“Pralayankari Ajgar” is a thrill-filled offering from Manoj Comics, which not only entertains but also brings out the different qualities of the writing and artwork of that period. This story creates a unique match between the mysteries of space and the brave warriors of the Earth, which makes it special.
The beginning of the plot: The turmoil of space
The story begins with the planet ‘Tapoci’, nestled thousands of light years away from Earth. The Emperor Osika there is a just and balanced ruler, but unfortunately his own commander ‘Sankrato’ turns to betrayal. The greed for power blinds Sankrato to such an extent that he tries to assassinate his own emperor. Here, the author has beautifully woven human nature, like greed for power, into the background of space.
When Emperor Osika is attacked, he somehow manages to sound the threat siren. This siren alerts Princess Teppersi, and she immediately arrives there. She sees the traitor Sankrato running away with her own eyes. At this very moment, an important element enters the story, which can be called a MacGuffin—“superpower”. It is a colorful diamond, within which immense powers are hidden. Princess Teppersi throws this diamond towards Sankrato to eliminate him, but Sankrato escapes. That diamond crosses the infinite depths of space and moves straight towards the Earth.
Multi-planetary crisis and Earth’s landscape
This part of the story especially attracts attention because it shows characters from multiple planets simultaneously. Kunchud of planet Kuka, Babola of Shandola, Genter of Jeeter, and Kagand of Kansha all follow that superpower towards Earth. This entire scene creates a big and grand picture in front of the readers, where it is clearly felt that now the Earth is going to become a huge battlefield.
When that diamond falls on the Earth, there is a tremendous explosion, which shakes the entire planet. With this earthquake, our hero ‘Ajgar’ enters. The dragon, who is a resident of the dragon world and is also a friend of Mahabali Shera, sets out to find the real cause of this earthquake.
Portrait of hero and co-hero
Ajgar is shown as a powerful and extremely agile hero. His physical appearance and fighting style make him different from other heroes. Having Mahabali Shera with him adds a kind of crossover fun to the story. Manoj Comics showing two heroes together has already been very much liked among the readers.
The real turning point in the story comes when Sankrato reaches Earth and acquires that superpower. With the help of rays emanating from the diamond, he not only enslaves agents of other planets but also takes over the headquarters of Delhi’s underworld don ‘Anthony Bullwork’. Here, a mixture of science fiction and crime fiction is seen, which makes the story more exciting.
Conflict and retaliation
Sankrato and the agents under his control attack the Ajgar folk. The dragon’s brother, King Vikral, dies in this gruesome attack. This incident adds a deep emotional layer to the story. Now the dragon is not only fighting to save the Earth, but has also entered the field to avenge his brother’s sacrifice.
Meanwhile, Princess Tepersi also reaches Earth and supports the dragon and the mighty Shera. She gives them weapons and tools made with modern technology, such as power strips and ear coils, which help them face Sankrato’s superpower. This part makes the story feel more like high-tech gadgets versus supernatural power rather than magic versus technology, which makes the story even more interesting.
Characterization: Ajgar
The dragon is the real center of this story. His courage, strength, and loyalty to his people make him a truly great warrior. Despite the anger that arises within him after his brother’s death, he does not lose control. His balance between anger and understanding seems admirable and is what makes him a mature hero.
Sankrato:
Sankrato is a classic villain. He is extremely arrogant, and as soon as he gains immense power, he starts to despise everyone else. This ego of his ultimately becomes the reason for his downfall. This character clearly shows that when power comes without conscience, destruction is certain.
Princess Tepersi:
Tepersi is not just a silent spectator, but a scientifically minded and savvy warrior. She understands the situation and takes the right decision at the right time. Her intelligence and technical understanding ultimately become the biggest key to the dragon’s victory.
Mahabali Shera:
Mahabali Shera plays the role of a true and loyal friend. He stands with the dragon in every difficulty. His presence adds extra vigor and life to the battle scenes, making the action seem even more powerful.
Art and portraiture
The artwork of Vijay Kadam and Atmaram Pund is one of the biggest strengths of this comics. Space scenes, strange and scary creatures from different planets, and fast-paced action sequences are carved out in a very lively manner. The depiction of rays emanating from the colorful diamond of Sankrato looks quite attractive, considering the printing technology of that time. The muscular build of the characters and their facial expressions—especially expressions of anger and pain—keep readers constantly attached to the story.
Dialogue and language
The language of the comics, while simple, is effective. Dialogues like “Haramzaade!”, “Bauti-Bauti Kat Dunga”, and “Send to Yamraj” were considered the hallmarks of films and comics of that period. These dialogues filled a different thrill and enthusiasm within child and teenage readers.
Critical Analysis
Pros:
The pace of the story is so fast that one does not feel lethargic anywhere. The events that happen one after the other keep the reader engaged till the end. The biggest feature of this comics is its variety, where space opera, jungle adventure, and urban crime—all three—are enjoyed together. Simultaneously, the emotional aspect of avenging the brother’s death adds depth to the story and emotionally connects readers with the protagonist.
Drawbacks:
The villain giving up so quickly reduces the seriousness of the story a bit. The speed with which agents from so many powerful planets are defeated could have made the conflict longer and more challenging. In addition, there is also a lack of logic at some places in the story—such as the hero falling from space directly into a fort near Delhi and all the main characters immediately gathering there, which seems a little too convenient. However, fantasy stories have their limitations, so this can also be seen as a creative exemption.
Conclusion
“Holocaust Ajgar” is not just a comics, but an open flight of imagination. It reminds us that there has never been a dearth of original and adventurous stories in the Indian comics industry. This story not only shows the victory of good over evil, but also brings out values like friendship, sacrifice, and responsibility.
The dragon performing the funeral of his brother and Princess Tepersi’s return to her planet give the story a passionate but dignified ending. Even in today’s digital era, these comics remind us of those days when the fragrance of paper and colorful pictures were our biggest world.
Rating: 4.5/5
