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| (Image Source: ABS-CBN Corporation) |
On October 9, 2021, the Philippines' premiere media and entertainment company ABS-CBN Corporation led the commemoration of the 105th birth anniversary of Filipino comics legend Mars Ravelo. In honor and celebration of his storied legacy, we look back on some of his greatest works—from supermen to icons—that proved to be revolutionary in local pop culture.
One of the famed novelist’s greatest creations is the heroine Darna, who is known for her superhuman strength, speed, and agility. Darna, whose tale has crossed over from comics, to movies, TV series, games, and collectibles, is set to have a fresh adaptation in 2022 under ABS-CBN Entertainment, with Jane De Leon in the titular role and will also star Iza Calzado, Joshua Garcia, and Zaijian Jaranilla. In May this year, ABS-CBN’s Ravelo Komiks Universe also partnered with Rules of Survival (ROS) for a mobile game collaboration featuring Darna and other popular creations of Ravelo — Captain Barbell who is known for his extraordinary strength and Lastikman who is popular for his shapeshifting and flexibility skills. Gamers in the Philippines and Cambodia were able to get a glimpse of these characters and their superpowers. Young Filipino superhero fans should also look forward to the animated series Hero City Work Force coming soon on iWantTFC featuring Darna, Captain Barbell and Lastikman.
Television viewers also got to witness Lastikman’s exceptional powers in the 2007 top-rating action-dramedy fantaserye of ABS-CBN, “Lastikman,” starring Vhong Navarro. Another well-loved character popularized by the King of Philippine Komiks is the mermaid-turned-human Dyesebel, whose story has been featured in several film and TV adaptations as well. Anne Curtis starred in the fantaserye “Dyesebel,” which aired on ABS-CBN in 2014. Aside from Darna, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, and Dyesebel, the legendary novelist was also behind the characters of Kapitan Boom, Varga, Tiny Tony, Dragonna, Flash Bomba, and Maruja, who were also seen on the small screen via ABS-CBN’s “Komiks” series in 2008 to 2009. Full episodes of Lastikman and the "Komiks" series featuring the aforementioned characters can now be viewed online and on-demand on Jeepney TV's official YouTube channel.
