In the vast universe of Raj Comics, while on one hand there were serious superheroes like Nagraj and Dhruv, on the other hand there was a character like Gamraj, who won the hearts of the readers with his innocence, humor, and unique circumstances. “Aag Hi Aag,” published in 1997, is a comic that is not only full of adventure but is also infused with a burst of humor that is still able to tickle readers today. The story revolves around a criminal who loves fire and becomes a burning challenge to society. The story of this comic has been written by Tarun Kumar Wahi and is decorated with vibrant artwork by Pradeep Sathe, making it a memorable episode of the Gamraj series.
A unique ‘prison break’ tearing through the impenetrable walls of the prison
The story begins with a scene in a high-security prison, where security is so tight that even a bird cannot get through. But as it is said, the mind of a criminal goes two steps ahead of the thinking of the law. Here we meet a prisoner named ‘Pyro’ (Pyro), who has been sentenced for arson. Pyro’s character is very interesting; he is not an ordinary criminal but a ‘Pyromaniac,’ aka a fire fanatic.
He employs a method to escape from prison that even the jailer had not imagined. He sews the raincoats stolen from the storeroom to form a large hot air balloon and blows it into the air with the help of gas cylinders from the prison kitchen. This opening scene itself tells the reader that this comic is going to be a great match of imagination and adventure.
Gamraj and Shankalu pair: The new guards of the fire brigade
On the other hand, Gamraj, the protagonist of the story, and his loyal companion Shankalu are busy with their new job. They are driving a fire brigade vehicle, and as always, their innocence and small mistakes add humor to the story. While Pyro is escaping from jail flying in his balloon, he encounters Gamraj’s fire brigade vehicle on the way.
A small mistake by Shankalu, where he pulls the lever of the sky-lift instead of the gear, makes this confrontation even more fun. This is where the game of ‘cat and mouse’ between Gamraj and Pyro begins. Gamraj, due to his simplicity and conscientiousness, is determined to capture the fugitive, while Pyro has a force of fire that is not easy to face.
Candle light dinner and Pyro’s ‘fire madness’
After escaping from jail, Pyro arrives at ‘Candle Light Dinner,’ a luxurious hotel in the city. Here the author has shown Pyro’s madness very beautifully. Where people have candlelight dinners for romance and peace, Pyro arrives just because he loves to see lit candles. He gets lost in the flames of the candles and begins to consider those who extinguish them as his enemies.
When Gamraj and Shankalu reach there, a new phase of humor begins. Gamraj, himself a fireman, tries to blow out the candles there, which angers Pyro. This scene shows how even a small candle can cause a major collision. Here Pyro’s thinking of ‘Fire is Great, Fire is Beautiful’ makes him a dangerous but interesting villain.
Hospital commotion and unexpected cameo of ‘Akshay Kumar’
The story takes a major turn when Pyro tricks Gamraj and escapes. During this time, Shankalu gets injured, and Gamraj takes him to a nursing home. This part is one of the funniest parts of the comic. The hospital’s chaos, lack of stretchers, and the doctor’s peculiar behavior make readers laugh.
Meanwhile, a cameo of Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar is also seen in the comic. Akshay Kumar gets injured during his shooting and is also brought to the same hospital. Gamraj’s conversation with Akshay Kumar and the chaos there are reminiscent of the films of the nineties. This meta-humor has been a special identity of Raj Comics, which keeps readers connected to the story.
Pyro’s painful story: Why is he so fond of fire?
As the story progresses, the reader learns of Pyro’s past. Raj Comics often gives its villains a human background, and Pyro is no different. Pyro tells his flashback story while being surrounded in a warehouse. The atrocities of his stepfather in his childhood, the death of his mother, and the betrayal of his girlfriend ‘Billo’—all these had set a fire in his mind, which he now wanted to spread all over the world.
For Pyro, fire was not merely a symbol of destruction, but it was an expression of the pain within him. He felt that just as society burned his happiness, in the same way he should also burn the system of society. This emotional connection gives depth to the villain’s character.
The warehouse of death and Gamraj’s wisdom
The climax of the story takes place in a gas warehouse, where Pyro has trapped Gamraj and Shankalu. Pyro has spread petrol throughout the warehouse and has placed crackers all around. As soon as the crackers are lit, the entire warehouse will be blown away with a big bang. This situation becomes a litmus test for Gamraj. Here, Gamraj shows his wisdom. He drains out the petrol and diesel from the warehouse using drainage pipes. The residents of the colony standing outside start feeling happy, considering the flowing fuel as soup or food, which once again adds a color of humor to the story. This trick of Gamraj shows that even though he is simple, his mind works very fast in times of trouble.
Yamraj’s intervention and the miracle of water arrow
When the crisis is at its peak and the flames start going out of control, Gamraj’s father ‘Yamraj’ comes forward from heaven to help his son. The specialty of this series of Raj Comics has been that Yamraj always keeps an eye on Gamraj’s actions. Yamraj uses his ‘water arrow,’ which causes heavy rain and extinguishes the warehouse fire. Meanwhile, Yamunda (Yamraj’s buffalo) also shows his power. This supernatural intervention gives the story a supernatural touch, making Gamraj’s comics different from other heroes. In the end, all of Pyro’s plans fail, and he is put behind bars once again.
Pradeep Sathe’s artistic magic and flow of the script
A major credit for the success of this comic goes to the artwork of Pradeep Sathe. He has shown Pyro’s ‘madness of fire’ in a very lively manner. The flames, the funny facial expressions of the characters, and the detailing in the hospital scenes are commendable. Tarun Kumar Wahi’s script does not slow down anywhere. Maintaining a balance of humor and emotions is not an easy task, but he has played it very well. While Pyro’s dialogues show his whims, Gamraj and Shankalu’s banter keep the flow of the story light and fun. This comic shows how even a serious crime story can be treated in an entertaining way.
Conclusion: Why is ‘Aag Hi Aag’ still a cult classic?
At the end of the review, it would not be wrong to say that “Aag Hi Aag” is one of the most balanced and fun comics of the Gamraj series. It teaches us that no matter how dangerous evil is, goodness and a little wisdom can defeat it. This comic is a gift for those who want to relive the nostalgia of the nineties. Gamraj’s innocence and Pyro’s dangerous passion make this story a complete experience.
This heritage of Raj Comics is as relevant in the digital age today as it was twenty-five years ago. If you haven’t read this wonderful journey of Gamraj yet, you are deprived of a very fun part of the comics world.
