Combatron: The Filipino Superhero We Grew Up With
If you grew up in the Philippines in the 1990s, chances are you remember Combatron.
For many Filipino kids, he was more than a comic book character. He was a homegrown hero--one with futuristic armor, incredible powers, and adventures that could rival the superheroes we saw from around the world.
First appearing in Pilipino Funny Komiks in 1992, Combatron was created by writer and artist Berlin H. Manalaysay. At a time when foreign superheroes dominated pop culture, Combatron stood out as something uniquely Filipino: a sci-fi hero created by a Filipino artist, for Filipino readers.
And for an entire generation, he became unforgettable.
The Story Behind Combatron
Berlin H. Manalaysay created Combatron during an exciting era for Philippine comics. His stories combined science fiction, action, and adventure with themes that went beyond simply defeating the bad guys.
Justice. Responsibility. Power. Sacrifice.
Combatron may have had extraordinary abilities, but the stories were ultimately about the choices he made—and what it meant to use power responsibly.
Before He Was Combatron, He Was Empoy
At the center of the story is Empoy, a young orphan whose life changes after discovering a crashed alien spacecraft.
Inside the wreckage, he finds an injured cyborg from the planet Omnicron. In a final act of survival and trust, the alien transfers a powerful suit of armor to Empoy.
And just like that, Empoy becomes Combatron.
But his transformation isn't just physical. It's moral.
Empoy is an ordinary boy suddenly given extraordinary power. He has to learn how to protect others, stand up to evil, and make difficult choices for the greater good.
That's part of what made Combatron more than just a character in cool armor. There was a human story underneath it all.
A World of Aliens, Robots, and Adventure
Combatron's adventures took him far beyond Earth, with mechanical enemies, alien threats, and powerful villains standing in his way.
But beneath all the action were bigger ideas about freedom, control, compassion, and responsibility.
And, of course, there was Askal.
Combatron's loyal robotic dog—short for Asong Mekanikal—was one of the most memorable parts of the series. Askal wasn't just a sidekick. He was a trusted companion who brought humor, heart, and plenty of personality to Combatron's adventures.
For many fans, it's hard to think of Combatron without thinking of Askal too.
A Filipino Hero in a World of Superheroes
With his futuristic armor and mechanical aesthetic, Combatron has sometimes been compared to other sci-fi heroes such as Mega Man.
But the similarities are mostly surface-level.
Combatron isn't a machine. He's a Filipino boy learning what it means to become a hero.
His story is rooted in Filipino storytelling, values, and experiences. Behind the armor is a character shaped by loss, empathy, responsibility, and the choices he makes.
That's what gave Combatron his own identity—and helped make him so relatable to Filipino readers.
Why Combatron Still Matters
For a generation of Filipino kids, Combatron was proof that our superheroes could be just as cool.
He brought together the things young readers loved—action, science fiction, incredible technology, villains, battles, and larger-than-life adventures—while giving them a hero they could call their own.
His popularity also went beyond the pages of Funny Komiks. Official Combatron toys and merchandise were produced during the character's heyday, showing just how much he had become part of Filipino youth culture.
Today, those toys and collectibles are treasured by fans and collectors—not just as pieces of merchandise, but as reminders of childhood and of a time when Combatron was everywhere.
Keeping Combatron's Story Alive
Characters that become part of a generation's childhood deserve to be remembered.
That's the idea behind Combatron Remastered by HALOHALO.
The project helps preserve and restore the original comics while respecting Berlin H. Manalaysay's vision. Cleaner linework, refined details, and improved readability allow longtime fans to revisit the character—and give new readers a chance to discover the world of Combatron for themselves.
The goal isn't to replace the original.
It's to help keep it alive.
Fun Facts About Combatron
His Powers Came From Outer Space - Combatron's abilities came from advanced technology from the planet Omnicron, giving him enhanced strength, speed, flight, and powerful energy attacks.
Yes, He Had a Robotic Dog -Askal (short for Asong Mekanikal) was Combatron's loyal companion and one of the series' most memorable characters.
The Galactic Phoenix - Combatron's signature finishing move, the Galactic Phoenix, represented overwhelming power while connecting to themes of sacrifice and rebirth.
Part of a Golden Era of Philippine Komiks - Combatron emerged during a time when locally created heroes were a major part of Filipino childhood and popular culture.
A Hero Worth Remembering
For those who grew up with Combatron, he isn't just a superhero from an old comic.
He's a piece of childhood.
And for a new generation discovering him, he's a reminder that Filipino creators have been dreaming up heroes of our own for decades.
Created by Berlin H. Manalaysay, Combatron remains one of the most memorable locally made superheroes in Philippine comic history.
He may have come from Omnicron—but his place in Filipino pop culture is all our own. Read Combatron
Ready to experience the original story? Read Combatron in Filipino or explore the new English translation, both now available on HALO HALO.
