The story of “Kali Maut” starts from where ‘Ailan-e-Jung’ ended. Nagraj has come to know that the person he thought was Bharti was actually Saudangi. The real Bharti is still in the possession of the terrorists’ master, the ‘Supreme Head’. The GPS signal of the special watch tied to Bharti’s wrist takes Nagraj towards the dangerous forests of Africa. This comic takes the reader on a big adventure (Global Adventure), where the threat changes its color at every step of the way.
Death trap under the sea: When the dreaded ‘Croco’ stopped Nagraj’s breathing!
Even before reaching Africa, Nagraj and Dr. Polka are attacked in the middle of the sea. Here enters ‘Croco’, a villain who is half crocodile and half human, and who has been scientifically prepared for underwater fighting.
Anupam Sinha’s portrayal has made the underwater battle so alive that the reader starts to feel as if he is truly underwater. When Croco tries to draw air from Nagraj’s lungs, the scene clearly shows the hero’s helplessness and his fight for survival. Here the use of Nagraj’s ‘Shwet Nag’ powers brings a new twist to the story.
The mystery of ‘Black Death’: The warrior whose skin is made of ‘diamond’!
The character on whom the title of this comic is based is ‘Black Death’. He is a criminal whose body was stuck with thousands of small diamonds during an explosion, which later became part of his skin. Due to his diamond-like skin, Nagraj’s teeth are unable to bite him, nor does his poison affect him. The scene where Nagraj falls into the ‘Valley of Diamonds’ and the sharp diamonds start piercing his body is one of the scariest and most painful scenes in Raj Comics history, as this part shows that even a superhero has to endure physical and mental pain.
Metropolitan Front: Bloody clash between Saudangi and ‘Ballu Blaster’!
While on one hand Nagraj is in Africa, on the other hand the responsibility of saving Bharti Communications in Mahanagar lies with ‘Nagu’ (fake Nagraj) and Saudangi.
Here a new villain named ‘Ballu Blaster’ creates havoc. Due to the explosions during the Kargil War, Ballu Blaster’s body has gained such power that he can throw any part of his body like a bomb. Saudangi fighting him as ‘Kitty Kelly’, and then Nagu disguised as Nagraj, adds to the ‘double-action’ fun in the story. This sub-plot saves the story from boredom and keeps it moving.
Thodanga’s return: The devil who never dies returns from the grave!
The biggest surprise of this comic is the return of ‘Thodanga’. Thodanga, who was killed by Nagraj earlier in ‘Thodanga’s Death’, is brought back to life by the Supreme Head with the help of Doctor Devil.
But this time Thodanga is more powerful than before and is full of ‘phantom powers’. Not only is he himself a dangerous monster, but he also controls an entire army of ghosts. Bringing back an old and famous villain has been a successful strategy of Raj Comics, which has thrilled even the old readers once again.
Vacuum bomb blast: When science broke the diamond armor!
It had become almost impossible for Nagraj to defeat Kali Maut (Diamond Man). Here Dr. Polka’s science proves useful to Nagraj. Using a ‘vacuum bomb’, air is drawn out from the place, due to which the diamonds sunk in the body of Kali Maut are thrown out. This scene is quite ‘scientific’ and exciting. This shows that Nagraj is not only dependent on his own strength, but he also respects modern technology and knows its proper use.
That secret formula of Mahabharata: which ended Thodanga!
The climax of the comic is directly inspired by the ‘Mahabharata’. Thodanga was a demon who, if cut into two pieces, would reunite again.
Nagraj remembers Lord Krishna and Bhima, who threw the two pieces of Jarasandha’s body in opposite directions to kill him. Nagraj uses his snake rope to tie the two parts of Thodanga’s body to two different trees and pulls them so far apart that they cannot connect. This ‘mythological reference’ (Mythological Reference) became very popular among Indian readers and gives a classic touch to the story.
Anupam Sinha’s Art: When Pictures Talk More Than Words!
It is impossible to ignore Anupam Sinha’s artwork while reading “Kali Maut”. When Nagraj comes in his ‘Virat form’ and unleashes his wishful snake powers, that panel becomes worth seeing. The structure of Africa’s caves, the horror of the weapons warehouse, and the villains are very closely drawn, and Sunil Pandey’s colors create a dark and mysterious atmosphere (Dark Theme) in the comic, which matches the title of ‘Kali Maut’ perfectly.
Supreme Head: The behind-the-scenes mastermind who made everyone dance!
The face of the ‘Supreme Head’ or ‘Master’ is not shown completely in the entire comic, which keeps the mystery going. His plan is not just to imprison Bharti, but to spread the message of terrorism across the world through Bharti Communications. His ‘projector’ illusion, where he traps Nagraj in a room that does not actually exist, shows his cunningness. He comes across as a psychological enemy to Nagraj who tries to outwit him at every turn.
Suspense and Emotion: Will Bharti ever come back?
The story ends once again with great suspense. Nagraj defeats Thodanga and Kali Maut, but he again fails to reach Bharti.
The final scene shows Bharti flying in a giant hot air balloon (Hot Air Balloon), which is going out of Nagraj’s reach. That helpless face of Nagraj and his resolve to save Bharti makes the readers even more eager for the sequel ‘Vijeta Nagraj’.
Conclusion
“Kali Maut” is a representative comic of the finest era of Raj Comics. It takes us on a journey where there is a fight not only between strength but also between mind and luck.
Among the strengths of this story is the trio of Croco, Kali Maut, and Thodanga, tremendous villains who gave a tough challenge to Nagraj. Also, the thrill of the forests and the sea of Africa is very spectacular, and the context of Jarasandha and the sensible idea of the vacuum bomb are also amazing. Talking about its shortcomings, the lack of a proper ending to the story may irritate some readers, because it is part of a longer series, and the Mahanagar sub-plot slows down the pace of the main story a bit.
