Zuma is a Filipino

comic book A comic book, comic-magazine, or simply comic is a publication that consists of comics art in the form of sequential juxtaposed panel (comics), panels that represent individual scenes. Panels are often accompanied by descriptive prose and wri ...

character created by

Jim Fernandez Jim M. Fernandez (February 21, 1936 – June 13, 2022) was a Filipino people, Filipino comic book artist best known for his works on ''Aztec'' and ''Aliwan Komiks''. He also popularized the fictional character, Zuma (comics), Zuma in his novels. Ap ...

in 1974. The character first appeared in a serial written by Fernandez entitled ''Aztec''. From 1976 to 1985, Zuma got his own series named ''Anak ni Zuma'' that was serialized in ''Aliwan Komiks'' published by Graphics Arts Service Inc. with illustration by Ben Maniclang. The comics series was the biggest best seller for ''Aliwan''. Following this publication success, spin-offs and a 1990s reboot about the character were published and it was further expanded in other media including film and television.

Publication history

In 1974, Filipino comics book artist

created Zuma, which first appeared in the comics serial ''Aztec''. After two years, in 1976, Fernandez wrote a new series for the character entitled ''Anak ni Zuma'' that was serialized in ''Aliwan Komiks'' published by Graphics Arts Service Inc. (GASI) with illustration by Ben Maniclang. The series ran in syndication until 1985 that became ''Aliwans biggest bestseller. Due to its publication success, the comics serial branched out to a prequel spin-off entitled ''Angkan ni Zuma'', which tells the story of Zuma during the ancient period. This

prequel A prequel is a literary, dramatic or cinematic work whose story precedes that of a previous work, by focusing on events that occur before the original narrative. A prequel is a work that forms part of a backstory to the preceding work. The term ...

was written again by Fernandez and illustrated by Mar T. Santana; and ran from 1978 to 1983. A science fiction comics entitled ''Zuma-Maria'' was another spin-off that divulges on the future descendant of Zuma. ''Dugong Aztec'' was also a spin-off that was simultaneously published with the main comics serial. It was published in ''Rex Komiks'' by Rex Publications Inc. from 1978 to 1979 and it was still written by Fernandez with illustration by Elmer Esquivas. There was also a comics reboot in the 1990s published under the short-lived magazine entitled ''Zuma Komiks'' by GASI. The stories in this comics magazine that was also known by other two names (''Zuma and Other Amazing Stories'' and ''Zuma and Other Horror Stories)'' were written by various writers with illustration by Clem V. Rivera in its early run and then by Vic Catan Jr in later issues. The comics magazine is an

anthology In book publishing, an anthology is a collection of literary works chosen by the compiler; it may be a collection of plays, poems, short stories, songs, or related fiction/non-fiction excerpts by different authors. There are also thematic and g ...

horror Horror may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Genres *Horror fiction, a genre of fiction **Psychological horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Christmas horror, a subgenre of horror fiction **Analog horror, a subgenre of horror fiction * ...

Character background

The most noticeable physical characteristic of Zuma is the two-headed snake that protrude from his shoulders resting like a lei and he uses them to defeat his enemies as they have a powerful bite that has an ability to decapitate. In addition, he has green skin and bald hair similar to

Martian Manhunter The Martian Manhunter (J'onn J'onzz) is a superhero in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in the story "The Manhunter from Mars" in ''Detective Comics ...

, another comics character. Although, his face is human-like with a demonic appearance. He is often depicted as a villain or an anti-hero instead of a superhero. According to Zuma's story in the comics and other media, he is the son of the

Aztec The Aztecs ( ) were a Mesoamerican civilization that flourished in central Mexico in the Post-Classic stage, post-classic period from 1300 to 1521. The Aztec people included different Indigenous peoples of Mexico, ethnic groups of central ...

serpent god

Kukulkan K’uk’ulkan, also spelled Kukulkan (; "Plumed Serpent", "Amazing Serpent"), is the Snake worship#Mesoamerica, serpent deity of Maya mythology. It is closely related to the deity Qʼuqʼumatz of the Kʼicheʼ people and to Quetzalcoatl of A ...

