When comics and cartoons from foreign countries had already moved beyond, creating films based on comic book superheroes, at that time in India, comics were like a little child, learning to walk and stumbling. Diamond Comics had arrived on the scene, and characters like Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu had made their place in everyone’s minds. However, only a few categories of readers were engaged, while the rest were still waiting. It was then that Raj Comics brought Nagraj in front of the readers, and suddenly, the world of Indian comics changed. Everyone began striving to outdo each other, and some took a shortcut. They incorporated a bit of mischief into the stories of foreign comic book superheroes, presented it in Indian attire to the readers, and those readers who were not interested in any superhero story other than Superman and Batman couldn’t grasp the authenticity of these stories. They couldn’t resist and bought into it.
In the same way, a superhero named ‘Toofan’ was introduced to the readers by Manoj Comics. The story of Toofan begins with an explosion in a cinema in Delhi, and a person named Ajay, who was riding his father’s bike, was heading to the police commissioner in a hurry because he had pictures of the terrorists who had placed a bomb in the cinema hall. However, before reaching there, the terrorists attacked him, resulting in his father’s death. Later, Ajay wanted to join the police but was deemed unfit. Nevertheless, the police commissioner, impressed by Ajay’s determination, took him to a laboratory where Professor conducted an experiment on him.
After a short while, Ajay, a thin and ordinary-looking person, transformed into a powerful individual. His height increased, reminiscent of the scene with Marvel Comics’ Captain America. This part of Toofan’s story is inspired by that, but the rest of the story is different. After the successful experiment, Professor provides Ajay with a costume and a super bike, naming him Toofan. The costume has special features, such as being bulletproof and having a belt with scientific capabilities. Pressing the red button on the belt releases poisonous pins that can penetrate even the thick skin of animals like a rhino. The yellow button has the ability to melt any thick metal. Wearing the costume, Ajay, now Toofan, sets out to find his father’s killers.
Toofan discovers a dangerous terrorist group called the Scorpion Group. After several events, the police commissioner recruits him into the police force, allowing Ajay to serve as an inspector during the day and become Toofan when needed to serve the country. This was the story of a common man becoming Toofan, presented in Toofan’s first comic, “Bichhudank,” written by Nazar Khan and directed by Pratap Mulick.
Toofan’s comics were introduced in the 1990s, a time when there were few reviews of comics in India. The lack of attention to this comic may have been due to the ongoing experiments with comics in India, unlike in foreign countries where comics had established industries. Perhaps that’s why Toofan’s story faced challenges, such as showing Ajay as dead to turn his friend Vikas into Toofan and creating suspense for those who knew Toofan had died but were eager to know the reality. After about 15 to 20 comics, it was discontinued, perhaps because people’s interest diminished. Toofan was like a storm, coming quickly and leaving just as swiftly, and perhaps that’s what happened along with it.
Some of Toofan’s comic names include “Bichhudank,” “Shaitan Shangreela,” “Mercury Man,” “Bhasmakant,” “Chalta Firta Barood,” “Pret Sangeet,” “Shaitan,” “Gumta ka Kehar,” “Toofan Hi Toofan,” “Aaya Toofan,” “Toofan Ki Maut,” “Ek Aur Toofan,” “Toofan Dega Maut,” “Mad Gang,” and “Blasto.”
