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9 published works of Mars Ravelo with TV adaptations on ABS-CBN

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Mary Ann Bardinas

<p>Over the years, many Filipinos have been so engrossed with Western comic book movies that feature their all-time favorite superheroes, as attested by the overwhelming amount of support those films and series have received in the box-office and popular streaming platforms.</p><p>While we also have our very own league of superheroes, there are some who – sadly – seem to have forgotten about them, do not show much appreciation on them, nor, perhaps, not aware that they actually exist, especially the Gen Zs. </p><p>Thus, in the recent years, ABS-CBN has been working so hard in order to reintroduce our proudly-Pinoy superheroes, which are mostly figments of the animated imagination of “Father of Filipino Komiks Superheroes” Mars Ravelo, who’s able to publish over 300 komiks stories in his four-decade prolific career as a graphic novelist. And one of the company’s ways of doing it is by bringing to life anew our ultimate Filipina superheroine Darna through a teleserye that we’re finally about to see this 2022!</p><p>However, this is not only the first time that a published work of Ravelo would be adapted on screen. In the previous years, ABS-CBN has already done it via the fantasy-drama anthology Komiks, which broadcast every Saturday from 2006 to 2009, as well as turning two of his obra maestra into full-length teleseryes that we enjoyed every weeknight.<br/> <br/>Brace yourselves for the extreme nostalgia feels that this feature brings as we look back on Mars Ravelo comic books-turned-Kapamilya series that used to fill our TV viewing with excitement, action, fun, and even inspiration!</p><div> </div><div><strong>Lastikman (2007)</strong></div><p>First on the list is Lastikman, which was the product of Ravelo’s collaboration with artist Mar T. Santana. It initially appeared in Aliwan Komiks in 1964 before having its own magazine and being adapted into the big screen for the first time in 1965 with Von Serna in the title role.</p><p>According to Video48, it was “based and patterned from the original DC comics superhero, ‘Plastic Man,’” who also possesses an unbelievably malleable body that he could stretch and transform into any forms or shapes he desires or needs in a certain situation. Besides, his elastic body, which he’s able to retain probably because of his being half-alien and half-human, allows him to morph into other people or objects, as well. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-1.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>ABS-CBN remade it into a TV series in 2007 with Vhong Navarro in the title role. He comes from the extragalactic planet Igbao and is originally named “Eskappar” by his Earthling mother and extra-terrestrial father. As his father sends him to Earth to escape the evil leader of the Harraio Galaxy, a kindhearted human willingly adopted him and gave him the name “Miguel.” The death of his foster father compelled him to use his extraordinary powers and become Lastikman. He spends much of the series fighting against monsters created by his nemesis Agaddon (Ian Veneracion) while searching for his mother Ruth (Dawn Zulueta).</p><p>The series was a silver world medalist in the 2009 New York Festivals for the action/adventure category. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Captain Boom (2008)</strong></div><p>Originally called “Captain Boom” when it was created by Mars Ravelo and his son Ric, and first appeared in the United Komiks of PSG Publishing House in 1966, it was renamed “Kapitan Boom” when the character was first introduced on TV in 2008. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-2.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>In a blog posted in komikverse, it was mentioned that his superpowers “are all sound-based” and include “flight, super speed, enhanced hearing, ability to produce his Sonic Shield and Sonic Roar.” He may lack physical strength unlike other heroes, but the admirable amount of passion he has for whatever he does enables him to fulfill his sworn duty of helping others and delivering truth and justice while battling for the greater good. Prior to the red suit with a three-star emblem on his chest and a blue cape that he dons, his doting grandmother made his first costume that was comprised of red shirt and pants together with a handkerchief with holes that serves as a mask.