Doga (comics)


Doga is a fictional character, an Indian comic book anti-hero character appearing in Raj Comics, published and distributed across India. Created by Tarunkumar Wahi, Sanjay Gupta and artist Manu in the November 1992, Doga is the first and as yet the only antihero character in Raj Comics. The character first appeared in the issue Curfew. His first name is revealed as Suraj, although his surname has yet to be specified.
Deeply affected by his past and the cruelty on his life, circumstances resulted in an orphaned young Suraj to build up a life-long hatred against the twisted crime system. To end the pain and guilt he suffered since childhood and avenge the deaths of his close ones, Suraj concealed his identity behind a dog mask, adopted the alter-ego of a ruthless and feared vigilante named "Doga" and set out to cleanse his city of crime and corruption, starting by massacring a local street-gang. Deeply disturbed and traumatised since childhood, Doga is a cynical and brutish, yet idealistic vigilante who believes in "uprooting the problem rather than solving it", and does not believe in upholding the laws and rules of the world since he considers the whole system corrupt and twisted.
Doga is considered to be among the three most popular comic leading characters created by Raj Comics due to his huge fan following, the other two being Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruva. His comics feature real life like stories usually inspired from true events giving his comics a realistic world far from science fiction making him more popular among mature readers.
In August 2008 Indian Film maker Anurag Kashyap declared that he will be making a movie on Doga's character in a project produced by Sony International. Production was expected to begin in the middle of the year 2010. However, the project was postponed. Production was expected to begin in mid-2013 and Kunal Kapoor was rumored playing the lead.

Origin

Suraj was an orphan who was found as an infant in a rubbish dump by Daku Halkan Singh, a ruthless Dacoit, who used him as protection against a police raid to save himself, but treated him like a dog. While in Halkan's care, the child witnessed endless horrors that would ultimately lead to his becoming a sociopath.
Eventually he escaped Halkan's den with a kidnapped girl Sonu. Suraj's life took a turn for the better when he met Adrak Chacha and his brothers. Initially he used to practice in his gym hiding from others. Seeing his devotion, Adrak allowed the child to make use of his gym for weightlifting helping him to build his muscle mass. He was also given training in martial arts under Haldi Khan, boxing under Dhania Khan, marksmanship and Fighter Pilot under Kalimirchi Khan.
Suraj became Doga because of a personal tragedy that befell his "family" sometime later. A former member of the gym, Killota, set up his own place, and tried to eliminate his rivals permanently. Suraj was the only survivor of a carnage perpetrated by hired goons.
To seek revenge, Suraj adopted the alter ego of Doga, wearing a dog mask to hide his identity. He killed Killota's gang and further set out to become a one-man army against organized crime, mainly in Mumbai.
After that he killed Daku Halkan Singh who had by then become Minister Halkat. Because of his one-man army and brave image the people of Mumbai call him 'Mumbai ka Baap'.
Vital Statistics:
  1. Extraordinary Physical Strength and Endurance,
  2. Expert in Martial Arts,
  3. Ability to dodge bullets,
  4. Expert Shooter, has a lot of weapons in his arsenal,
  5. Can communicate with dogs and order them,
  6. Has quick reflexes and a clever mind which enables him to negotiate threat from his enemies as well as to avoid being caught by the police.
  7. His physical powers are the result of extremely rigorous workouts in gym, unlike other super-heroes who have special superpowers. He has even fought Kobi, a wolf-like superhero, who is much taller and stronger than him. He is the strongest superhero, if special powers aren't considered.
The name Doga is a derivative of dog, a creature which is extremely brave. Dogs are also scary and are usually kept for protection. These elements of a dogs nature are fairly prominent in the character of Doga.
There is however a different story behind the name "Doga" which appeared in one of his comics. The name has been taken from the four institutions his four uncles head, namely, Lion en, Lion ccult, Lion ym and Lion im. Most appropriately classified as a vigilante superhero, Doga wears a hound like mask and inflicts terror in the minds of criminals by his generally destructive modus operandi. Doga likes to take out criminals with force which is sometimes excessive but that's what makes him exciting. Often we see Doga being assisted by his uncles, most prominently by Kalimirch who is an expert marksman. Doga also has strong relevance to his home-city Mumbai. The city of Mumbai has deep impact on the character development of Doga and the storyline. The corruption amongst cops, political murders, terrorist attacks, underworld crime etc. play a very vital role in the setting and surroundings of Doga. Many of Doga's feats involve taking advantage of Suraj's excellent knowledge of the landscape of Mumbai and the urban scenarios.

