Looking for Filipina Superheroes? Start with These Komiks

May 28, 2025

The other day, my cousin hit me with a simple question:
“Are there any komiks from the Philippines with badass Filipina leads?” And I had to laugh — not because it’s a bad question, but because the answer is hell yes.Not only do they exist, they’ve been carrying some of the best stories in Filipino comics for years.

So here’s a quick breakdown of the ones I always recommend.

Trese

Created by Budjette Tan and Kajo Baldisimo, Trese is a cult classic for a reason. Alexandra Trese is a supernatural detective in Manila — solving crimes the cops can’t touch because they’re rooted in aswangs, tiyanaks, and other creatures from Filipino folklore.

She’s part investigator, part babaylan, and all business. The art is black-and-white, stark and gritty, and it fits the tone perfectly. If Batman and folklore had a baby, it would be Trese. It’s also one of the few komiks to get an international adaptation, with a Netflix anime released in 2021.

Kontra: Against Evil

This one’s a newer title, but it hit me hard. Set in 1889, Kontra follows Nava, a young girl from the highlands who survives an aswang attack that destroys her village. What follows is a haunting, slow-burn journey through loss, trauma, and vengeance — all while navigating the spiritual and physical threats of pre-colonial and colonial Philippines.

It’s horror, it’s folklore, it’s trauma, and it’s very Filipino.

The Mythology Class

Arnold Arre’s The Mythology Class is one of the first major graphic novels in the Philippines to really explore the idea of modern youth interacting with ancient legends. Nicole Lacson, the main character, is a college student who gets pulled into a mission to fight monsters from Philippine folklore.

The story pulls off a rare feat: mixing myth, urban fantasy, coming-of-age energy, and deep cultural roots. It won the National Book Award in 2000 — and more than 20 years later, it’s still being discovered by new readers who want something that reflects their own heritage.

Josefina

Josefina is unlike anything else on this list. It’s a war story, a horror book, and a slow, meditative reflection on what it means to be human. It takes place during World War II and centers on a creature — a literal man-eating monster — trying to live a quiet life in a world where the real monsters are men.

It’s not your typical hero’s journey. Josefina is terrifying, sympathetic, and fully her own kind of character. She’s not trying to save the world. She’s just trying to survive it — and that makes her one of the most memorable leads I’ve ever read.

Darna

You already know. Created by Mars Ravelo in 1950, Darna is the blueprint. A barrio girl swallows a stone and transforms into a superhero who’s gone up against aliens, demons, dictators, and everything in between.

She’s been rebooted and reimagined dozens of times, and honestly? We need new Darna comics. The world could use that kind of power and idealism again — especially from a Filipina perspective.

Zsazsa Zaturnnah

And finally — the showstopper. Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara flips everything on its head. A small-town gay man swallows a meteorite and transforms into a voluptuous, red-haired superheroine. It’s camp, it’s satire, it’s pure Pinoy brilliance.

Zaturnnah takes all the tropes we know from Darna and queers them in the best way possible — without losing the heart or the fight. It’s hilarious, heartfelt, and full of punches (both literal and emotional). She’s an icon in her own right and a reminder that heroism comes in many forms.

These stories aren’t just fun reads — they’re reflections of who we are, what we’ve inherited, and what we imagine for the future. They show that Filipina leads aren’t an afterthought. They are the main story.

Whether you’re deep into komiks or just starting out, these characters are a great entry point into the world of Filipino mythology, resistance, and creativity.

And if you’re part of the diaspora — like me — they hit even harder. These books help reconnect the dots between our culture and our imagination.

About Hot Tropiks
Hot Tropiks is the leading distributor of Filipino komiks and children’s books in the USA. We champion bold storytelling and fresh perspectives from the Philippine tropics and beyond — through books, media, and cultural content. Explore more at hottropiks.com.

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