Have you ever wondered why, beneath the thousands-of-feet-deep ice of Antarctica, there might be not just peace, but also a creepy ‘ice city’ and an empire of death? On one side is India’s scientific team, and on the other side is a demon who has the powers of an ‘ice god’. This issue of Manoj Comics’ Totan Series, “Totan Ka Kahar,” is not only an action-packed story, but also a magical journey where a unique combination of technology and ancient tantra-mantra can be seen.
If you remember that period in the ’90s when a punch could break mountains and rays from the eyes could turn enemies to ashes, this review is for you!
Journey of ‘Sea-Horse’: When the team invited trouble while trying to eat ‘sugarcane’!
The beginning of the story is like a big Hollywood thriller. The Indian research ship ‘Sea-Horse’ (Sea Horse) is heading towards Antarctica. This team includes the brave Captain Rajesh and Barkha, a fearless reporter from ‘Manoj Times’. They are accompanied by a mysterious young man named Avinash, who has the last keepsake from his mother—a magical locket—hanging around his neck.
The funny thing is that, as the team starts pitching tents on the snowy plains of Antarctica, they accidentally disturb the sleep of a creepy devil. Antarctica’s peace is shattered when a giant pink monster named ‘Snowraj’ comes out, tearing through the ice. His anger is so terrible that he turns the team members into ‘skeletons’ with the rays coming from his eyes. Avinash tries to stop him, but Barfraj crushes him like a straw. This is where the ‘suspense’ of the story intensifies completely!
Totan’s ‘supersonic’ return: When Barkha’s scream echoed in Prof. Ramakant’s lab!
On the other hand, in a modern laboratory in the city, Prof. Ramakant and Totan are busy with some research. Totan is no ordinary human being; he possesses the technology of the future and immense physical strength. He hears Barkha’s scream through the air. Without wasting a moment, Totan flies towards Antarctica, cutting through the sky.
As soon as he reaches Antarctica, Totan sees destruction everywhere. Dead bodies are scattered all around, and Barkha is imprisoned inside an ‘ice ball’. Here, Totan sees a huge crater that goes straight into the depths of the Earth. Totan uses his ‘Agnichakra’ power and jumps into that mysterious tunnel.
The secret of ‘Snow-Nagri’: Where ‘Makalu and Kachalu’ welcomed Totan’s ‘wrath’!
As soon as he crosses the tunnel, Totan reaches a world that cannot even be imagined—‘Snow City’. Everything here is made of ice, and the creatures living here are also very strange. Totan encounters two ice warriors named Makalu and Kachalu.
Totan’s style here is worth seeing. He not only beats them but also imprints the mark of ‘A’ (Aakrosh—indignation) on their faces with special rays emanating from his forehead. This is Totan’s special style: teaching the enemy such a lesson that he becomes afraid to even look in the mirror.
Singhal vs. Totan: When ‘black rays’ struck the ‘Tilismi Trishul’!
The story takes a new turn when Totan is presented before Barf-Dev, the ice god and king of the ice city. Singhal, the commander of Barf-Dev, is a very powerful warrior. He attacks Totan, mistaking him for an ordinary human being.
Singhal has a ‘Tilismi Trishul’ that can generate electricity and create ice traps. The battle between Totan and Singhal is the most spectacular part of this comic. Singhal imprisons Totan inside a ‘golden circle’, which causes Totan’s powers to weaken. But then Totan calls upon his guru, ‘Baba Mahantnath’, and breaks the circle with his magical powers. In the end, both of them understand that they are not each other’s real enemies; their true enemy is the traitor ‘Barfraj’.
Barfraj’s past: A traitor who wanted to become immortal by stealing the ‘Mani’!
Maharaj Barf-Dev reveals that Barfraj once lived in this city. He had been evil since childhood. He had stolen the sacred ‘ice stone’ from the temple so that he could become the most powerful. But he could not withstand the power of the Mani and fell into a deep sleep for ages. Human drilling has reawakened him, and now he is determined to turn not only Antarctica but the entire Earth into an ‘icy grave’.
Final battle: When Totan entered Barfraj’s stomach and gave him a ‘fire initiation’!
The final battle of the story is hair-raising. Barfraj summons a demon named ‘Mayamur’ with his magical powers. Totan fights all of them alone. In one scene, Barfraj becomes so huge that he tries to swallow Totan alive.
Totan cleverly enters Barfraj’s mouth and tears open his stomach with his ‘Tilismi sword’. But Barfraj does not die even after this. At last, Totan remembers Avinash’s magical locket. Barkha tells him that this locket can even shake Indra’s throne. Totan strikes Barfraj with that locket. There is a huge explosion, and Barfraj’s body disintegrates into thousands of pieces.
Totan’s ‘Blood Story’: A hero who has no happiness, only pain!
The ending of the comic is very emotional. Barkha asks Totan about his story. With tears in his eyes, Totan says, “Destiny wrote my story with the blood of my own people.” It is from here that readers get an indication that Totan’s birth was the result of some terrible accident. This part compels readers to connect with Totan’s previous and upcoming stories.
Totan’s three comics (The Trilogy) and upcoming issues
“Totan Ka Kahar” was the third and most important part of this series. Readers should follow this sequence to understand its full story:
- Totan and the Unclaimed: Where the foundation of Totan’s existence lies.
- Totan and the Goddess of Storms: Where the expansion of his powers is shown.
- Totan Ka Kahar: Where he fights a threat to the entire world.
The way writer Mahendra Jain has concluded this series is exemplary in the history of Manoj Comics.
Artwork and dialogue: A.M.G.—an amazing studio
Speaking of the artwork, the way A.M.G. (Art Master Group) has depicted the action against the blue-and-white background of Antarctica is amazing.
• Colour: The contrast between the coldness of the ice and Totan’s fire powers is shown very well through the colours.
• Dialogue: “Damn it! Your plans will never succeed” and “A mark of Totan’s wrath has been imprinted on your face”—dialogues like these used to fill children with enthusiasm.
Why should this comic be in your collection?
“Totan Ka Kahar” is not just a superhero comic, but also a precious story of heroism and sacrifice. It teaches us that no matter how huge the enemy is, he cannot stand for long in the face of courage and the right technology.
If you’re fond of modern superhero films like Avengers, you’ll be shocked to learn that stories featuring such modern technology and large-scale action were being written in India 30 years ago. This comic is a complete treasure trove of entertainment.
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