, making him a

demigod A demigod is a part-human and part-divine offspring of a deity and a human, or a human or non-human creature that is accorded divine status after death, or someone who has attained the "divine spark" (divine illumination). An immortality, immor ...

. He had been in hibernation for a long time until his tomb in an Aztec pyramid was unearthed by an archaeological expedition team that awakened him. After his revival, he goes to the modern world in a killing rage, slaughtering particularly virgin women, whose hearts are ripped out and consumed that give Zuma his strength and vigor. Aside from using his two-headed snake as a weapon, Zuma's power includes invulnerability (specifically bullet-proof) and controlling snakes. In later versions, Zuma has the ability to heal people. His weakness is the venom from his daughter Galema who is also his

archenemy In literature, an archenemy, (sometimes spelled as arch-enemy) or nemesis is the main enemy of the protagonist — or sometimes, one of the other main characters — appearing as the most prominent and most-known enemy of the hero. Etymolog ...

. Galema's mother is a human that Zuma has taken as his bride. Although, Galema grew with foster parents that made her to be a good person. Zuma also beget another child named Dino who has a head of a

dinosaur Dinosaurs are a diverse group of reptiles of the clade Dinosauria. They first appeared during the Triassic Geological period, period, between 243 and 233.23 million years ago (mya), although the exact origin and timing of the #Evolutio ...

and a body of a human. Dino initially allied with his father but he later abandoned him because Dino fell in love with a human.

In other media

Film

Zuma have been adapted into two films. The first one was from a 1985 film by Cine Suerte Inc. entitled ''Zuma,'' with

Max Laurel Max Laurel (May 4, 1944 – June 11, 2016), was a Filipino actor and bodybuilder who played as Zuma in the 1985 film '' Zuma'' and 1987 film '' Anak ni Zuma''. Personal life Max Laurel was born in Zamboanga City, Philippines on May 4, 1945. He m ...

portraying the title role and

Snooky Serna Maria Milagros "Snooky" Sumayao Serna (born April 4, 1966) is a Filipino people, Filipino actress. Regarded as the “''Eternal Star''” by the local media, she is best known for her portrayals in Anak ni Waray, Anak ni Biday (1984); Blusang I ...

playing Zuma's daughter, Galema. This film that was directed by Jun Raquiza is also known as ''Jim Fernandez's Zuma''. The second Zuma film is a sequel entitled ''Anak ni Zuma'', which also known alternatively as ''Zuma II: Hell Serpent''.

reprised his role as Zuma while the role of Galema got a recast and was played by Jenny Lyn. It was released again by Cine Suerte Inc. in 1987 and was directed by Ben Yalung.

Television

Zuma appeared in the 2013 television series '' Galema: Anak ni Zuma''. Derick Hubalde, son of Filipino basketball player

Freddie Hubalde Alfredo Hubalde (born September 14, 1953), also known as Freddie Hubalde, is a retired Filipino professional basketball player in the PBA. Collegiate career Hubalde played college ball for the Mapúa Institute of Technology, before eventuall ...

and brother of

Paolo Hubalde Dean Paulo Villegas Hubalde (born January 24, 1981) is a Filipino professional basketball player for the Cebu Classic of the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League (MPBL). He is the son of PBA great, Freddie Hubalde. Hubalde plays the guard po ...

, played Zuma while

Andi Eigenmann Andrea Nicole Guck Eigenmann (; born June 25, 1990), known professionally as Andi Eigenmann, is a Filipino former actress, model, and social media influencer. Early life Descent and family Andrea Nicole Guck Eigenmann is the daughter of actors ...

portrayed Galema. The television series is broadcast in

ABS-CBN ABS-CBN is a leading Philippine media and content company. It serves as the flagship media brand of ABS-CBN Corporation, a subsidiary of Lopez Holdings Corporation. Once the country's largest free-to-air television network, ABS-CBN has since ...

and the story focuses more on the hardship of Galema as she lives her cursed life that was passed down from her father, Zuma.

References