It is official; Captain Barbel, Darna and Dyesabel now join the Kapamilya network after ABS-CBN acquires 13 Mars Ravelo’s titles last week. Present at the contract signing were the son of the legendary ‘komiks’ novelist Marcial “Mars” Ravelo, Rex Ravelo and his daughter Rita Ravelo-Dela Cruz and from the ABS-CBN Management were ABS-CBN chairman Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III, ABS-CBN president and CEO Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN broadcast head Cory Vidanes, and chief finance officer Rolando Valdueza.
According to Rex they consider the offer of ABS-CBN because the institution based on the production credibility of the network they believe that they deserve the license. Also present at the signing of the contract were Deo Endrinal, Aldrin Cerrado, and Julie Anne Benitez.
Mars Ravelo is an iconic graphic novelist hailed from Tanza, Cavite where he created numerous characters that became part of the lives of every comic book readers. He’s known to be the Father of Philippine Comics. Aside from the Captain Barbel, Darna and Dyesabel, he also created characters including Lastikman, Varga, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna that was already featured in ABS-CBN’s Mars Ravelo’s collection. Meanwhile his works including Facifica Falayfay and Jack & Jill became movie projects for the late comedy King Dolphy.
Among the 13 titles, Darna might be the first project that ABS-CBN will be doing whereas there are already rumors on who will be the doing the iconic role that was made popular by Rosa Del Rosario, Liza Moreno, Eva Montes, Gina Pareño, Vilma Santos, Rio Locsin, Dolphy (Darna, Kuno? a parody of Darna), Sharon Cuneta, Nanette Medved, Anjanette Abayari, Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera.