scans_daily | DARNA LIVES

When people think of KOMIKS, of Filipino comic books, they think of Darna.
DARNA, the iconic superheroine of the ages, who swallowed a space rock to become a superhero.

The first and last time I ever got to read Darna as a comic was in the waiting room of my elementary school, where I was only nine years old and read a comic where Darna escapes from being raped/sold by a bunch of thugs, who only got her trapped for so long since she couldn't call out her own super name, the trigger to turn her into Darna in the first place. (think Shazam for Captain Marvel)

But I digress. Darna comics, like most classic Filipino superhero comics such as Captain Barbell and Lastikman, have gone out of circulation and cannot be acquired except through a LOT of searching and bartering among comic connoisseurs.

In line with this, two lovers of the comic, two iconic comic-makers themselves in the Philippines, Gerry Alanguilan and Arnold Arre, created a nine-page fancomic about what they think Darna's up to THIRTY YEARS LATER.

Basically, not a glamorous life.

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Translations: Is this it? Isn't there anything else?

We're still okay. We're still lucky. Others there are struggling, poor, and separated from one another. At least we're together, we're happy. That's okay, right?

Husband: Narda, where'd you go!? Look at this! Live from Navotas!

"Thanks to Valentina, the hold-uppers were apprehended and the hostages were saved from peril."

Narda: Is that even right?

Husband: Well of course, the hostages are safe, aren't they?

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The reason Narda's so confused is because Valentina was her enemy, THE enemy, in the Darna comics. Now she's playing glamorous hero and Narda has no idea what's going on.

Anyways, later on, after work, she gets attacked by thugs. This happens:

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Narda: Don't! Don't do this to me! Start, please, start!

Thug: Why do you have to make this harder on us!? Do you think we'll even let you live after this!?

Narda: Start, please, start, please!!!

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