Who is RAKSHAK? Rakshak is a vigilante sans superpowers: yes there are quite a few of them, the biggest one being Batman, followed by Punisher, Daredevil, Kickass and others. The uniqueness of Rakshak as a vigilante comes from the fact that he is an ex-Indian army marine commando or MARCO, equivalent to US Navy Seals. Having lost a limb serving his country, and having seen the worst in humanity, wounded both in body and soul, he wants nothing but to settle down with his family, i.e sister, brother-in-law (who happens to be a white American) and his teenage niece, a comic book nut. Like most vigilantes, his journey towards exacting justice is rooted in a personal tragedy, akin to the great violent tragedy of the Nirbhaya Rape case in Delhi which shook the world. This tragedy drives him to the edge and finally he decides to take law in his own hands, partially because of the guilt of not being able to save his sister and brother-in-law and mostly because he wants to rekindle hope and motivation for his orphaned niece. Captain Aditya Shergill, inspired from comic book superheroes like Batman, decides to don the mantle of Rakshak, the Protector. The uniqueness of the story is the ground reality which it is based on: what if a normal human being, working within the boundaries of a code of no killing, without the backing of billions of dollars, decides to take the law in his hands as a masked vigilante? How will the world react? What real life challenges will he face in his sojourn against injustice and crime? Rakshak is a dark, cerebral, yet elevating tale of one man who decided to stand up and say ‘No’. Issue synopsis Retired Captain Aditya Shegill returns home in Delhi after his final mission in Kashmir which claimed a heavy price both on his soul and body. Reduced to being less of a man which he formerly had been, he finds solace, joy and love in company of his prodigal sister Trisha, her American husband Ronald and their teenage daughter Saina. However, happiness is something which is always fleeting away from our war hero as a horrible incident shatters his family. Aditya breaks down further only to gather himself up and retaliate. If the system or society cannot protect the weak and defenseless, then it is up to him to take up the responsibility; to become a protector, a Rakshak.
