Friday, January 28, 2011

VARGA The Amazing Iron Lady


Not to be confused with the similarly-named Mars Ravelo character, Varga: The Amazing Iron Lady first appeared in Super Action Komiks #191 (April 11, 1989), published by Atlas Publishing Co., Inc. Created by Edwin Samonte, the series was scripted by Romy P. Lapuz, with art by Arnel Avetria and, later, by Roger Miralles.


Elvira, a dedicated female law enforcer, had just gotten married to businessman Ronnie Varga. Unfortunately, their wedded bliss was tragically cut short when the newlyweds were brutally assassinated on their honeymoon.


Barely holding on to life, Elvira was subjected to an experimental life-saving procedure conducted by Japanese scientist Dr. Gozaru.


Resurrected as a cyborg, Elvira was transformed into the Lady Robocop known simply as Varga; committed to enforcing the law with an iron fist, dispensing ruthless justice and vengeance on those responsible for her murder.

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ABILITIES AND ARSENAL

Varga's cybernetic body is bulletproof, and grants her with superhuman strength and agility. Her weak point is the back of her head, which is protected by her helmet. As a police officer, she is skilled in both armed and unarmed combat. Her weapons include high-powered guns and triangular-shaped metal darts.



Varga has a telepathic link with her means of transportation, the Aerocar, a high-tech vehicle that can travel on land, sea and air.


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SUPPORTING CAST
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DR. GOZARU

A Japanese scientist in the field of Bio-Electronics, he was apparently the foster father of Elvira's late husband and a godfather in their wedding.








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BABY

Elvira's younger sister. She has a nasty habit of getting kidnapped.










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Art by Angelo Ty Dazo
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CAPTAIN MARK MARSAN

A fellow police officer and Elvira's ex-partner, both professionally and romantically. Turning to alcoholism following Elvira's marriage and subsequent "death," the old romance is rekindled when he is teamed with the newly-restored Varga.

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Art by Angelo Ty Dazo
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ENEMIES
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GONORRAH
Also known as Goyonochea (James Franco was right; a good criminal mastermind should have an easy-to-pronounce name), the Big Boss of the crime syndicate Kanser.







You know, it's interesting that his organization is named for a terminal illness, considering that his own name is one letter short from being an STD.

ELECTRON

The robot helicopter pilot.











SALOME

Gonnorah's kulasisi (Filipino slang for a mistress or concubine). She turns out to be a witch.











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UPGRADED MODEL
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As drawn by Arnel Avetria, Varga originally had a mostly-robotic appearance. When Roger Miralles took over as regular artist with Super Action's 200th issue (June 13, 1989), she was given a much more humanoid look.
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Friday, January 21, 2011

ASERO


Created by veteran writer/artist Rod Santiago, Asero ("Steel") first appeared in Ace Superheroes #5 (June 29, 1995), published by Adventures Illustrated Magazines, Inc.

"MAN OF STEEL TALAGA.
HINDI NGA LANG SIYA LUMILIPAD."


Hector Zuniga is a private detective leading a double life. Whenever he shouts "Asero, ngayon!" ("Asero, now!"), he transforms into the super-strong, seemingly-indestructable crimefighter, Asero.


POWERS
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Asero possesses superhuman strength, and his steel-hard skin renders him impervious to most forms of harm. The most vulnerable part of his body is his eyes. The origin of his powers is unknown.





LEADING LADIES
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DANA DE LARA

A TV reporter with a mad crush on Asero. Because every superhero should have one.







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KAYANNE ANSON

The femme fatale. A famous supermodel and granddaughter of crime lord Don Paco De Falco.










VILLAINS
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ROBO
Also known as Berdugong Bakal ("Iron Executioner"), a robotic criminal who matches Asero in strength and invulnerability. He succeeds in blinding the hero.






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DON PACO DE FALCO

The Godfather of a crime syndicate, and the grandfather of supermodel Kayanne. He takes advantage of Asero's blindness and tries to get him on his side.










