Darna

This article is about the character known as "Darna" and "Narda". For other characters given this name, as well as other uses, see Darna (disambiguation).

Darna
Textless cover of Darna #1 (February 2003)
Art by Ryan Orosco
Publication information
PublisherAce Publications[1]
First appearancePilipino Komiks, #77 (May 13, 1950)
Created byMars Ravelo
Nestor Redondo
In-story information
Alter egoNarda
SpeciesTransformed human / Marte-an (extra-terrestrial) meld
Place of originNarda: Earth (Philippines)
Darna: Marte (Planet)
Team affiliationsCaptain Barbell
Lastikman
Dyesebel
Notable aliases
  • The Protector
Abilities
  • Superhuman
    • strength, stamina, speed, reflexes, senses, agility, and endurance
  • Master martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant
  • High Level Intelligence
  • Flight
  • Immortality
  • Limited Telepathy
  • Memory Manipulation
  • Aerokinesis
    • Whirlwind Creation
    • Wind breath
  • Resistance to any forms of magic
  • Accelerated Healing Factor
  • Extrasensory Perception

Darna (Tagalog pronunciation: [ˈdaɾnɐ]) 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.[2] Darna is a retooling of Ravelo's earlier character, Varga, who first appeared in 1947.[3] 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.[4]

Darna's origin story from the Golden Age relates that she was an extraterrestrial warrior from the planet Marte sent to Earth to fight against common criminals and greater forces of darkness, most famously her archenemy, Valentina. She is manifested by her human alter-ego Narda through the magical stone and is often accompanied by her younger brother, Ding. Darna possesses the allure of Venus, the glory of Apollo, and strength of Samson. She usually wears a red bikini or shorts with a gold star in each brassiere cap; a red helmet with encrusted gold winged medallion; gold bracelets; a golden medallion belt with a loincloth in the middle; and gold-rimmed red boots.

Darna is described as "the female avenger archetype, strong but compassionate."[5] Inspired by the qualities of Ravelo's mother who raised him single-handedly and created as the Philippine female counterpart of Superman,[6] she served as a symbol of hope and inspiration to the Filipino people following the aftermath of World War II.

  1. ^ "First issue of Pilipino Komiks". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. April 4, 2015. Retrieved August 20, 2019. - Note: Ace Publications is the publisher of Pilipino Komiks
  2. ^ Darna internationalhero.co.uk
  3. ^ "Mars Ravelo". lambiek.net. Retrieved June 10, 2015.
  4. ^ "Darna". Philippine Daily Inquirer. February 17, 2003. Retrieved July 19, 2014.
  5. ^ Darna!. Philippine Daily Inquirer. August 14, 2003. p. 9.
  6. ^ "The artist who drew the original Darna". The Philippine Star. April 21, 2017. Retrieved February 10, 2024.