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History
Early
years
The year was 1947 when the late Mars Ravelo created a superheroine named "Varga." She
made her debut in Bulaklak Magazine Vol.4, Number 17 (Cover dated July 23, 1947) and became quite popular with readers everywhere.
Varga was, in all things but name, the woman we now know as Darna. Her mortal identity is
a little girl named "Narda" ( a name Mars Ravelo based on a childhood playmate he once had as a boy.)
She stood
up for the weak, battling common criminals as well as evil in superhuman form. "Varga" was both written and illustrated by
her creator whose artistic style resembled the cartoons of Max Fleischer Studios in the early 20th Century
After a falling out with the Editor in 1949, Ravelo decided to leave Bulaklak magazine. But the heroine's name- "Varga" belonged
to Bulaklak so Ravelo renamed her "DARNA" which is based on the name of her mortal identity- "Narda" spelled in reverse.
(Yes, it is based on "Narda" and not the bird of Philippine folklore named "Ibong Adarna", a common misconception)
On May 13, 1950, Mars Ravelo re-launched and rebooted his beloved comics Superheroine now called "Darna"- The mighty warrior
from the Planet Marte. Although the concept remained the same,
Ravelo assigned another Artist to illustrate his creation- The soon to be legendary Nestor Redondo.
Unlike Mars Ravelo, Nestor Redondo's artistic style was more illustrative and not
cartoony like her run as "Varga" which Mars Ravelo wrote and drew.
Darna's breath-taking
adventures was first serialized in the pages of Pilipino comics # 77, which pitted her against the sultry snake "goddess"-
Valentina. Darna quickly continued her popularity among Filipino
comic book readers.
But Darna only began being a household name the following year.
On May 31, 1951 Filipinos witnessed the first marvelous live action flight of Darna, in Fernando Poe Senior's Royal
films production- "DARNA" starring Manila's golden age movie queen Rosa Del Rosario as Darna and Cristina Aragon as
Valentina, while Mila Nimfa portrayed Narda. The movie was a huge box office success.
From
then on there was no stopping Darna. Numerous hit
movies and TV shows were made and only portarayed by the
Philippines'
biggest stars. Endless versions of Darna was also serialized in different comic books.
Darna The Superheroine
Mars Ravelo compared Darna to Venus with the super strength of Samson.
Darna adheres to the concept of a superheroine: gutsy, helpful, compassionate, lovable simple and fearless. She
is a true blue heroine of our times.
Darna's power can be affected by her emotions. This further strengthens the
claim that Narda is not Darna. Therefore, Darna can be defeated by defeating her human host Narda.
Now what is the source of Darna's powers and the secret behind her being?
A revisions were made on how Narda got her powers. The origins of Darna
is varied in numerous Darna comics and movies. Since scriptwriters, directors and producers try to make their movies
palatable to their different genres.
Powers and Abilities
Darna possess the allure of Venus, the glory of Apollo and the strength of Samson. Flight
super strength, super speed and indistructible to all man made weapons. She can switch between forms by stating their names
( Narda to become Darna, Darna to become Narda, Darna to become Daria).
Darna's Powers
and Abilities based on the tv series
Darna's powers include flight, super strength, super speed and near invulnerability. The winged medallion
on her helmet also emits a powerful "concussion ray" and the medallions that make up her belt can be used like throwing stars
(shuriken). In the 2005 TV series, she also has heat vision. Narda transforms into Darna, and vice versa, by shouting out
their respective names. First, however, Narda has to swallow the white stone, which conveniently comes out of her mouth every
time Darna changes back into herself. However, it was not so in her original incarnation.
Origin
of Narda
In the original comics version, Narda and
Ding are orphans. They were raised by their grandmother. Narda love's to sing and Ding plays the harmonica
very well. Sometimes Narda and Ding go from house to house and sings for the money to help their grandmother to support
their daily needs.
How did Narda becomes Darna?
When young Narda witnessed
a falling star late one night and went to investigate where it landed, she found a strange little white stone (revealed
to be from the planet Marte, and containing the mystical essence with the word Darna written on it. Hearing others approaching,
she popped it in her mouth and in a moment of impetuousness, swallowed it. Instantly she was overtaken by a sensation of travelling
through space, and collapsed. She was found by her guardian, her grandmother, who took her home and put her to bed. Later
she asked Narda what had happened, and the young girl recounted the story of her find. But when she said the word that had
been inscribed on the stone, she was instantly transformed in a flash of lightning into a tall, Amazonian woman. This was
Darna, a mighty warrior of Marte, named after the mythological Adarna bird. Narda was channeling the alien woman. Luckily
Darna meant no harm and by saying Narda, she was able to change back.
