Book Review- Rashtraman: Rhastrayana- Trouble in Paradise by Appupen

Book Review- Rashtraman: Rhastrayana- Trouble in Paradise by Appupen

The First lady has been kidnapped by the terrorists from Paddstan.

Idiots! You know what this makes our great leader look like?

A bloody Laddu! That's what! Declare Emergency.

For people familiar with Appupen's Halahala Universe, this book stands out from the list for being the slimmest of the lot. The art is an explosion of colour, a stark contrast to Appupen's previous monotone work. The narrative is also quite refreshing   -- the silent comic or lack of speech that has become synonymous with Halahala: the dystopian universe rigged with greed, addiction, lust and destruction; has been forgotten here.

Rashtrayana: Trouble in Paradise is a chunk taken from the life of Rashtraman -- the legendary hero of Halahala and it lampoons the present political scenario of the country. Rashtraman's antics have been documented on the internet for a while now and now on the streets in form of graffiti. This is his debut on paper.

The First lady of the Rashtra has been kidnapped by the demon king of Paddstan. It's up to Rashtraman and his sidekick Cowboy to rescue her and save the face of the nation with help of another character called Propagandhi. The three heroes are armed with tools like religion, nationalism and honour.

Let's talk about art.

A lot of panels have been used in this book. Each page is colourful and vibrant and carefully contrasted; nothing is grim and gritty and bleak in the Rashtra. The use of primary colours and outlining helps the panel’s focus stand out against the busy background. Creatures and technology of all kinds occupy the panels. There is, however, need for breathing space; the use of blank space is next to nil. 

Some of the character designs are a mashup of Shonen manga, ACK and Raj Comics.

The curvy women and the super-macho men in tights and spiky hair remind you of a toxic art style that has influenced many comics.

The story has one objective -- mock as many right-wing ideologies as possible. Cow-fanaticism, fiscal development at the cost of lives, who-has-the-biggest-statue competition, nationalism, women's rights, everything is fair game. Enforcing the right-wing ideologies are Vigilaunty and Buffalo Bull, characters who protect the Rashtra from sex, love, and care.

Rashtraman and Cowboy have speech bubbles coloured differently than that of the other characters, and the conversations the two have are the funniest. I especially loved the part where Cowboy pulls a stunt like Hanuman did when he burned Lanka with his tail.

The presence of female characters is reduced to background molls and, eye candy, and it’s only in the climax that women find an agency. In a Rashtra where women are under curfew post 6.30 and Vigilaunty asks them to abstain from sex, we cannot expect equal representation of genders.

The twist in the climax is predictable. With so much murder, suicide and immolation going on in name of nationalism, I would have been disappointed if it had ended any other way.

For a self-published comic, Rashtrayana is extremely well made and reasonably priced. The paper quality, the folio size, and the overall presentation is beautiful to behold. This book is another example that first-time creators, wanting to publish their work, should learn from.

Rashtrayana: Trouble in Paradise should be considered a comic novella in the Halahala universe. It’s a psychedelic side trip for the world before its impending doom and is a fun read with the right dose of parody born of clichés and tropes.