In the big world of Raj Comics, the characters of ‘Bhediya’ and ‘Kobi’ have always been interesting for readers. The ‘Amar Prem’ series, the second part of which is ‘Kobi Prem’, created under the supervision of Sanjay Gupta, is one of the few stories in Indian comics history that not only rests on battle and strength, but also tries to understand the complex aspects of love. While the first part ‘Prem Ritu’ was about the influence of nature and the law of the jungle, ‘Kobi Prem’ is the story of the circumstances after that decision and the human emotions awakening in the heart of an ‘animal’. Writer Tarun Kumar Wahi has shown through this comic that love is not just about gaining control over someone, but it also includes sacrifice and finding one’s own happiness in the happiness of others. This review will touch every part of this fantastic piece that makes it a special experience, elevating it above a simple comic.
The rules of the jungle and the unfulfilled stubbornness of a lover
The story begins where the previous part ended. The Panchayat of the Jungle delivers a shocking verdict that Jane must live with Kobi, as Kobi and Bhediya are two parts of the same existence. Bhediya, a symbol of humanity and civilization, is shattered by this decision, while Kobi, who is a form of wild nature and strength, is happy with his victory. For Kobi, love only means ‘right’. He considers Jane his possession and takes her to his den. Here, a different form of Kobi appears. He is dangerous, short-tempered, but also desperate to please Jane. He gets his ‘wolf army’ to clean the den, bring flowers for Jane, and even steal decorations for her from human settlements. This ‘innocence’ of Kobi creates fear as well as pity, because he seems to be a child who has found a toy but does not know how to win the heart of that toy.
The world of Kobi and Jane’s silent pain
The conversation between Kobi and Jane is the strongest aspect of this comic. Jane, who loves Bhediya, feels suffocated in Kobi’s lair. For her, the den is just a pile of stones where there is the smell of rotten flesh and heaps of bones. Kobi tries his best to give Jane everything that Bhediya used to give, but he cannot understand that real happiness and peace come not from things, but from an environment where the heart finds comfort. When Kobi brings flowers to Jane, the moment becomes very emotional. A dangerous creature holding soft flowers in its hands shows that the ‘season of love’ has started bringing a change in him. But Jane’s silence and the tears in her eyes make Kobi angry. He doesn’t understand why Jane isn’t happy even after giving everything. Here, the author has shown the difference between ‘possession’ (rights) and ‘affection’ in a very simple way.
When elephant attacks and conspiracies test Kobi
The story not only has emotions but also a lot of action, which is the identity of Raj Comics. Emperor Bhukrik, an old enemy of Bhediya and Kobi, continues his schemes. He provokes the animals of the forest, especially the herd of elephants, to attack Kobi. This attack by elephants is not an ordinary one, but a well-planned assault. The artwork by Adil Khan and Nagendra makes this battle come alive. When the giant elephants try to crush Kobi, his strength and courage are worth seeing. He not only protects himself but also protects his ‘wife’, Jane. After this, the attack of hyenas along with the presence of Kobi’s ‘wolf army’ makes the story more exciting. Kobi proves that he is unmatched in strength, but he also begins to understand that Jane is not meant to live amidst this kind of violence.
Love or authority? A deep mental conflict
As the story progresses, the character of Kobi begins to change from within. Jane explains to him that she is a human being and that her needs are different from Kobi’s. Kobi’s insistence that Jane stay with him slowly begins to turn into a sense of responsibility. Kobi brings cooked food (fish and fruit) for Jane and tries to build a hut for her to live in. Here, Kobi’s ‘animal form’ gradually starts becoming more like a ‘human form’. He does all this not because he needs it, but because he wants to see in Jane’s eyes the same respect and love for himself that she feels for Bhediya. This is a very emotional situation, where a being is trying to change its true nature so that it can become worthy of its beloved. But can an animal become a complete human being? Or can a human ever be happy with an animal? These questions continue to run through the reader’s mind throughout the comic.
Jane’s deteriorating condition and Fujo Baba’s deep message
The saddest twist of the story comes when Jane falls ill. This disease is less related to the body and more to the mind. The harsh environment of the forest, Kobi’s uncontrollable behavior, and the grief of being away from Bhediya lead Jane closer to death. Kobi gets scared; he forcefully captures and brings the forest’s exorcist and the Vaidya, but no one can cure Jane. Finally, Bhubiya’s guru, Fujo Baba, arrives there. The conversation between Fujo Baba and Kobi is the most important part of this story. Baba shows the truth to Kobi and explains that he is not loving Jane, but imprisoning her. He gives the example of a ‘flower and branch’—a flower smells fragrant only as long as it remains on its branch; once plucked, it only withers. It is difficult for Kobi to believe that his ‘victory’ is becoming Jane’s ‘defeat’. Here, Kobi’s ego and his love clash with each other.
A brilliant combination of painting and colors
From a technical point of view, ‘Kobi Prem’ is one of those special comics of Raj Comics where colors and shading have been used to depict the atmosphere of the story. The tears in Jane’s eyes, the violence on Kobi’s face, and the remorse reflected in his eyes are all shown very closely. The way the darkness and moonlight of the night are portrayed in the jungle scenes carries both the romantic and horror aspects of the story. Especially, the scene where Kobi lies with his head in Jane’s lap is very special. It shows how calm and vulnerable even a dangerous predator can be when in love. The artists have also clearly shown the difference between the bodies of Bhediya and Kobi, which gives a sense of their different natures.
The difficult journey of immortal love and the great sacrifice of Kobi
The comics ends with a very heavy feeling. Kobi finally understands that if Jane is to live, she must leave. He leaves Jane back at Bhediya’s fortress with a heavy heart. This is the biggest change in Kobi’s character. The Kobi who initially only knew how to snatch ultimately learns to give and sacrifice. He sends Jane back, but she still has many questions and pains left in her heart. Bhediya, who is happy to have Jane back, is also shocked by this act of Kobi. This story does not end here, but lays a strong foundation for the upcoming part ‘Guru Bhokal’. This series teaches us that it is easy to love, but the hardest thing is to fulfill it and set it free for the happiness of your beloved.
Review conclusion: A must-read comic
It would not be wrong to say that ‘Kobi Prem’ is not just a comic, but a thought-provoking journey. It introduces us to that Kobi within us who sometimes considers his own desires as love and imposes them on others. Tarun Kumar Wahi’s writing, Sanjay Gupta’s vision, and the hard work of the artists have made it a memorable classic. If you are a fan of Bhediya and Kobi, then this comic must be in your collection. This part is more emotional and profound than ‘Prem Ritu’. It leaves us at a juncture where we start waiting for the next part, ‘Guru Bhokal’. This journey of ‘Amar Prem’ is truly a precious heritage of Indian comics, which will continue to influence people in the times to come. Raj Comics has shown through this story that they not only bring out superhero stories but also the bitter truths of life. Kobi’s love may have been wild, but his sacrifice makes him great.
