In the previous post on Nagraj, I spoke about the origin story of Nagraj. The second comics of Nagraj, Nagraj ki Kabr (Grave of Nagraj), is also his first mission as a fighter for good. At the end of the first one, he is free from the mind-control capsule that Professor Naagmani had inserted in his brain. He realizes that if not for Baba Gorakhnath, he would’ve been used a tool of destruction on the world.

But now he is ready to fight for the good. He takes a vow to end the crime lords and criminal syndicates of the world. Nagraj picks up Bulldog as his first target. The logic is simple. Bulldog is the first one who rented him for his use. He is the first one that Nagraj needs to bring down.

The interesting thing about Bulldog, besides him being the first user of Nagraj, is that he is someone who is active in India. He has his base in the hills and jungles of Assam. From his camps, he exploits Assam’s natural resources and trains the native people to become criminals who will do his bidding. He has several such camps for training in the jungles. And Nagraj starts his crimefighting journey there.

Nagraj ki Kabr also starts a tradition of sorts. In this tradition, Nagraj finds a helper, guide, friend on his journey who is equally motivated to bring down the crime lord. His first co-character in this tradition is Romo, an alcoholic strongman. Romo is from a lineage and tradition of strongmen. To use him for evil intentions, Shekhu, the local representative of Bulldog, gets him addicted to alcohol. Now, Romo has need of money to purchase alcohol and Shekhu can exploit this weakness. This way Romo is always open to take any “job” that Shekhu has for him.

The story has a fast pace. We learn about Romo’s back story. Romo shares his guilt about not being able to save a girl from the goons. Nagraj tells him – “Ek baat yaad rakho Romo, ab tum sirf isiliye zinda ho kyonki tumhe Kamini ka sapna saakaar karna hai” (Remember this one thing Romo, now you are alive only to realize the dream that Kamini dreamt).

The story then moves quickly. And arrives at the end where tons of concrete, stones and earth rain upon Nagraj and Romo. Burying them alive in a pit. The grave of Nagraj.

Nagraj ki Kabr is still early Nagraj. When bullets are fired at him, he dodges them. Unlike later Nagraj who will simply stand and watch the goons emptying their magazines. The physical fights are still between gang of goons and a fighter who fights well.

From a character development perspective, Nagraj is still developing his powers and gaining an understanding of where he stands. He is yet to take on a full-fledged crime lord. His snakes are helpful, but he still prefers hand to hand combat.

Will Nagraj and Romo survive their grave? If yes, how? Is Nagraj powerful enough to get out of hundred of tons of earth? Will he use some of his snake like power to get out? The rest of the story is in the next comics. Till then you wait and ponder upon these questions. Discuss the possibilities with your friends. Those days the wait was long. Raj comics used to publish monthly sets, but with a good cliffhanger that month could feel rather long.