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Manila Bulletin devider Lifestyle devider Luminaries and Life devider SuperManila Comic Con celebrates Filipino komiks legends with two exclusive classics

SuperManila Comic Con celebrates Filipino komiks legends with two exclusive classics

Limited-edition releases of "Darna" and "Kaluluwa ni Dante" bring iconic works of Mars Ravelo and Francisco V. Coching closer to collectors

Published Aug 28, 2026 11:11 am  |  Updated Aug 28, 2026 03:47 pm
Before superheroes conquered movie screens and streaming platforms, their adventures lived in the pages of Filipino komiks.
(Photos: SuperManila Comic Con)
(Photos: SuperManila Comic Con)
This September, SuperManila Comic Con 2026 celebrates that rich heritage with two highly collectible exclusive releases: “Classic Darna #1,” featuring the earliest adventures of Mars Ravelo's legendary heroine, and “Kaluluwa ni Dante,” a landmark masterpiece by Francisco V. Coching.
Available exclusively at SuperManila Comic Con, these special editions allow longtime fans to revisit two Philippine comics classics while introducing their timeless stories and artwork to a new generation of collectors.
"Classic Darna #1" (in color and sepia) created by Mars Ravelo, illustrated by Nestor Redondo, exclusive cover artwork by Stanley "Artgerm" Lau
‘Classic Darna #1’: The legend returns!
Created by legendary Filipino komiks writer Mars Ravelo, Darna first appeared in Pilipino Komiks in 1950 and went on to become one of the Philippines' most enduring cultural icons.
“Classic Darna #1” SuperManila Comic Con Exclusive reprints stories from Darna's earliest komiks appearances, including her first appearance and legendary origin story. The original stories feature the breathtaking artwork of acclaimed Filipino artist Nestor Redondo, whose illustrations helped define Darna's iconic look for generations of readers.
Adding a stunning contemporary touch to this historic release, both editions feature exclusive cover artwork by internationally renowned artist Stanley "Artgerm" Lau.
The release comes in two strictly limited editions:
  • Full-Color Virgin Cover Edition — ₱1,000 per copy, 1,000 copies featuring the original stories presented in vibrant color.
  • Sepia Cover / Black-and-White Interior Edition — ₱800 per copy, 1,000 copies featuring a sepia-toned cover and the stories reproduced in black and white, paying tribute to the way generations of Filipino readers experienced Darna in the pages of komiks.
Every copy of both editions also includes an exclusive Darna trading card.
This is not a new story or retelling, but a reprint of the classic material that helped establish Darna's enduring legacy.
"Kaluluwa ni Dante" by Francisco V. Coching, the "King of Komiks," 116-page softcover edition, original black-and-white format, only 300 copies (₱1,000 per copy)
‘Kaluluwa ni Dante’: A masterpiece from the ‘King of Komiks’
Francisco V. Coching (1919–1998) is widely regarded as one of the greatest storytellers and illustrators in Philippine comics history. Hailed as the "King of Komiks," Coching created more than 50 serialized komiks novels over a career spanning four decades, including such celebrated works as “Pedro Penduko,” “Hagibis,” “Sabas, ang Barbaro,” “El Indio,” “Lapu-Lapu,” and “Kaluluwa ni Dante.”
First serialized in 1949, “Kaluluwa ni Dante” follows Dante Magtanggol on an extraordinary out-of-body journey guided by the mysterious Dr. Futiphar. Blending mystery, fantasy, adventure, and moral drama, the story explores justice, redemption, love, and the timeless struggle between good and evil.
With Coching's richly detailed artwork and cinematic storytelling, “Kaluluwa ni Dante” remains one of his most celebrated masterpieces.
Coching's influence extended far beyond komiks. Fifty-one of his 63 komiks novels were adapted into films, making him one of the most adapted creators in Philippine cinema. In 2014, he was posthumously conferred the title of National Artist for Visual Arts.
SuperManila Comic Con presents a special 116-page softcover edition of "Kaluluwa ni Dante," faithfully reproduced in its original black-and-white format, preserving Coching's timeless artwork.
Only 300 copies will be produced, making this a particularly rare opportunity for collectors and fans of Philippine komiks history.
Two legends. Two classics. One celebration of Philippine comics.
From “Darna,” the legendary heroine created by Mars Ravelo, to “Kaluluwa ni Dante,” the masterpiece of National Artist Francisco V. Coching, these exclusive SuperManila Comic Con releases celebrate the creators and stories that helped shape Filipino pop culture.
“Classic Darna #1” and “Kaluluwa ni Dante” will be available exclusively at the SMCC Merch Booth at The Concourse during SuperManila Comic Con 2026, from Sept. 4 to 6, 2026, at The Concourse and Space at One Ayala, Makati City.
For tickets and event updates, visit supermanila.ph and follow SuperManila Comic Con on its official social media channels.

Related Tags

leisure Darna SuperManila Comic Con Kaluluwa ni Dante Mars Ravelo Francisco V. Coching Arts and Culture
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