from beginning to end due to its fast pace. Something new and interesting happens on every page, which keeps the reader engaged. Its language is simple and the dialogues are also easy, due to which children easily connect with the story and the fun of reading doubles. The biggest feature is its innovation. At a time when subjects like space, robots, and science fiction were rarely seen in Indian comics, Fouladi Singh gave a new direction to the world of comics by presenting these modern ideas.
Deficiencies:
In some places, the logic of the story seems a bit weak, such as Lambu drinking laboratory medicine without any precautions. Apart from this, the complete lack of female characters makes the story a bit one-sided, which can be considered a drawback from today’s point of view.
Conclusion:
Overall, ‘Fouladi Singh and Iron Man’ by Diamond is a great and memorable presentation in comics. This story reminds us that Indian superhero comics had as much strength, depth, and imagination as Western comics. Fouladi Singh is not just a powerful warrior, but a brilliant combination of science, intelligence, and courage.
Even in today’s digital era, such comics take us back to the sweet memories of our childhood and teach us that a true hero is one who uses his strength and understanding to protect others. This comic is worth collecting and must be read by anyone who wants to know the history of Indian comics and their development. Shekhar’s journey of becoming Fouladi Singh still seems as exciting and effective as it was decades ago.