Since then Darna has been a constant protector of the innocent and helpless from a variety
of threats and villains.
Darna is not Narda
In the strictest sense, Narda is just the
medium, the bottle if you must, the vessel for the alien being Darna to take over. Just think if Ding took the stone,
instead of Narda, he would surely still look like the female Darna, because by doing so (swallowing the magical stone
and shouting Darna's name), he is making a magical incantation for Darna to possess him.
Later
years
In 1951, 2 Darna movies were made starring Rosa Del Rosario, followed by another two
starring Liza Moreno in the early 60's, one by Eva Montes and one by Gina Pareno in 1969.
But it was not until 1973's "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" starring Vilma Santos when "Darna mania" would be rekindled and made this
version the highest grossing Darna movie of them all. A feat that has not been equalled to this day.
In these 1970s films, Darna's origin was slightly tweaked with a new twist yet remained faithful to Mars Ravelo's vision.
No longer a little girl, Narda was now in her late teens. Also, she herself becomes Darna, unlike the original where she just
"channels" her. Only Ding knows her secret in this version unlike the original where both Ding and their Grandmother
knew the secret. Also, the stone comes out of Narda's mouth every time she changes back from being Darna; she has to
swallow it every time she wants to transform (This became standard for following versions). Darna is not specified as coming
from Marte, just as a "warrior of Light". This version of Darna became most people's idea of the character for about 3 decades.
A famous catch phrase by Narda popularized by the movies and NOT
the comics version is "Ding, Ang Bato !" ("Ding, the Stone !)
In 2005, Darna would
be redefined and streamlined once again. In the 2005 TV series of GMA Network, her original homeworld of "Planet Marte"
from the 1st issue was restored and incorporated into her Modern Age continuity. Her discovery of the magic stone as
a little girl would also be restored as part of continuity but she would still unlock its power in her late teens just like
the 70's version. Fans all over rejoiced over the restoration of her true lore.
Enemies
- Braguda - Queen of the Anomalka race of the Planet Marte.
- Valentina -In the 1950's, she was originally a bitter, deformed woman born with snakes for hair from ordinary human parents.
When she grew up, her parents were killed by the local people and was subsequently adopted by a creature named "KOBRA", a
giant serpent with a hag's head. Valentina was soon referred to as "goddess of the snakes" who had a close familiar-"VIBURA",a
loyal serpent. In the 2005 TV series, Valentina is A hybrid Human/Anomalkan hybrid but is still the main villain of Darna.
Braguda's greatest and most favored apprentice when she returned back to Planet Earth.
- Valentina -"Silver Age/Movie version"-In the 1973 film "Lipad, Darna, Lipad", she was
was played by Celia Rodriguez and was known as Dr. Valentina Vrandakapoor, Ph. D. in Reptilian Zoology from the University
of New Delhi. Valentina was portrayed as the Queen of the Serpents and moonlights as a ramp Model. She was seen walking on
the lobby of the Manila Hotel in a turban covered Medusa wig, bare midriff Indian Sari, and on her belly button, a giant Ruby
known as the “Star of Bombay” that can blow away suspecting Bollywood wannabees. At the Ilang Ilang Coffee shop,
she saw Darna flying across Rizal park and she said, “Sino ba yang Babaing Mababa ang Lipad?”
- Babaing Lawin- Armida the Hawk Woman
- Babaing Impakta - the conjoined evil twins
- Babaing Impakta II - A "Manananggal" creature in the "Lipad, Darna, Lipad" film (1973).
- Babaing Impakta III- Another possessed aspect of Alice (from the 2005 TV series)
- Babaing Tuod (Original Version)- Lucifera the tree monster-also called The Woodwitch;
has the ability to fight enemies by means of her vines and roots, and can turn plants into deadly weapons.
- Babaing Tuod II- The possessed version of Alice (Narda's Best friend)(2005 version
from the TV series)
- Babaing Lobo- Another possesses version of Alice (from 2005 version from the TV series)
- Babaing Linta - Garda the leech woman
- Isputnik -a Superheroine who once did battle with Darna.
- The "Planet Men"- Extra-terrestrials from "Darna at ang Planet Men"
- The "Planet Women"- Amazonian emissaries who tried to transport the Earth into their
part of the galaxy.
- X3X- alien Warrior Queen from "Darna and the Giants" movie.
- The Giants - genetically altered earthlings by Warrior Queen - "X3X"
- Dambuhalang Ahas - Also known as Higanteng Sawa, Braguda's first servant in Earth.