<br/>It is the first of the Mars Ravelo masterpieces that ABS-CBN adapted into a series via the weekly program Komiks. It was headlined by Pinoy Dream Academy alumnus Jay-R Siaboc as the lead character Lance Mercado, who has a secret superhero alter-ego: Kapitan Boom played by Jon Avila. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Varga (2008)</strong></div><p>Among the heroes Ravelo created, Varga definitely has the longest and most interesting history.</p><p>A great fan of the American superhero “Superman,” Ravelo got inspired to create a female counterpart in Philippine komiks. However, based on the blog posted by Ernee Lawagan in 2012 titled, “The Lost Works of Mars Ravelo,” “Darna” was not the initial name given to her, but “Suprema”. The legendary comic artist eventually had a change of mind and opted for “Varga,” who came from the fictional planet “Marte” that was inspired by the Tagalog equivalent of his nickname “Mars.” Thus, the Philippines’ first-ever heroine is named “Varga, Ang Kamangha-manghang Dilag mula sa Planetang Marte”.</p><p>Varga was initially conceptualized before World War II, but was only first serialized in Bulaklak magazine Vol. 4 Number 17 on July 23, 1947 and became very popular among readers. Ravelo relaunched it in Pilipino Komiks in 1950 with a different costume.</p><p>“For more than two decades the character Varga was lost, until Ravelo established his own RAR Publishing House in 1970 and later acquired the rights to publish Bulaklak. He retitled it Bulaklak at Paruparo, and inside its pages, Varga returned and completed her story. It was followed by “Varga at ang Impakta,” which was illustrated by Jess Olivares. The resurrected Varga, however, didn’t have much flare like its successor-characterization Darna,” Ernee wrote.</p><p>And after three decades, ABS-CBN turned it into a series in 2008, with Mariel Rodriguez in the title role. The production made huge changes to the TV incarnation, from Varga’s costume, to the story of her origin and beginning, as well as the name of her alter-ego - Olga. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-3.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>In the adaptation, the “series portrayed an alien princess named Vara from the planet Vargon who found herself drawn to planet Earth. Gifted with beauty, voluptuous body and superpower, Vara met and merged with a young Filipina girl named Olga (played by Angel Sy), and became Varga. Together they tried to fight evil and save the world. Varga’s archenemy in the series is Xandra (played by Sheryl Cruz), a woman who can literally sucked the youth out of every human”.</p><p>Since Varga was inspired by Superman, she possesses the same powers as his – super strength, great speed, ability to fly, and resistant to any manmade weapons.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Tiny Tony (2008)</strong></div><p>Not much is known about the history of this comic book, but this is a product of Ravelo’s collaboration with artist Jim Fernandez.</p><p>In the original creation, it follows the story of Anthony Aniscol, a leading authority in myrmecology research, who was developing a shrinking serum alongside the dad of his fiancée. In a twist of fate, his future father-in-law was murdered by unknown criminals after Anthony tested the shrinking serum to himself. This inspired him to use his new size and incredible strength equivalent to “five times that of a fully-grown man” to avenge him, according to the article written by John Witiw for CBR.com.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-4.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>The narrative was tweaked in its TV adaptation in 2008, which was topbilled by John Prats. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Dragonna (2008)</strong></div><p>Like Tiny Tony, not much is also written about Dragonna. It was adapted to screen in 2008, with Shaina Magdayao in the title role and Jake Cuenca as her love interest Edgar.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-5.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>It follows the journey of a teenage tomboyish girl named Olive, who comes from a race of Tagon or Taong Dragon. She got orphaned while she was still a baby after her parents died when their house was engulfed by fire, and three firefighters took the responsibility of taking good care and raising her, and who also gave her the name Rona.