Gender-bending superheroine turns 15

Zsa Zsa Padilla in “Zsazsa Zaturnnah ze Moveeh”

Carlo Vergara

Komiks creator and playwright Carlo Vergara recently posted a note on Facebook detailing the reality of creating and selling his “Zsazsa Zaturnnah” comic book in the country, zeroing in on the challenges that make him seriously consider quitting the scene altogether.

“Since the amount of effort I put into making my comics is far greater than the returns, I’d really have to start thinking if it’s all worth it,” Vergara told the Inquirer via Messenger. “But I’m still thinking about it—I haven’t quit yet,” he said.

The openly gay author-artist is looking into selling his works in a digital format, one of the options that might allow him to continue telling stories in sequential form.

Days before his announcement, Vergara disclosed in an e-mail interview that in March, there will be a restaging of “Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady: The Musical,” based on his one-act superhero play and comic book. His other fantasy-comedy one-act play, “Mula sa Kulimliman,” will be part of this year’s Virgin Labfest.

And yes, he’s still working on the latest riotous “Zsazsa Zaturnnah sa Kalakhang Maynila” installment, about the wacky adventures of a gay beautician who transforms into a voluptuous superheroine.

Excerpts from our chat:

What is the importance of fantasy art now? Fantasy has been used as commentary on real-world concerns, from “Lord of the Rings” to “Star Wars” to “Black Mirror.” It uses a reality removed from ours to make the commentary more accessible. When we illustrate political or social topics, we’re contributing to an ongoing conversation on a visual level.

Making comics and writing plays—what are the advantages of each? When I make my comics, I have total control of what goes on and how it’s presented, as if I were a one-man movie company. It’s a very solitary endeavor. Whether it’s published on paper or on the web, people will be able to experience it as long as it’s easily accessible.

Theater is a more collaborative exercise, and it gives me a semblance of a social life. You get to see your story from other people’s perspective … everyone works hard to make sure the whole team is on the same page.

As a playwright, the story comes from me, but the tone, flavor and nuances are interpreted by others. The downside, which also gives it its allure, is the finite nature of a show. If there’s one advantage over comics, it would be the immediate audience response.

How has the comics scene changed since the time you started? Compared to when we started in the early ’90s, the scene has definitely grown. There are more creators, and public awareness is higher.

“Zsazsa” inspired a movie and a musical. How do you feel about the adaptations? Tangahalang Pilipino and Regal Films did great in their adaptations. Someone had told me that the musical (which starred Eula Valdes) helped reignite public interest in theater when it was first staged in 2006.

I had zero involvement in it. The closest I ever got was when I received raw recordings of the songs. I only got to see the whole thing on opening night. I was anxious, [but after] watching a few shows, I began to enjoy what they did.

Zaturnnah magazine art

For the movie (released in 2006), I got involved in the screenwriting alongside Dinno Erece, so it was cool to hear some of the lines I’d written being spoken by the actors. I also gave my two cents in the casting.

Many people who had read the graphic novel didn’t like it that much, but my only gripes were the special effects. And people in other countries, in fact, enjoyed the film—one reviewer enthusiastically described it as something that Pedro Almodovar might make if he was given the freedom to interpret Wonder Woman!

How would you describe Zsazsa’s evolution and uniqueness as an LGBT character? It’s fascinating that among all the new Pinoy comics characters that have emerged in the past 15 years—Zaturnnah will be 15 this year—she’s the only one who has had a movie, a musical, and a TV commercial.

She also became an “FHM girl” in 2009, a cover model for Esquire Philippines last year, and a question in a game show. A couple of celebrities have donned Zaturnnah costumes in their respective television shows. Adding to the fascination is the fact that she’s LGBT. I don’t know if this gives her an indelible spot in Filipino pop culture, but it’s encouraging to know that new comics characters can still reach this kind of milestones. The only thing that’s missing is a fantaserye.