Responsibe for the death of Nanay Ising and the transformation of Valentina to a Babaeng Ahas.
- Ms. Luna - the manananggal
- Mambabarang - Warlock King of insects
- Sulfura - has the ability to spew fire and acid and melt her enemies
- Molecula - shape-shifter
- Nosforamus - grim reaper-"The Shadow of Death" and right hand man of Braguda
- Dr. Zombie - re-animator of corpses.
- Ella the Zombie - reanimated policewoman
- The Toy Master - a Clown who possessed the magical powers stolen from a Gnome.
- Demonica - a villain created for the 2005 TV series
- Black Darna - the evil twin of Darna in the 2005 series; Black Darna has the same powers and abilities as Darna.
- Divas Impaktitas- Valentina's 1st 3 Vampire minions created by the magic Black Stone.
- Varka - Anomalkan who wishes the death of Braguda according to the Prophecy, however insists on dominating Earth. Killed by Braguda when she found out that Varka betrays her.
- Peruka - friend of Varka. Killed by Valentina for treason.
- Trolka- An Anomalkan Warrior/Executioner who carries a "Ball and Chain" Mace.
- Lalaking Ahas (The Snake Man)- was Efren (Narda's true love) who was temporarily trasnsformed
into this creature by a spell cast by Valentina.
- Narda's past - it is said that Narda's past is the greatest enemy of Darna, according
to the Adranikas.
Darna
was serialized in the following comics:
DARNA - Pilipino
Komiks # 77. May 13,
1950
DARNA AT ANG BABAING LAWIN -1951- Pilipino Comics.
(DARNA AND THE HAWK WOMAN)
SI DARNA AT ANG BABAING IMPAKTA- Kenkoy Comics.
( DARNA AND THE EVIL TWINS)
DARNA AT ANG BABAING TUOD- 1964- Liwayway Comics.
(DARNA AND THE WOOD WITCH)
SI DARNA AT ANG PLANETMAN- 1966- Holiday Comics.
(DARNA AND THE PLANETMAN)
DARNA AT NAG BABAING LINTA- Feb 3, 1968. Issue #1 -
Darna Comics.
(DARNA AND THE LEECH WOMAN)
DARNA AND THE TIME MACHINE- 1975- Kampeon Comics
DARNA AT DING- Bulaklak Comics.
Darna vs. the Black widow. 1980
DARNA vs. THE BLACK ORCHIDS
DARNA vs. DYANGA- Jan 1, 1985-Darna
Comics.
DARNA KONTRA TAONG DIABLO- 1986- Darna Comics.
(DARNA VS THE DEMON)
DARNA AT ANG HIWAGA NG NAWAWALANG HUKAY- 1986-
( DARNA AND THE MYSTERY OF THE MISSING GRAVE) - Darna comics.
DARNA AT ANG TAONG IBON 1987- Darna Comics
(DARNA AND THE BIRDMAN)
DARNA VS ZUMARNA- 1993. Darna Comics
Darna sa Gitna ng Pag Ibig at Panganib. ( Darna in the middle of Love
and Danger) June 1992. Darna Comics
Darna ang Pagbabalik! ( Darna the Return!)- 1996. Darna Comics
Darna sa Daigdig ng Ilusyon-( Darna in the world of Illusions) 1996- Darna Comics
DARNA VS THE WITCH- 1997 - Darna Comics
DARNA VS THE BLACK MERCURY- Darna Comics
DARNA VS ARAKNIDO- 1988 - Darna Comics.
DARNA AND THE TIME MACHINE-1988 - Darna Comics.
Darna Versus The Warlock- June 25,1990. Darna Comics
DARNA VS THE TOXIC MONSTER-1999- Super Action Comics.
Darna sa Bingit ng Panganib. 1999- Super Action Comics
PAANO KUNG MAY TATLONG DARNA? - Super Action comics.
(WHAT IF THERE WERE THREE DARNAS?)
DARNA- Feb, 2003- Mango comics
DARNA 2nd issue- May 7, 2003- Mango Comics
DARNA 3rd issue- Dec 13, 2003- Mango Comics
DARNA ETC.. DEC 2003- FRANK RIVERA. U.S.T. Press
The Mango Comics miniseries
In 2003, an award-winning Darna miniseries was published by Mango Comics, with major input from Ravelo's family.
