Darna is a superhero appearing in Filipino comic books created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. The character was introduced during the Golden Age of Comic Books, debuting in Pilipino Komiks #77 on May 13, 1950. Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, who first appeared in 1947. With her continued presence in literature and art, Darna has been described as a Filipino cultural icon. Throughout the years, she has been adapted to a number of media platforms, such as film, television, plays and video games.
Textless cover of Darna #1 (February 2003) Art by Ryan Orosco
Cover of Darna Pilipino Komiks #78 (May 1950). Art by Nestor Redondo.
Art by Ryan Orosco
Philippine Comics have been popular throughout the nation from the 1920s to the present. Comics scholar John A. Lent posited that the Philippine comics tradition has "the strongest audience appeal, best-known cartooning geniuses, and most varied comics content" in Asia after Japan and Hong Kong.
One of the illustrations by José Rizal depicting the folk tale The Turtle and the Monkey (Tagalog: Ang Pagong at ang Matsing or Si Pagong at si Matsing).
A stamp sheet highlighting Slice of Life by Larry Alcala, issued in 2022.
Tony DeZuniga (pictured in 2011) has made a name for himself in the U.S. as a prolific comic artist.
Alex Niño (pictured in 2021) was inducted into the Eisner Award Hall of Fame in 2022.