</p><p>They discover that she has extraordinary pyrokinetic gifts, or the purported ability to create and control fire with the mind, which she inherited from her Tagon mom. Just like her late mom, she also releases it everytime she gets angry or loses her temper. She decides to utilize her powers for greater good by fighting crime and protecting the powerless, but, she would eventually face the dilemma of choosing between her mightiness and the element that would terminate her special power – love. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Flash Bomba (2009)</strong></div><p>Among the most popular heroes created by Ravelo, this tells the story of Paul Lester Sison, a man who acquired the unbelievable strength of a tikbalang after defeating it in a scuffle despite his physical limitations caused by an accident. As a reward, the mythical creature bestowed him its magic hair as a talisman that would allow him to transform into his super-powered version, yet with ridiculously large hands and feet, that enables him to be a crimefighter.</p><p>According to internationalhero.co.uk, his powers include “superhuman strength, ability to walk up on the walls, to generate ‘thunderclaps’ using his large hands or block almost anything with same, and to jump really high from place to place”. What’s more amazing is his ability to summon horses.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-6.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>It was turned into a series in 2009, with Luis Manzano in the title role. Instead of adhering to the original name of his alter-ego, the production switched to Roldan Legazpi. Flash Bomba was also dubbed the &quot;Superhero for All Seasons,&quot; which seemed to be inspired by Vilma Santos-Recto’s moniker “Star For All-Seasons”, the actor-host’s mother.</p><div> </div><div><strong>Maruja (2009)</strong></div><p>Aside from capturing us with stories of superheroes, Ravelo has also engrossed readers with suspense-thrillers and drama, and one of those is Maruja. He created it alongside illustrator Rico Raval and first published it in comics during the 1950s. </p><p>It was turned into a film for the first time in 1967, which starred “Queen of Philippine Movies” Susan Roces and bore the same title. It was later on remade in 1978 as Gumising Ka Maruja and in 1996 as Maruja. ABS-CBN adapted it into a series in 2009, which was topbilled by Kristine Hermosa and was titled “Nasaan Ka Maruja?”</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-7.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>This follows the love story of star-crossed Spanish era lovers Maruja and Gabriel whose romance was objected by her parents as they wanted her to marry Rodrigo, the captain of the civil guards. Their love faced a tragic end after she took her own life with a promise to Gabriel that they would be reunited someday.</p><p>One hundred years later, she was reincarnated as Cristy, a woman who has psychic and paranormal abilities, and is haunted by the persistent and vague dreams of the aforementioned couple and by memories that are not hers. She’s able to connect all the pieces together and got reunited with an old and dying Gabriel. </p><div> </div><div><strong>Dyesebel (2014)</strong></div><p>Conceived by Ravelo and drawn by Elpidio Torres, this revolves around the life the titular character, a mermaid who eventually transforms into a human through a deal she forged with a sea-witch. It was initially serialized in Pilipino Komiks from 1952 to 1953, then reappeared in Kampeon Komiks in 1975. It has been adapted into five films, a spin-off, and two teleseryes, with the latest TV remake being starred by Anne Curtis in 2014. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt="ABS-CBN adaptations of Mars Ravelo works" src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/entertainment/2022/06/11/mars-ravelo-8.jpg"/></div><div> </div><p>In the original story, according to ABS-CBN News, Dyesebel “is a mermaid born on land to human parents, with her mother a former mermaid herself. As a child, Dyesebel is sent away to live at sea with other merfolk after being blamed by superstitious townspeople for a series of disasters.</p><p>Each adaptation may have presented the story of the iconic mermaid in different ways, but the powers she possesses have remained consistent. Aside from her obvious ability to live on or underwater, Dyesebel also has hydrokinesis (or the power to control water), telepathic control of all aquatic life, hypnotic voice, ultrasonic scream, and echolocation (or the ability to locate objects with sound rather than sight).