90’s Truly, between Raj Comics and Diamond Comics, Manoj Comics had created a distinct and special identity for itself. Indra is one of the most popular and powerful heroes of this publication. Indra is a great man whose body is made of shining metal like silver and whose powers rest on solar energy and advanced technology. Today, we will review in detail a very interesting story of Indra, ‘Cactus’. The comic is not limited to just action and adventure, but also features espionage, science, and social issues, especially the drug problem, as part of the story.
Summary of the Story
The story begins with a mysterious atmosphere. A car stops at a petrol pump, where the Home Minister of India comes to meet Indra in a very secret manner. The matter is so sensitive that the Home Minister does not bring his bodyguards or even his driver along. Indra takes him to Professor Vishal’s secret marine laboratory, i.e., the lab built on an island, through his state-of-the-art speedocar.
But as soon as we reach the laboratory, the story takes a tremendous turn. During the conversation, as Indra and Professor Vishal begin to doubt the Home Minister’s words, the man reveals his true form. He is not a minister, but a creepy, thorny demon named Cactus. Cactus, with the help of his dangerous nerve gas and webbed rays, makes both Indra and Professor Vishal unconscious. It is here that, for the first time, readers encounter a villain who is not only powerful but also very scary in appearance. His body is filled with sharp thorns, just like a cactus plant.
Professor Vishal’s loyal robot Heera, who is seen dressed like Iron Man, tries to save Indra and Vishal. But even he is unable to stand against the powerful rays of Cactus and gets short-circuited. After this, Cactus takes over the entire laboratory and reports to his master, Mahakal. This is where the story indicates that this case is not just about a single villain, but is part of a larger international criminal network.
The second part of the story introduces us to Rajnagar Police Headquarters and Shalini, a courageous journalist. A very dangerous drug called ‘Dragon Drug’ is spreading rapidly in the city, which is being hidden and sold in packets of ‘Star Chewing Gum’. Shalini, with her wisdom and courage, exposes this drug racket and presents the truth to the Police Commissioner with solid evidence.
Meanwhile, another shocking twist comes in the story. Indra, whom people had considered their protector till now, suddenly attacks a big jewellery market in Rajnagar. He robs a huge amount of gold and silver and destroys police jeeps with his laser rays. Both the common people and the police are shocked. Everyone has only one question in their mind: has their hero now become a villain?
But as the story moves towards its climax, the truth comes out. All this is a well-planned strategy by Indra and Professor Vishal, so that they can reach the secret hideout of Mahakal. Indra deliberately convinces Cactus and Mahakal that he is now under their control. Indra shows his true strength in the final confrontation. He jams the attacking tanks and helicopters in mid-air with his freeze rays, rendering all the enemy’s plans useless.
Cactus is finally captured, but the story takes a bitter turn here as well. Mahakal activates the explosive planted in Cactus’s body through a remote from his secret base, due to which Cactus is blown to pieces. The story ends on a suspenseful note, where Mahakal issues his next challenge to Indra, namely — ‘Indra’s Grave’.
Character Illustration
Indra:
In this comic, Indra’s character comes out with great depth. He not only fights with strength, but also plays mind games along with Professor Vishal. His freeze rays and glowing metal-like physique make him stand out from the rest of the heroes. In this issue, his act of becoming a criminal adds a new and interesting aspect to his character.
Cactus:
Cactus is as scary as he looks. His green, spiny body looks just like desert plants. He is a loyal soldier of Mahakaal, but in the end, his fate shows that loyalty has no value in the world of crime.
Professor Vishal:
Professor Vishal is the real strength behind Indra’s mind and science. His lab and technical gadgets, especially the speedocar, give the story a strong sci-fi touch.
Shalini:
Shalini’s character represents a strong and self-reliant woman. She is not just a side character, but her role in solving the entire dragon drug case seems no less than that of a hero.
Mahakaal:
Even though Mahakaal does not appear directly in this issue, the impact of his voice and presence establishes him as a dangerous mastermind villain.
Drawing and Art
The comic is illustrated by Chavan Studios, which gives a distinct feel of 90’s art. The use of panels during action scenes is quite dynamic. When Indra enters the jewellery market while flying, or when Cactus shows his true form, those scenes leave a deep impact on the reader. Indra’s silver-like bright colour and Cactus’ bright green colour look very attractive despite being completely opposite to each other. The abundance of buttons, machines, and computer screens inside the laboratory feels quite futuristic for that time. The face of Cactus and his muscular structure have been beautifully carved, while the depiction of rays emanating from Indra’s eyes is also quite impressive.
Writing and Dialogue
Writer Sandeep Mahendra has taken the story forward with great suspense. The dialogues are short but effective. Maintaining the mystery of whether Indra has really turned bad or is just putting on an act can be considered the greatest success of the writer. The anti-drug sub-plot sends a strong message to children and young people. The name ‘dragon drug’ and its sale as chewing gum seem equally dangerous and relevant even in today’s time.
Critical Analysis
The fast-paced story does not lose momentum anywhere, and the frequent twists keep the reader engaged. Technological fantasies like speedocars and freeze rays further ignite children’s imagination. Twists such as the minister turning out to be Cactus and Indra becoming a fake criminal make the story more exciting.
On the other hand, a powerful villain like Cactus seems to have a slightly easy ending because he is killed directly through a remote. The reader expects a longer and fiercer confrontation between Indra and Cactus. Professor Vishal’s robot Heera also becomes ineffective very quickly, even though there was scope to see more action from him. Also, it feels a bit awkward to have such a large tunnel and a speedocar under a petrol pump, although in superhero comics this can be considered creative freedom.
Conclusion:
‘Cactus’ is a strong offering from Manoj Comics, reminiscent of a time when stories featured not just action, but also mind games and espionage. Indra is a hero who fights with strength as well as wisdom and planning.
This comic teaches that no matter how many forms evil takes, truth ultimately wins. Awareness against social evils such as drug addiction elevates it far above a simple superhero story. If you are fond of old-fashioned comics, then this issue must be in your collection. Its next part, ‘Indra’s Grave’, keeps the reader engaged till the end, which is the hallmark of a successful comic.
Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐
