The Origin of TSUPERMAN

Let's get back to business.

Created by writer Markey and artist Louie Magbanua, Tsuperman and his magic jeepney Super J first appeared in Pilipino Funny Komiks #378 (September 13, 1985), published by Islas Filipinas Publishing Co., Inc.

Tsuperman was a unique series in that it took up only 2 pages rather than the 4 to 5-page format common to most of the action-adventure strips that ran in Funny Komiks.  Most of the stories were done-in-one, with the occassional multi-part story arc.

From the debut issue, here's the brief origin of how a simple act of kindness turned Atong the jeepney driver into an instant superhero.

Introducing... SALAGINTO!

Hi there, it's been a while.  Anyway, we interrupt the usual scope of this blog for a shameless plug.

As this blog can attest to, I've been a comic fan all my life.  But aside from that, as my other blog can attest to, I'm also an aspiring comic creator.  It has long been a dream to publish my own comics, and now I am pleased to announce that the first issue of my new online-published comic book series, Salaginto, is now available through FlipReads.

What is Salaginto?  It's a Pinoy superhero story, plain and simple, with a few twists and turns along the way, as well as a dose of satire.  It's 44 black-and-white pages of adventure, mystery, romance and humor for only 88 pesos.

I hope you'll take a chance on what my meager talents have to offer and support my initial venture into online publishing.  There's lots of cool stuff to come, I assure you.  You can purchase Salaginto #1 here.

Love.  Peace.  Respect.  Always. (^_^)

SANKARSAN (The Super Jedi): Episode 1

Created by writer-illustrator Vicatan, Sankarsan (The Super Jedi) first appeared in Speed Komiks #55 (August 23, 1986), published by Graphic Arts Service, Inc.

Of course it's plain to see where the strip drew its inspiration from.  I would describe it as a beautifully-drawn, exotic, gritty and rather violent take on Star Wars, with a dash of Hindu references thrown in.

In the first episode, The Chosen, a spaceship crash lands on Earth in the year 2535.  Its dying passenger, a Jedi named Nakula, bequeaths his droid X-PO-C to the earthling Sankarsan.  The droid tutors Sankarsan in the ways of the Jedi, but no sooner does he master them when he finds his town and his mother in grave peril.

 

BATHALA: Gods vs Monsters

Written and illustrated by Joseph Caesar Sto. Domingo, Bathala debuted in Kidlat Superheroes Komiks #1 (June 21, 1993), published by Sonic Triangle Publishing, Inc.

The series deals with a super-powered alien race which crash-landed on Earth centuries ago, forming the basis for the gods and monsters of ancient mythology.  In modern times, their descendants have split into 2 factions: the heroic Raja Team One and the evil Salot ("Plague").

Here's the second chapter from KSH #2 (June 28, 1993).

MR. POL: The Mark of Justice!

Created by writer/artist Jun Dayo, Mr. Pol appeared from 1986 to 1988 in the pages of Pilipino Superheroes Pocketkomiks, published by Adventures Illustrated Magazines, Inc.

Tatak ng Katarungan ("Mark of Justice") is the third installment of the series from Pilipino Superheroes #57 (January 7, 1987).  Here we find Vietnam War vet Leopoldo Guerrero about to start his war on crime.  He adopts a symbol with which to identify himself.  A symbol that would strike fear into the hearts of all evildoers.  A symbol that will come to be known as the mark of justice...

THE LETTER P!

KARATECHA

Hey, it's been a while.  I've been forced to go on hiatus for health reasons, and it'll take a bit more time til I can post on a regular basis, but I'll do what I can.  For now, may I present the sexy ninja crimefighter, Karatecha.

Appearing in KISS Comics (published by Compass Comics Group) from 1988 to 1989, Karatecha was written by Roljie Redondo, with art by Gilberto Monserrate (issues 1-5) and Ding Abubot (issues 8-10).

Never really collected KISS Comics, but I remember it and its sister publication, the horror comic ARGH!  They used to have those commercials on TV ("Uuuuy, KISS!"  "ARGH!  Lagot kayo!").  ARGH's signature characters were Bungo, Da Monster Avenger and this Vampirella-ish character, Devlynn, Da Devil's Daughter.

Thanks to Pauli Santos for providing the images and info about this character.

HORSE-MAN

Written by Zoila and illustrated by Carlos A. Divinagracia, Horse-Man ran in Super Action Komiks (published by Atlas Publishing Co., Inc.) for 53 chapters, starting from issue #132 (February 23, 1988)  to #190 (April 4, 1989).

The titular Horse-Man was a centaur who led a peaceful existence among the virgin forests of remote pacific island Isla Verde.

But the Horse-Man's idyllic paradise is disrupted by the arrival of a film crew on a location shoot.  Fascinated by these strange two-legged creatures who are similar to him and yet aren't, the centaur observes the humans from a distance.  But it isn't long before he gives himself away.

As it happens, the film's lead actors, Chris De Mesa and Gilda Castillo, are romantically involved, much to the jealousy of co-star Rez De Leon.  During a break in filming, Chris decides to go hunting in the forest.  Rez takes this opportunity to literally stab Chris in the back and dump the mortally-wounded actor in the river.

The Horse-Man rescues Chris from the river and tries to nurse him back to health.  Later, Chris asks the centaur to take him back to their camp.  Unfortunately, Chris dies from his injuries on their way there.

When the Horse-Man is sighted running off with Chris' body, Rez is quick to accuse him of killing the actor.  Gilda, however, has her doubts, noting that the centaur's careful manner in carrying Chris were not the actions of a killer.

Some time later, Gilda returns to the island to retrieve Chris' body and seek out the Horse-Man.  To find out the truth behind Chris' death, Gilda teaches the Horse-Man human speech (he initially could only communicate by making horse-sounds) and gives him the name Sentauro.

As Sentauro spends more time with Gilda, he finds himself becoming attracted to the beautiful actress.  But Gilda explains to him that she only loves him as a friend and her heart still belongs to the deceased Chris.

Through Sentauro, Gilda determines that it was indeed Rez who killed Chris.  But this revelation opens up another dilemma: how do you convict a murderer when the only eyewitness to the crime isn't human?

COVER GALLERY

SUPERDOG Cover Gallery

Superdog ran in Pilipino Funny Komiks for 7 years, from issue no. 265 (July 15, 1983) to 637 (August 31, 1990).  Written by Christian del Cruz and originally illustrated by Roni G. Escauriaga, later stories would be drawn by Louie G. Escauriaga and Louie Magbanua.

18 years later, Superdog made a brief comeback, under the pen of original artist Roni Escauriaga, when Pilipino Funny Komiks was revived for a very short-lived run in 2008.

Proving you can't keep a good dog down, Superdog would fly anew in the second issue of CORE Studio's Boink! Comics in 2011.