PINOY RANGERS

Back-to-back knock-offs this month, this one of a certain team of teenagers with attitude.  Created by writer Armand Campos and artist Ariel Padilla, Pinoy Rangers premiered as a back-up strip in the 30th issue of Batang X Komiks (November 13, 1995), published by Sonic Triangle Publishing Inc.

While hiking on Mount Anahaw, a group of teenagers fall into a cavern where they meet Orisha, the Prime Goddess and protector of the mountain.

She asks for their help against Haring Itim (Black King), who has awakened from his (presumably 10,000-year) long slumber, and is bent on conquering the Earth and destroying nature.

To battle the Black King, Orisha bestows the teens with the powers of various animals.  Their leader, Biboy becomes Agila ("Eagle"), Jake is Kuwago ("Owl"), Maila is Musang ("Civet"), the nimble Gigi is Usa ("Deer"), and Dino, the strongest of the group, is Tamaraw ("Buffalo").

When Batang X #30 turned out to be that magazine's final issue, the Rangers were moved to the pages of Video Sonic Comix, beginning with its  first issue on December 18, 1995.

BULALAKAW

Bulalakaw ("Meteor") blazed through the pages of Kidlat Super Heroes Komiks (published by Sonic Triangle Publishing, Inc.) from 1993 to 1994. The series was written by Jeric Salonga, with art by Ariel Padilla, and later, by Luisito Antonio.

TWO RINGS TO RULE THEM ALL

Marko San Diego was an archaeologist who discovered a pair of mystical golden rings embedded within the remains of a crashed meteor. Now, whenever he presses the twin rings together, he transforms into the golden-clad guardian of good known as Bulalakaw.

POWER RINGS

Bulalakaw possesses superhuman strength and speed, invulnerability, and the power of flight. His rings are capable of projecting fire, energy blasts and force fields. He is also seen to have telekinesis and heightened senses.

ENEMIES

KADILIMAN ("DARKNESS")

Bulalakaw's arch nemesis, the living embodiment of evil and darkness in the universe.



A shape-shifter, Kadiliman has also faced Bulalakaw under a number of guises, such as a super-powered "demonic alien" and the mad scientist Dr. Karzov.


 TAONG BATO ("ROCK MAN")
One of Kadiliman's minions, a creature made out of solid rock.

 GORDON
A thug transformed by "Dr. Karzov" into a super-powered being to take down Bulalakaw.

SKULLIBOR
An undead skull-faced swordsman who rises from the grave to challenge Bulalakaw to a duel.

THE KING OF SATURN

The mysterious ruler of the sixth planet from the Sun, he plots to have Bulalakaw eliminated.

 

 

 

 

ZATURKO
A prisoner from the planet Saturn and a reluctant assassin sent by his king to destroy Bulalakaw.

LUCARIA

Another Saturnian convict, the most beautiful and most dangerous woman on her world. Lucaria derives her power from her uncontrollable anger.

GUEST STARS

On one occasion, Bulalakaw joined forces with fellow Kidlat Komiks heroes Kampeon, Elektro, and (of course) Kidlat in battling Kadiliman.

COVERS

HARIBON

When Lastikman temporarily vacated Aliwan Komiks for his own book in 1995, Haribon (Hari="King", Ibon="Bird") was brought in as the magazine's new resident superhero. This high-tech winged warrior was created by writer Jeffrey Marcelino Ong and illustrated by artist Ariel Padilla.

   

By his nature, Haribon is primarily an airborne hero. But in this installment from Aliwan #2133 (March 17, 1996), he proves that he can be just as formidable under the sea. 

 

Incidentally, September 3 is International Vulture Awareness Day.

PUSANG ITIM

Created by writer Mike Tan and artist Ariel Padilla (uncredited, but the style is obvious), Pusang Itim ("Black Cat") was a humanoid cat creature who struggled amidst a world that feared and hated him. 

From Kilabot Komiks #425 (April 25, 1994), published by Graphic Arts Service Inc., here's the series' 13th chapter, wherein the Black Cat gets himself into a bit of bad luck. 

 

And a happy Friday the 13th to everyone!

