Bankelal aur Chor Khopdi – Original First Print

Description

No villain in Raj Comics history has failed quite so spectacularly — or so hilariously — as Bankelal. Offered here is an original first print of “Bankelal aur Chor Khopdi” (बाँकेलाल और चोर खोपड़ी), one of the most beloved issues from Raj Comics’ legendary comedy-horror series, part of the celebrated Lok Yatra storyline.

Bankelal is one of the most unique characters in all of Indian comics — a medieval court jester and self-styled schemer who constantly plots against his king, Vikram Singh, yet whose every plan backfires spectacularly, invariably ending up saving or helping the very person he was trying to destroy. Created by the legendary Jitendra Bedi (artist) and written through most of its run by the prolific Tarun Kumar Wahi[web:8], the Bankelal series blends slapstick comedy, medieval fantasy, and genuine horror-thriller elements into something entirely its own. In “Chor Khopdi” (The Thieving Skull), Bankelal finds himself entangled with a sinister skull — setting the stage for the kind of chaos, misadventure, and unintentional heroism that defines the character. The cover, dominated by a large menacing skull against the series’ signature vivid colour palette, says everything about what lies inside: danger, comedy, and Bankelal caught right in the middle of it all. The back cover features a bonus story — “Chor Sipahi” — adding additional value to this already memorable issue.

Creator: Jitendra Bedi | Writer: Tarun Kumar Wahi | Publisher: Raj Comics | Series: Bankelal (Lok Yatra arc) | Print: Original First Print

Physical Condition

This copy has been carefully examined and graded based on the actual physical copy pictured.

Grade: Good (G) — Original First Print with Age-Consistent Wear

Cover: The cover retains strong colour saturation — the bold skull artwork in blues, greys, and white is vivid and clearly rendered. The title “बाँकेलाल और चोर खोपड़ी” in yellow-orange Raj Comics lettering at the top is fully legible. The left edge of the cover shows darkening and wear at the spine — consistent with age and handling of an original first print. The cover surface itself has no major scuffing or scratching across the main artwork area.

Back Cover: The back cover, featuring “चोर सिपाही” in large blue-red lettering alongside a table of contents listing various Bankelal stories, is intact and readable. Colour retention is good on the back cover.

Spine: The spine has wear and darkening — characteristic of an unprotected original print copy over decades of storage.

Corners: All corners show blunting from age. The overall shape of the comic is intact with no tears or missing sections.

Interior Pages: The interior pages and comic panels are readable throughout, with the characteristic warm toning of aged Raj Comics newsprint. No missing pages.

Overall: A well-read original first print — complete and readable. For serious Bankelal collectors, an original first print in any condition is a significant find, and this copy retains the full reading experience that made the series famous.

Collector Details

• Publisher: Raj Comics, India
• Creator (Art): Jitendra Bedi
• Writer: Tarun Kumar Wahi
• Series: Bankelal — Lok Yatra Arc
• Print: Original First Print
• Bonus Story: Chor Sipahi (on back cover)
• Genre: Comedy / Fantasy / Horror
• Language: Hindi
• Era: 1990s
• Format: Standard comic book
• Condition Grade: Good (G) — Original First Print with Age-Consistent Wear

Authenticity & Value

This is a genuine original first print — not a reprint or reproduction. Bankelal original first prints are among the most actively collected items in the Raj Comics community. The character’s unique blend of medieval comedy and horror made it an outlier in Indian comics — beloved across decades and age groups. Jitendra Bedi’s distinctive cartoonish art style, combined with Tarun Kumar Wahi’s consistently inventive plotting[web:8], produced a series with a loyal following that endures to this day. An original first print of any Bankelal issue is a genuine collector’s piece.

Worldwide Shipping Available

Shipped internationally with full protective packaging. Original first prints of Raj Comics titles travel well when packed properly — and this one will be dispatched with care. Bankelal originals at this price point are increasingly rare in the collector market.