Zuma is a Filipino comic book character created by Jim Fernandez in 1974. The character first appeared in a serial written by Fernandez entitled Aztec. From 1976 to 1985, Zuma got his own series named Anak ni Zuma that was serialized in Aliwan Komiks published by Graphics Arts Service Inc. with illustration by Ben Maniclang. The comics series was the biggest best seller for Aliwan. Following this publication success, spin-offs and a 1990s reboot about the character were published and it was further expanded in other media including film and television.
A statue of the Mesoamerican serpent deity Kukulkan at El Castillo, Chichen Itza. Kukulkan is depicted as the father of Zuma in the comics story line.
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.
