Book: The Adventures of Timpa: Operation Rescue
Author: Jahangir Kerawala, Sarabjit Sen
Back after inhabiting the pages of erstwhile Indrajal comics from 1988-1989, Pop Culture comics revives in album form, the boy detective Timpa from what his creator Jahangir Kerawala called an untimely death.
A precocious Calcutta lad who displays Hardy Boy-like zeal for getting to the bottom of things, Timpa, in Operation Rescue, is forced to prove the innocence of his shopkeeper friend Kalia, who was framed for murder one sleepy afternoon.
The most obvious visual resemblance Timpa bears is that of the Belgian artist Herge, but the comic doesn’t entirely ape the Ligne Claire pioneer. Kerawala and artist Sarabjit Sen add an Indian feel to the book. In one tiny way, Kerawala exceeds the master’s realism in the narrative. No, there are the same amazing coincidences that wait to be seized by the protagonist; but the wry, unfunny comments from a pet are absent. And while the puffed intrepid reporter is quite the globetrotter, the farthest Timpagets to in his quest is Siliguri. Also, unlike popular comics of the time, all mythological and fantastical elements are noticeably absent (though Timpa’s amazing invulnerability to harm and constant good luck hints at a divine hand but that’s another story)
A bland do-gooder like the Belgian reporter, readers might find a perfect foil to Timpa in his grandfather who, like Captain Haddock, adds colour and humour. Minus the alcoholism and ‘profanity’, the caustic and penny-pinching grandfather provides plenty fodder for the visual gags that are sprinkled about in the background. In one meta-reference, as he beholds Timpa’s death-defying devices to break Kalia out of a high security prison, he comments “Lets hope Charles Sobhraj never gets to read this comic.”
While Sarabjit Sen’s art in some ways pales in comparison to Herge’s, he does a wonderful job painting scenery with an Indian brush. Bazaars, congested streets, truck convoy trails and a maximum security prison are convincingly rendered.
While Timpa may not hold his own against be the most original or supremely intelligent comic out there, it is of nostalgic value can not be understated. Pining for Timpa and lamentation over his cancellation is not unheard off on comic book forums in cyberspace and if the boy adventurer enthralled you as a kid, this volume should pretty much be a blast from the past.
While Timpa’s quest for justice might not be captivate everyone, the artwork and grandpa bring it closer to being page turner for the casually interested.
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