Raj Comics has produced many memorable heroes and villains in the world of Indian comics, but Super Commando Dhruv’s place has always been special. Dhruv is known more for his intelligence, scientific thinking, and calm nature than his strength. “Gupta” is one such special issue of Raj Comics, which not only brings out Dhruv’s mind and skills but also his emotions and hidden weaknesses. This comic, written by Jolly Sinha and adorned with powerful illustrations by Anupam Sinha, is not just an action story, but it reveals many layers of the word “secret”— whether it is the secret identity of the villain, the secret responsibility of protecting Dhruv’s family, or any secret plan of his to fight crime. This review will talk in depth about the story, characters, art, and the main theme of this special issue.
Plot and screenplay: A multi-layered conspiracy
The story of “Gupta” is laid out like a neat chess game, where every character is part of a bigger move. The story begins on a deserted beach in Rajnagar, where a gang of smugglers (led by Mirza Jaunpuri) is smuggling weapons through an old limestone mine. This is where Super Commando Dhruv makes his brilliant entry. He didn’t suddenly get there— he had explored this secret avenue by connecting the saltwater smell and lime dust to the clues found in Don Sharkey’s warehouse in the previous raid. Dhruv sneaks into a box of smugglers and reaches their base.
This is where the story takes its first big turn. Dhruv is about to overwhelm the smugglers when suddenly a new and mysterious villain “Alchemist” appears. The name itself suggests that he is a master of chemicals. He’s come to take Sharkey with him. The Alchemist’s real strength is his chemical bundles. He combines limestone and a second chemical to trap Dhruv by forming a dangerous foam, which grips Dhruv and causes the mine to fill with water. But Dhruv succeeds in getting out of there with his sharp understanding and the help of a dolphin.
The real wonder of the script starts from here. The Alchemist’s intentions are not limited to just smuggling or rescuing Sharkey. His target is much bigger. The story then turns to Dhruv’s personal life. We see Dhruv with his family— his sister Shweta, who has topped the exam and got admission to a renowned university, and his father Commissioner Rajan Mehra. This happy atmosphere indicates the storm coming in the story.
Now the real game of the Alchemist begins. He targets Dhruv’s biggest strength and his biggest weakness— his family. He first causes a traffic jam in the entire city with a deliberate plan so that both Dhruv and Shweta get trapped. He then transforms one of his men into a giant named “Jell-Jelly”, made of proteins and chemicals. This action scene is fantastic (where Chandika also arrives to help Dhruv). Dhruv and Chandika together lock the demon in a refrigerated van and cool him down.
But it was all just a distraction trick. The Alchemist’s next target is Commissioner Rajan Mehra. He plants an advanced “chemical time bomb” in his car. This bomb explodes as soon as the phosphorus and a chemical pellet inserted into the petrol tank collide. Commissioner Mehra gets badly injured in this blast. This accident shakes Dhruv to the core. Dhruv’s anger, pain, and helplessness reach their peak after seeing his father swinging between death and life in the hospital.
But the Alchemist doesn’t stop there. He sends another henchman named “Amla” to attack Dhruv’s sister Shweta, who is armed with a special suit releasing acid gas bubbles. Dhruv and Shweta confront him together, but as the fight comes to an end, the Alchemist himself arrives and throws a capsule containing a “viral chemical”, injuring Shweta as well.
Now the situation gets worse— father on one side and sister on the other, both in the hospital. Dhruv begins to realize that his family is paying the price for his being a superhero. For this reason, he decides to leave Rajnagar. And this was the real plan of the Alchemist. As Dhruv moves away, the Alchemist begins his final plan for the biggest theft in history at the International Gold Exchange. He produces an artificial “flex-flood” (Flex-Flood) using silver iodide so that gold can be easily plundered in a flood-like chaos.
The climax of the story takes place in the vault of the Gold Exchange, where the Alchemist and his gang are collecting gold. Just then Dhruv reaches there. The truth is that Dhruv had not left the city. He had already suspected that the attacks on his family were just to remove him from the real target. This is where the Alchemist makes his most dangerous move— a monster that is made of “cancer cells” and different chemicals and survives on oxygen. This monster is so terrible that it starts swallowing its own companions.
Dhruv uses his scientific understanding here also. He recalls that the “viral chemical” that the Alchemist threw at Shweta was an enemy of oxygen. He uses the same chemicals on this monster and ultimately destroys it.
Characterization
Super Commando Dhruv: This comic gives a new depth to the character of Dhruv. He is not just an invincible warrior. He is a son, a brother, who breaks down from within when his family is in trouble. The emotional conflict going on inside him— between the duty of a superhero and the responsibility of a son— is very beautifully shown. But his real strength is his wisdom. He deciphers the Alchemist’s tricks, despite an emotional breakdown, and is one step ahead of him all the time.
Alchemist: A villain that’s easy to remember. His strength is not just his cruelty, but his sharp mind. He is the king of chemicals. Every plan of his is well thought out and has many layers. He plays with Dhruv’s emotions. His motive (revenge) gives him a personal level, making him different from ordinary villains. His chemical weapons— gel-jelly, acid-suit, viral chemicals— are quite creative and unique.
Shweta: Dhruv’s sister Shweta is not shown as just one ‘damsel in distress’ (abla waiting for help). She is sensible (tops the exam) and also brave (supports Dhruv in the fight against Amla). She is an important part of the inspiration for Dhruv.
Commissioner Rajan Mehra: The biggest “secret” of this comic is linked to Commissioner Mehra. He is not just an honest police officer, but a real “crime-fighter”. At the end of the story, his character comes up with a big twist, which gives a new meaning to the entire story.
Theme and Analysis: The True Meaning of “Secret”
The name of the comic “Secret” itself appears as the true theme of the story, and proves it right on many different levels.
1st — It shows the secret identities of the villains, where Don Sharkey hides behind a mask and the Alchemist confuses everyone with his mask and fake death.
2nd — It brings an emotional “secret” aspect to the hero, because Super Commando Dhruv has no secret identity, but he considers his family as his biggest secret weakness. The Alchemist hits his biggest blow on the same weakness.
3rd — It keeps the entire plan of the Alchemist “secret”. He makes several small moves to disorient Dhruv, while his real target is the grand theft of the Gold Exchange.
Art and portraiture
Anupam Sinha’s artwork is excellent as always. His lines are clean, strong, and full of action. Action scenes— like the Jell-Jelly fight amidst traffic jams, or the final fight in a flood— are drawn in such a lively manner that every frame seems to be moving. Dhruv’s pain, anger, and stubbornness inside him have all been beautifully expressed in the art.
The designs of the Alchemist, Jell-Jelly, and the Cancer-Cell Monster are creative and intimidating. Vinod Kumar’s inking and Sunil Pandey’s color-work make the atmosphere of the story even darker, be it the mine’s darkness or the sadness of the hospital scenes.
Conclusion
“Secret” is one of Super Commando Dhruv’s finest specialties. This comic puts forward a complex and well-woven story with emotional depth. This is not just a tale of action and science, but it also carries a strong message of family, duty, and wisdom. Jolly Sinha’s story keeps us engaged from beginning to end, and the twist in the last pages surprises the readers. This comic elevates Dhruv above a common superhero to firmly sit in the place of a “super commando”— one who knows that real battles are won not just by strength, but also by mind. This is such a gem of Indian comics, which every comic lover must read.