Friends

Doga on his journey made many friends, some of these actually came to know about his real identity, those are
In a later story it was revealed that Monika is actually Suraj's lost lover Sonu, who he thinks died many years ago. It was revealed in a comic "I Love You" along with a novel by the same name.
He has also teamed up with other Raj Comics Superstars like Parmanu, Nagraj, Super Commando Dhruva, Inspector Steel, Bheriya and Shakti.

Profiles of Uncles (Chachas)

Raghvendra Chacha: He is the Guru Ghantal of all the other chachas. He was also often known in conjunction with the legendary Chachi.

Adrak Chacha: One time weight lifting champion. He runs the Lion Gym. A father-figure for Doga. Adrak also means Ginger.


Dhania Chacha: Younger brother of Adrak. An ex-heavy weight boxing champion, now runs his own boxing school named 'Lion's Den'. Doga learnt boxing art from him. Dhania also means Coriander.


Haldi Chacha: Another brother of Adrak. An expert in martial arts. Owns a martial arts centre named 'Lion Occult'. Trained Doga in martial arts. Haldi also means Turmeric.


Kalimirchi Chacha: Last of the brothers. A champion sharp shooter. Expert in firearms and explosives. Runs the 'Lion Aim Club', a training center for shooting. Doga honed his shooting skills under his care. Kalimirchi also means Black Pepper.
Doga was almost killed by his four uncles in the series Tune Mara Doga Ko under the influence of his arch enemy Kal Pahelia.

Enemies

His arch rivals are:
Doga has no special powers except that he is able to communicate with Dogs who help him gain information as he travels the sewers of Mumbai. He fights crime to alleviate and control his anger for the pain he suffered from criminals and crime during childhood. In combat, he relies on his Martial Arts training, his fearlessness, his impressive physical power which is a result of his years spent in the gym as well as a fairly large arsenal of guns and bombs.
Doga has shown an extraordinarily high level of pain tolerance.
Doga's special characteristic is his renowned hatred for crime and criminals. This factor charges him up equally for every wrong-doer he comes across.
Doga has been presented showing no mercy towards criminals hence he is hugely popular for his one-man army image.

Published Series

Raj comics published a series of Doga comics called Khoon Mein Janmaa. It was a long series of Doga comics. The first comics of the series titled Doga Tere Karan and many other stories.
The parts of this series in chronological order are-

