Nagraj (comics)
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Nagraj ("Snake-King") is an Indian comic book character from Raj Comics and is considered to be their flagship character. Created in the late 1980's, Nagraj was originally conceived as an enemy of international terrorism. Interestingly, in the first comic itself, he was being leased as the international terrorists' weapon by Professor Nagmani.
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[edit] Plot Summary
Nagraj was created by Professor Nagmani as a project, to create the Ultimate Killing Machine, and his original plan was to sell Nagraj, in a bidding to the highest bidder, amongst all the Villains and Terrorist Group worldwide. However, later stories told that his snake abilities come from his 'divine' origin i.e. his family deity "Dev Kaljayi" who had given a boon to his parents to have a son after many years of trying to conceive. But due to his uncle Nagapasha's evil plans, Nagraj's to-be-mother Queen Lalita was poisoned by Dev Kaljayi's venom. After lots of prayers by his to-be-father King Takshak Raj, the angered deity agreed to spare the life of the queen but the only way possible was to concentrate the venom into the unborn Nagaraj. So, Nagaraj appeared to be born dead, and was floated in the river by his parents. How he came to life is still unknown. But speculations point out that being a boon of his, Dev Kaljayi decided to spare both his and his mother's lives. During his hibernation Nagaraj is known to have spent some time on the "Nagamani Dweep" (island of ichchadhari or shape-shifting snkaes). Later on, Nagaraj ends up in evil Professor Nagamani's captivity where Professor Nagmani merely used him for his other experimental projects and leasing him for international terrorism. These are enhanced by feeding him bits of snake poision till his blood becomes poison itself. This echoes the Indian legends of Poison-Men or Women, specifically raised to kill by their kiss.
Based largely on the Hindu myth of the shape shifting snake, Nagraj derives most of his powers from microscopic snakes that live in his bloodstream (in lieu of white blood cells) and has a number of powers like superhuman strength, poisonous breath and bite, instant healing powers and of course, snakes who come out of his wrists separately or make interesting shapes like ropes, parachutes and many other depending on imagination. Earlier he was said to contain poison of thousands of snakes. Later stories subsequently made him more powerful making his venom far more stronger than Potassium Cyanide resulting in melting of any living being's body if he happens to bite them or vice-versa.
For his first mission, he was sold for a sum of $ 1 million, and it is to recover an ancient statue. Nagraj succeeds but then is foiled by the Sage "Baba Gorakhnath", who frees him from the Mind Control of "Professor Nagamani". Nagraj takes a vow to kill all terrorists in this world and moves on.
It is notable, and perhaps ironic, that Nagraj has now been transformed into a myth-magical creature facing fantastical creatures as his enemies, with elements of sorcery/magic and even time and space travel. Many cite this as a reason for the downfall in popularity of Nagraj Comics.
[edit] Vital statistics
Age : Ageless
Height : 6 ft 2 in
Weight : 89 kg
Eyes : Blue
Hairs : Black
[edit] Powers & abilities
Nagraj is able to transform into snake form at will. His body is a container of millions of "micro-snakes" which he can release at will to grow and carry out a variety of tasks, including, but not limited to: a snake that he can fire like a gun; one that can cut through anything; explosive snakes; snakes that can repel evil souls; a snake which can shoot icicles etc. He can form ropes out of groups of snakes, for use for swinging on or lassoing objects. He can hypnotise with his eyes, and has a searing poisonous breath and lethal bite. If wounded, micro-snakes will swiftly seal the wounds, healing him. His bizarre ability to contain snakes means he is home to a number of allies, whom he can release to carry out independent actions using their own abilities, including Saudangi, Nagu and Sheetnag Kumar.
[edit] Alter Ego
His alter ego is Raj, who is the Public relations officer of Bharti Communications, a fictional company in the storyline. In his secret identity of Raj, he pretends to be terrified of snakes. He wears spectacles, a typical business suit and is very timid and simple. This is very similar to the character of Superman/Clark Kent alter ego, even his outfit, straightening of hair and use of glasses to conceal himself. Originally, he didn't have any alter ego. He travelled around the world to destroy international terrorist. While this was the original idea, the introduction of alter ego destroyed the originality.
[edit] Allies
- Super Commando Dhruva
- Visarpi
- Bharti / Faceless
- Vedacharya
- Nisha
- Nagu
- Sheetnag Kumar
- Saudangi
- Nagarjun
- Singhnag
- Nagpreti
- Nagdev
- Sarpraj
- chaandeka etc.
[edit] Enemies
- Crime King
- Miss Killer
- Thodanga
- Nageena
- Nagpasha
- Gurudev
- Jadugar Shakoora
- Nagdant
- Professor Nagmani
- Vishala
- Sapera
- Vishandhar
- Vishkanya
- See Through
[edit] Known relatives and close friends
- King Takshak Raj (father, deceased)
- Queen Lalita (mother, deceased)
- Nagpasha (Uncle)
- Visarpi (Love Interest)
- Baba Gorakhnath and Kaldoot (Mentors)
- Dev Kaljayi (Family Deity)
- Super Commando Dhruva (Best Friend)
Nagraj is definitely one of the most popular comic series in India, by Raj Comics, and has a huge reader base not restricted just to kids[citation needed].
[edit] New media
Nagraj was adapted into a Live action TV show in India, however only 3 episodes were made. The production for more episodes is currently on hold[citation needed]. The 3 episodes are available on CDs which were distributed freely as an attachment to digest sized comic editions. (Khalnayak Nagraj, Saudangi)
Nagraj is also being converted into an animated TV series. Work is ongoing for producing an episodic series based on Nagraj and his arch enemy Jadugar Shakoora[citation needed].
[edit] Titles
Raj Comics has published a huge number of Titles on Nagraj. A list could be seen at
- Titles by Raj Comics
[edit] Discussion forum
Raj Comics hosts a discussion forum, with a section specially devoted to Nagraj.
- Forum by Raj Comics
[edit] External links
- Profile by Raj Comics
- RajComics.com
