# Mars Ravelo

Marcial "Mars" Custodio Ravelo (October 9, 1916 – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino comic book cartoonist and graphic novelist. Dubbed as the "King of Pinoy Komiks", he is notable for creating Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Bondying, Varga, Wanted: Perfect Mother, Hiwaga, Maruja, Mariposa, Roberta, Rita, Buhay Pilipino, Jack and Jill, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna among others.

## Early life

Mars Ravelo was born on October 9, 1916, when America still occupied the Philippines.

## Career

Ravelo started out as a cartoonist, then as a writer, and later on as editor-in-chief for two publications houses and for several film companies. He later established his own company, RAR.
Ravelo crafted iconic characters such as Darna the superheroine, Dyesebel the lovelorn mermaid, and Captain Barbell the superhero, along with Facifica Falayfay, and the comedic pair Jack & Jill. He also developed the drama centered on a young orphan named Roberta for Sampaguita Pictures. Additionally, Ravelo penned the film adaptation of Alicia Vergel's "Basahang Ginto." He is known as the "King of Pinoy Komiks."

## Death

Mars Ravelo died on September 12, 1988, due to heart attack.

## List of Mars Ravelo's comic books

* Bondying
* Buhay Pilipino
* Captain Barbell
* Darna
* Dragonna
* Flash Bomba
* Hiwaga
* Jack and Jill
* Kapitan Boom
* Lastikman
* Mariposa
* Maruja
* Rita
* Roberta
* Tiny Tony
* Varga
* Wanted: Perfect Mother

