Varga (comics)
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Varga is a
Filipino Filipino may refer to: * Something from or related to the Philippines ** Filipino language, standardized variety of 'Tagalog', the national language and one of the official languages of the Philippines. ** Filipinos, people who are citizens of th ...
comics
superhero A superhero or superheroine is a stock character that typically possesses ''superpowers'', abilities beyond those of ordinary people, and fits the role of the hero, typically using his or her powers to help the world become a better place, ...
created by
Mars Ravelo Marcial "Mars" Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist who created ''Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman'', ''Bondying'', '' Varga'', ''Wanted: Perfect Mother'', ''Hiwag ...
. He wrote and illustrated Varga for
Bulaklak Magazine ''Bulaklak Magazine'' (literally “Flower Magazine”), subtitled ''Hiyas ng Tahanan'' (“Gem of the Home"), was a Tagalog-language magazine that was first published in the Philippines on April 14, 1947. Published by the Social and Commercial P ...
, appearing first in the magazine's No. 17, Vol. 4 (July 23, 1947) issue. A falling out with some of the magazine's editors caused Ravelo to resign from Bulaklak and transfer to Pilipino Komiks (Ace Publications), where he re-launched his superhero. Ravelo renamed her
Darna Darna () is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in ''Pilipino Komiks'' (Ace Publications, Inc.) #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier cha ...
, an anagram of the superhero's mortal alter-ego name Narda. Darna's adventures in Pilipino Komiks began in the No. 77 (May 13, 1950) issue, where she was illustrated by
Nestor Redondo Nestor P. Redondo (May 4, 1928 – December 30, 1995)Nestor P. Redondo
at the
History
marsravelodarna.net Not to be confused with the similarly-named Edwin Samonte character, Varga: The Amazing Iron Lady, which first appeared in Super Action Komiks No. 191, April 11, 1989.


Origin

It can also be noted that Varga was a character archived twice. Varga first began as a superhero concept before
World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposin ...
, in late 1939. "VARGA" made her debut in ''
Bulaklak Magazine ''Bulaklak Magazine'' (literally “Flower Magazine”), subtitled ''Hiyas ng Tahanan'' (“Gem of the Home"), was a Tagalog-language magazine that was first published in the Philippines on April 14, 1947. Published by the Social and Commercial P ...
'', Vol. 4, No. 17 on July 23, 1947, which Mars wrote and drew himself. It was under the name "DARNA" the character became famous. In an interview, Ravelo revealed that he offered his creation first to Liwayway Magazine and then to other publications, but was rejected several times. The concept and image of Varga, the first female superhero in the Philippines, was based on the illustrations of
Superman Superman is a superhero who appears in American comic books published by DC Comics. The character was created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, and debuted in the comic book ''Action Comics'' #1 (cover-dated June 1938 and publi ...
appearing on comic books brought by soldiers from the United States to the Philippines.Varga
internationalhero.co.uk It was the story of a mortal girl named Narda (named after one of Ravelo's childhood playmates), her brother Ding and their grandmother, Lola Asay. They lived in the town of Masambong when a falling star revealed itself to be a magic amulet that turns the little girl named Narda into the superhero Varga. For more than six decades the character Varga was lost, until she resurfaced as a rebooted character in the 2008 '' Komiks Presents: Varga'' TV series.


Costume

The original Varga is not to be confused with the Varga character featured in the 2008 TV series. The original Varga appears like Darna except her costume featured long sleeves and a fitted shirt that featured the sun and three stars from the
Philippine flag The national flag of the Philippines ( tgl, Pambansang watawat ng Pilipinas; ilo, Nailian a bandera ti Filipinas; ceb, Nasudnong bandila ng Pilipinas; es, Bandera Nacional de Filipinas) is a horizontal List of flags by design#Bicolour, bicol ...
. She wore shorts and a simple belt with a loincloth ( bahag) in the middle like Darna before letting go of the long sleeve form fitting shirt featuring the stars and sun and replaced it with the familiar bra while only retaining 2 of the 3 stars. In the 2008 TV series, Varga wore a purple romper, cape and boots with gold detail, golden headpiece with "V" insignia, and golden medallion belt. She sports braided pigtails.


In other media

In '' Komiks Presents: Varga'', a 2008 television series starring
Mariel Rodriguez Maria Erlinda Lucille Termulo-Padilla (born Maria Erlinda Lucille Sazon Termulo; August 10, 1984) professionally known as Mariel Rodriguez-Padilla or simply Mariel Rodriguez (), is a Filipino-born American commercial model, endorser, televis ...
, Varga was an alien named Princess Varona from the planet Vargon. On Earth, Varga is assisted by a human girl named Olga in secretly protecting mankind and saving the world from “the forces of evil”.Varga
imdb.com Planet Vargon is home to a race of powerful beings from outer space. Due to the destruction of her home planet, Vara escapes and landed on Earth, however, only existing in a ghost form. The Princess meets a young human girl name Olga, who is the only one who can see her, due to her kind heart. Under Olga's influence, Vara falls in love with the people of Earth.Varga
abs-cbnglobal.com These two women's destiny are meant to be merged literally. Upon a shout and a touch, the violet-colored ghost Vara unites with the human child Olga, fused into one person in a single body: the superhero Varga. Together, Vara and Olga begin their journey to become a real hero, and to defeat earth's enemy, Xandra - an evil woman who preys on the youth and beauty of others to stay young and beautiful.


Collected editions


See also

*
Darna Darna () is a Filipina superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character's first appearance was in ''Pilipino Komiks'' (Ace Publications, Inc.) #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier cha ...
*
Captain Barbell Captain Barbell is a Filipino people, Filipino superhero created by writer, Mars Ravelo and artist Jim Fernandez. His characteristics are similar to United States, American fictional superheroes Superman, DC Comics' Captain Marvel (DC Comics), C ...
*
Isang Lakas ''Komiks'' () is a Philippine television fantasy-drama anthology broadcast by ABS-CBN from February 4, 2006, to August 8, 2009, spanned for three years. The series features popular local comic book stories by comic writers Pablo S. Gomez, Fran ...
* Siopawman * Ipo-ipo * Lagim * Voltar *
List of Filipino superheroes The following is a list of Filipino (Pinoy) superheroes, who have either appeared in Filipino comic books (komiks), television shows (fantaserye), or movies. __NOTOC__ A *A-Gel from ''Batang X'' *Abdullah from "Kuwtmak" *Adarna from '' Sandug ...


References

{{ABS-CBN Adaptations (Local Comics and Books) 1947 comics debuts Comics about women Comics characters introduced in 1947 Female characters in comics Fictional Filipino people Filipino comics characters Filipino superheroes Philippine comic strips