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.

PUWERSA NG KALIKASAN

To commemorate Earth Day, and because YOU demanded it, here comes... 

 

Puwersa ng Kalikasan ("Force of Nature") was an environemntal superhero team created by writer/artist Ron Mendiola. The series began in Kidlat Super Heroes Komiks #1 (June 21, 1993), published by Sonic Triangle Publishing, Inc.  

 

ELEKTRO

Real Name:

Jason Manuel

 

The team leader, Elektro has the ability to discharge high voltages of electricity from his hands.

 

SIKLAB

Real Name:

Ferdinand Santiago

 

A PHIVOLCS employee, Ferdinand accidentally falls into an erupting volacano (!), but miraculously survives, his body infused with the power of volcanic fire. As Siklab ("Flare"), he can shoot flames of varying intensity, possesses great strength and the power of flight.

 

BAGWIS

Real Name:

Dr. Glen Arellano

 

Not to be confused with any other Pinoy Superhero of the same name (and there are a lot). The founder of the group, the nature-loving Bagwis ("Wing") is a brilliant scientist who dons a high-tech armored suit of his own design. His suit is equipped with rocket boosters that enable him to fly, and is armed with an array of advanced weapons and gadgetry.

 

MUTYA

Real Name: Katrina Cruz

 

Mutya (meaning "Jewel" or "Pearl") has the power to control water (hydrokinesis?) and can survive underwater for a week without coming up for air. Needless to say, she is a good swimmer. She can also communicate telepathically with sea creatures (but of course), and she has hair as strong as the toughest seaweed, which she uses to fight with.

 

 BANGIS

Real Name: Renato Monares

 

The resident wildman, Bangis ("Ferocity") possesses the strength, agility and fierceness of a wild forest animal.  

 ADOBE

   

Real Name: That's it. 

 

Not to be confused with a graphics editing program, this Adobe is a being made of living rock and pure metals. As such, he is highly-resistant to damage, has the strength of 50 men, and is adept at hand-to-hand combat. He is also the constant butt of his teammates' jokes.

 

 

ENEMIES OF THE ENVIRONMENT

 

DEKRIUS

Ruler of the 5th Dimension. He seeks to conquer the Earth by destroying its ecology, opening the portal between his world and ours in the process.

 

GRUDA

A savage werewolf-like creature. He likes rabbits... Dead.

 

DR. DEAN  

A scientist presumed dead in a nuclear accident, he returns as a cyborg terrorist out for revenge.

 

KUDOR

Dr. Dean's cyborg henchman.

 

DR. HIRES

A renegade scientist who takes over a US naval base.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 MR. B

 The overseer of an illegal logging operation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MR. B'S HENCHMEN

3 guys and a robot.

 

MGA BARBARO

 

The self-proclaimed Hari ng Siyensya ("Kings of Science"), the somewhat ironically-named Barbaro ("Barbarians") are a group of high-tech alien conquerors from the doomed planet Vel-Rann.

 

DRED

  The ruthless leader of the Barbaro.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZEN-SORR 

  An android possessing super-sharp sensory capabilities.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 MET-TAL

Composed of living metal, he can transform any part of his body into a weapon.

 

TALASS The sword-wielding Barbaro.

 

GORGO

The Barbaro's resident powerhouse.

 

 

CROSSOVERS

 

BATHALA (RAJA TEAM ONE)

 

 

The PNK occasionally teamed up with Raja Team One, the stars of their Kidlat co-feature Bathala, created by writer/artist Joseph Caesar Sto. Domingo. However, the Raja Team operated outside the law, which usually brought them into conflict with the government-sanctioned Puwersa.

 

 

FORCED CANCELLATION

 

After Kidlat Super Heroes' cancellation in 1994, the PNK returned the following year in a 4-page back-up story in Batang X Komiks #30 (November 13, 1995). It was intended to be the first installment in a new series. Unfortunately, their debut issue turned out to be the magazine's last.

 

 

 

COVERS