Hello friends! Today we are going to review a special edition of Raj Comics, the name of which is enough to make anyone break into a sweat – ‘Vinash(Destruction)’! Yes, the same comics that stole the nights’ sleep and days’ peace of innocent children like us in the 90s. On the cover of this comics, so many superheroes and villains are fighting together that at first glance, it looks like a poster of a multi-starrer Bollywood masala film. The story and illustration by Anupam Sinha have breathed such life into this comics that it still feels as fresh as ever. So let’s dive straight into the apocalyptic world of ‘Destruction’ and see if this comic book is still as entertaining as it was before.
Story Synopsis: When a ‘Messiah’ Created a Destruction Uproar!
The story begins with a small spark that often becomes the cause of a big fire. Here, this spark is a bearded uncle who is going towards the ‘Old City’ with explosives in his old car. On the way, he meets two rowdy-type goons who are demanding ‘road tax’. Now the uncle looks decent, but roaming around with explosives in the car, he can’t be decent at all! Before those goons could ‘slaughter’ the uncle, our hero Nagraj makes an entry, and that too in his trademark style – with snakes! Nagraj teaches those goons a lesson but doesn’t bother to peek into the back seat of the uncle’s car. And from here begins the countdown of ‘Destruction’!
This bearded uncle, who later gets the name ‘Messiah’, is actually a scholar of an ancient text ‘Srishti Puran’. According to this Puran, on October 25, 1997, the destruction of sinners on Earth is certain. And to escape this destruction and create a new creation, a ‘life-danda’ is needed, which is hidden in the same ‘Old City’. The uncle believes that he is God’s messenger and has been entrusted with the responsibility of saving humanity. By blowing up the ruins of the old city with explosives, he obtains the ‘life-danda’ and a ‘black box’. This black box is miraculous; it emits such musical waves that can mesmerize anyone.
Now, the uncle becomes a ‘messiah’ and starts his ‘mission’ from Rajnagar, because in the metropolis, there is the fear of Nagraj! In Rajnagar, he first meets Super Commando Dhruv. Here is a funny scene where Dhruv is solving riddles with his sister Shweta. After reading their banter on the owl riddle, you too will remember your brother and sister! Anyway, Messiah hypnotizes the entire city with the music of his black box and tries to rob a bank. Dhruv tries to stop him, but he is no match for the music.
On the other hand, Nagraj and his friends are also troubled in the metropolis. They come to know that a ‘powerful’ enemy has emerged who can hypnotize anyone. Then enters the ancient powers of Egypt – Tutankhamun and his gang. It turns out that this ‘Messiah’ is actually their old enemy, and the ‘Life-Danda’ is also their legacy. Now the battle becomes triangular – on one side the duo of Nagraj and Dhruv, on the other side ‘Messiah’ and his blind followers, and on the third side the mummy-warriors of Egypt!
The story takes many turns. Nagraj encounters his own lookalike, who is actually a ‘poison-man’. Dhruv fights giant lizards. Visarpi, who is Nagraj’s lover, also demonstrates her powers. Moreover, the ears of America and other countries perk up when they learn that a comet is about to collide with Earth. This is the same comet that was written about in the ‘Srishti Puran’.
In the climax, all superheroes and villains gather at one place. ‘Messiah’ tries to stop the comet with his ‘Life-Danda’, but fails. In the end, Nagraj, Dhruv, and the Egyptian warriors together destroy the comet and save the Earth. ‘Messiah’ is exposed and it turns out that he was just a confused person intoxicated by power.
Climactic Showdown: Heroes, Villains, and a Comet on Collision Course
Nagraj: As always, Nagraj here is a symbol of peace and justice. He is powerful, yet compassionate. When he confronts his nemesis ‘Vish-Purush’, he too gets momentarily disoriented. His communication with snakes and commanding them always looks entertaining. His leadership qualities also emerge prominently in this comic.
Super Commando Dhruv: Dhruv here is synonymous with intellect and strategy. He doesn’t have superpowers, but his sharp mind and scientific gadgets are no less than any superpower. The way he places his headphone speakers on his collar after removing them from his ears to counter Messiah’s hypnotic music showcases his smartness. His playful banter with Shweta adds a humorous touch to the story.
Messiah: He is the most interesting character in this story. He is a villain who considers himself a hero. He believes he is saving the world, while actually putting it in greater danger. It’s fascinating to see how his mind goes haywire as soon as he gets power. In a single moment, while almost becoming ‘God’s messenger’, he turns to theft and robbery. This character shows how good intentions can also lead to wrong paths.
Tutankhamun and Egyptian Warriors: These characters add a mysterious and ancient flavor to the story. Their language, clothes, and powers are all unique. They fight for their purpose and prove to be a major challenge for Nagraj.
Art and Dialogues: When Pictures Start Speaking!
Anupam Sinha’s artwork is spectacular as always. Action scenes are highly dynamic. Every character’s expressions, anger, surprise, and happiness are depicted very clearly. The swaying of Nagraj’s snakes, Dhruv’s aerial somersaults, and the cruel expressions on Messiah’s face, everything is superb.
Dialogues are the soul of this comic. While Nagraj and Dhruv’s dialogues are serious and powerful, the local goons’ ‘apun-tapun’ language and the humorous conversation between Dhruv-Shweta prevent the story from becoming tedious. The ‘wise’ dialogues from Messiah’s mouth also sound funny, especially when he himself doesn’t act on them!
Humor’s Tadka: Entertainment in Vinash (Destruction)!
These comics are not just about beating and destruction, but also have a good use of humor. Some funny moments:
Tax Collector Goons: Right at the beginning of the story, when goons demand ‘road tax’ and say, “Bring out the moneyyyyy!”, it makes you laugh. And when Nagraj catches them and says to surrender at the police station, their reply, “I know, boss! You don’t have time to take me to the police station,” makes the situation even funnier.
Dhruv and Shweta’s Riddle: Dhruv teasing Shweta about the owl riddle and then Shweta’s comeback, “This bird is quite similar to you,” is a classic brother-sister moment.
Messiah’s Confusion: When Messiah says, “I’ll bring funds for God’s work from anywhere. Even if I have to steal,” it makes you laugh at his thinking. Meaning, stealing for God’s work! Wow, Messiah ji, wow!
Final Thoughts: Is ‘Vinash’ worth reading?
Absolutely! ‘Nagraj – Vinash’ is not just a comic, but a complete package. It has action, adventure, science fiction, mythology, and humor. This story teaches us how misusing power can be dangerous and how superstition can misguide people. It also teaches us the importance of friendship and teamwork.
If you are a 90s fan, these comics will take you to the ocean of nostalgia. And if you are a new reader, these comics will tell you how vast and fun the world of Indian comics is. The story is a bit long and there are many characters, but it won’t let you get bored.
So next time you meet a ‘Messiah’ claiming to save the world, first check the back seat of his car! Who knows, he might have explosives there too!
