A great man made up of the powers of four brothers, a war breaking out between two planets, and a conspiracy to rule the entire universe—will Python and Socrates together stop this tantric game?
There are many such stories in the world of Manoj Comics in which a tremendous combination of science, magic, and mystery is seen alongside superhero action. “Ajgar and Socrates” is a similar story, but its very beginning sets it apart from the usual superhero comics.
On one hand, a conspiracy is being hatched to start a war between two powerful planets, while on the other hand, a scientist is going to combine the powers of his four sons to create a great man whose strength is difficult to even estimate.
But the biggest question is—whose real game is behind the creation of this superman?
Two planets, a forged letter, and the beginning of the Great War
Dom, the Emperor of Krom Bah, wants to marry his son to Rudrakshi, the beautiful princess of the planet Tank. He sends his messenger to Tank Planet with respect.
But this relationship formed between the two planets comes to the notice of a dangerous Tantrik.
His desire is not to defeat just one king, but to assert his authority over the entire universe.
He hypnotizes the messenger and sends a forged and defamatory letter from Emperor Tank in response to the marriage proposal.
Emperor Dom becomes angry as soon as he reads the letter.
A false letter brings two powerful planets to the brink of war.
This is where the real conspiracy of the story begins.
Sacrifice of four sons and birth of a great man
The most important and emotional part of the story is connected to the scientist Socrates and his four sons.
The four sons have different extraordinary powers:
Water (Jal): The entire power of water and the sea.
Varuna: The ability of Vayu to fly at great speed.
Dharir : A body as hard and impenetrable as the earth.
Flaming : The Sun’s divine brightness and fire energy.
Seeing the danger of war, scientist Socrates makes a decision in the national interest, the price of which has to be paid by his own four sons.
The powers and bodies of the four brothers are combined through a high-level scientific experiment.
This experiment gives birth to a very powerful superman—Socrates.
But this is the moment when the story changes completely.
Was the creation of Socrates a pre-planned conspiracy?
Scientist Socrates discovers that the experiment he thought was the way to protect his planet was actually part of the evil occultist’s larger plan.
The Tantrik wanted a satanic soul to enter this powerful but lifeless body prepared from the four brothers.
If he had succeeded, he would have had a great man whose immense powers he could use as per his wishes.
Scientist Socrates understands his plan.
Before losing his life, he installs a mysterious magical device in the chest of the great man.
The specialty of this instrument was that only a ‘Sadatma,’ i.e., a Holy Spirit, could enter the body of the great man.
The Tantrik’s plan takes a turn here.
The great man whom he wanted to make his greatest weapon stands against him.
When Socrates refused to become a slave of the Tantrik
A just spirit enters Socrates’ body because of the magical device.
As soon as Socrates comes alive, he flatly refuses to obey the Tantrik’s orders.
This is a big blow to the Tantrik.
He uses his sleep power and cyclone to knock Socrates unconscious and throw him into the elusive kingdom of his earthly ally, Gutgat.
Gutgat buries Socrates in the depths of the desert with his mysterious rays.
It looks like Socrates’ story will end here.
But this is where Manoj Comics’ powerful warrior, Python, enters.
First meeting of Python and Socrates
Python, with the help of his supernatural ability, brings Socrates out from under the ground.
Both of them soon understand that their enemies are interconnected.
It is from here that Python and Socrates pair up.
This part of the comics takes the story out of science fiction and conspiracy and straight into high-octane action.
The two warriors face their enemies in the Tilismi Valley.
Battle of Tilismi Valley and tremendous action
In the Tilismi Valley, Python, with his sword, falls upon the army of demons. Socrates, on the other hand, uses his different powers.
His solar rays, wind speed, and other powerful attacks make him more dangerous than an ordinary warrior.
Many action panels are shown quite aggressively in the comics. Sword attacks, battles with demons, and confrontations between immense powers keep the pace of the story constant.
But one of the most memorable scenes comes near the volcano.
Will Socrates be able to save Princess Kanaklata?
Princess Kanaklata’s life is in danger, and there is a blazing volcano below.
Socrates leaps into the lava, regardless of his own life, and brings the princess to safety.
This scene not only shows his strength but also proves how important scientist Socrates’ decision to introduce a virtuous soul into the great man was.
Socrates is not just powerful.
He also understands the difference between right and wrong.
Why does 90s comic art still attract attention today?
The artwork of Sanjay Kadam and Atma Ram Pund is a great strength of this story.
Krom Bah Planet’s high-tech laboratories, machines, and spacecraft distinguish the science-fiction part of the story.
On the contrary, the magical valleys of Earth, mysterious caves, and blazing volcanoes bring out the magical and scary part of the story.
That is, in the same comic, the reader gets to see two completely different worlds—future technology and ancient occultism.
Old comic sound effects like ‘Much’ and ‘Khawwak,’ used in action sequences, are reminiscent of Indian comics of that period.
Socrates’ white-golden armor, the Tantrik’s purple-green attire, and the volcano’s red-yellow lava also create strong visual contrast on the pages.
How strong are the story and suspense?
The story by author Sadip Bhor continuously brings new mysteries to the fore.
Initially, the dispute between the two planets appears, then the experiment involving the four brothers, followed by the real conspiracy of the Tantrik, and finally the coming together of Python and Socrates.
That means the story does not reveal its real secret all at once. This is one of its best aspects.
The Tantrik’s dream of ruling the entire universe makes him a greater threat than an ordinary villain, while the aspects of sacrifice and emotion are associated with the story of Socrates. But the biggest shock in the comic comes at the end.
Who took Socrates in the end?
When it seems that Python and Socrates are approaching victory, a mysterious black ray suddenly appears.
Both Socrates and Gutgat are imprisoned in a magic cube and disappear.
Python cannot do anything.
He just keeps calling out to Socrates.
But the question remains—
Whose black ray was that?
Where was Socrates taken?
And the biggest question—
Will Socrates come back alive?
The answers to these questions are related to the next part of the story, “Ajgar’s Death.”
Final Verdict: Are Python and Socrates Still Worth Reading Today?
The biggest feature of “Ajgar and Socrates” is its unique concept.
This is not just another Python fight. In this story, space, the politics of two planets, scientific experiments, the sacrifice of four brothers, the birth of a great man, black magic, tantric conspiracy, and tremendous action are all found in the same story.
Some ideas may seem quite old or extremely fictional from today’s perspective, but that was also the hallmark of 90s Indian superhero comics.
Especially, Socrates’ origin story is the strongest part of this comic.
If you like the rare stories of Manoj Comics, Ajgar, or old Indian superheroes, “Ajgar and Socrates” is a comic that can be read not just for nostalgia, but also for its unique science-fiction and black-magic crossover.
