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Ravana: Roar of the Demon King

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The demon-king Ravana, born of a union between the holiest of mortals and a demon princess, has risen from an obscure beginning at a hermitage to conquer not just hell but heaven too. No less than a god to his own people, he is the sheer embodiment of evil to his enemies. This arrogant demon brooks no hindrance to snatching his heart's desire, and his terror seems unstoppable to gods and humans alike. But he makes a mistake when he abducts the wife of Lord Rama, the exiled divine ruler of Ayodhya.
Ravana is a story of a demon, who dared to challenge the gods, and almost got away with it. Ravana's tale is one that will incite awe and fear simultaneously. Whose side was this enigma on, good or evil? The obvious answer seems to be but his own. Or was he really? This graphic novel seeks to explore that question, and others.

104 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 2011

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Abhimanyu Singh Sisodia

1 book1 follower

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5 stars
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75 (35%)
3 stars
50 (23%)
2 stars
16 (7%)
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6 (2%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Profile Image for Jon Nakapalau.
5,442 reviews805 followers
March 29, 2024
The story of Ravana is Shakespearean in depth and tragedy; a demon king who is ruler of all he surveys he still decides to challenge the gods. By taking Sita (wife of Rama, avatar of Vishnu) hostage he has sealed his fate and the fate of his kingdom. Yet there is a nobility in his struggle once he comes to terms with the events he has put in motion - he will fight until he is totally destroyed. Sachin Nagar's illustrations are some of the most beautiful art I have seen in any GN. The adaptation by Abhimanyu Singh Sisodia is easy to understand even if you have no background in Hindu mythology. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Raghav Bhatia.
316 reviews93 followers
February 17, 2022
I am a theatre kid. I acted in an annual Ramleela fest for five consecutive years. It was a big deal — enormous set, no-expense-spared costumes, similarly bombastic music & light production, yada yada. Hundreds of spectators watched us perform. I have very fond foundational memories from rehearsals and from onstage. Even when I was wee I spent countless hours watching Ramayana-related media. My Father to this day says: "Hanuman was your best friend."

I have since turned agnostic. I lean towards atheism. But I think it's safe to say that I know a lot about Ramayana.

Therefore I can say that Abhimanyu (writer) was thorough in his research. Unlike Amish Tripathi's modern retelling of Hindu myths (I respect what he's trying to do; what he's done with his Shiva Trilogy), Abhimanyu pulled straight from Valmiki's great original poem. So this reads, as the original does, like a fairly nuanced and only slightly outdated fairy tale.

This graphic novel sticking religiously (pun intended) to the original should in theory be a good thing. Too many people these days know only watered-down versions of the Ramayana. But sadly this leaves no room for flexibility, and I expect a reader new to the mythology would have their experience greatly bogged down by confusing nomenclature and logical barriers. Even knowing every breadth of the story I felt a bit bothered by this.

Then there's the writing itself. Why oh why do Indian authors feel the need to make regular dialogue be so grandiose that it starts sounding ridiculously rigid? Granted, that's how the original is framed as well, but that's no excuse to superfluous usage of vocabulary.

Next I'll speak of the art. It looks appealing. It is, in bits and pieces. But then along comes a page that has such clashing colors that the drawings begin not going easy on the eyes. If only the artwork were uniform, because as it is, it feels chaotic.

That's about it! I think kids — or adults who find actual text-reading boring — could be made to read this under the coolness impunity. And they could have a decent time and learn some things about an interesting figure from Hindu mythology.
Profile Image for Merril Anil.
872 reviews75 followers
June 15, 2015
Good to know

ok i will admit that there were so many things in the book that i was not aware of . so in that regards i would say that the book was a great read for me as i did get to know about the origins of the man who is one of the most hated characters in Hindu Mythology so much that he has become synonym for evil

The book is a success in regards to having a proper opening to the life of Ravana. It starts with his birth and takes us through all the major events in his life quite nicely and well narrated. What i have trouble though is with the illustration that tend to run sometimes 2D based to become 3D based in the very next page.

The illustration technique runs chaotic and mismatched. In fact the central character Ravana itself looks pretty different in each blocks on the very same page. It is not to say that the illustrations were bad but that they lacked consistency. But one has to admit that the artwork in general are quite eye catching and has a nice presentation to it but wished the technique had a continuity as first pages are two dimensional and towards last it dwindles between three and two dimensional renderings.

