Colonel Samagra Vol VI

The content of the volume runs as

• Briefcase Rahasya
• Neeche Namo B(n)ae Ghoro
• Nagna Nirjan Haat
• Borkhar Arale
• Kuashar Rang Neel

The last two deserve special mention among the various cases of Colonel in the sense that one of them sees the veteran sleuth being overtaken in wisdom and in the other the investigator plots a series of traps to ensure safety to the client while ensuring punishment to most of the criminals. The first one is a case where it is written in the third person which does not have so much appeal as are the following two where some thrill in the otherwise bland preludes is established with some interesting surprises.

A feeling of nostalgia is easily felt as we see a world devoid of cell phones and just the introduction of computers. The Colonel stories are generally independent of technology but one of them here has computer as a central element, where the sleuth seems to take training to get himself geared for the new gen and their cases.

The Secret of Skeleton Island

The legend of a pirate treasure, frequent theft from a movie location, ghost in a merry go round, chance to act in a movie, the investigators could not have wished for more. But as they are stranded the first day in a deserted island at the mercy of nature by a seemingly normal fellow it seemed that somebody did not want detectives on the Skeleton Island. So though the detectives start their acting stunts and their investigations of the thefts there seems to be something very fishy going on. A young Greek boy seemed to be the common suspect of all though this particular kid appears at all the odd hours to help these three. The local police don't seem to bother much about the thefts but the investigators sense something more serious. But the secret seems fathoms deep as the investigators tries to hunt for clues in vain.

This childhood favourite among the series seemed still to hold the same appeal as always. As the story closes, the revelations are both thrilling and satisfying.

Asterix the Gladiator

Yes, this time we find our friend with the winged helmet with Obelix in the Roman Circus in the role of a gladiator, all for rescuing the kidnapped Cacofonix, a prize to Caesar by one of his subordinates. The kidnap had hurt the Gaulish pride and so Asterix sets up on the mission of rescuing the bard and as usual Obelix, smelling a lot of Romans on the way, pairs up with his best friend. But it seemed that Cacofonix required little help as his singing was enough to put the guards on his mercy and scare off the lions who were brought to eat him up alive, much to the chagrin of Caesar. To add insult to injury, that gladiators were found to play fun quizzes in the arena. Thus as the entire circus seemed to be at the point of a disappointing finish, the Gaulic heroes challenged the legionaries for a fight that again enlivened the crowd. Thus the day is saved and our heroes return happy.