ISPIKIKAY (Toxic Fighter/World Protector)

To conclude National Superwomen's Month and to celebrate Earth Hour, we present... __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Ispikikay first appeared in Kick Fighter Komiks (published by Infinity Publishing Inc.) in 1993. The original series was created by writer Espie Buen Gayanillo and artist Ariel Padilla. Glady Gimena later took over as writer, and some fill-in issues were drawn by Luisito G. Antonio. _______________________________________________________

ORIGIN

_______________________________________________________ While nature tripping in the forests of Palawan, teenager Charlene "Kikay" Magno encountered a fairy named Tweety Delirius. Chosen to protect the Earth's ecology, Kikay was given extraordinary powers to become the environmental superheroine Ispikikay. ____________________________________ _ _ _

POWERS AND ABILITIES

__________________________________________________________ Ispikikay has superhuman strength, speed, invulnerability, and the power of flight. She can also project force fields, shoot fireballs, and is skilled in martial arts. _____________________________________________________

CHANGE IS GOOD

I've always liked Ispikikay, though I'm not really sure why. The stories weren't special, and I thought at the time that Ariel Padilla was the worst artist ever (until I saw his most recent works. He's actually pretty good). Maybe the lighter tales were just a nice change of pace from the macho grittiness of the other Kick Fighter strips. Or maybe it's because, as much as I disliked the artwork, Kikay herself usually looked cute as a button.

Like the other Kick Fighter mainstays, Ispikikay was also based on a character from the Street Fighter video game, but modified to make her appear different. In fact, she was the most heavily-modified of all the KF characters that she would barely even resemble her SF counterpart.

THE EARTH WARRIORS

Later in the series, Kikay's friends would also be given super powers, forming the ecological super-team, the Earth Warriors.

FIRE EYE

Real Name: Joel

Power: Shoots energy blasts from his eyes.

FREEZE

Real Name: Dennis
Power: Ice-based abilities.

GIGANTA

Real Name: Lucille

Power: Grows to gigantic size.

SLASH

Real Name: Mark

Power: Razor-sharp claws on his fingers.

_

ENEMIES

DAMON

Ispikikay's arch-nemesis, an evil eco-villain who wants to destroy the environment.








THE FRIGHTFUL FIVE ___________________________Sometimes Sometimes called the Sinister Five, Damon's chief super-powered minions. The group's members are Delubya, Nucleo, Acido, Lumberjack and The Smoker.
METAMORPHO

Not to be confused with the DC Comics hero of the same name, this Metamorpho is a T2-like shape-shifting agent of the evil Damon.







THE SHADOW MEN

Evil shadows come to life.








SOLARO

A solar-powered villain hired to protect an illegal logging operation.

Wait a minute... A solar-powered character protecting a threat to the environment?! That doesn't sound right...

LIGHTNING LORD

The ruler of a race of lightning-people. Not really a bad guy, he goes on the warpath when the Earth's pollution threatens his kingdom.

CATQUICK ____________________________________________
A super-fast, acrobatic purse-snatcher.

PROFESSOR MORGAN _____________________________A mad A mad scientist who wants to dissect Ispikikay.

PROFESSOR LIBIRAN

Yet another mad scientist, dubbed "the number one enemy of nature."

__IRON COP _____________________________________A robot A A robot police officer gone renegade.

_____________________________________________________________ ALIENS _____________________ The The Earth Warriors have faced a number of alien invaders. A lot of them look alike (green-skinned, big-headed, pointy-eared), so they're probably of the same race. __________________________________________________________ 
GORDON ____
A magnetic-powered alien disguised as Kikay's hunky next-door neighbor. ___________________________________________________________KUKA ____________________
The obligatory evil twin, a robot double created by Damon. Aside from Kuka, Damon would use other evil clones against Kikay.

CROSSOVERS

Ispikikay first teamed-up with her KF co-stars in a book-length adventure for the magazine's "Winter Special Edition" 48th issue. _______________________________________

Kikay with Hugo, Boga, Biotrog and Jolas

Art by Gilbert Monsanto

When Kick Fighter was reformatted in 1995 and its characters were re-shuffled, Ispikikay (renamed "Kickay" ) was teamed with Kulto and Mysterio in a new strip entitled Quantum Zone.

Art by Lando Inolino

When KF was revamped anew in 1996, Ispikikay joined the cast of Street Kombat.

Art by Jim Jimenez

COVERS