Valentina (Philippine comics)

Valentina
Valentina from Darna #3 (December 2003).
Art by Gilbert Monsanto.
Publication information
PublisherAce Publications[1]
First appearancePilipino Komiks #78 (1950)[2][3]
Created byMars Ravelo (writer)[4][5]
Nestor Redondo (artist)[5]
In-story information
SpeciesSerpent-like race
Place of originPhilippines
Team affiliationsKobra (1950)
Serpent Queens of Tiamat (2003)
PartnershipsKobra
Notable aliasesThe Serpent Queen
Goddess of Snakes
Abilities
  • Gorgon physiology
  • Snake physiology
  • Snake manipulation
  • Enhanced thermal senses
  • Enhanced night vision
  • Fear inducement
  • Enhanced flexibility and agility
  • Enhanced stealth
  • Invulnerability
  • Enhanced strength
  • Limited telepathy

Valentina is a supervillain appearing in Philippine comic books, created by Mars Ravelo and Nestor Redondo. Based upon the eponymous Greek mythological figure, she first appeared in Pilipino Komiks (issue #78, 1950) and was the first adversary of the superhero Darna.[6] Referred to as the "Goddess of Snakes", she has command over all kinds of serpents and has venomous snakes in her head instead of hair. She has been featured significantly as Darna's archenemy in many adaptations of her stories in other media.[7][5]

Born in a rural scene, Valentina's origin story relates that she is the daughter of mortals Miguel and Doray. She was feared and hated by the town folks and the only man she ever loved, Edwardo, for her appearance. With the influence of the serpent creature Kobra, this drove her to become evil, murdered her parents and soon planned to destroy humankind by turning the world into a haven of reptiles. The character has changed in depiction over the decades. In Mango Comics' 2003 three-part issue, she was depicted as an extraterrestrial from the planet Tiamat disguised as her mortal alter-ego Amor. A pop culture icon, Valentina is often described as the most recognizable female supervillain in the Philippines.[8][9][5]

  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. ^ Lawagan, Ernee (February 15, 2010). "Ernee's Corner: Darna: The Original Filipino Superheroine". Ernee's Corner. Retrieved August 20, 2019. - Part of this blog was published in TV Star Guide magazine published by Atlas Publishing Company in May 2005
  3. ^ "Video 48: Darna 1950 Revisited: Ika-2 Na Labas (The Birth Of Valentina )". Video 48. November 26, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "In Photos: Darna flies high in Negros". philstar.com. The Philippine Star. June 12, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  5. ^ a b c d Cite error: The named reference :1 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ "Valentina". www.internationalhero.co.uk. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Darna". www.internationalhero.co.uk. Retrieved August 20, 2019.
  8. ^ Kalaw, Bea (August 1, 2022). "Actresses who astounded with "ssspectacular," "ssstunning" portrayals of Darna's archnemesis Valentina". ABS-CBN Entertainment.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference :2 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).