## Published works (in alphabetical order)

| Title | First appearance | Adaptation(s) |
| 3 Sisters | Pilipino Komiks #178 (March 27, 1954) | Film |
| 4 na Maria | | Film |
| Allen Borre | | |
| Alex Anasco | | |
| Ako’y Nauuhaw | Tagalog Klasiks (1962) | |
| Ako’y Tao…May Dugo at Laman | Kislap Komiks (1968) | Film |
| Alicia Alonzo | Pilipino Komiks (1962) | |
| Alipin ng Busabos | Bulaklak (1968) | Film |
| Alyas James Bond-ying | Bondying Komiks (1969) | |
| Anak ni Dyesebel | Liwayway (1963) | Film |
| And God Smiled at Me | | Film |
| Ang Biyenan Kong Amerikana | Pilipino Komiks #190 (September 11, 1954) | |
| Ang Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa | | Film |
| Ang Daya-Daya | Liwayway (February 17, 1964) | |
| Ang Iniluluha Ko'y Dugo | | Film |
| Ang Pinasulabi | Hiligaynon (1973) | |
| Angelito | Hiligaynon (1973) | |
| Baby Bubut | Tagalog Klasiks #223 (January 18, 1958) | Film |
| Bagong Daigdig | Bulaklak Magazine (September 8, 1948) | |
| Balahibong Nangangalisag | | |
| Bartola (Ang Mangangatay) | Hiwaga Komiks (1965) | |
| Basahang Ginto | Hiwaga Komiks | Film, TV series |
| Bata Batuta | Kislap Komiks (1951) | |
| Bawat Kaluskos…Lagim | Holiday Komiks (1988) | |
| Bemboy | Mabuhay Extra (1939) | |
| Berdugo ng mga Anghel | Hiwaga Komiks (1950) | Film |
| Big Berta | Bulaklak (1965) | |
| Bitter Sweet (Ang Pait at ang Tamis) | Pilipino Komiks (1967) | Film |
| Biyenang Hindi Tumawa | | |
| Bobby | Pilipino Komiks (1958) | Film |
| Boboy | Sinagtala (1949) | |
| Boksingera | Tagalog Klasiks #164 (October 15, 1955) | Film |
| Bondying | Pilipino Komiks (August 29, 1953) | Film, TV series |
| Bong Bong | | Film |
| Booma | Pilipino Komiks (1961) | |
| Boyoyoy | Pilipino Komiks (1958) | |
| Bruno Diablo | Gem Komiks (1983) | |
| Buhay Pilipino | | |
| Bulaklak ng Dagat | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1982) | |
| Bwana Hai | Pinoy Komiks (1965) | |
| Cadena de Amor | | Film |
| Captain Barbell | Pinoy Komiks #1 (May 23, 1963) | Film, TV series |
| Captain Barbell Kontra Kapitan Bakal | Pinoy Komiks (1964) | Film |
| Captain Barbell Versus Flash Fifita | Liwayway (1968) | |
| Captain Boom | United Komiks (1966) | TV series |
| Chris Jay Medinilla | | |
| Cumbanchera | Tagalog Klasiks (1952) | Film |
| Dalaginding na si Tessie | Tagalog Klasiks (1954) | |
| Darna | Pilipino Komiks #77 (May 13, 1950) | Film, TV series, webcomic, song, dance, TV commercial |
| Darna at Ang Babaing Lawin | Pilipino Komiks (1951) | Film |
| Darna at Ang Babaing Linta | Darna Komiks (1968) | |
| Darna at Ang Babaing Tuod | Liwayway (1964) | Film |
| Darna at ang Black Widow | Mars Ravelo Komiks (1980) | |
| Darna at Ang Impakta | Kenkoy Komiks (1962) | Film |
| Darna at ang Planetman | Holiday Komiks (1968) | Film |
| Darna Versus Satanina Dayabolika | Kampeon Komiks (1977) | |
| Darna Vs. Zumarna | Darna Komiks (1992) | |
| David Arkanghel | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1976) | |
| Devil Pig | Pioneer Komiks (1964) | |
| Devlin | Redondo Komix (1963) | |
| Divina Gracia | Pilipino Komiks (1970) | Film |
| Diyosa, Queen of the Dancing Waters | Pilipino Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Dobol Trobol | Pilipino Komiks (1959) | |
| Dolfo and the Time Machine | Liwayway (1975) | |
| Dragonna | | TV series |
| Dugo sa Mukha ng Buwan | Pioneer Komiks (1965) | |
| Dyangga | | |
| Dyesebel | Pilipino Komiks #1 (1952) | Film, TV series |
| Edmund Lee | | |
| Elepanta | Espesyal Komiks (1967) | |
| Ella Bajao | | |
| Espira | | |
| Eternally | Espesyal Komiks (1956) | Film |
| Facifica Falayfay | Pilipino Komiks (1968) | Film |
| Fantastic 4 | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1974) | |
| Fil-American Girl | Espesyal Komiks (1962) | Film |
| First Kiss | Tin-Edyers Songs & Shows (1969) | |
| Flash Bomba | Tagalog Klasiks (1967) | TV series |
| Galo Gimbal | Pinoy Klasiks (1965) | Film |
| Ganid, The Last Man on Earth | Bondying Komiks (1969) | |
| Garuda | Space Horror Comix (1988) | |
| Gavin Villacosta | | |
| Ging | Liwayway (1963) | Film |
| Gog | Pilipino Komiks (1964) | |
| Golpe de gulat | | Film |
| Goomba | Tagalog Klasiks (1966) | |
| Goomboo-Roomboo | Pioneer Komiks (1967) | |
| Goomboo Roomboo 1987 | Holiday Komiks (1986) | |
| Gorgonia | Mars Ravelo Komiks (1977) | Film |
| Goro | Pioneer Komiks (1962) | |
