Gamaraj, whose name itself carries a sense of sorrow, was first introduced to the audience through King Comics. In the initial storyline, Gamaraj is portrayed as an orphan, haunted by grief, who has attempted suicide multiple times. In a twist of fate, he encounters Shankalu, a perpetual skeptic, who mistakenly gives him a medicine meant to kill bedbugs instead of herbal medicine. This causes Gamaraj to faint, leading Shankalu to believe he is dead. Seizing the opportunity, Shankalu flees the scene. However, unwittingly, he becomes instrumental in helping Gamaraj, and the story unfolds with unexpected turns.
The narrative takes a supernatural turn when Yamaraj, the Lord of Death, adopts Gamaraj as his foster son. Gamaraj is then bestowed with the responsibility of Yamaraj’s divine chariot, and he is sent back to the earthly realm with the title of Yamananda. With the assistance of Shankalu and Yamananda, Gamaraj embarks on adventures to capture wrongdoers.
The Gamaraj series, which began in King Comics with Mahesh Dutt Sharma as the writer and Akruti Phirke as the illustrator, comprised around 12-13 comics. Titles included Gamaraj, Gamaraj and Mr. Natwarlal, Gamaraj and Chin Chu, Gamaraj and Hitler, Gamaraj the Great, A Day with Gamaraj, Kickboxer, Gamaraj and Ustad Gulabgula, Yamunda, Theft in the Zoo, Gamaraj is Gamaraj, We Are All Ghosts, Gamaraj’s Chaos, and Mr. Crow.
Later, Gamaraj found a new home in Raj Comics, where Tarun Kumar Vahi took over as the writer. Initially, Akruti Phirke continued the artwork, but it was later handled by Pradeep Sathe, followed by Dilip Chobe and Prem.
Gamaraj, with its blend of comedy and rapid success, became a hit in Raj Comics. This popularity led to crossover comics featuring Gamaraj alongside other superheroes, such as Doga in titles like “Doga Struck” and “Mumbai in Distress with Power – Death Strikes Again.”
Gamaraj’s family includes his father, Yamaraj, the deity of death, and his friend Shankalu, a perpetual skeptic. Despite Shankalu’s short stature, he manages to marry a robust woman and has twelve children. Shankalu, being poor, values his friendship with Gamaraj above all else.