A great book if you really want to learn something about this most hated man of Hindu mythology.I would say that it was well scripted though illustration technique was a little haywire

Profile Image for Vikas.
Author 3 books177 followers
March 5, 2020
Wow, I really didn't know enough about this character, and I have read Ramayan in School and watched the TV series as well though I was very small all those were told from the perspective of Rama. This story is told through the perspective of Ravan and is a story on a grand scale and literally goes from his birth to his death. It's a tale as old as time, after all, it's part of Ramayan. But it's an important tale none-the-less. Also, the illustrations are awesome, they are really wonderful. Though I want to know why Hanuman was drawn differently from the book based on Hanuman even though the artist is the same, I think this may be due to the fact that to Ravan, Hanuman looked like that but I will let the artist respond to that.

A very nice graphic novel which tells a story which you might not know completely so do read it, give it chance and then just Keep on Reading.

I have always loved comics, and I hope that I will always love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics or Diamond Comics or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on the international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I Love comics to bit, may comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
Profile Image for Ankita.
41 reviews2 followers
March 7, 2016
Brilliant illustrations! So far when it comes to mythology, the only illustrations I've been exposed to were mostly Amar Chitra Katha comics so this one was a pleasant surprise. The mysticism, the beauty, the grace that is usually associated with Hindu mythology is beautifully depicted.

Story wise, I had probably expected a lot more. I had hoped to learn more about Ravana and his side of the story but it was mostly disappointing (but maybe that's me - for someone with very little exposure to Ramayana this book would be quite a revelation). The language seemed ....very inconsistent. The tone would switch from being respectful to sometimes quite casual. And usage of some phrases seemed quite out of place and at times, a bit unnatural.

Overall, a good read and a very quick one! I (surprisingly) finished it within a day.

Profile Image for Resh (The Book Satchel).
479 reviews519 followers
November 1, 2016
I really loved this read. It is the story of the villain, Ravana, told in his own words. We follow Ravana's life from childhood until his death, and also his rise to power and decline due to his arrogance.

The plus:
The ART! The art is amazing. It has the best drawings of Hanuman (seen in a grand form, not like a comical monkey) and the ten heads of Ravana.

The minus :
The book is too short! So many important details were condensed to a bubble. I wish it was longer.

You can check the full review here - http://www.thebooksatchel.com/ravana-...
Profile Image for Moshita.
69 reviews5 followers
Read
October 24, 2020
The most reviled villain in all of Hindu mythology, Ravana is a complex character whose life story would read something like a Shakespearean tragedy if he wasn’t so deeply embossed in our collective subconscious as the Demon King of Lanka in the Indian subcontinent and its far-flung neighbours of the East.

But, how did this young boy who was called Dashananda at birth, become Ravana, ‘He of the Terrifying Roar, Whose Cry makes the Universe Tremble’?

In the book, Ravana: The Roar of the Demon King, author Sisodia charts the story of Ravana in the narrative format of the origin villain, treating the mythological King as a Marvel supervillain and taking knowledge from the Hindu scriptures to tell an account of a brahmin demon who became a King and is worshipped in some places as a God.

A format that decidedly in its treatment of illustration and narrative; anachronistic words notwithstanding, throws off the stuffy PG version of the Amar Chitra Katha we all grew up reading and plunges Indian mythology and its polarising figures into a whip snap literature of the 21st century.

Born of a Brahmin father Vishrava and a rakshasa mother Kaikesi, Dashananda from a young age shows the promise of a great future untold as yet then. A master of the four vedas and six upanishads by the time he is a teenager and skilled in martial combat, and the veena, he puts into action his plan of conquering all the three world, heaven, earth, and hell with the help of his grandfather Sumali, who gives him an army, Lord Brahma who grants him immortality, and the combat skills to over power any god or beast.

He begins his conquest by claiming Lanka, without bloodshed from his half-brother Kubera Lord of treasure and sets about expanding his kingdom, conquering Earth, then the Underworld, and finally Heaven. In need of a Queen, his proposal to Sita turned down because of his rakshasa origins, he finds his queen in Mandodari, a balm to his temperamental nature, something he alludes to often.

His transformation to Ravana, the name bestowed on him by Lord Shiva becomes the crux point of Dashananda’s personality, where is arrogance leads to his downfall; his penance is true and you hope that maybe the story changes now, but its doesn’t.

