“Nightfall rouses those whose minds are always filled with plans for crime… who do not hesitate to sell even their country for wealth…”—With these sharp lines, Raj Comics’ Fear Master (issue number 699, priced at Rs 8) comes straight to its main theme. With the symbol of ‘Nagraj Varsh 1996’ on the cover, this issue does not start with the hero beating up villains like an ordinary superhero story. It begins with Tiranga’s deep introspection as he stands on the parapet of a building in the silence of the night.
This comic, created by the team of writer Habib Azhar, editor Manish Gupta, artist Dilip Choubey and calligrapher Anjani Somvanshi, marks an important turning point in Tiranga’s journey. This issue introduces readers to a change in his thinking and appearance as the hero sees his existence, his identity and his responsibilities towards his country afresh.
Why did Tiranga change his costume in Fear Master?
The most special thing about this comic is the big change in the hero’s costume. At the beginning of the story, the author shows an incident from the past that is both emotional and thought-provoking. When some unemployed youths try to insult the national flag to express their anger, Tiranga comes to stop them. During the clash, a young man kicks Tiranga in the chest and taunts him that the national flag is displayed all over his costume, so he has unintentionally insulted the flag.
This shakes the hero to the core. He decides that the national flag should not be disrespected under any circumstances. With this in mind, Tiranga gives up the tricolor costume wrapped around his body and puts on a strong gray/silver battle suit. He has only a small tricolor badge and Ashoka Chakra on his suit, while he wears the national flag respectfully like a cloak on his back. This change shows that Tiranga is not just a fictional superhero but a vigilant protector with deep devotion to national honour.
The story’s most dangerous weapon: fear in people’s minds
Writer Habib Azhar presents ‘fear’ (phobia) as a dangerous chemical weapon in this issue, rather than relying on physical strength. The comic’s main villain, ‘Fear Master’, creates a chemical that directly affects the human mind and produces an uncontrollable fear.
The story progresses by bringing together several different events. This fear-inducing chemical is used not only to commit crimes on the streets but also to make different people do the villain’s bidding. Whether it is scaring contractor Ram Sharma with a small cat to drive him away from a bridge tender, or Abhay’s rival Raja using gas in the stage smoke machine during the college student union elections to frighten the actors in the play Sikandar, these incidents show how fear can break even a capable person’s courage. The author also explains the meaning of phobia to readers in a simple and clear manner.
What clue does Tiranga find in three strange incidents?
The story progresses like a spy thriller. Abhay (Tiranga) is not just a hero who throws punches. He discovers the connection between events through his sharp understanding and forensic knowledge. When policemen suddenly run away in fear of criminals, Ram Sharma behaves strangely and chaos breaks out on the college stage, Tiranga quickly understands that there is one hidden reason behind all three incidents.
The mystery deepens when students attack the laboratory of Professor Pavade of the college’s Chemistry Department. Tiranga breaks a chemical beaker with his shield and calms them with the help of an antidote. After this, the masked figure of ‘Fear Master’ in a luxurious bungalow in Ashok Vihar, the prick of a poisonous nail, Tiranga’s fear of holding his own flying shield and his helplessness before the giant ‘Jallad’ all add thrill and tension. The end of the story is shocking: when the real ‘Fear Master’ removes his mask, the respected Professor Pavade is revealed to be the one behind the entire conspiracy.
When Tiranga himself becomes afraid, how does he fight?
This comic is quite balanced in its portrayal of characters. Abhay/Tiranga is shown as a hero who has superpowers but is not free from human weaknesses. When the fear-inducing chemical enters his body, he too starts trembling and is gripped by the fear of death. But his real strength lies in his willpower. He overcomes his fear and defeats a huge wrestler like ‘Jallad’. This incident shows that courage does not mean never feeling afraid; it means facing danger despite fear.
Professor Pavade, alias ‘Fear Master’, comes across as an educated person who uses his knowledge of science to earn a lot of money and spread crime instead of working for people’s welfare. Rather than coming forward himself, he hides behind hired people and chemical gases.
Among the supporting characters, the flirtatiousness of Abhay’s girlfriend Shikha, her playful teasing when she finds Tiranga’s cloak under the pillow, and the helplessness of Abhay’s father-like uncle Ram Sharma give the story a domestic and emotional touch.
How does Dilip Choubey’s art show fear?
Artist Dilip Choubey’s illustrations are the life of this comic. Raj Comics’ art was in one of its best phases in the mid-nineties, and this issue is a good example of that. The folds of Tiranga’s new costume, the strong build of his body and the scenes of his famous triangular shield flying through the air are very lively and effective.
The scene of Abhay, dressed as Alexander on the college stage, jumping off it in fear amid the smoke is especially memorable. Additionally, Fear Master’s frightening yellow-gold mask in the dark room in Ashok Vihar and the close-up images of Tiranga’s face convey the ‘fear of death’ within him. Anjani Somvanshi’s calligraphy and sound effects like ‘Dhanak’, ‘Dhadak’ and ‘Kadak’ further increase the impact of these scenes.
The greatest strengths of Fear Master
The biggest strength of this comic is that the story is based on the fear that arises in people’s minds. While villains in ordinary comics wreak havoc with bombs or guns, here the villain uses one of humanity’s oldest emotions, ‘fear’, as his weapon.
The second major strength is Tiranga’s new costume, designed with respect for the national flag in mind. Editor Manish Gupta also mentions this change while speaking directly to readers. The third strength is the ending, which shows the villain facing the consequences of his actions. The powerful fear-inducing gas thrown by Pavade affects him instead. He starts screaming uncontrollably, frightened even by his own shadow and Tiranga’s cloak. This is an effective and satisfying scene of ‘Jaisi Karni Waisi Bharni’.
Where does the story fall short?
Although the comic’s story progresses well, a few small things could have been improved. First, Professor Pavade’s decision to hand sulfuric acid directly to Tiranga near the end seems a bit childish. As a scientist, he could have had a more dangerous and concealed chemical plan than this.
Second, revealing the real Fear Master at his home soon after showing the fake masked Fear Master in Ashok Vihar makes the ending feel a bit rushed. If Tiranga had had to find one or two more clues to get to the bottom of the mystery, the investigative part of the story could have been stronger.
Why is Fear Master worth reading?
Overall, Raj Comics’ issue number 699, Fear Master, is an intelligently written, patriotic and thrilling Indian comic. Habib Azhar’s strong story, Dilip Choubey’s impressive art and the major change in Tiranga’s character make it a special addition to comic lovers’ collections.
This comic shows that a true hero is not just someone with powers that no one can defeat. A true hero is also someone who protects the country and society while fighting the deepest fear within himself. Fear Master is a memorable comic for lovers of old comics, action and thrilling stories that stir fear in the mind.
