Captain Barbel, Darna and Lastikman are now in the United States!

That is via mobile exhibit though, as they are part of the feature of iconic works of the “King of Philippine Komiks” Mars Ravelo in New York.

The Philippine Consulate General in New York and Sentro Rizal New York announced that the exhibit is part of the celebration of Buwan ng Wikang Pambansa, which aims to introduce the Filipino Pop Culture to the United States.

The exhibit, titled “Pagdama sa Diwang Pilipino sa Pamamagitan ng Wikang Filipino sa Komiks,” will be up at Philippine Center until August 27.

This will be the first time that a collection of Ravelo’s masterpieces will be showcased abroad, the consulate said.

Among his works that will be shown in the exhibit are Rita, Benus at Beha, Boboy, Ric Benson, Captain Barbell, Darna, Dyesebel, and Lastikman.

Some of his creations were adapted into live-action series in the Philippines such as Lastikman (2007), Dyesebel (2014), and Darna (1977, 2005, 2009, and 2022). Lastikman and Captain Barbell also had movie adaptations both in 2003.

Consul General Senen Mangalile hopes that more Filipino-American youth will be encouraged to “learn and appreciate speaking, reading, and writing in Filipino” through the mobile exhibit.

“Through the power of the visual narrative and the timeless appeal of comics, we invite the Filipino-American youth, and everyone interested in the Filipino language, to immerse themselves in Mars Ravelo’s creations to better appreciate the national language of the Philippines and how it reflects Filipino sensibilities,” Mangalile said.

The mobile exhibit has gone to New Jersey and Massachusetts. After New York, it will travel to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 28.

With reports from Alyza Santos