Doga is a name in the world of Indian comics that needs no introduction. But Doga fans had been searching for the answer to a question for years—What was the turning point that made an innocent child ‘Suraj’ so harsh that he put a dog mask on his face? Sanjay Gupta’s ‘Raktakatha’ series answers this question. Its second part, “Meri Sonu,” is the most emotional and violent stage of this journey.
The journey of Raktakatha: What has happened so far and what lies ahead?
To understand this series in depth, it is important to know its timeline:
• Previous Comics – Part 1: “Garbage Box (Kachra Peti)”
Here we saw how Suraj was thrown into a garbage heap as soon as he was born. There he was raised by dogs, which created hatred for humans and loyalty to dogs. The dacoit Halkan Singh picked him up and brought him to his base.
• Current Comics – Part 2: “Meri Sonu”
This part is set between Suraj’s childhood and his adolescence. Here he has become a ‘hunting dog’ for Halkan Singh, but change begins with the arrival of ‘Sonu’ in his life.
• Next Comics – Part 3: “Sacrifice Yours”
In this section, we will see how much the path of ‘humanity’ chosen by Suraj costs his faithful animals. Next to come are Part 4 ‘Halkan’ and Part 5 ‘Sacrifice Yours’ (last part).
Complete analysis of the story: Light knocks in the dark
“Meri Sonu” starts with a scary and dark atmosphere. The hideout of Halkan Singh is not a normal place; it is a part of Hell where human blood is cheaper than water. Suraj is living here completely like an ‘animal’. He is the most dreaded weapon of Halkan. Halkan keeps him with the dogs, feeds him raw meat and teaches him to just ‘kill’.
The story takes a new turn when Halkan Singh kidnaps Sonu, the innocent daughter of a rich and powerful Seth. Sonu is completely different from that environment. Where Suraj has grown up in the ‘smell of gunpowder’, Sonu is like the ‘smell of roses’. When these two are confronted, a mental conflict ensues in the comics.
Sonu refuses to accept Suraj as a ‘dog’. She gives him his name—Suraj. She tells him that the job of the sun is to give light, not to shed blood. The entire comics show the ‘relationship’ between the two that gradually brings out the humanity buried within Suraj.
The Mental Depth of Characters
Suraj (Young Doga): A Broken Child
Suraj is in the early stages of becoming an ‘anti-hero’ in this comics. He hates himself. He thinks he is garbage. He himself says— “I hate myself because those who come into this world are welcomed, while I get contempt.” Coming in contact with Sonu, he feels ‘afraid’ for the first time—not of Halkan, but of losing Sonu.
Sonu: Spark of change
Sonu’s character is written very strongly. She challenges Suraj despite being a scared child. She talks about Gandhiji’s principles, which seem like a joke in that cruel environment, but these things create a stir in Suraj’s mind.
Halkan Singh: The devil in person
Halkan Singh has emerged as one of the most disgusting villains in the history of Raj Comics. He is not just a criminal; he is a ‘psychopath’ who takes pleasure in crushing the innocence of children. A blindfold tied over one of his eyes and his cruel face become a hallmark of fear.
Artwork and visual presentation
What makes “Meri Sonu” memorable is the artwork of Dildeep Singh. This comics falls into the category of ‘Mature Content’, and this is fully reflected in the art.
• Depicting violence: It doesn’t ‘glamourise’ violence, but instead shows it as ‘terrible’. The scenes of dogs tearing apart prisoners and the fountains of blood can make your soul tremble.
• Colors and shading: Basant Panda’s coloring is amazing. For Halkan’s base, he has used dark and dull colors, which make one feel the suffocation there.
• Panelling: The panelling is very modern. When flashbacks play out, the tone of the colors changes, allowing the reader to easily engage with the story and not get lost.
New perspective on Doga’s ‘Origin’
Sanjay Gupta has written the origin of Doga in a new way. In old stories, we knew about Doga’s four uncles (Adarak, Dhaniya, Kaali and Haldi), but ‘Raktakatha’ talks about the time when Suraj had not even met those uncles. The series tells how Doga developed a ‘distrust of the law’. He saw that the law was weak in the face of demons like Halkan, so he decided to make ‘his own law’.
Power of dialogues
Writers Vivek Mohan and Sanjay Gupta have worked very hard on the dialogues. The language used in the comics is easy, but its impact is very deep.
At one point, Thakur Baba (an elderly prisoner) says to Suraj— “Make your heart of stone, my children, otherwise this devil will not leave you alive.” Such dialogues not only make the story serious, but also deepen its meaning.
Should you read “Meri Sonu”?
This comics is for every reader who:
- Is a die-hard Doga fan and wants to get to know his past up close.
- Likes dark, gritty and serious stories.
- Was upset with the declining level of art in Indian comics and wanted to see something ‘world class’.
Caution: This is not for children. It features horrific scenes and mentally disturbing events, hence the rating ‘Mature’.
Sequel: Waiting for “Sacrifice Yours”
The comics end on a very ’emotional cliffhanger’. Suraj and Sonu are running towards the first ray of freedom, but behind them is the shadow of death (Halkan and his men). In the next part, “Sacrifice Yours”, it will be decided how much blood Suraj will have to see flowing from his own people to become a human being.
Final Verdict: Is ‘Meri Sonu’ the best dark series from Raj Comics?
“Meri Sonu” is a great offering from Raj Comics by Sanjay Gupta. This proves that with the right thinking and the best artists, Indian comics can compete with comics at the global level (like Marvel or DC’s Dark Series). This story will make you sad, angry and leave you with a strange uneasiness in the end.
Overall rating:
• Story: 5/5
• Artwork: 5/5
• Impact: 4.8/5
If you have read “Garbage Box”, then your understanding of Doga is incomplete without “Meri Sonu”. A must-read!
