MARS RAVELO: 'KOMIKS' KING #1 of 3 [Circa 1950s]

Mars Ravelo (1916-88) was a prolific writer, artist, illustrator and the recognized king of Philippine Komiks. He was the man behind several popular characters that captivated generations of Filipinos since the late 1940s. His crisp and humorous lines, visualized into vivid and animated illustrations, have engrossed readers of all ages. Perhaps this is also because of the range and depth of his characters --- from the young to the elderly, from virtuous mortals to the superhuman.

From 1950s to 1970s, Ravelo wrote and collaborated with other illustrators and writers to produce more than 300 komiks stories. Many of these were adapted on screen. Who wouldn’t recognize Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Bondying, Lastikman? These are only some of Ravelo’s characters that have come to life beyond the realm of the printed medium and successfully traversed into the world of cinema and other media. His komiks novels also introduced readers to characters in melodrama and comedy like Roberta, Trudis Liit, Ging, Maruja and Facifica Falayfay.

Mars Ravelo’s stories have brought us into the worlds of the fantasy and the supernatural as well as into the lives of people like us. His works show us different views of our joys and sorrows and our weaknesses and strengths. The popularity of komiks may have dwindled in recent years, but his characters will remain part of Philippine pop culture.

More on Mars Ravelo
More on Pinoy Komiks made into Movies
See Mars Ravelo's Darna
See Mars Ravelo's Captain Barbell
See Mars Ravelo's Lastikman

1. Roberta (1951)- Stars Tessie Agana, Van de Leon, Bella Flores, Boy Alano, Rosa Mia, Jose de Villa, Aruray/ Directed by Olive de la Torre

2. Rebecca (1952)- Stars Tessie Agana, Tessie Martinez, Van de Leon, Rosa Mia, Gloria Romero, Bella Flores, Boy Alano, Etang Discher, Chichay, Toindoy/ Directed by Olive de la Torre

3. Darna (1951)- Stars Rosa Del Rosario, Ben Perez, Manuel Ubaldo, Mila Nimfa and Cristina Aragon as Valentina/ Directed by Fernando Poe

4. Darna at ang Babaing Lawin (1952)- Rosa Del Rosario, Elvira Reyes, Ben Rubio, Mila Nimfa, Manuel Ubaldo/ Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa

5. Basahang Ginto (1952)- Stars Pancho Magalona, Alicia Vergel and Myrna Delgado/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

6. Kiko (1953)- Stars Boy Alano, Patria Plata, Van de Leon, Rosa Mia, Aruray/ Directed by Olive de la Torre

7. Dyesebel (1953)- Stars Jaime De La Rosa, Carol Varga, Fernando Royo and Edna Luna in the title role/ Directed by Gerardo De Leon

8. Inspirasiyon (1953)- Stars Carmen Rosales, Norma Vales, Van de Leon, Katy de la Cruz, Rosa Mia, Pedro Faustino, Jose de Villa/ Directed by Armando Garces

9. Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa (1954)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Chichay, Tolindoy, Etang Discher, Bella Flores/ Directed by Armando Garces

10. Tatay na si Bondying (1955)- Stars Fred Montilla, Myrna Delgado, Norma Vales, Dolphy/ Directed by Armando Garces

11. Torpe (1955)- Stars Rosita Noble, Elvira Reyes, Corazon Noble, Tito Arevalo, Miguel Anzures, Ruben Rustia and Carlos Padilla, Jr. in the title role/ Directed by Eddie Romero

12. Jack and Jill (1955)- Stars Rogelio de la Rosa, Lolita Rodriguez and Dolphy/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

13. Mambo-Dyambo (1955)- Stars Fred Montilla, Alicia Vergel, Dolphy, Bella Flores, Eddie Garcia/ Directed by Octavio Silos

14. Mariposa (1955)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Norma Vales, Rudy Francisco and Rosa Mia/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

15. Hootsy-Kootsy (1955)- Stars Gloria Romero, Luis Gonzales, Dolphy (dual Role), Zeny Zabala/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

16. Miss Tilapia (1956)- Stars Gloria Romero, Ric Rodrigo, Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

17. Boksingera, Daw! (1956)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Susan Roces and Dolphy/ Directed by Octavio Silos

18. Rodora (1956)- Stars Paraluman, Van de Leon, Amalia Fuentes and Juancho Gutierrez/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

19. Tumbando Cana (1956) - Stars Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Norma Vales, Rosa Mia/ Directed by Olive de la Torre

20. Via Dolorosa (1956)- Stars Fred Montilla, Rita Gomez, Aruray, Bella Flores, Etang Discher, Rod Navarro/ Directed by Conrado Conde

21. Eternally (1957)- Stars Gloria Romero, Juancho Gutierrez, Tony Marzan/ Diercted by Armando Garces

22. Ismol Bat Teribol (1957)- Stars Luis Gonzales, Amalia Fuentes, Nelly Baylon, Romeo Vasquez, Tony Marzan, Boy Planas/ Directed by Jose De Villa

23. Prinsesa Gusgusin (1957)- Stars Susan Roces, Romeo Vasquez, Tito Galla, Nelly Baylon, Bella Flores, Zeny Zabala, Rod Navarro, Etang Discher/ Directed by Carlos Vander Tolosa

24. Rubirosa (1957)- Stars Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo, Carlos Salazar/ Directed by Mar S. Torres

25. Baby Bubut (1958)- Stars Amalia Fuentes, Juancho Gutierrez, Tito Galla, Rod Navarro, Meldy Corralez, Etang Discher/ Directed by Rosa Mia

26. Silveria (1958)- Stars Dolphy, Daisy Romualdez, Marlene Dauden, Tony Marzan/ Directed by Octavio Silos