REVIEW: Ravanayan #3 & #4 - Double sized!

Ravan’s audition and Brahma’s casting ouch! (Spoilers ahoy)

Well written and equally well illustrated, Ravanayan issue 3 is a triumphant return to form after issue 2 which seemed more like an illustrated version of the “The story so far...” section of a book. The good folks at Holy Cow promised to treat us to a double issue this time round and the issue was a treat.

Coolest Indian Comic Cover Ever?

Most of Vijayendra Mohanty’s photos that I've come across till now depict him deep in thought. While most writers want to portray a brooding aspect to their personality, Mohanty appears to be someone who actually thinks. Ravan’s mindset throughout the issue is eloquently depicted in words. A noteworthy highlight is the dialogue between Brahma and Ravan - The conversation is quite interesting (though I sat in the brooding pose and have some questions which I shall raise later) and refreshing.

And speaking of refreshing, how cool is the way Brahma is depicted!!!

Inner cover awesomeness!

Mohanty’s prose is equaled and ably complimented by a competent art team consisting of Vivek, Yogesh, Komal and DK Boss. I’m eager to see how they portray Shiv and Vishnu! I assume those two will be putting in an appearance as Ravan was a devotee of Shiv and Vishnu took the avatar of Ram to subdue Ravan. I hope after giving the old fuddy-duddy version of Brahma such an awesome makeover, they give a unique twist to Shiv and Vishnu too!

As I said the dialogue between Brahma and Ravan caught my attention. While well-crafted, there are a few flaws in the argument. I think Brahma contradicts himself. On one hand he tells Ravan that order can’t exist in the world, yet on the other hand he says that there will always be a story that kindles hope. Isn’t the assurance of the existence of such a story an indication of order? According to Brahma, gods themselves can’t keep order. So who ensures that the Ramayan comes true down to the last letter?

We all do!

Why didn’t Ravan demand to be the good guy in the story and ask for Vishnu to be given the award for best villain? The roles could have been reversed. Think about it. If the aim, as Brahma mentioned, was to kindle hope, what would lead to more hope – an all powerful god subduing a strong but comparatively weaker demon king or a demon king winning over his own devilish tendencies and making an all powerful god surrender? If a post-graduate like me could pick that up, why couldn’t Ravan? Maybe it has something to do with my dad being a lawyer. Guess I’m genetically inclined to pick loopholes and argue in my defense.

First glimpses of Ram!

I also felt a tad let down by the manner in which Ravan was turned into a tragic hero. The ‘be-the-bad-guy-and-help-a-good-thing-happen-though-it-will-ruin-your-image-for-eternity’ card is just too convenient. In one swoop, all Ravan’s actions are justified. He went on a mad rampage, destroyed kingdoms and eventually abducted Sita because his role demanded it.

Yes, it does make one sympathetic towards the dude but I expected a more engrossing tale where his various alleged ‘misdeeds’ are individually discussed and justified. Mohanty definitely seems equal to that task. This device of having the foreknowledge about one’s role seems like an easy way out. But perhaps I’m wrong and the creators don’t intend the event in this issue to be a blanket sanction for all of Ravan’s future misdeeds.

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For now, I give Ravan a sympathetic nod and a heartfelt sigh. Poor guy wanted to be the world’s savior but casting director extraordinaire that Brahma is, he ended up being the scourge of the universe. That has to hurt.