NIKNOK and the Tree with a Heart

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, so in the spirit of the season of hearts, let's talk about the one fruit-bearing tree in the Philippines that has one...

"Saging lang ang may puso!"

According to Philippine folklore, the heart of the banana tree contains an agimat or magical charm that drops out of it at the stroke of midnight. Whoever catches the charm in his mouth would be endowed with supernatural powers; provided, of course, he survives the kapre, tikbalang and other mystical creatures who would then try to take the charm from him. From Pilipino Funny Komiks #169 (September 11(!), 1981), here's a take on the banana heart myth featuring one of Funny Komiks' most popular characters: writer Pat V. Reyes and artist Vic R. Geronimo's mischievous, fried chicken-loving kid Niknok.

SUPER ANGEL

Created by writer Renato R. Mendoza and artist Vic R. Geronimo (co-creator of Niknok), Super Angel first appeared in (Pilipino) Superheroes Pocketkomiks #4 (December 17, 1985), published by Adventures Illustrated Magazines, Inc.


Anggie Sandoval was a young millionairess who fought crime on the side as the costumed adventuress Super Angel. She was assisted in her adventures by her talking motorcycle, Knight.

WEAPONS AND ABILITIES
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Super Angel has no super powers, but she is an expert in the martial arts. She employs a variety of gadgets and weapons, but she mainly relies on her whip and boomerang.

Her motorcycle Knight can travel at top speeds, is equipped with various weapons and gadgetry, and has a mind of his own.

ENEMIES

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ELECTRO

Arve Romasanta was a down-on-his-luck electrician who turned to a life of crime as the high-voltage villain Electro.

MR. DART

A hitman who kills his targets with throwing darts.

NINJAS
They were big in the 80's.

MR. GENIUS

An eccentric (read:MAD) scientist manipulated into inventing gadgets for a gang of hijackers.











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RUPING RAMBO
A former soldier who waged war against the thugs and drug pushers in his neighborhood until his teenaged siblings were murdered in retaliation. In his grief, he takes to drink and goes on a trigger-happy rampage.

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Super Angel tries to disarm him, but she finds that her foe is rather disarming himself.
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Next, National Superwomen's Month salutes another kind of angel...