| Goyo | Aliwan Komiks (1965) | |
| Gringgo | | |
| Guardians of the galaxy | | |
| Gumuhong Daigdig | Tagalog Klasiks (1967) | |
| Handsome | Hiwaga Komiks (1958) | Film |
| Haydee (The Brown Girl & The White Idol) | TSS Komiks (1967) | Film |
| Hayok sa Dugo | Liwayway (1988) | |
| Higantina, Da Big Byuti | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1978) | |
| Hootsy-Kootsy | Espesyal Komiks (1954) | Film |
| Hudas sa Hudas | Aliwan Komiks (1968) | |
| Huwag Mong Tupukin ang Langit | Damdamin Komiks (1988) | |
| I Believe | Hiwaga Komiks (1960) | Film |
| Impakta | Bulaklak (1966) | |
| I'm Sorry, My Love | | Film |
| Iniluha Ko’y Dugo | Liwayway (1965) | |
| Inspirasyon | Tagalog Klasiks (1953) | Film |
| Isandalosa | | Film |
| Isang Lakas | | |
| Ismol bat Teribol | | Film |
| Isputnik vs. Darna | | Film |
| Ito Ba Ang Aking Ina? | Tagalog Klasiks (1961) | Film |
| Jack and Jill | Tagalog Klasiks (1953) | Film |
| Jesus Iscariote | Bulaklak (1978) | |
| Jikiriz | Bulaklak | |
| Jinkee | Sixteen (1968) | Film |
| Jungle Boy | (1949) | |
| Kamay ni Bruldo | Espesyal Komiks (1964) | |
| Kapitan Boom | United Komiks (1966) | TV series |
| Kiko | Hiwaga Komiks (1953) | Film |
| Kiti-kiti | Pilipino Komiks (1964) | |
| Kontra Partido | Hiwaga Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Kwatang (A Star is Born) | Pilipino Komiks (1966) | Film |
| Lastikman | Aliwan Komiks Vol. 1 #49 (August 31, 1964), Holiday Komiks (1968) | Film, TV series |
| Leona | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1974) | |
| Little Lucy | Pilipino Komiks (1960) | Film |
| Lola Belay | Mars Ravelo Komiks (1980) | |
| Lumuha Pati Mga Anghel | | Film |
| Magic Guitar | Kislap Komiks (1966) | Film |
| Magic Makinilya | Hiwaga Komiks (1969) | Film |
| Maldito Corazon | Espesyal Komiks (1961) | |
| Mambo-Dyambo | Pilipino Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Mariposa | Espesyal Komiks (1954) | Film |
| Maruja | Pilipino Komiks (1966) | Film, TV series |
| Mga Balahibong Nangangalisag | Holiday Komiks (1964) | |
| Miss Tilapia | Espesyal Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Mowmoo | Hiwaga Komiks (1966) | |
| Nakangiting Halimaw | Tagalog Klasiks (1965) | |
| Ngitnit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb | Pilipino Komiks (1967) | Film |
| Nora and the Haunted House | Superstar Komiks (1972) | |
| Ophella at Paris | | Film |
| Pomposa | Espesyal Komiks (1967) | Film |
| Prinsesa Gusgusin | Tagalog Klasiks (1956) | Film |
| Raul Roldan | Hiwaga Komiks (1951) | Film |
| Rebecca | Tagalog Klasiks (1951) | Film |
| Renee Rose | | Film |
| Ric Benson | Bulaklak (1947) | |
| Rita | Bulaklak (1947) | |
| Rita Okay | Tagalog Klasiks | |
| Roberta | Tagalog Klasiks (1950) | Film |
| Rodora | Pilipino Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Rosa Rossini | Espesyal Komiks (1958) | Film |
| Rowena | Espesyal Komiks (1968) | Film |
| Rubi-Rosa | Pilipino Komiks (1957) | Film |
| Sa Bawat Saglit…Sindak | Pogi Magazine (1969) | |
| Selosang-Selosa | Espesyal Komiks (1957) | |
| Sex Symbol | Kislap Komiks (1965) | |
| Si Gorio at si Tekla | Tagalog Klasiks (1950) | Film |
| Silveria, Ang Kabayong Daldalera | Hiwaga Komiks (1957) | Film |
| Sindak! | Pioneer Komiks (1966) | |
| Suicide Susy | Pilipino Komiks (1962) | Film |
| Taong Tuod | Holiday Komiks (1963) | |
| Teksas, Ang Manok na Nagsasalita | Pilipino Komiks (1952) | Film |
| The Sisters | | Film |
| Thunderstar | Sixteen (1973) | |
| Tiny Tony | Pinoy Komiks (1965) | TV series |
| Torpe (Inferiority Complex) | Hiwaga Komiks (1954) | Film |
| Totit | Sinagtala (1950) | |
| Trahe de trahedya | | Film |
| Trudis Liit | | Film, TV series |
| Tubog sa Ginto | | Film |
| Tumbando Caña | Tagalog Klasiks (1955) | Film |
| Varga | Bulaklak Magazine Vol. 4 #17 (July 23, 1947), Bulaklak at Paruparo | TV series |
| Varga at ang Impakta | Bulaklak at Paruparo (1982) | |
| Via Dolorosa | Espesyal Komiks (1955) | Film |
| Vicky | Tagalog Klasiks (1958) | Film |
| Villa Viejo | Espesyal Komiks (1952) | |
| Wamboo | Liwayway (1973) | |
| Wander Ella | | |
| Wanted: Perfect Mother | | Film |
| Zorina | Pilipino Komiks (1956) | |

## Legacy
### In popular culture

The life story of Mars Ravelo was featured in the anthology series Magpakailanman on May 26, 2005, actor Dennis Trillo portrayed Ravelo.