Mars Ravelo
Mars Ravelo (born October 9, 1916 in Tanza, Cavite, Philippines - September 12, 1988) was one of the most successful Filipino graphic novelists. He created Filipino classics like Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Bondying, Varga, Wanted: Perfect Mother, Hiwaga, Maruja, Mariposa, Roberta, Rita, Buhay Pilipino, Jack and Jill, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna among others.
About
Mars Ravelo was born on October 9,1916 when the Philippines was still an American Territory. Mars went through a life of hardship and dropped out of high school, vowing to be number one in whatever he did. Mars started out as a cartoonist, then as a writer, and later on as editor -in- chief for two major publications houses and even for several film companies. Ravelo was the highest paid comic writer during his time. He later established his own company, RAR, to give him more elbow room with more obras. Mars Ravelo used to say that he wanted to impart " the highest form of values to the lowest tier of our society with the lowest form of literature"
Hi has made multiple contributions to the Filipino art world. Some of his achievements are the characters of Darna the super heroine, Dyesebel the love-lorn mermaid, and Kaptain Barbel the super hero. Some critics assert that these characters were plagiarism on the part of Ravelo, such as Darna from Wonder Woman, Dyesebel a rip off of Ariel from Little Mermaid, Lastik Man taken from Mr. Fantastic of the Fantastic Four, among others, whilst others contest that there is enough evidence to disregard such accusations.
Furthermore, he also created another classic drama about a young orphaned girl named Roberta. The movie was one of the key successes that made Sampaguita Pictures one of the biggest film outfitz in the 50's. Ravelo was also the creator of award-winning movie adaptation of Alicia Vergel's Basahang Ginto and the controversial film about a homosexual in Lea productions, Tubog sa Ginto, another comic's adaptation.
Aside from fantasy characters, Ravelo also created some humorous characters, with Facifica Falayfay, and the duo of Jack & Jill.
Published Works (in alphabetical order)
- Ako’y Nauuhaw
- Ako’y Tao…May Dugo at Laman
- Alicia Alonzo
- Alipin ng Busabos
- Alyas James Bond-ying
- Anak ni Dyesebel
- Ang Biyenan Kong Amerikana
- Ang Pinasulabi
- Angelito
- Baby Bubut
- Balahibong Nangangalisag
- Bartola (Ang Mangangatay)
- Basahang Ginto
- Bata Batuta
- Berdugo ng mga Anghel
- Bitter Sweet (Ang Pait at ang Tamis)
- Biyenang Hindi Tumawa
- Bobby
- Boksingera
- Bondying
- Booma
- Boyoyoi
- Buhay Pilipino
- Bwana Hai
- Captain Barbell
- Captain Barbell Kontra Kapitan Bakal
- Captain Barbell Versus Flash Fifita
- Cumbanchera
- Dalaginding na si Tessie
- Darna
- Darna at Ang Babaing Lawin
- Darna at Ang Babaing Linta
- Darna at Ang Babaing Tuod
- Darna at Ang Impakta
- Devil Pig
- Diyosa, Queen of the Dancing Waters
- Dobol Trobol
- Dragonna
- Dugo sa Mukha ng Buwan
- Dyangga
- Dyesebel
- Elepanta
- Eternally
- Facifica Falayfay
- Flash Bomba
- Galo Gimbal
- Ganid, The Last Man on Earth
- Ging
- Gog
- Goomba
- Goomboo-Roomboo
- Goro
- Goyo
- Gringgo
- Gumuhong Daigdig
- Haydee (The Brown Girl & The White Idol)
- Higantina, Da Big Byuti
- Hootsy-Kootsy
- Hudas sa Hudas
- I Believe
- Iniluha Ko’y Dugo
- Inspirasyon
- Ito Ba Ang Aking Ina?
- Jack and Jill
- Jesus Iscariote
- Jinkee
- Jungle Boy
- Kamay ni Bruldo
- Kapitan Boom
- Kiko
- Kitikiti
- Kontra Partido
- Kwatang (A Star is Born)
- Lastikman
- Little Lucy
- Magic Guitar
- Magic Makinilya
- Mambo-Dyambo
- Mariposa
- Maruja
- Miss Tilapia
- Mowmoo
- Nakangiting Halimaw
- Ngitnit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb
- Pomposa
- Prinsesa Gusgusin
- Raul Roldan
- Rita
- Rebecca
- Roberta
- Rodora
- Rosa Rossini
- Rowena
- Rubi-Rosa
- Selosang-Selosa
- Si Gorio at si Tekla
- Silveria, Ang Kabayong Daldalera
- Sindak!
- Suicide Susy
- Taong Tuod
- Teksas, Ang Manok na Nagsasalita
- Three Sisters
- Thunderstar
- Tiny Tony
- Torpe (Inferiority Complex)
- Trudis Liit
- Tubog sa Ginto
- Tumbando Cana
- Varga
- Via Dolorosa
- Vicky
- Zorina