Not all superheroes wear capes. It's the dawn of the new Darna
In every Filipino’s childhood is a vivid memory of Darna. Under the guise of Narda, the fictional comics superhero was created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. Through the years, it birthed media; whether it be 90s film adaptations featuring Nanette Medved (1991) and Anjanette Abayari (1997) or GMA Network’s high-grossing TV series starring Angel Locsin (2005) and Marian Rivera (2009) and, of course, the widely popular single Narda by Kamikazee. After years in pursuit of the perfect actress for the Darna remake (2020) at the helm of Jerrold Tarog (Heneral Luna, Goyo), the latest addition to the roster is young actress Jane De Leon.
As a manner of paying homage to Darna, over a thousand—and counting—art submissions were created on Twitter and Instagram with #SigawDarna created by illustrator Rob Cham. The entries highlighted uniquely Filipino elements like the baro’t saya—possible references for the adaptation, perhaps?—and the Ibong Adarna. From reimagined (clothed) superheroes to everyday Nardas, this classic superhero surely brings Filipinos (and creatives) together.
She's ready to fight!#SigawDarna #darna pic.twitter.com/auZ88JMTIM
— Rombutan (@rombutans) April 1, 2019
Late to the #SigawDarna party but the pomp of Holy Week inspired me. Darna in the Catholic imagination. pic.twitter.com/kyMiowYRF4
— Adae (@adrianpanads) April 19, 2019
My late and last entry for #SigawDarna
Birb Darnaverse ?
Darna (I call her Adarna) is based off a mix of the Philippine Eagle and the fabled Adarna bird. Narda (I call her Anarda) is based off the Maya (or technically, the Eurasian Tree Sparrow) that populates Metro Manila pic.twitter.com/idZKs2lytx
— Evilviel ? (@Evilviel_art) April 4, 2019
With a little touch of sci-fi
Here's my contribution for #SigawDarna : D4RNA + BA-2
Since I've been playing a lot of Anthem (I know it was badly reviewed, lol) and watching Star Trek Discovery recently, I thought I'd make a sci-fi version of Darna. With her is BA-2 (Bato), a powerful AI drone. pic.twitter.com/QuYepx9w9s
— Dan Matutina (@danmatutina) March 30, 2019
#SigawDarna: What if Narda wasn't a frail and timid woman without the stone and it only enhances her already strong spirit? Introducing the Savior Suit DRN-513 ? (homage to Darna's debut in Pilipino Komiks – May 13, 1950) pic.twitter.com/jSndVVqvDO
— Gab Garcia (@Gabbytrocious) March 29, 2019
Science prodigy Narda rescues and develops a link with symbiote R.O.C. Their bond allows R.O.C to swallow Narda and grant her super powers in the form body armor. Now she must discover what it all means for her to be a superhero. All she has to do is #SigawDarna pic.twitter.com/wPzNMLGHTf
— ?Y?? ? (@cyanroll) March 30, 2019
Nothing more relatable than present-day, empowered Darna
My take on #SigawDarna! ?For some reason, I couldn't think of a design but instantly thought of just regular Filipinas living their lives and doing so much. So this is dedicated to all Darnas out there! Sigaw! ??? #artph #komiks #illustration #comics pic.twitter.com/wJ5pRd5Mck
— ?Marianie? (@marianieart) March 31, 2019
My #SigawDarna contribution!
Was inspired by @trisketched high school Darna because I also studied at an all-girls Catholic School! So i decided to explore the concept by making a Magical girl Narda with a cat Ding who takes on crimes on her way to school!? Painted w/ Gouache! pic.twitter.com/D6nEbINC0y
— Rian Gonzales ? (@rianbowart) March 30, 2019
https://twitter.com/songandstorm/status/1112251322072330240
Darna is bold, fashion-forward and, more importantly, morena.
my illus of maria narda in a terno and a thigh-high boot ensemble for #SigawDarna ???? pic.twitter.com/yAqJUD1fRv
— samantha (@sambumanlag) April 5, 2019
morena darna would be, quite frankly, AMAZING#SigawDarna pic.twitter.com/CDsTBp95zj
— Tim ? (@silkwhale) March 30, 2019
My take on #SigawDarna ?? but with more clothes on because sunburn is one of the villians she must defeat. Also with a touch of elegance for her costume~
Hope you like my interpretation of her? pic.twitter.com/vMTLd6kIp0
— VALEART ?? (@valeartkm) April 1, 2019
My henshin-bae Darna (needed an excuse to draw the Balenciaga Triple S lol) #SigawDarna pic.twitter.com/2nQdmaIqtv
— ???? (@nandoom_) March 29, 2019
sa likod ng mga tala, kahit sulyap lang ?
(this isn’t the #sigawdarna design i had in mind, i just wanted to stress draw a badass darna where the stars aren’t on her tits, i’m tired of seeing guys commenting that stupid line) pic.twitter.com/tEiR0198kL
— karla circe @ lbx 2021 (@youkaishain) March 31, 2019
Drag queen Darna bc why not#SigawDarna pic.twitter.com/u9rxkDcgTY
— Emel ? (@emeldraws) March 31, 2019
Old-school Darna from different eras:
man, i've been itching to join;;
Darna in the 50s !! ?
a waitress during the day and an elusive, crime-fighting sleuth by night!
would probs effortlessly run in heels and throw daggers at baddies #SigawDarna ??? pic.twitter.com/tZwSirlGm2— bes?callisto (@vespercallisto) April 1, 2019
2 fan arts in 1.
Darna + Arceli#sigawdarna pic.twitter.com/ARyq1qtuiv— Bong Redila (@BongRedila) March 31, 2019
Lastly, Darna with the first Filipina Marvel superhero Wave:
Just finished rewatching Kill La Kill + seeing all the Darna work lately… and I wanted to do art of Darna and Wave so here's what popped out. xD #sigawdarna #wave #killlakill pic.twitter.com/z0b8HbtCIm
— Denimcatfish ???? (@denimcatfish) April 1, 2019
Featured Image @rombutans via twitter
Art Alexandra Lara
