MARS RAVELO

“King of Philippine Komiks”

Presented by: Sanchez, Patricia Bianca

S.
 Marcial Custodio Ravelo
October 9, 1916 – September
12, 1988
• Filipino comic book
cartoonist and graphic
novelist
• hometown is in Tanza, Cavite
• a high school sophomore
dropout
• "King of Komiks" (1950s to
70s)
• 23 years old at Mabuhay
Extra
• Liwayway Magazine, Ace
Publications, Bulaklak
• RAR Publishing House
EARLY
YEARS
 He began to get his works published as a cartoonist.

At a young age,
Mars was already
skilled with the pen
in both writing and
drawing. In 1939,
his drawings in the BEMBOY: Ravelo's First Comic
Strip, 1939 (Mabuhay)
comic series
“Bemboy” were one
of his earliest works
that were circulated.
Creating “Rita Kasinghot” was a stepping stone to his comic book suc

Around 1949, Mars was part of

Bulaklak magazine where he wrote and
illustrated “Rita Kasinghot.” From
there he began exploring short and long-
form komiks. “Buhay Pilipino” and
“Roberta” are some of his early works
that were published and slowly
advanced his success
Rita Kasinghot
Bulaklak, 1947
typical neighborhood child
5 year old neighbor in
Baclaran
• typical kid in a society
• Buhay Pilipino
• Liwayway Magazine
• whole family household
• 1940s and 1950s
• Pat Justimbate, Andres Cristobal
Cruz
 • an innocent 4-year old girl who
unjustly accusing the murder of
someone. She was intimidated to say
that she committed the crime so that
her family would not be harmed. The
wise lawyer in the courtroom was
able to help her.

• Roberta who was forcing to work for

the survival of her policeman boy and
her sickly Mother, Aling Tinay
because they were abandoned by her
father/

He followed this up with Liwayway’s Buhay Pilipino

and Roberta, a long-form komiks novel that was
published by Ace Publications before it was turned
into a movie by Sampaguita Pictures.
PEAK OF
HIS
CAREER
He created classics featuring
timeless characters still
recognized today such as Darna,
Captain Barbell, Lastikman, and
Dyesebel
darna
• Darna was introduced to the
public in 1950, but Mars
had been conceptualizing
her several years before.
• Pilipino Komiks, 1950
• Bulaklak as "Varga"
• alterego: Narda
• Philippine version of
Wonder Woman
• Ding, Valentina
• 14 movies, 3 TV series
• heroism
• good vs. evil
• family and friendship
• belief in Filipino
supernatural beings
• belief in God
Captain Barbell
• Pinoy Komiks,
1963
• alter ego: TengTeng
• "shirtless circus
strongman"
• long sleeved yellow
shirt
• Philippine version
of Superman.
• empowerment
• good vs evil
• bullying
• love
• heroism
lASTIKMAN

• Aliwan Komiks,
1995
• alter ego: Hillario
aka Larry
• Alien
• Physics professor
• heroism
dyesabel

• His story “Dyesebel” was

loosely based on Hans
Christian Andersen’s mermaid
folklore “The Little Mermaid.”
 RAR
Publications

Life Achievement
Award
The Komiks Operation Brotherhood ,1984
THANK YOU!