Darna is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in Pilipino Komiks #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, whose stories he wrote and illustrated himself. This character first appeared in Bulaklak Magazine, Volume 4, #17 on July 23, 1947. Ravelo left the Bulaklak Magazine publications due to differences with the publication's editors. One of the most popular Filipino superheroes, Darna has appeared in many films and several television series through the decades which have far overshadowed her actual comics tenure.
Marcial "Mars" Custodio Ravelo was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist. Dubbed as the "King of Philippine Komiks", he is notable for creating Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Bondying, Varga, Wanted: Perfect Mother, Hiwaga, Maruja, Mariposa, Roberta, Rita, Buhay Pilipino,Jack and Jill, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna among others.
Valentina is a supervillain created by Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo who first appeared in the second episode of the Darna series published in the Philippine comics Pilipino Komiks. One of the most recognizable supervillainess characters in the Philippines, she is the archenemy of Darna. She was originally a bitter, deformed woman born from ordinary human parents with venomous snakes on her head that appears to be like hair. When she grew up, she killed her parents and was subsequently taken in by a serpent creature named Kobra. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes".
Lastikman, originally spelled Lastik Man, is a fictional character and Filipino comics superhero created by Mars Ravelo and artist Mar T. Santana. Lastikman or the original spelling of Lastik Man debuted in comics format in Aliwan Komiks #56. Based on DC Comics' Plastic Man, and/or Marvel's Mister Fantastic from Fantastic Four, Lastikman can also stretch and transform into many imaginable forms and shapes he desires.
Comics have been popular throughout the Philippines from the 1920s to the present. Komiks were partially inspired by American mainstream comic strips and comic books during the early 20th century. The medium first became widely popular after World War II. Its mainstream appeal subsided somewhat during the latter part of the 20th century with the advent of other mass-media forms such as telenovelas, but experienced a renaissance in the mid-2010s with the increasing popularity of artists such as Gerry Alanguilan, Arnold Arre, Budjette Tan, Kajo Baldisimo, and the rise of fan communities through comic book conventions such as komikon. Webcomics produced by independent Filipino web-based artists have caught the attention of local and foreign readers.
Dyesebel is a Filipino comic book character, conceived by Mars Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres. Dyesebel is a mermaid, who eventually gains full human form through a deal with a sea-witch.
Captain Barbell is a Filipino superhero created by writer, Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez. His characteristics are similar to American fictional superheroes Superman, DC Comics' Captain Marvel or Shazam, and Thor but Ravelo based his backstory on Captain America. He first appeared in Pinoy Komiks #1 on May 23, 1963. He also appeared in Kampeon Komiks.
Varga is a fantasy series on ABS-CBN adapted from the creation of Mars Ravelo. It is the second installment of the anthology Mars Ravelo's Komiks Presents.
Darna is a Philippine television drama action fantasy series broadcast by GMA Network. The series is based from Mars Ravelo's fictional Philippine superheroine of the same title. Directed by Dominic Zapata and Don Michael Perez, it stars Marian Rivera in the title role. It premiered on August 10, 2009 on the network's Telebabad line up replacing Zorro. The series concluded on February 19, 2010 with a total of 140 episodes. It was replaced by Panday Kids in its timeslot.
Siopawman was a Filipino comedic superhero. It was also the title of the first comic strip created by Filipino cartoonist Lauro "Larry" Zarate Alcala after World War II.
Lagim is one of the first Filipino superhero characters in the Philippines. He was created by Filipino artist Cris CaGuintuan. Lagim's first appearance was in the pages of Pilipino Komiks #60 in 1947 or 1949. His sidekick was a boy named Levy, a young lad he saved in the past, and wore a costume similar to the uniform worn by Robin, the sidekick of the American superhero Batman.
Darna, Kuno? is a 1979 Filipino film directed by Luciano B. Carlos and co-written by Toto Belano. Produced under the action, comedy, and fantasy genre, it is a parody of Mars Ravelo's comic book character and female superhero Darna. The role of Darna Kuno is played by Filipino actor, Dolphy. The film was released on March 30, 1979. Darna was first published on May 13, 1950, written by Mars Ravelo and illustrated by Nestor Redondo, who illustrated for DC and Marvel Comics.
Bulaklak Magazine, subtitled Hiyas ng Tahanan, was a Tagalog-language magazine that was first published in the Philippines on April 14, 1947. Published by the Social and Commercial Press, a company owned by Beatriz M. de Guballa, Bulaklak Magazine was similar in content and structure to Liwayway magazine, featuring narratives in prose, serials, poetry, entertainment news, comic strips, crossword puzzles, caricatures, and health tips, among other regular features. It was on July 23, 1947, in the Volume 4, #17 issue when the superheroine character, which would become Darna in 1950s- then known as Varga - appeared on the pages of Bulaklak Magazine. The character was developed by Mars Ravelo.
Mars Ravelo's Darna is a Philippine superhero series under ABS-CBN Studios, based on Mars Ravelo's Philippine fictional. Directed by Chito S. Roño, Avel E. Sunpongco, Benedict Mique and Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, it starred Jane De Leon in the title role. The series premiered on Kapamilya Channel's Primetime Bida evening block and worldwide on The Filipino Channel from August 15, 2022 to February 10, 2023, replacing Ang Probinsyano and was replaced by Batang Quiapo on its timeslot.
Black Darna is one of Darna's archenemies in the Darna. Katrina Halili played the role. Her costume was similar to Darna's trademark red and gold but in all black and gold. Halili played another Darna villain, Serpina, in Darna.
Narda Custodio, commonly known as "Narda" is a fictional character primarily portrayed by Jane de Leon in ABS-CBN's modern take of Darna, a concept created by Mars Ravelo. The character "Narda" first appeared on Pilipino Komiks No. 77 on May 13, 1950. Narda is depicted as a Filipina who is being prepared to be the successor of the Prime Darna, her mother Leonor Custodio/Zora played by Iza Calzado, as the next defender of the white mythical stone.
Mars Ravelo's Darna! Ang Pagbabalik, or simply Darna! Ang Pagbabalik, is a 1994 Filipino superhero film based on the Pilipino Komiks character Darna. Directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes from a screenplay by playwright Floy Quintos, it stars Anjanette Abayari as Narda / Darna, alongside Edu Manzano, BB Gandanghari, Bong Alvarez, Pilita Corrales, Cherie Gil and Lester Llansang. Produced by Viva Family Entertainment, the film was released in June 9, 1994.
Darna is a character created for comic books in 1950. As an empowering figure in Filipino popular culture, she has since transcended comics and has appeared in a variety of media platforms, including film, television, theater, and ballet. Notably, she originally appeared when the Philippines was striving to recover from World War II, and she came to represent the nation's desire to return to the simpler days.