Born in Blood Series

Raj Comics has produced several hundred Titles on Doga. A list could be seen at
List of Doga's till now published comics sequentially:
  1. Curfew
  2. Ye Hai Doga
  3. Main Hoon Doga
  4. Adrak Chacha
  5. Gainda
  6. Chor Sipahi
  7. Inspector Cheeta
  8. Kutta Fauj
  9. Muqabla
  10. Bulldog
  11. Khatarnak
  12. Hadtaal
  13. Doga Zindabad
  14. Bichchhu
  15. Aakhiri Goli
  16. Doga Aur Jhabra
  17. Superboy
  18. Golden Hatyara
  19. Kuttaraj
  20. Jabardast
  21. Nishana Dil Per
  22. Bubo Bubo
  23. Tiranga
  24. 786
  25. Main hoon Bheriya
  26. Tandoor
  27. Magarmachch
  28. Cheekh Doga Cheekh
  29. Lomdi
  30. Kali Vidhwa
  31. Kharab Kanoon
  32. I Love U
  33. Kayar
  34. Haath Aur Hathiyaar
  35. Mara Gaya Doga
  36. Marenge Doga Ke Dushman
  37. Do Faulad
  38. Sheer Ka Bacha
  39. Mard Or Murda
  40. Khaki aur Khaddar
  41. Khooni Paheliyan
  42. Deadline
  43. Mrityudata
  44. Thandi Aag
  45. Trombay Trick
  46. Doga Ko Gado
  47. Doga-Shakti
  48. Raat Ki Rani
  49. Bhul Gaya Doga
  50. Savdhaan Doga
  51. Kaun Bada Jallad
  52. Char Minar
  53. Khoon Ka Khatra
  54. Aath Ghante
  55. Doga Maar
  56. Nisachar
  57. Butler
  58. Time Over
  59. Bachiye Madam
  60. Valentine
  61. Hey Raam
  62. Torcher
  63. Jalianwala
  64. Aaj Mat Ja
  65. Jara Bach ke
  66. Ghus Pethia
  67. 4 Kilometer Aage
  68. Body Guard
  69. Vardiwala Doga
  70. Bik Gaya Doga
  71. Mumbai ka Baap
  72. Race
  73. Har Mod Pe Khada Hai Doga
  74. Doga ne Mara
  75. Headline
  76. Doga Hajir Hai
  77. Ding Dong Doga
  78. Wardi Aur Bandook
  79. Tune Mara Doga Ko
  80. Apun Bola Kill Doga
  81. Bombay Dying
  82. Welcome Doga Welcome Steel
  83. Nishane Par Doga
  84. Adrak Ke Panje
  85. Kyun Maron Pagal Ko
  86. Jaan jokhim mein
  87. Doga ka Postmartam
  88. Doga Ki Adalat
  89. Boli Aur Barood
  90. Kyun Fenka Kude Pe
  91. Tu Samajhta Kyun Nehi Doga
  92. Brahmand Ke Rakshak
  93. Kalu 420 Doga 440
  94. Apun Pagal Hai
  95. Deal
  96. Doga My Brother
  97. Ye Shadi Hoke Rahegi
  98. Kobi Bhai
  99. Ek Meyan Doh Talwaar
  100. Gangwar
  101. Good Time Bad Time
  102. Gatar Hamara Hai
  103. Robo Breaker
  104. Daulat Hai Asi Cheez
  105. Doga Hai Hi Asi Cheez
  106. Mujhe Marna Hai
  107. Pakistan Jindabad
  108. Shaitan Raag
  109. Naram Garm
  110. Doga Jail Mein
  111. Bhad Mein Ja
  112. Doga Hamein Do
  113. Ghusa Hindustani
  114. Baap Ka Raaz
  115. Bhag Doga Bhag
  116. Kaun Bachega Kaun Marega
  117. Kala Tiranga
  118. Dhama Chaukri
  119. Haat Utha Doga Gun Jhuka Steel
  120. Aandha Doga
  121. Gunda Gamraj Khooni Doga
  122. Faulad Nehi Fathte
  123. Kahan Gaya Doga
  124. Barood Putra Doga
  125. Kaal Aur Doga
  126. Kaal Aur Kali
  127. I Hate Doga
  128. Pasa Fenk Tamasha Dekh
  129. Suraj Doga Ban
  130. Goli Number 10
  131. Mein Bhi Policewala
  132. Hath Jod Hathiyar Chod
  133. Ab Tu Nehi Mein
  134. Doga Se Marwaunga
  135. Gayabchand
  136. Indian Idol
  137. Bhai Kamaal Hai
  138. Doosra Khun
  139. Guntantra
  140. Dugdugi Doga
  141. Doga Niti
  142. Super Idiot
  143. Khaki Chuha
  144. Doga Haran
  145. Doga ka Encounter
  146. Sarvanaash
  147. Doga Tere Karan
  148. Nasoor Doga
  149. Nikal Pada Doga
  150. Prasanjeet
  151. Bhookha Doga
  152. So Ja Doga
  153. Wafa
  154. Wafadaar
  155. Doga Hindu Hai
  156. Apna Bhai Doga
  157. Doga Hay Hay
  158. Ro Pada Doga
  159. Doga ka Curfew
  160. Express way
  161. Speed X
  162. Speed Breaker
  163. Thamba
  164. 26/11
  165. Halla Bol
  166. Vridh Warrior
  167. Golden Racer
  168. Golden Hero
  169. Old-Is-Gold
  170. Abhishapt
  171. 8:36
  172. Matrbhumi
  173. Chehra
  174. Lakshya Bedhi
  175. Lakshya Purush
  176. 72 Ghante
  177. Raavan Doga
  178. Shubhashay Shighram
  179. Raat ka Bhakshak
  180. Doga Nirmulak
  181. Doga Bekabu
  182. Doga Nyay
  183. Doga Unmat
  184. Doga Ansh
  185. Doga Dhwast
  186. Nirmulak Kranti
  187. Doga Ast
Now, Raj Comics is also publishing Digest consisting of sets of 3-6 comics of Doga. Till date, 10 Digests have been released.

Adaptation

Bollywood Director Anurag Kashyap declared that he will be making a film on Doga, produced by Phantom Films and Raj Comics, However this project is shelved. Now Raj comics produced a short movie "Doga - Mumbai ka Rakhwala" with Rubber switch films directed by Vikki Kaul and a trailer was out on its Official YouTube channel.