</p><div> </div><div><strong>Darna (2022)</strong></div><p>Last, but definitely not the least, is Darna, who is not just the original Filipino superheroine, but is the most iconic of all the local superheroes. Darna was first introduced to the readers on May 13, 1950. According to another blog written by Ernee Lawagan, her “first breath-taking adventures were first serialized in the pages of Pilipino Komiks #77, where she fought the snake-haired woman Valentina”.</p><p>The concept may have remained the same, but he assigned soon-to-be legendary illustrator Nestor Redondo to draw his masterpiece. “Darna” became a success, so it was followed by “Darna at ang Babaeng Lawin,” which was also published in Pilipino Komiks in 1951.</p><p>It continues to soar with “Si Darna at ang Babaeng Impakta” in Kenkoy Komiks in 1962, “Darna at ang Babaeng Tuod” in Liwayway magazine in 1964, “Si Darna at ang Planetman” in Holiday Komiks in 1966, and the list goes on. Due to its growing popularity, Darna was given her own komiks title by Atlas Publication, the publisher of Pilipino Komiks. The first issue was released on February 3, 1968, which, from being bi-monthly, became a weekly magazine as per the readers’ insistent demand.</p><div> </div><div><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="444" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Ty0TI6sEQPY" title="YouTube video player" width="790"></iframe></div><div> </div><p>Because of its unsurpassed iconic fame, it has been adapted to several movies and teleseryes over the years. And this year, Darna’s going to fly high again on the small screen (now as a Kapamilya!) through one of this generation’s most promising actresses Jane de Leon.</p><div><br/><small><em>Sources:<br/>PINOY SUPERHEROES OF THE 60s #5: THE FIRST LASTIKMAN. May 7, 2008. http://video48.blogspot.com/2008/05/pinoy-superheroes-of-60s-5-first.html.<br/>10 Comics From The Philippines That Deserve Your Attention. January 6, 2021. https://www.cbr.com/must-read-philippines-comics/.<br/>ABS-CBN wins four medals at 2009 New York Festivals. January 29, 2009. https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/29/09/abs-cbn-wins-four-medals-2009-new-york-festivals.<br/>GETTING TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THE KING OF KOMIKS. December 10, 2016. https://saicinco.wordpress.com/2016/12/10/mars-ravelo/<br/>THE LOST WORKS OF MARS RAVELO. Ernee Lawagan. February 23, 2012. http://erneelawagan.blogspot.com/2012/02/lost-works-of-mars-ravelo.html<br/>DARNA: The Original Filipino Superheroine. Ernee Lawagan. February 15, 2020. http://erneelawagan.blogspot.com/2010/02/darna-filipino-superheroine.html<br/>10 Comics From The Philippines That Deserve Your Attention. John Witiw. January 6, 2021. https://www.cbr.com/must-read-philippines-comics/<br/>KOMIKS Presents: DragonnA. http://pinoysikatkultura-filmntvartsnotepad.blogspot.com/2008/12/dragonna.html<br/>Flash Bomba. https://comicvine.gamespot.com/flash-bomba/4005-66990/<br/>Flash Bomba. http://www.internationalhero.co.uk/f/flashbomba.htm<br/>9 Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Dyesebel. April 9, 2022. https://filipiknow.net/interesting-facts-about-dyesebel/<br/>How ABS-CBN pulled off surprise Dyesebel announcement. January 10, 2014. https://news.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/01/10/14/how-abs-cbn-pulled-surprise-dyesebel-announcement<br/>Komiks (TV Series). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_(TV_series)<br/>Lastikman (TV Series). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lastikman_(TV_series)<br/>Lastikman. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lastikman<br/>Komiks Presents: Kapitan Boom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Kapitan_Boom<br/>Captain Boom. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Boom<br/>Komiks Presents: Varga. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Varga<br/>Varga (comics). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varga_(comics)<br/>Komiks Presents: Tiny Tony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Tiny_Tony<br/>Tiny Tony. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Tiny_Tony<br/>Dragonna. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Dragonna<br/>Flash Bomba. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_Bomba<br/>Komiks Presents: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Komiks_Presents:_Flash_Bomba<br/>Maruja. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maruja<br/>Nasaan Ka Maruja? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nasaan_Ka_Maruja%3F</em></small></div>

Out of Mars Ravelo’s over 300 published works, nine were turned into teleseryes through the years! Find out which titles are those in this feature!