Darna is a superhero appearing in Filipino comic books created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character was introduced during the Golden Age of Comic Books, debuting in Pilipino Komiks #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, who first appeared in 1947. With her continued presence in literature and art, Darna has been described as a Filipino cultural icon. Throughout the years, she has been adapted to a number of media platforms, such as film, television, plays and video games.
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 appearing in Philippine comic books, created by Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure, she first appeared in Pilipino Komiks and was the first adversary of the superhero Darna. Referred to as the "Goddess of Snakes", she has command over all kinds of serpents and has venomous snakes in her head instead of hair. She has been featured significantly as Darna's archenemy in many adaptations of her stories in other media.
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.
Komiks is a Philippine fantasy drama anthology television series broadcast by ABS-CBN. It aired on the network's Saturday evening line up from February 4, 2006, to August 8, 2009, replacing My Juan and Only and was replaced by Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla. The series featured popular local comic book stories by Filipino comic writers Pablo S. Gomez, Francisco V. Coching, Mars Ravelo, Elena M. Patron and Jim M. Fernandez.
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.
Dragonna is a Philippine superhero television series broadcast on ABS-CBN, based on the comic book character Dragonna created by Mars Ravelo. Shaina Magdayao plays the titular superheroine with Jake Cuenca as her love interest. The series is about a teenage girl who discovers that she has pyrokinetic abilities and decides to use this newly found ability for a greater good. She releases this ability every time she loses her temper.
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 genres, 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.
Darna is a Philippine superhero television series that aired on Kapamilya Channel. The series is based from Mars Ravelo's fictional Philippine superheroine of the same title. Directed by Chito S. Roño, Avel E. Sunpongco, Benedict Mique and Darnel Joy R. Villaflor, it stars Jane de Leon in the title role. The series aired on the channel's Primetime Bida line-up from August 15, 2022 to February 10, 2023, replacing FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and was replaced by FPJ's Batang Quiapo.
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.