This version showed Narda as a college student who first found the stone 10 years before. However, the details of Darna's
origin was changed again - Her race of "Adarna Warriors" (known as Adranikans on the TV series) originally came from the PlanetTiamat, as was Valentina, and their respective peoples had warred there for many years. On Tiamat, Darna's race had artificial
wings, reminiscent of the Hawkmen and Hawkwomen of Thanagar, while Valentina's race was reminiscent of Nagas as well as Gorgons. Because of the war between the "Adarna Warriors" and the "Serpent Queens", they fled the planet Tiamat and went
to the Planet NIBIRU.."Also known as MARTE". Also, Darna is explicitly called the "Adarna bird", thus making the magic
songbird of a Philippine epic, Ang Ibong Adarna (The Adarna Bird), somehow a part of the mythos (see below). The Mango Comics 3 issue
depicted Darna's people as "Adarna Warriors". The editorial decision to designate them as such propbably came from the popular
perception that the name "Darna" was taken from the Mythical "Adarna" bird. But in Darna's original incarnation as "VARGA"
in 1947, the heroine's mortal guise was still "NARDA". So it is more likely that "DARNA" is based on the reversal of her mortal
identity as NARDA.
(BASED ON GMA-7
TV SERIES VERSION)
Once thought
of as the daughter of a farmer named Mulong and his wife- Ising, Narda is really the biological daughter of Mulong's Half-Sister,
Prospera and her true love- Rafael.
When Prospera
was pregnant with Narda she discovered a space craft that had crashed on her land one fateful evening. As she approached the
craft, a dying alien (An Anomalkan) emerged and transported the seed within the alien's belly into the already pregnant Prospera.
The Anomalkan fled
to earth in the hope of escaping the massacare of infants ordered by Queen Braguda of the Anomalka race.
Braguda's rampage
was in response to a prophecy that predicted her death one day at the hands of another Anomalkan. To prevent the
prohecy from coming to pass, Braguda ordered the slaughter of all Anomalkan infants that could oppose her one day. But
one Anomalkan managed to escape the planet Marte and in doing so crash landed on Earth- a planet that could not sustain Anomalkans.
To help bring about the
fulfilment of the prophecy, the fugitive Anomalkan transfered the seed of life growing within by using a bizarre form
of teleportation and somehow bonded it to the womb of an Earth female named Prospera. Under its new host, the
Anomalkan infant would stand a better chance of surviving in Earth's atmosphere since it would turn out to be a hybrid of
the 2 bloodlines.
After being made into a host
for the alien seed, Prospera now carried 2 babies- one completely human (a product of her relationship with Rafael) and the
other- a monstrous Anomalkan humanoid.
When Prospera gave birth, she discovered her human
child to be perfectly normal and horrified at her alien one. Prospera carried her alien child to the spaceship in the hopes
of killing it there but when the child suddenly shapeshifted to resemble a normal Earth-child, Prospera took it back home.
When she returned,
her normal baby had disappeared. (who unknown to her was stolen by her brother Mulong to replace his wife's own baby who died
in birth). Prospera who planned to name her human child "Valentina" now gave this name to her alien baby.
Mulong
named the baby he stole "Narda" after the true Baby Narda who had died and had been replaced. Narda would discover her true
origin years later after she defeats Braguda and thwart the Anomalkan invasion.
Locations
The following locations are featured in Darna stories:
- Sa Bayan Ng "M" (To the Town of M) (from issue # 1, 1950) - when creator/writer Mars Ravelo wrote the first
issue - Narda & Ding's location - Sa Bayan ng "M" refers to the place Mars Ravelo grew up. "M" is Malabon, General Trias, Cavite in the Philippines. This is the setting of Narda/Darna's origin. (This information was confirmed by the Estate of
Mars Ravelo.)
- Mabuhay University (from Mango Comics DARNA # 1) is the College where the adult Narda attended. It is based on
the University of the Philippines.
- Planet Marte - the planet where both the magic white stone and magic black stone comes from. Darna's power comes from this planet that is both
technologically advanced as well as mystically inclined. Science and magic are not seen as two separate opposing disciplines. They are both integrated in this society composed of two tribes
- the noble Adranika race and the evil Anomalka race.
- Planet Tiamat - the planet of Darna and Valentina in the Mango Comics version; here their respective races fought
each other for many years. Darna's race is reminiscent of the Hawkmen and Hawkwomen of Thanagar, while Valentina's is reminscent of Nagas and Gorgons.
- Planet Marte or "Nibiru" - where the Adarna Warriors fled to when Tiamat was destroyed. This concept of 2 alien
races warring for supremacy that came from the 2003 Mango Comics mini-series was utilized in the TV series. The "Adarna Warriors"
were renamed "ADRANIKA" warriors while the "SERPENT QUEEN" race was given a name- The ANOMALKA race. However, the TV series
version introduces BRAGUDA, the Queen of Darkness who rules the serpent-like ANOMALKA race.