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MASKULADO
Don Paco's armored, hammer-fisted henchman.












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FUGOZO

A rival crime boss of Don Paco.










COVERS



For a tough guy, he sure gets beaten a lot.
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Metal Month concludes with Varga, The Amazing Iron Lady!

Sunday, January 16, 2011

TOBOR


Created by writer Berth Brucal and artist Al Cabral, Tobor appeared in GASI's pocket-sized science fiction magazine Speed Komiks from 1985 to 1986.


A breakthrough in artificial intelligence, Tobor was a super robot with the potential for human emotion. Following the death of his inventor Oliver, Tobor travelled to the Philippines, where he quickly established himself as a hero.
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CAPABILITIES

Tobor's body is built from extremely hard LX alloy and titanium carbide (basically, he's really tough). His eyes are equipped with automatic-focusing infra-red lenses (basically, he can see really good). He possesses superhuman (or rather, super-robot) strength, and his feet has turbo boosters which enable him to run fast, as well as leap great heights and distances.



Tobor's computer brain is capable of telekinesis, telepathy and ESP. He can also release powerful waves of magnetic force. Tobor was originally powered by a battery pack that required periodic electrical recharging, later modified into a solar battery deriving unlimited energy from the sun.


ALLIES
OLIVER

Tobor's late creator, presumed killed in a bomb blast. It is said Tobor's character traits were based on Oliver's own personality.






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MARIANNE
Oliver's fiancee and fellow scientist. A trusted ally of Tobor, she is responsible for the later modifications in his design (mainly, his turbo boosters and solar battery). There is more than a hint that Tobor may be developing feelings for her-- and Marianne herself doesn't seem to be discouraging it.

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NEPTO

Aquatic warrior from the lost continent of Atlantis.






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SUPREME RULER

The youthful monarch of Atlantis. According to Atlantean custom, their leaders are elected at the age of 12 and retired at 25, believing that a young ruler reigns with a pure conscience.

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TROX

An alien Ranger from the planet Xarth. Disguising himself as Oliver, he seeks Tobor's help against the space bandit Vart Daver.
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ENEMIES

ALIEN COMMANDER

The leader of a group of alien invaders scheming to conquer the world (as usual).






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TXANDU
An evil sorcerer who wields the mystical wand of Oynomed. Self-proclaimed "Master of the Mystic Arts," "King of Black Magic," and Lord of the Fourth Dimension.

"ALIENS" FROM "BULLION"

A group of pirates who disguise themselves as aliens from the planet "Bullion" to trick Tobor into finding the lost continent of Atlantis for them.






SALOT (PLAGUE)

A race of barbaric humanoids inhabiting a subterranean prehistoric world. So-named because they are regarded as a "plague" by the highly-advanced Atlantean civilization.





MONGOLUX
The massive armored bodyguard of an alien gangster and fierce gladiator of the Thunder Arena.

VART DAVER

Dreaded space bandit and would-be emperor of the universe.

Looks kinda familiar, doesn't he?






THE ORGANIZATION
After being defeated by Tobor, Vart Daver escapes to the planet Earth and organizes a gang of animal-based costumed criminals. The members are cat burglar Felix Pusa ("Felix the Cat!") alias Catman, escaped convict Brunong Gorilya ("Bruno the Gorilla") alias Apeman, illegal "5-6" lender Alex Aguila ("Alex the Eagle") alias Birdman, and ex-navy frogman Tomas Palaka ("Thomas the Frog") alias, well, Frogman.

RECYCLED PARTS?
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Vart Daver aside, the more knowledgeable comic fans may notice that some of Tobor's foes resemble a few very obscure Marvel villains. Indeed, it appears illustrator Cabral had referenced American comics for some of his layouts. Let's see if anyone can tell where the following sequence was swiped from...



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COVERS











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Next on Metal Month, meet our own Man of Steel, Asero!