Combatron

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Combatron
Combatron's final armor based on the comics.jpg
Combatron's final armor based on the comics
Publication information
Publisher Funny Komiks
First appearance Funny Komiks (1992)
Created by Berlin Manalaysay
In-story information
Alter egoEmpoy
Team affiliationsAskal, Axel, Metalika, Dobbernaut, General Kipper, Komikus, Death Metal
Abilitiesarmed with Foot Blades, Space Thunder, Nuclear Eye Beams, Galactic Space sword, Galactic Phoenix

Combatron is a Filipino superhero. Created by Berlin H. Manalaysay, he first appeared in Funny Komiks in 1992.

Contents

Plot

Origin

Empoy and the original Combatron Combatron Chapter 1 Issue No. 1.jpg
Empoy and the original Combatron

Empoy, an orphaned boy, witnessed a spaceship crash while visiting his parents’ graves. As he approached the crash site, the door of the spaceship opened. Inside was an injured space warrior from Omnicron, a cyborg named Combatron. He came to Earth after he and his allies were branded as outlaws. Knowing that his pursuers were coming to Earth, the dying Omnicronian gave Empoy his armor and the robot dog in his employ, named Askal (Asong Mekanikal).

Earth under attack

Suddenly, Empoy realized the reason of the spaceship's crash. It was being chased by another ship containing evil cyborg aliens wearing cybernetic armors. They continued their pursuit and found earth and its inhabitants an easy target to be conquered.

Upon landing, they saw the crashed ship and found Combatron, a fight broke out and Combatron gained the upper hand. The villain returned to their base, warning Combatron that their war isn't over and earth will be conquered.

After then, a series of enemies appear to try to defeat Combatron. He defeats them all, until their leader appears. Combatron was defeated by the leader Abo-dawn, and withdraws to get help. Combatron decides to head for Omicron, the homeworld of the Space Warriors. On the way, he was intercepted by Bogus, a subordinate of Abo-dawn who is a master of illusions and was trapped in a video-game resembling various popular video-games. But an all-out attack from Combatron destroys Bogus and neutralizes the illusion.

A double agent under the alias of Komikus secretly aids Combatron in his struggles. Combatron acquires new powers and allies. He then challenges the leader to a rematch and defeats him. But just when it seems the battles are over a new threat appears in the name of Death Metal.

New Allies

Combatron, Axel and Metalica battling Manticron Combatron Chapter 1 Issue No.105.jpg
Combatron, Axel and Metalica battling Manticron

Even before the time of Death Metal's emergence, Combatron has lost his first dog sidekick, Askal, to a villain called Diaconda. He was then replaced by Dobbernaut. Two allies of similar armours also emerged. Axel, in green, and Metallica, in red/pink.

Unstoppable Death Metal

Death Metal is revealed to be the reborn Alchitran, rendered indestructible after being transformed from a comet impact. Searching for revenge against Abo-Dawn and with indirect hostilities against Combatron, Death Metal throws the galaxy into a three-way battle of supremacy.

The new villain also mustered new allies, Quietus, Bracagon, and Helvetica. The sides of war was quickly reduced to two as Abo-Dawn and his forces were easily dealt with by Death Metal. Combatron and his allies, despite fighting valiantly, were also defeated by Death Metal. Combatron used the vortex he was previously sucked into during the battle with a previous enemy (Caligula) and trapped Death Metal temporarily.

Upgrades

Combatron and company took advantage of their precious time and repaired themselves. Combatron himself underwent an upgrade with hip disks and torso as the most noticeable features. Galactic Thunder and Galactic Phoenix were added powers that would prove useful further on their battles.

Round 2 and the "Bigger Enemy"

Metallica, on her way to the comet where Alchitran's original body is to be found, was captured by an even newer threat; a planet that calls himself Megadeath.

Meanwhile, Combatron engaged Death Metal once again. This time around, the battle was more of a stalemate. Their fight, however, was interrupted by a strange light that transferred them directly to the planetoid being; Megadeath, who wanted the two combatants to bow to him. With a common enemy, Combatron and Death Metal vowed allegiance to each other.

Allies

Enemies

Space Warriors

Death Metal

Megadeath

Power and Abilities

Weapons

Berlin Manalaysay's Combatron: The Card Game (2018)

Based on the description of the publisher, the game was based on one of the most popular comic strips of the 90's from the Philippines legendary "Funny Komiks".

Players choose to fight for good or space domination by picking one of the Space Warriors and their arsenal - Combatron, Metalika, Death Metal or Abodawn.

On a turn a player had to play one card (Power or Assist) and based on what players play, the action will take place.

Power vs Power - Player with the highest total power wins and deals damage to opponent Power vs Assist - No Damage will be dealt but card effects will still trigger Assist vs Assist - Both cards will cancel out each others effects.

Each damage will make a Space Warrior more powerful, a 3rd one will bring them their Ultimate! A player must deal 4 damages to defeat their opponent. A player wins the game by being the last one standing and by then they will be called as the most powerful Space Warrior!

Unfinished story

On December 15, 1997, Combatron was shut down by Pilipino Funny Komiks Publisher Islas Filipinas Publishing due to excessive violence.

Interview on Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho - October 12, 2014 "Combatron was shut down because Berlin Manalaysay became busy with his work in advertising."

The Real Ending

Finally after twenty (20) years, the closure to the story was released into a 2-part colored limited edition comic book. Part 1 was released on 2018 and lastly, part 2 which was titled "The Galactic End" (also an Augmented Reality 56-page comic) was released on 2019.

Collected editions

TitleVolumeIssueDate
Ang Bagong Combatron at Ang Kanyang MisteryoPilipino Funny Komiks#864 [1] January 6, 1995
Ito na ba Ang Katapusan ni Combatron?Pilipino Funny Komiks#909 [2] November 17, 1995
Kakampi na Silang Lahat ni CombatronPilipino Funny Komiks#958 [3] August 4, 1997

See also

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References

  1. "Pilipino Funny Komiks #864". Comic Vine. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  2. "Pilipino Funny Komiks #909". Comic Vine. Retrieved March 7, 2021.
  3. "Pilipino Funny Komiks #958". Comic Vine. Retrieved March 7, 2021.