The Raj Comics era in the 90s was no less than a golden time for Indian children and teenagers. At that time, ‘Nagraj’ had become not just a superhero but a symbol of courage and justice. In the same series, special issue number 545, ‘Lava’, came out as a story that not only thrilled readers but also brought tears to their eyes. Jolly Sinha’s emotional story and Anupam Sinha’s brilliant brush together created a tragedy that is still fresh in the minds of comic lovers. Let us open the layers of this great story.
Volcano fire and a father’s helplessness: how did ‘Kalaba’ become the destructive ‘Lava’?
The story begins near a burning volcano, away from the noise of the metropolis. Here we meet Kalaba. Kalaba is not a criminal or a superhuman; he is an ordinary human being whose world revolves around his little daughter. Poverty and helplessness lead him onto a path where there is a risk of death at every step.
For his daughter’s better future, he gets ready to be a part of a dangerous scientific experiment. But he did not know that this experiment would turn him into a demon that he himself would not recognize. When he stands beside the burning volcano, all he has in mind is his daughter’s safety. When an attempt is made to push his daughter into the same fire, Kalaba’s fatherly instincts awaken. He throws himself into the fire but does not die. ‘Lava’ is born from the combination of immense volcanic energy and chemicals—a creature in whose veins molten rock (magma) flows instead of blood.
Santie Heat Serum: The gift of science that became a curse for humanity.
The real villain of this story is not a monster, but Mr. Jones’ greed and the ‘Santie Heat Serum’ he created. Jones is a scientist for whom right and wrong mean nothing. He created a chemical that could give the human body the strength to tolerate extremely high temperatures. His aim was not just to earn money; he wanted to sell this power.
This shows the dark side of science, where innocent people are sacrificed in the name of progress. Forcing Kalaba to jump into the volcano by giving him this serum shows the extent of the misuse of science. It was this serum that saved Kalaba’s cells from burning but altered them forever. Kalaba’s existence as ‘Lava’ was now proof of that serum’s success, but also of his defeat as a human being.
Protector of the metropolis: When Nagraj taught a lesson to the robbers who came disguised as the ‘fire brigade’.
While on one hand Lava was being born, on the other hand Nagraj was struggling with a different kind of crime in the metropolis. Some cunning criminals, wearing ‘fire brigade’ uniforms, plan to rob the city’s largest bank. They get the entire bank evacuated by faking a gas leak and fire, and then attack the safe.
But they had forgotten that ‘Nagraj’ is always ready to protect the metropolis. Nagraj gets the news from his spy snakes that something is wrong inside the bank. Nagraj’s arrival there and his understanding of the criminals’ tricks thrill the readers. Here, Nagraj’s intelligence and espionage skills have been displayed brilliantly. He quickly recognizes that these are not real firemen, but robbers.
A large part of this comic showcases Nagraj’s fighting skills, where Anupam Sinha depicts him using different international fighting styles when the bank robbers attack him together. In this, Nagraj uses Greco-Roman wrestling moves to slam the enemies and employs his snakes in a Mexican cowboy style as a ‘lasso’ (snare) to catch fleeing criminals. Also, with his agility and snake-like flexibility, he easily protects himself from bullets using snake-style kung fu.
This part is not only action-packed, but also tells readers about Nagraj’s different fighting arts. Nagraj doesn’t just release snakes; he is also a great martial artist, and this comic proves it in a strong way.
Unbreakable relationship between father and daughter: The untold story of tears and yearning hidden behind the devastation of ‘Lava’.
The character of ‘Lava’ is one of the saddest (tragic) characters of Raj Comics. He has not come with the intention of ruining the city; he is searching for his daughter. He remembers the last time his daughter was seen near the same volcano. His memories have faded, but a father’s heart is still beating.
Lava’s suffering is compounded when he feels that Nagraj and the others are keeping his daughter away from him. Wherever he steps, the ground starts melting. His screams turn into flames. For readers, it feels like a confrontation—on one side is Nagraj, who wants to save the city, and on the other side is a helpless father who is going crazy for his daughter. This emotional connection makes this comic different from ordinary superhero stories.
Anupam Sinha’s magic: How did the volcanic fire come alive on the pages of ‘Lava’?
If we do not talk about the artwork in this review, it will remain incomplete, because the work done by Anupam Sinha with colors and lines in ‘Lava’ is unmatched. The depiction of fire is spectacular, where the pages are filled with red, orange, and yellow colors, which truly give a feeling of heat. The details of the flames and melting rocks emanating from Lava’s body are shown very closely. Despite Lava’s scary appearance, the sadness hidden in his eyes is clearly visible, and the ‘scale’ detailing of Nagraj’s body structure and his costume is as spectacular as ever. Its visual storytelling is also amazing, where the scenes of the volcanic eruption and bank robbery give a film-like feel.
Invisible Nagdeep and danger of death: Lava moving towards ‘destruction’ and a helpless Nagraj.
In the last part of the story, we get a glimpse of Nagdeep (the secret island of snakes). Princess Visarpi, Mahatma Kaaldoot, and Prince Vishank learn that a great danger is moving towards them. Vishank tries, with his mental strength, to find the girl (Lava’s daughter), who miraculously survived and is now safe with the people of Nagdeep.
Here in the metropolis, Lava has gone out of control. Nagraj makes every effort to stop him—ice balls, fire extinguishers, and water cannons—but all are neutralized in the face of Lava’s heat. Finally, Lava learns that his daughter may be in Nagdeep. He starts moving towards the sea. Nagraj knows that if Lava reaches Nagdeep, he will turn that invisible and sacred island into ashes. The story ends at a dangerous turn (cliffhanger), where Nagraj is trapped between fire and water, and Lava is heading towards destruction.
Conclusion: Is ‘Lava’ the most emotional story of Raj Comics?
‘Lava’ is not just a comic; it is a great combination of human emotions and superhero action. It teaches us that the destruction caused by a human being is not always evil from the beginning; sometimes circumstances turn him into a ‘monster’.
Jolly Sinha’s writing and Anupam Sinha’s artwork make this comic a ‘Collector’s Edition’. Nagraj’s respect for a father, as well as his devotion to his duty, make him a true hero. This comic completely prepares readers for the next part, ‘Vinashleela’, where the final outcome of this confrontation will be revealed.
