18 Heroes In Indian Comic Books We Absolutely Loved In Our Childhood

When we were kids, Raj and Diamond comics were like DC and Marvel for us. Most of our comic books were brought from the local vendor, often with the spare change that used to remain in our pockets. These comics were a must, especially for train and bus journeys.

We look back at some of our desi comic heroes who still have a special place in our hearts.
 

1. Nagaraj

Remember how he used to throw poisonous snakes at people.

Nagaraj is probably one of the most popular superheroes of our desi comic books. The character was first introduced almost 25 years ago and since then it has seen a lot of transformation.

He has numerous powers like a snake bite, snake spit, venomous breath, superhuman strength and instant healing powers.

He lives in a fictional city called Mahanagar and works at a local News channel that he secretly owns. Though, today most of the comics have lost its old popularity, Nagaraj still manages to hold its ground.
 

2. Chacha Chaudhary and Sabu

Well, who can forget Sabu’s eating capacity?,And we all knew it that no one can compete with our beloved Chacha.

No other comic strip has probably seen the kind of popularity that Chacha Chaudhary has seen. Every kid must have owned at least a copy of this comic.
Both of them not only solved crimes but many times they solved some other complicated cases and mysteries.
 

3. Pinki

Who can forget how this mischevious girl always used to create problems for her neighbours?

Pinki is another popular character created by the Diamond comics. Unlike other comic book heroes, Pinki is neither super intelligent nor has any kind of super power. But what makes Pinki our favourite is exactly those facts. She is a character which seemed to be real.
Her character seemed to be quite similar to the famous ‘Dennis the Menace’.
 

4. Super Commander Dhruv

Well, you have to admit, we were all jealous of his intelligence and remember how he used to use even his bike as a weapon.

No Indian comic hero list can be complete without him. Dhruv is one of the most popular comic heroes of the Indian Comic book universe. He is someone who can rival Nagaraj’s popularity.

One special quality about him is that he does not hide behind a mask nor he has any special superpowers. He was trained in a circus. When in a fight he uses whatever is available to him as a weapon. He just carries few blades and rides a motorcycle. The most special quality about him is the fact that he uses anything as a weapon.
 

5. Angara

Well, who can forget his bulletproof Rhino skin.

The Angara was another very popular comic character. For a change, Angara was neither created by Diamond comics or Raj comics. He was created by a lesser known Tulsi comics. He had the abilities of animals in the body of a man.

He was different from other superheroes even in his purpose. His sole purpose was to protect the nature and the wildlife.
 

6. Doga

His dog-mask used to even scare us. And you do remember the way he used to deal with criminals? Don’t you?

If you followed Hindi comic books, then you must know about Doga. Of all the characters, Doga has created a niche for himself.

Another interesting fact about him that unlike other superheroes who often operate in some fictional city. Doga lives and operates in Mumbai. What makes him special is the fact that he is probably the only anti-hero of the Indian comic book universe.
 

7. Hawaldar Bahadur

Well, who can forget his incapable senior officers?

Hawaldar Bahadur is not a conventional hero and that what makes him such a loved character. He is simple constable but he still manages to solve crimes that many of his officers fail.

Though the comics were focused on comedy more than anything else yet Hawaldar Bahadur intelligence was something we all admired.
 

8. Suppandi

Even today we all remember his stupid acts that used to amuse us.

Suppandi is a character who appears in the Twinkle comics. He is basically a village simpleton. He made his debut way back in 1983 and ever since has remained a popular character. His stupidity often gives the comics its charm.
 

9. Shikari Shambu

Don’t we all envy Shambu for his luck?

He is well renowned but a faint-hearted hunter. Luck always seems to be by his side. Such is his luck that most of the times animals fall into trap unconsciously.
 

10. Billoo

Admit it, when we were kids we all wanted to be like him.

Billu was a character that was created way back in 1973 by Diamond books.  He often reminds us Archies. The comic also had few interesting characters like Colonel Three Not Three.
 

11. Tenali Raman

Didn’t we all enjoy when Raman used to teach the Raj Guru a lesson?

Tenali Raman was one of the few Indian comics that was published in many different languages. Tenali Raman’s comics were published by Amar Chitra Katha.  the comics often carry fun-filled and yet thought-provoking stories that make the kids think.
 

12. Maula Nasrudin

Well, you have to admit, that we learned about wisdom from this man more than even any book.

Much like Tenali Raman, much of these comics fun element lied in Maula Nasrudin’s wit. His stories were not only witty but also carried a lot of wisdom. This comic strip has also been translated into many languages.
 

13. Kapish

Isn’t he the reason why we all started to love monkeys?

Baboocha the bear, Bundila the elephant, Pintu the fawn, Motu the rabbit and Panja the eagle are some of his friends.  Kapish has supernatural powers, which help him to extend and shrink his tail at will. This ability and his quick thinking help him to save his friends.
 

14. Parmanu

How we wished one of our uncles would gift us such a suit.

Parmanu is another superhero which is still loved by many of us. This character was also created by Raj comics and is one of the few which is running for over two decades now. The suit helps him to launch atomic bolts and protects him from all attacks. It also helps him to change his size. He also has a robot called Probot, which offers him support and assistance.
So basically, Parmanu is, what happens when Ant-Man meets Iron Man
 

15. Inspector Steel

We all wanted to get a body like him. Didn’t we?

Another very loved character was Inspector Steel. Like many other superheroes, he was also created by the famous Raj Comics. Inspector Steel was earlier a simple inspector called Raj. In a field operation, he got so gravely injured that most of his body parts were damaged.
Only his brain was the only thing left functional. One of his friends then performed an operation and his brain was transferred into a body made of steel.
And with his superhuman body, he helps others to solve the crimes.

He does remind us of Robocop, though.
 

16. Tiranga

He always made us more patriotic and we all wanted to be like him and save the country.

Tiranga is India’s answer to Captain America. Tiranga made a special place in our hearts because of his costume and his purpose. He was someone who fought the against crime and was a patriot. He did not have any special powers. He is super intelligent and had a shield that protected him.
What makes him quite unique is the fact that he also has a soft side and is known for his poetry.
 

17. Shakti

How we wished we could travel as fast as she could.

Shakti is one of the few female superheroes. Shakti too is a character created by the Raj Comics. What sets her apart is the fact she fights against the injustice of women. She has the power to produce fire and melt metals to produce weapons with her third eye. These qualities made Shakti one of our most loved characters. Shakti was perhaps a character who was way ahead of its time.
 

18. Bhokal

Didn’t we all wanted to become as powerful as him?

Unlike other superheroes, Bhokal’s origin is not in recent times. He has superhuman strength and is almost immortal. He is sent to the place called Vikas Nagar and he not only adopts his new city but also becomes a staunch defender of the same.

Bhokal’s origins and his story might remind you of Marvel’s Thor. Nevertheless, Bhokal has remained one of the most popular characters of the Indian comic book universe.

So, no matter how much western comics are popular today, these comics would always make us nostalgic.

Cover Image Source 1&2