Now, as Ravana, blinded by affection for his sister Shoorpanaka and driven by ego and pride, he kidnaps Sita, in what now marked as the eventual downturn of his reign. We see his ruination as the great ruler of Lanka isolate him self steadily from logic and reason, from his kingly duties and his wife and brothers, as he doggedly pursues the death of Rama and Lakshman, his last and final chance to claim glory in the pages of the mythology on his terms.

Sisodia ends the book on an introspective note, Ravana is in contemplation of his immoral acts, his remorse on letting his arrogance and ego get the better on him, on numerous occasions, and the lost opportunity to repent his actions

Maybe, this Dusshera, we too should whip out the sword and be-head the heads of ego and pride, and arrogance around us and within us; we might not get another chance in this lifetime.
Profile Image for Arpita.
291 reviews20 followers
August 16, 2020
I really liked this graphic novel based on the life of Ravana. If you've read your mythology, you'd agree that though popular culture places Rama as good and Ravana as evil, there's another side to the story. Mythology from India and around the world looks for stories that illustrate the power of good over evil. The example of Rama vs Ravana is a story sold one-way. It is not a lie for sure. But it also conveniently shares only half the truth.

Ravana was a highly skilled, exceptionally wise and tolerant ruler of the demon world. What made him turn into the egoistic and 'evil' King we know him as? What was his undoing?

If you love full-color graphic novels and crisp story-telling, I'd recommend this short read into the life of the enigmatic Ravana.
Profile Image for Shravanthi.
230 reviews124 followers
January 6, 2018
A must have book in every library.

Impressive storytelling. amazing art work. Incredible script. This tale got better and better as it progressed. I thought that I had gotten to the best part, turn the page and surprise - another brilliant page with rich storytelling. I loved it. I absolutely loved it. And the ending! Ah, it was perfect.

I think that this graphic novel should be on every Mythology-lover's shelf.
Profile Image for Manikandan Jayakumar.
73 reviews12 followers
September 5, 2017
Story started with mighty Ravana tells about himself, this sets the expectation to another level. As the story moves further, realized that its usual.

I have expected a different or deeper view on Ravana but the story is simple, graphics are great and grand but still they are usual, author/artist has nothing much to offer than the usual stuffs we already know.
Profile Image for Divya.
72 reviews1 follower
August 16, 2013
very good plot!some graphics were also splendid.
Profile Image for Ridhima.
3 reviews3 followers
January 14, 2014
the graphics of this book are awesome ... amazing depiction of ravana and hanuman..
Profile Image for Shaswat Rungta.
5 reviews2 followers
January 25, 2016
I just love the graphics. The story of Ravaana has been captured simply. the novel does not try to become what it is not and keeps the story line simple and in an overview of events.
Profile Image for TRB.
14 reviews12 followers
July 5, 2022
Very short but understandable, writing at times felt like it was written for a noble and not a comic book but love the art style very mature and aesthetic 🙌

Makes me want to explore more campfire graphic novels.
October 19, 2020
Ravana: An Illuminating Graphic Novel

Roar of the Demon King

I just finished reading this graphic novel, and loved its awesomax combo of colors and letters. Don't get my light tone wrong: the concept and its execution are quite expansive.

Because it narrates the story of one of the titans of Indian mythology, Ravana, its linear timeline touches upon all things 'holy': the Holy Trinity of Hinduism (not the father-son-specter version of Christianity), the sacred texts of Indic knowledge (Vedas & Upanishads), swarg & nark (Paatal Lok), Sita + Ram + Laxman + Hanuman...they all play their parts.

But it is not all as heavy-handed as it sounds, set in such a rich and traditional background: a shoutout to South Park's Cartman is spot on!

There is an excellent glossary page at the end, and the Did You Know end pages are also quite informative about Ravana in other re(li)gions.

S Nagar's art is well-suited to the grandiose mythological characters.

The script, authored by Abhimanyu Sisodia, flows well, written in first-person narrative from the POV of the titular character: Ravan(a).

There is one panel which shows Ravan at his training range, shooting arrows at an upside down body...a dark but effective use of perspective.

The weapons and artifacts are depicted and explained quite well, including the cool jet pack version of the pushpak viman(a). I’ll call this fusion...mythpunk.

The armor suit-up montage when Ravan gets ready to battle Ram is nice, using onomatopoeia (click, snap, shring for the ring of the sword going into its sheath).

