SUPERHEROES FROM INDONESIA

This weekend’s light-hearted, escapist superhero post here at Balladeer’s Blog looks at some of the long-running characters from Indonesia.

PUTRI BINTANG (Star Princess) 

Secret Identity: Yati Suryanegara

Debut Year: 1954

Powers: Putri Bintang was one of the greatest martial arts fighters on Earth. She could outfight multiple opponents at once, whether armed or unarmed.

Comment: This costumed superheroine was engaged to fellow superhero Garuda Putih (White Garuda).

AQUANUS

Secret Identity: Dhanus

Debut Year: 1968

Powers: Aquanus was an alien whose spaceship crash-landed in the Pacific Ocean. He could breathe underwater and had enough super strength to survive the massive pressure of the ocean’s depths. He could travel through the water at great speed, plus his belt shot energy bolts that were effective in or out of the water.

Comment: Consider him the Indonesian Sub-Mariner or Aquaman. 

SRI ASIH (Lady Benevolence)

Secret Identity: Nani

Debut Year: 1953

Powers: By saying the words “Dewi Asih”, this woman could transform into her superheroine form. Her powers were provided by magic and included Wonder Woman level strength, flight and the ability to multiply into three bodies.

Comment: Sri Asih was the very first comic book superhero in Indonesia.

GUNDALA (Thunderbolt)

Secret Identity: Sancaka

Debut Year: 1969

Powers: After inventing a serum that would let him survive being struck by lightning, this hero gained the ability to shoot lightning bolts from his hands, run at the speed of typhoon winds, and deliver lightning-charged punches.

Comment: Gundala sometimes adventured on the planet Covox.

TIRA

Secret Identity: Suci

Debut Year: 1975

Powers: A stuntwoman in her secret identity, this heroine excelled at martial arts fighting. Through meditation, she could even channel the spirits of 9 dragons that she slew to free herself from a curse.

Comment: The mystical element of Tira’s powers gives her a faint Iron Fist feel.

GARUDA PUTIH (White Garuda) 

Secret Identity: Dr. Sugio Mulyono

Debut Year: 1954

Powers: This superhero took his nom de guerre from the bird Garuda in Hindu myths. He was a master of unarmed combat.

His scientific prowess enabled him to invent the electronic prod which he wielded in battle.

Comment: Garuda Putih’s fiancee was the superheroine Putri Bintang (Star Princess).   

VIRGO

Secret Identity: Rini Dradjat

Debut Year: 1973

Powers: After using some chemicals and equipment in her father’s laboratory, this young woman gained superpowers and became the superheroine Virgo. She could shoot fire from her hands and turn invisible.

Comment: Rini was a singer and musician.

GODAM (Hammer)

Secret Identity: Awang

Debut Year: 1969

Powers: Awang, a truck driver, acquired the magic ring of the entity called Godam. At will he could turn into Godam, who possessed Superman level strength, could fly and was highly invulnerable.

Comment: Godam took on criminals, supervillains, aliens and mystical entities.

MERPATI (Dove)

Secret Identity: Sedhah Esti Wulan

Debut Year: 1977

Powers: When Sedhah fell into an abyss while trying to save her father from kidnappers, she was saved by a flock of mystic doves. Next, the dove goddess granted her superpowers. As Merpati, she could fly and had the strength of two men.

Comment: Merpati was married to fellow superhero Gundala. 

HERBINTANG (Starblast) 

Secret Identity: Marno

Debut Year: 1973

Powers: Herbintang was able to shoot incredibly destructive red star-beams from his mouth. He was also in peak physical condition, very agile and skilled at unarmed combat.

Comment: This hero co-starred in an early crossover story with Godam. 

GINA

Secret Identity: Siti Hasina

Debut Year: 1973

Powers: As the superheroine Gina, she could fly at incredible speed and shoot mystic bolts from her hands.

Comment: I don’t know why so many Indonesian superheroines simply use other female names as their costumed identities.

KALONG (Flying Fox)

Secret Identity: Agus Supriyadi

Debut Year: 1973

Powers: The god of flying foxes granted student Agus Supriyadi powers and he became the superhero Kalong. He was able to fly with his new wings and could communicate with animals.

Comment: Kalong embodies a lot of the fun of reading about superheroes from other cultures.

SANTINI

Secret Identity: Shanti

Debut Year: 1974

Powers: Shanti came upon a dying alien whose spaceship had crash-landed on Earth. The dying being gave her a pill which permanently granted her super-strength, super hearing, x-ray vision, telescopic vision and the ability to fly.

Comment: Is it just me or do most of these Indonesian superheroines look like they could be sisters? Masks would help distract from the repetitive facial art.

PANGERAN MLAAR (Elongated Prince)

Secret Identity: Mlaar

Debut Year: 1969

Powers: This hero is one of the royal family from the planet Covox. He is able to stretch his body like elastic thanks to his scientist uncle.

Comment: The superhero Gundala helped the once-deposed Mlaar regain his throne on Covox.

SRI DEWI (Divine Lady)

Secret Identity: Unknown

Debut Year: 1973

Powers: This female mystic could fly, had super-strength, explosive punches, invulnerability and the ability to grow to giant size.

Comment: Not exactly the usual gamut of superpowers for this character.

SEMBRANI (Magnet)

Secret Identity: Tang Guh

Debut Year: 1974

Powers: A dying alien gave this hero his amulet which granted him powers.

Sembrani could control magnetic fields, shoot magnetic repulsion rays from his hands and could fly.

Comment: Sembrani had a weakness regarding gold. Physical contact with that precious metal would render him paralyzed for a week.  

CAROQ (Projectile) 

Secret Identity: Ong Ko

Debut Year: 1996

Powers: Caroq possessed a supernatural level of martial arts ability, agility, strength and healing ability. He wielded a pair of maduranese knives in battle.

Comment: There is certainly an interesting look to this superhero.

FOR MY LOOK AT SPAIN’S SUPERHEROES CLICK HERE.