KAMAGONG

 

 

Written by Carlo J. Caparas and illustrated by R.V. Villanueva, Kamagong ran in Super Action Pocketkomiks (published by Atlas Publishing Co., Inc.) from issues 38 to 91 (May 7, 1986 - May 12, 1987).

The title refers to both the weapons and the man who wields them.  The Arnis de Mano champion of the town of Mabolo (where the martial art is an honored tradition), Manuel is nicknamed "Kamagong," after the hard wood from which his namesake arnis sticks were made.

 SUPPORTING CAST

ARIEL SALGADO

Headstrong young arnis student who seeks to avenge the murder of his brother Emilio at the hands of disgraced fighter Lorenzo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAESTRO SOTERO

Manuel and Ariel's mentor.  His credo is "Fly like a bird and land on the ground like a dry leaf with the arnis still in your hands."

 

 

 

 

 

 

MELISSA AND BELEN

The love interests of Manuel and Ariel respectively.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ENEMIES

LORENZO MONTERO

Banished from Mabolo after killing Ariel's brother Emilio in a match, Lorenzo makes a name for himself as a brutal underground fighter.  He is obsessed with defeating Manuel and possessing the Kamagong sticks.

MR. GUEVARRA

Lorenzo's crooked manager, who gambles on his fights.

CENON BELTRAN

Guevarra's rival, who tries to recruit Manuel but eventually succeeds in convincing Ariel to fight against Lorenzo.

KAMAGONG: THE MOVIE

Kamagong was adapted into a 1987 action film produced by Viva Films.  Directed by Carlo J. Caparas himself, it starred Lito Lapid as Manuel and J.C. Bonnin as Ariel.  Bonnin also performed the movie's theme song, Ako'y Magwawagi ("I Will Win"), which for my money has to be one of the most kick-ass themes in Philippine cinema.

 

KAMAGONG: THE ANIMATED SERIES?

In 2018, a Kamagong animated television series was announced, produced by Sinag Animation Studios for tentative release in 2019.  Unlike the original komiks, the series would be more of a fantasy adventure in a period setting, featuring a new hero, Bagtas.

 

From the WhenInManila.com article:

"The animated series follows the story of protagonist Bagtas, the heir to Namayan, a kingdom enslaved by a foreign empire. His goal is to find the eight bulawans of Bathala to unleash the true power of the titular weapon Kamagong."

Unfortunately, production was put on hold due to the COVID pandemic.  However, the studio was able to release a teaser showcasing the look of the series.  And, hey, they even brought back the original theme song.  Awesome.  Hopefully, this project will get back on track soon.

 

COVERS

 

TURBOGIRL

Sort of a cross between Kamen Rider and Super Gee, Turbogirl first appeared in Lastikman Komiks #1 (September 28, 1995), published by Graphic Arts Service, Inc.  The series was written by Primus Inter Pares and drawn by Rudy V. Villanueva, who incidentally was the artist on the original Super Gee strip.

ORIGIN

Gigi (sharing the same real name as Super Gee) was the daughter of Dr. Honda, scientist for Kawazake Industries and co-inventor of the GEE-2001, a high-tech motorcycle described as having "the firepower of a warplane and the intelligence of the smartest computer."

However, its designer, Dr. Gore, planned to use the GEE-2001 for evil purposes and orders Dr. Honda's assassination.  But before he dies, Honda passes on the vehicle's control device to his daughter.

Once activated, Gigi is instantly transformed into the high-riding heroine Turbogirl.  Vowing vengeance, she uses the GEE-2001 to battle the evil machinations of Dr. Gore.

POWERS

Turbogirl's motorcycle, the GEE-2001, is equipped with various advanced gadgets and weaponry, and is also capable of flight.  But the real source of her powers is the GEE-2001's control device, Turbo.  Gigi transforms into her heroic alter-ego by pressing its button and shouting "Turbo!"

As Turbogirl, Gigi posseses superhuman strength and agility.  Her finishing moves are her Turbo Kick and Turboblast, a powerful burst of energy that she can fire from her hands.

ENEMIES

DR.GORE

 
Turbogirl's arch-foe, a mad scientist who seeks world domination (yeah, that's original) through his twisted creations, the Monster Fighters.






XYRATON
A giant mechanized rat.

GORGAM

A Monster Fighter sent to steal the country's rice supplies.  He has the ability to breathe fire, as well as spit out gigantic metal "rice grains."

NUKLEYOR
A nuclear-powered Monster Fighter, formerly the President of the "fictional" nation of Franciu (a reference to real-life French President Jacques Chirac, who was behind the controversial nuclear tests at the time).  Seeking to bring the world to its knees, he asks Dr. Gore for the ultimate weapon.  Instead, he turns him into one.

DIAMONDUS
A diamond-based Monster Fighter, he can fire sharp diamond projectiles and roll himself into a super-hard diamond ball, but is vulnerable to high temperatures.

HURRICAN
A Monster Fighter with the power to produce devastating hurricanes.

SUPERGEE II

In celebration of Mother's Day, here's one mother you wouldn't want to f*** with...

  

Created by writer Zoila Meneses (or simply Zoila) and artist Rudy V. Villanueva, Super Gee originally ran in the pages of Darna Komiks from 1972 to 73.

   

The character is best known for having been portrayed by the Superstar of Philippine movies, Nora Aunor, in a 1973 film adaptation. 

 

You can view a chapter of the original komiks serial at Video 48 and more images from the 1973 film at Pelikula, ATBP.

 

CRIME FIGHTING MAMA

The heroine was revived in a sequel series, Supergee II, which ran from 1987 to 88 in Super Action Komiks (formerly Pocketkomiks), published by Atlas Publishing Co., Inc. Zoila returned as writer, while Romy T. Gamboa took over as artist. 

 

In the sequel, Gigi is a crime-busting millionairess and mother who divides her time between superheroing, tending to her business interests and caring for her family. 

 

 

MEET THE FAMILY

 

ROBIN  

Gigi's younger brother and the only other person who knows of her secret life. A mechanical genius, he is responsible for Supergee's crime-fighting gadgets.  

 

 

 

BIMBING 

Gigi's eldest daughter. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 BOBBY  

Gigi's young son.  

 

 

 

 

 

TETET  

Gigi's youngest daughter.  

 

 

 

RON 

Gigi's husband, the head of a mining company. He is out on business in Africa for the duration of the series.

 

 

FAMILY FRIENDS

   

MICHAEL 

Robin's classmate, who helps him build a ghost-catching device.  

 

 

 

 

 

 DONNA  

The adventurous daughter of Don Melo Corales, a wealthy plantation owner in Cotabato. After a giant bird (actually an alien spaceship) ravages her father's plantation and abducts several people (including her younger brother), she teams up with Supergee to fight the beings responsible.

 

 

 

FAMILY FOES

   

TURKO  

An ex-con who wants revenge against Supergee for sending him to jail. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ZAPPO  

A massive bird-like alien who plans to turn the Earth into an airfield for his people's spaceships.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPERGEE RETURNS... OR NOT.

Supergee almost appeared on television in a 2006 episode of the ABS-CBN series Komiks. Starring actress Judy Ann Santos in the title role, the episode had actually been filmed, but was never aired.

 

 

In 2009, US-based Filipino artist Dell Barras posted designs he had made for a proposed Supergee revival. You can view the rest of his designs on his blog Sketchpad.

 

 

 

COVERS