Nagraj

This article is about the comics superhero. For the mythical figure, see Nagaraja. For the personal name, see Nagaraj. For the 2018 film, see Nagraj (film).

Nagraj
Publication information
PublisherRaj Comics
First appearanceNagraj GENL #14 (release date 1 April 1986)
Created by
In-story information
Alter egoEarlier
Mr. Raj, Public Relation Officer of Bharti Communications
Now
Mr. Nagraj Shah, CEO Snake Eyes Securities
Team affiliationsBrahmand Rakshak (Protectors of Universe), Panchnag, Sheetnag, Neernag
Notable aliasesSnakeman, Greenman, Green Death, Venomous Gunpowder, Nag-Samrat
Abilities
  • Superhuman strengths
  • Superhuman stamina
  • Divine powers
  • flight
  • Infrared vision
  • Energy absorption
  • Energy manipulation
  • Super regenerative healing factor
  • Sixth sense
  • Infrared sensing
  • Expert martial artist
  • Unique hypnotism
  • Compound powers
  • phenomenal will powers
  • invisibility
  • Poison bite
  • Snake spit
  • Venomous breath
  • Skin shedding
  • Millions of microscopic shape shifting snakes in his body
  • Telepathy

Nagraj is a superhero appearing in Indian comic books published by Raj Comics[1] created in the late 1980s by Rajkumar Gupta.[2] Nagraj first appeared in the comics Nagraj GENL #14 which was written by Parshuram Sharma and illustrated by Pratap Mullick.

After that Sanjay Ashtpure, Pratap Mullick, Chandu, Milind Misal and Vitthal Kamble alternately illustrated the character for 44 issues, ending in 1995 with Visarpi Ki Shadi.[3][4][5][6]

Nagraj is believed to have been inspired by the mythological Ichchhadhari Nag (shapeshifting snakes) and historical Vishmanushya (venomous human).[7] His stories create a rich blend of mythology, fantasy, magic, and science fiction. Many of Nagraj's fans believe that, over time, Nagraj's comics have developed snake mythology of its own, which is unique to the popular Indian beliefs about snakes that are prevalent among the masses.

In the middle of the nineties Anupam Sinha (who was already running the mega-successful Dhruv series) took over the helms of Nagraj as well. Anupam Sinha's expansive narration could not completely fit in a single comic, so he used multi-comic stories to layer and enrich his tales. The Khajana arc by Anupam Sinha set up the backstory beautifully, and discredited Nagmani many years after the comics began. He also led to increase in frequency of Two-in-One comics, which combined Nagraj and Dhruv and started happening once in a year.[8] Nagraj has changed a lot in his 25 years in print, both in terms of looks as well as powers and abilities. With time many new artists such as Lalit Sharma and Hemant Kumar have done illustration of Nagraj.

  1. ^ "Why Nagraj, Dhruva, Doga aren't finding space on big screen&? (view pics)". India TV News. 16 October 2014.
  2. ^ Misra, Shubhangi (2 February 2020). "Sorry Shaktimaan, it is Nagraj who was the first superhero of India". ThePrint. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. ^ "In pics: Top comic characters". jagran.com. 25 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Golden childhood memories: Favourite comics of 90's". jagran.com. 11 June 2015.
  5. ^ "Origin of Nagraj in Hindi". eashportsbook.com. 19 November 2018.
  6. ^ Chatterji, Roma (5 December 2019). Graphic Narratives and the Mythological Imagination in India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 978-1-000-73697-7.
  7. ^ Ecke, Jochen; Haberkorn, Gideon (10 March 2010). Comics as a Nexus of Cultures: Essays on the Interplay of Media, Disciplines and International Perspectives. McFarland. ISBN 978-0-7864-5587-4.
  8. ^ Srivastav, Vaibhav (6 March 2017). "Introducing : Nagraj!". Men of Comics. Retrieved 25 March 2020.