Ending at the end of Ravan's life, this goodread is a great treat!
Profile Image for Denim Datta.
371 reviews19 followers
August 27, 2015
"Awesome artwork" was the first thing to come to mind after finished reading this book. The graphics of Hanuman is the best of them all.
The story was the Ravana's life, with Ravana as the POV character. But, unlike expected from this, it didn't glorify him blindly, rather shows his mistake.
Things that could've been better (and there goes the one *) were the storytelling (the dialogues and descriptions) and abrupt ending of some of the side-stories.
Overall its a 4* (and I'll give 3* of them for the artwork only - simply superb)
376 reviews5 followers
March 27, 2015
A moral tale to be sure--pride, arrogance, anger are deadly--but with beautiful art work and good story.
Profile Image for Pratyusha.
76 reviews
May 14, 2017
Loved the graphic pics.. having read asura ,felt this inclined more towards Rama as usual. Expected it to b more neutral or explain ravan's version. Enjoyed it nonetheless.
Profile Image for Monish S.
15 reviews
May 22, 2020
Amazing graphic novel with beautiful illustrations. It changed my way of thinking about this villain character. I wanted more of it.
Profile Image for Vijai.
218 reviews60 followers
October 8, 2013
I am not a connoisseur of graphic novels to write a technically accurate review. So, bear with me and know that this review is from a noob.

What I liked:

1. Holy awesomeness! the graphics. To say I am impressed would be an understatement. Please buy this book and be guaranteed of a visual treat.

2. The huge canvas. I mean, the illustrator has done his best to create this magnanimous world of Lanka keeping in line with the 'abode of the asuras' theme while straying away from conventional depictions of Ravana's Lanka. End result? effing awesomeness I tell you.

3. Lord Hanuman's illustrations. 'nuff said.

4. The accuracy of the stories. I checked. Good effort.


What I did not like:

1. This book was not meant for a 100 page limitation. Simply unacceptable was how in so many places the mini-stories ended abruptly which had they allowed to be part of the main narration would have given this book a more stronger appeal.

2. The writing although excellent in places, sounded as if it was held back. Maybe the lack of real estate hindered the author but the publishers ought to have done something about it. Alas! a splendid effort from the writer went to naught because of what I think may have been a cost saving maneuver.


Should you buy this book? definitely yes. A five star rating from me.
Profile Image for Jaydeep.
28 reviews23 followers
February 25, 2014
Fantastic work.

The script has rather nice vignettes scattered throughout – for example, that Sita is mythically the daughter of the Earth goddess, and that Ravana, the king of the underworld as well as Lanka abducting her has definite echoes with the Graeco-Roman myth of Hades/Pluto abducting Persephone/Proserpine. Also the mythical origin of the Rudraveena (this was especially good to learn) – first forged by Ravana from his own veins while meditating to placate the great Shiva – Rudra, destroyer of worlds.

The art is a definite standout. There are a number of frames here that I'd like to put up on my wall. The book's painter, Sachin Nagar, has a stellar visual imagination. It also helps that he's used software-forged techniques like speed-painting to aid and edit the artwork to lend it a kind of polish so far rare in comic-art hereabouts.

Get this now.
Profile Image for Shekhar Ruparelia.
58 reviews51 followers
June 14, 2012
Visually awesome, this is the tale of Ravana and his coming to power, and his choices which led to his ultimate downfall. The story-writers haven't experimented much with the traditional telling of the tale.

Which is good. They have kept the tale simple and by keeping us, the reader, in familiar territory as far as the story goes, moved our attention to the brilliant art work.

Bravo! Would love to see these people reproduce more tales from Hindu mythology.
Profile Image for GenevieveAudrey.
196 reviews2 followers
November 4, 2021
3.5 stars for me.
Beautifully illustrated and a good introduction to Ravan's background which I was not previously familiar with.

I've gotten more insight from this, for another book I'm reading about Ravan's sister.
Profile Image for Mounika Borra.
235 reviews6 followers
January 20, 2024
👺Tale of mighty Ravana!!
As always mythology intrigues me and that too reading about the powerful characters in epics is quite exciting.
In this graphic novel, Ravana speaks of his shortcomings and major incidents in his lifetime. The illustrations leave us in awe and the artist kept up with each segment of the story in a very commendable manner and the cover page itself is eye-catching. One would finish reading it in no time!
Profile Image for Larakaa.
819 reviews17 followers
October 8, 2017
A gift from my brother from his travels to India. If you read it as a fantasy story it‘s okay. The visuals lack motion a bit but still nicely done.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews

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