Manoj Comics’ famous and powerful special issue ‘Nagbaaz Yugandhar’ is a burning chapter of the series. It has been written by Sandeep Gupta and Rahi, while Vijay Kadam and Neeta Borade have brought it to life with their brilliant artwork. These comics capture all the specialties of that era — a pious and powerful hero, dangerous and strange villains, a fast-paced story, and an evergreen message of the victory of good over evil.
‘Nagbaaz’ is not just a story, but a living example of the creative thinking and art of that time, which still keeps readers engaged with its exciting plots and powerful illustrations.
Story and Characters: The Clash of Dharma vs. Adharma
‘Nagbaaz’ takes us to a mythological and imaginary world — where there are kingdoms, kings, demons, and also heroes who protect humanity. The basic premise of the story is the fight between good and evil, which is woven well through different characters and events.
The hero of this story, ‘Yugandhar’, is the embodiment of an era, just like his name. He is not just a prince, but the protector of humanity and the destroyer of the wicked. His personality is full of idealism, bravery, and unwavering courage. Yugandhar has a special chariot, which his magical wooden horse ‘Amogh’ pulls. Amogh can not only fly, but also understands every gesture of his master. Yugandhar is of a calm, serious, and temperate nature, but when he descends into the battlefield, the shine of his sword and his power fill the hearts of enemies with fear.
The most interesting thing about this comic is its entire chain of villains, where not one but many villains are associated. The story begins with ‘Nagrakshas’ and the terror of his brothers. Nagrakshas wants to rule the whole earth, and to fulfill his intentions, his younger brother ‘Nagasur’ and his partner ‘Dangerous’ enter the field. These are half-human and half-serpent-like creatures, known for their cruelty and strength. ‘Dangerous’’s job is to spread terror in the peaceful country and capture people for sacrifice.
Meanwhile, another villain group also comes into the story, whose leader is ‘Bajdana’ — a monster with the appearance of an eagle. He has set out in search of Yugandhar on the orders of his Gurudev. His messenger ‘Earthquake’ is equally ruthless, who tries to track down Yugandhar by creating a massacre in Pampapur. The presence of these two villain factions makes the story even more intriguing and fun.
There are also some supporting characters in the story who play an important role in moving the events forward. The king of the peaceful country, ‘Shantiraj’, and his sister ‘Charulata’ bring a turning point in the story. Charulata has vowed that the one who ends ‘Dangerous’ will become her spouse. There is also a character named ‘Shell’, who warns Yugandhar about the growing threat of Bajdana.
Overall, ‘Nagbaaz’ is a comic that has the perfect blend of myth, action, emotion, and adventure — and that makes it one of the most memorable stories of Manoj Comics.
Detailed Analysis of the Story: Pace, Adventure, and Mystery
The story of ‘Nagbaaz’ seems no less than a roller-coaster ride — it does not stop for a moment from beginning to end. There is something new on every page, which keeps the reader engaged.
The story begins with peace and chaos in the country. The serpent-human ‘Dangerous’ has come to sacrifice a human for his brother Nagasur. He is wreaking havoc on innocent people. Then Yugandhar, the protector of humanity, reaches there riding on his infallible chariot. The way the author has shown Yugandhar’s entry is really powerful — like a true hero.
After this comes the fierce battle of Yugandhar vs. Dangerous. Yugandhar not only cuts off the tail of Dangerous with his sword but also turns the same cut tail into a weapon and destroys him. This scene shows both the intelligence and strength of Yugandhar. Finally, he cuts off both of Dangerous’s hands and leaves him to die.
After the defeat of Dangerous, the story progresses on two paths.
On one hand, because of Princess Charulata’s vow, King Shantiraj sends a marriage proposal to Yugandhar — which takes a slight emotional and political turn in the story.
On the other hand, the wounded and humiliated Dangerous reaches his brother Nagasur. Nagasur is filled with anger and vows revenge on Yugandhar.
After this, Bajdana — an eagle-looking villain — enters the story, who wants to capture Yugandhar alive on the orders of his mysterious Gurudev. His companion Bhuchal reaches Pampapur, asks for Yugandhar’s address, and when he does not get an answer, he starts killing innocent people.
When Yugandhar gets this news through his friend Shail, he reaches Pampapur without any delay and encounters Earthquake. But instead of fighting Earthquake, Yugandhar runs away. Yugandhar follows him into a mysterious cave — which is actually an illusory trap, controlled by a giant monster named ‘Khilashshan’. Yugandhar falls into this trap and is imprisoned.
The story ends on a blatant cliffhanger.
When the messenger of peace reaches Yugandhar’s father, King Nagaraj, with Charulata’s marriage proposal, the king calls his son. But the Yugandhar who comes to the court is not real, but an impostor — who has probably been sent by the villains. The real Yugandhar is still in captivity!
This end leaves many questions in the minds of readers —
How will the real Yugandhar survive?
Who is this fake Yugandhar?
And what is the real game of ‘Nagbaaz’?
Art and Portraiture: Action-Packed Panels
‘Nagbaaz’s’ life is its artwork, which has been brought to life very well by Vijay Kadam and Neeta Borade. The juxtaposition of bold lines, dramatic facial expressions, and the mythical ambience that identifies with the ’90s makes it a visual treat.
The action scenes are so powerful that it feels like the sound of swords (“Swachak!”) and the echo of the blows (“Drum!”) can be heard in the ears. The characters’ poses are so lively that every panel feels like a small scene.
Yugandhar’s design is like that of a perfect hero — strong physique, sharp eyes, and a confident face.
On the other hand, the evil of villains — like Dangerous, Nagasur, and Earthquake — has been made visible by giving them a scary and gruesome look.
Also special is the use of colors — bright shades like red, yellow, and blue have been used a lot, which used to be the hallmark of ’90s comics.
Overall, ‘Nagbaaz’ is not only an exciting story but also a great example of the amazing artwork and visual style of that period.
Writing Style and Dialogue: Easy, Clean, and Effective
The writing style of Sandeep Gupta and Rahi is the real strength of this comic. They did not let the pace of the story slow down anywhere. Their dialogues are in simple and cultured Hindi — they come straight to the point, don’t seem too heavy-handed, and still leave an impact.
These dialogues may not have deep philosophy, but they are completely successful in taking the story forward and clearly showing the intentions of the characters.
Like when Yugandhar says —
“I am an enemy of the enemies of humanity like you.”
This one line defines Yugandhar’s entire personality — his determination and his heroism.
The style of writing is simple and effective. Readers of all ages can easily understand and enjoy it. Nowhere does it seem that the language is cumbersome or artificial — that makes it even more worth reading.
Conclusion: A Classic That Still Feels Fresh Today
‘Yugandhar: Nagbaaz’ is a great example of the golden era of Indian comics — when the stories were simple but full of entertainment. It deals with always relevant topics like goodness, bravery, friendship, and justice as an exciting fantasy.
The fast-paced story, powerful action, different villains, and brilliant artwork make it as fun today as it would have been when it was first published.
This comic is not just a nostalgia trip for old readers but also an opportunity for the new generation to see how imaginative and down-to-earth Indian comics once were.
If you like action, fantasy, and heroic stories, ‘Nagbaaz’ is perfect for you.
This is a classic creation of Manoj Comics that every comic lover must read — because some stories are not just read, they are felt, and ‘Nagbaaz’ is one of them.
