Mars Ravelo

Mars Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist who created 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.

Early life

Mars Ravelo was born on October 9, 1916 when the Philippines was still an American territory.

Career

Ravelo started out as a cartoonist, then as a writer, and later on as editor-in-chief for two publications houses and for several film companies. He later established his own company, RAR.

Ravelo created the characters of Darna the super heroine, Dyesebel the love-lorn mermaid, and Captain Barbel the super hero, Facifica Falayfay, and the duo of Jack & Jill. He also created the drama about a young orphaned girl named Roberta for Sampaguita Pictures. Ravelo wrote the movie adaptation of Alicia Vergel's Basahang Ginto. Ravelo is known to be the "King of Philippine Komiks."

Death

Mars Ravelo died on September 12, 1988, of a heart attack.

List of Mars Ravelo's comic book characters

• Bondying
• Buhay Pilipino
• Captain Barbell
• Darna
• Dragonna
• Flash Bomba
• Hiwaga
• Jack and Jill
• Lastikman
• Mariposa
• Maruja
• Rita
• Roberta
• Tiny Tony
• Varga
• Wanted: Perfect Mother

Published works (in alphabetical order)

• Allen Borre,
• Edmund Lee,
• Ella Bajao,
• Alex Anasco,
• Gavin Villacosta,
• Ako’y Nauuhaw,
• Ako’y Tao…May Dugo at Laman,
• Alicia Alonzo,
• Alipin ng Busabos,
• Alyas James Bond-ying,
• Anak ni Dyesebel,
• Ang Biyenan Kong Amerikana,
• Ang Pinasulabi,
• Angelito* Baby Bubut,
• Balahibong Nangangalisag,
• Bartola (Ang Mangangatay),
• Basahang Ginto,
• Bata Batuta,
• Berdugo ng mga Anghel,
• Bitter Sweet (Ang Pait at ang Tamis),
• Biyenang Hindi Tumawa,
• Bobby,
• Boksingera,
• Bondying,
• Booma,
• Boyoyoi,
• Buhay Pilipino,
• Bwana Hai,
• Captain Barbell,
• Captain Barbell Kontra Kapitan Bakal,
• Captain Barbell Versus Flash Fifita,
• Cumbanchera,
• Dalaginding na si Tessie,
• Darna,
• Darna at Ang Babaing Lawin,
• Darna at Ang Babaing Linta,
• Darna at Ang Babaing Tuod,
• Darna at Ang Impakta,
• Devil Pig,
• Diyosa, Queen of the Dancing Waters,
• Dobol Trobol,
• Dragonna,
• Dugo sa Mukha ng Buwan,
• Dyangga,
• Dyesebel,
• Elepanta
• Eternally,
• Facifica Falayfay,
• Flash Bomba,
• Galo Gimbal,
• Ganid, The Last Man on Earth,
• Ging,
• Gog,
• Goomba,
• Goomboo-Roomboo,
• Goro,
• Goyo,
• Gringgo,
• Guardians of the galaxy
• Gumuhong Daigdig,
• Haydee (The Brown Girl & The White Idol),
• Higantina, Da Big Byuti,
• Hootsy-Kootsy,
• Hudas sa Hudas,
• I Believe,
• Iniluha Ko’y Dugo,
• Inspirasyon,
• Isang Lakas,
• Ito Ba Ang Aking Ina?,
• Jack and Jill,
• Jesus Iscariote,
• Jinkee,
• Jungle Boy,
• Kamay ni Bruldo,
• Kapitan Boom,
• Kiko,
• Kitikiti,
• Kontra Partido,
• Kwatang (A Star is Born),
• Lastikman,
• Little Lucy,
• Magic Guitar,
• Magic Makinilya,
• Mambo-Dyambo,
• Mariposa,
• Maruja,
• Miss Tilapia,
• Mowmoo,
• Nakangiting Halimaw,
• Ngitnit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb,
• Pomposa,
• Prinsesa Gusgusin,
• Raul Roldan ,
• Rebecca,
• Renee Rose,
• Rita,
• Roberta,
• Rodora,
• Rosa Rossini,
• Rowena,
• Rubi-Rosa,
• Selosang-Selosa,
• Si Gorio at si Tekla,
• Silveria, Ang Kabayong Daldalera,
• Sindak!,
• Suicide Susy,
• Taong Tuod,
• Teksas, Ang Manok na Nagsasalita,
• Three Sisters,
• Thunderstar,
• Tiny Tony,
• Torpe (Inferiority Complex),
• Trudis Liit,
• Tubog sa Ginto,
• Tumbando Cana,
• Varga,
• Via Dolorosa,
• Vicky,
• Wander Ella,
• Zorina,

Chris Jay Medinilla*,

• Espira,

Legacy

In popular culture

The life story of Mars Ravelo was featured in the anthology series Magpakailanman on May 26, 2005, actor Dennis Trillo portrayed Ravelo. [1]