Combatron's Legacy

Combatron

Combatron is a fictional comics character in the Philippines created by Berlin Manalaysay for Funny Comics which ran from 1994 to 1997. 

When we talk about Filipino comics superhero the first names that comes to our mind is Darna and Captain Barbell which were created by Mars Ravelo, but in my opinion they are just overrated and Combatron is a true definition of a comics icon. 

Combatron contains all elements that a comics should have, it has great robot fight scenes, awesome artwork, amazing story arcs and lessons about love, friendship and caring for lives. 

And it's also amazing how Mr. Berlin payed attention to Combatron's Supervillains like Abodawn, Alchitran, Death Metal and the gigantic Megadeath, they all have names and past that the readers can recall and they add color to the story just like how those villains from Marvel and DC comics, unfortunately that element was not present on Darna who fought with a babaeng tuod, space woman and giants which Mars Ravelo didn't even bother to give names. 

And how about Captain Barbell, do you know any notable villain he fought in the comics version? A great comics superhero should also consist of a memorable story arc, combatron gave that to readers when his sidekick dog Askal died and when his arch enemy Deathmetal became an ally. 

Do you know any heartfelt event from the pages of Darna or Captain Barbell? I mean the comics, not the movie or teleserye. Tell me about it. We have the Marvel and DC Universe from the west but Berlin Manalaysay created a Combatron Universe, every issue, Combatron faces new enemy robots but he also meets new allies who joined him in his battle to save the earth. 

And best of all, Combatron has one identity, Empoy, an orphan boy who received the powerful armor from the original Combatron from planet Omnicron who died after being defeated by his ememies. Unlike Narda who have been almost everything from a handicapped probinsiyana to a janitress. 

Combatron may have been discontinued but it's legacy will always remain in heart of every 1990s kid who loved reading Funny Comics. The legacy of a robot who fought to save our planet earth from invaders.