Raj Comics is an Indian comic book publisher specialising in Hindi-language superhero, action and fantasy comics. Founded in the 1980s, it became one of the largest indigenous comic publishers in India, best known for creating a roster of original Indian superheroes whose adventures have been serialised across hundreds of titles.
| Type | Comic book publisher |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Comics |
| Country | India |
| Primary language | Hindi (with English editions for select titles) |
| Genres | Superhero, action, fantasy, horror, mystery |
| Founders | Raj Kumar Gupta and family |
Raj Comics emerged from the Raja Pocket Books publishing house, which had earlier built a readership in Hindi pulp fiction and pocket novels. The shift into comics positioned the publisher to compete with established Indian imprints such as Diamond Comics and Indrajal Comics, while differentiating itself through serialised superhero universes designed specifically for Indian readers.
Raj Comics is most closely associated with a stable of original superheroes, several of whom became cultural touchstones for Hindi-reading comic fans through the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. Major characters include:
Many of these characters share a continuity, with frequent crossovers and team-ups that form a connected fictional universe.
The publisher has worked with a long roster of Indian writers and artists, including Sanjay Gupta, Tarun Kumar Wahi, Anupam Sinha (closely associated with Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruva), Pratap Mullick, Hemant Kumar, Manoj Gupta, Manu, and Jolly Sinha, among others. Anupam Sinha in particular is credited with shaping the visual and narrative identity of several flagship titles.
Raj Comics traditionally distributed printed issues through newsstands, railway bookstalls and dedicated comic vendors across northern and central India. In later years the publisher expanded into digital comics, collected editions, and online direct-to-consumer sales, and it has experimented with motion comics, animation and licensed merchandise.
Raj Comics is widely regarded as a foundational publisher in the development of an indigenous Indian superhero tradition. While earlier Indian comics often adapted mythology, folklore or foreign characters, Raj Comics built sustained original superhero franchises in Hindi at a time when the format was dominated globally by American publishers. Its characters have influenced subsequent Indian comics, web series, and adaptations into other media.
Several Raj Comics characters have been adapted or referenced in Indian film and television. Notably, the character Doga has been associated with feature film development by filmmaker Anurag Kashyap, and Nagraj and Super Commando Dhruva have been adapted into animated television content for Indian broadcasters.