- Galactica - Another term for "Galaxy".
THE TV MINI SERIES
Main article: Darna (2005 TV Series)
In 2004, executives of GMA Network and Hugo Yonzon, current license holder of Darna and head of Mango Comics, signed a licensing agreement for a Darna television series. It premiered in Filipino homes on April 11, 2005 and garnered a 47.1% rating according to AGB, making it the highest rated pilot episode ever in Philippine television. During the fourth episode, it garnered 52.1% overnight ratings from AGB, the highest rating yet for the show. Filipino
actress Angel Locsin starred as Darna. The television series ended Friday, November 25, 2005.
A lot of changes and new material were added for this incarnation of Darna. The show follows the original with
Narda finding the stone as a child, but she only becomes Darna in her early twenties. It follows the 2003 comics in making
Darna part of a alien race (the Adranika of Marte) who fought another alien race of serpent people (called the Anomalka).
However, many new allies and enemies were invented for the show, as well as more backstory. Notably, Narda and Valentina (an
alien no longer) were now cousins (later revealed to be twin sisters).
Four actresses
who previously played as Darna are involved in the TV series:
- Gina Pareņo (Darna and the Planetman, 1969) appears as Darna's grandmother
- Rio Locsin (Bira, Darna, Bira, 1979) appears as the wife of Dr. Zombie, one of the villains
- Lorna Tolentino (Darna 1977 TV series) portrays Queen Adran of Marte
- Regine Velasquez (plays Darna in Captain Barbel, 2003) sang the theme song of the series
The series features several prominent Filipino actors and
actresses as the villains:
Darna Stamps 2005
Pebble power
"DING, ang bato!" yells Narda, the adolescent country lass, to her younger brother. Ding obligingly hands
over a shiny pebble which Narda swallows to turn herself into the vivacious super-vixen, Darna.
Mars Ravelo's superheroine,
clad in crimson bikinis and knee-high stiletto boots, may perhaps be the most famous local fantasy character given life on
the silver screen. Portraying Darna is actually considered a career-defining role.
Darna has been portrayed by no less than nine actresses in 12
feature films. Rosa del Rosario first wore the scarlet two-piece in May 1951. She reprised the role after three months. Liza
Moreno, Eva Montes and Gina Pareņo followed her.
The inter-galactic pebble found its way to Vilma Santos' throat in
1973 via the flick "Lipad, Darna, Lipad!" Santos, now the mayor of Lipa City in Batangas, is probably the
most popular Darna, with a total of four movies in a span of seven years. Some of these were made known to younger generations
through afternoon airings on television in the late '80s. Maybe RPN 9 should do that again so that even younger generations
can marvel at Darna's greatness, albeit antiquated, in such movies as "Darna and the Giants" and "Darna vs. the Planet Women."
Rio Locsin squeezed in a portrayal in 1979 with "Bira, Darna, Bira!" But Santos made a comeback, with the legendary
Niņo Muhlach as Ding, in 1980's "Darna and Ding."
Megastar Sharon Cuneta appeared in a cameo role as Darna in the
1986 hit "Captain Barbel." She, however, sported a single-piece suit. A more recent edition of Darna appeared more like a
spin off of the American heroine Wonder Woman. Nanette Medved portrayed the role of a cosmopolitan Narda, trekking the concrete
jungle of Manila in Viva Films' 1991 Metro Filmfest Entry "Darna." Medved's Narda also did some modeling on the side and had
a certain twang when screaming "Djarnuh!" Also, in lieu of the winged cap, Medved sported a tiara.
Anjanette Abayari played Darna, courtesy of Viva's "Darna,
Ang Pagbabalik!" in 1994. The bossomy gal squeezed her wares in a more revealing suit.
The comic-book superheroine
also found its way to the small screen via Lorna Tolentino's "Darna" series in 1977. Darna also endorsed an AUV in a series
of television commercials with Abayari, along with Binibining Pilipinas titlists Daisy Reyes, Maria Sovietskaya Bacud and
Alma Concepcion in various versions of Darna. Liza Macuja even brought Darna to the stage in a production by Ballet Manila.
Overview
Regardless of its many incarnations, the story of Darna begins with a village girl named Narda who finds a small white stone, a tiny meteorite from outer space. Narda swallows the stone
and shouts "Darna," she becomes a mighty warrior ready to defend Earth from evil forces.
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