Abe Ocampo

ABRAHAM “ABE” OCAMPO started out in the komiks field fresh from high school in 1957, raring to put to profitable use his overwhelming love for the arts. He got his initial break as an illustrator when R.R. Marcelino, then editor for Extra Komiks and Romansa Komiks, published by Philippine Book Co., assigned him to draw a short story.  He was drawing komiks-novels shortly after including Dragona by Mars Ravelo and Ama Namin by R.R. Marcelino, both for Extra Komiks.

In the early 1960s, Ocampo turned to Ace Publications, Inc. for bigger challenges, and consequently was commissioned to illustrate a novel by one of the company’s popular writers, Pablo S. Gomez.  The novel was Anak ng Asuwang.  The serial was still running when he got to illustrate the work of yet another big-name writer, Mars Ravelo – Ito Ba ang Aking Ina?

More assignments followed from the PSG Publishing House and Graphic Arts Service, Inc. By then, he had found his forte: drama. Inang Putik, Makunat pa sa Inuyat and Araw-Araw Kitang Mahal were a few of the several novels he illustrated for GASI.

In 1970, Ocampo joined Affiliated Publications, Inc. as a contributing artist.  That started his team up with a then budding writer Carlo J. Caparas, whose very first novel, Citadel, was assigned to him.  He was later to provide the artwork for some of Caparas’ blockbusters, among them Angela Markado and Ang Babaing Hinugot Sa Aking Tadyang.

International exposure for Ocampo came in 1971, when the National Periodical Publications, Inc – copyright owners of Superman, Batman and Robin, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel, among others) - tapped him as one of ten artists to illustrate for their publications. Ocampo completed one comic book, Rima.

Ocampo has been active in the business for 52 years now, and he just cannot remember anymore how many stories and novels he has illustrated.  But he says that his most challenging works were those of the Ravelo and Caparas’ novels. He has already branched out, meanwhile, to wash illustrations, contributing to the Liwayway Magazine and other national periodicals.

Published Works

• Alyas James Bond-ying, Bondying Komiks (1969)
• Ang Anino sa Luksang Salamin, Tagalog Klasiks (1965)
• Ang Babaing Hinugot sa Aking Tadyang, Superstar (1975-1976)
• Angela Markado, Bondying Movie Specials (1978-1979)
• Araw-Araw Kitang Mahal, Pinoy Klasiks (1966-1967)
• Batas sa Aking Kamay, United Komiks (1964)
• Botong, Universal Komiks (1967)
• Boy Poklat, Pioneer Komiks (1969-1970)
• Citadel, Superstar Komiks (1970-1971)
• Dalawang Mukha ng Pag-ibig, Superstar Komiks (1974-1975)
• Devil Boy, Universal Komiks (1967-1969)
• Dragona, Extra Komiks (1958-1959)
• Dyesebel, Darna Komiks (1970)
• Glendora, United Komiks (1968)
• Halimaw, Kenkoy Komiks (1962)
• Ito ba ang Aking Ina?, Tagalog Klasiks (1961-1962)
• Jimmy Baylon, Hasmin Komiks (1963-1964)
• Junar: Suicide Six Sa Haunted House, Espesyal Komiks (1967-1968)
• Kapitan Bulinggit, Pinoy Klasiks (1965-1966)
• Kid Boomerang, Pilipino Komiks (1965-1966)
• Langit na ang Nakikiusap, Pinoy Klasiks (1973-1974)
• Maskarang Itim, Holiday Komiks (1963-1964)
• Mga Budhing Inaanay, Aliwan Komiks (1968)
• Minsan Pa… Sa Lumang Simbahan, Pilipino Komiks (1978-1979)
• Mowmoo, Hiwaga Komiks (1966-1967)
• My Boy Peter, Topstar Komiks (1971)
• My Little Angel, United Komiks (1970)
• Ngitngit ng Pitong Whistle Bomb, Pilipino Komiks (1967-1968)
• Paano Ako…Kung Wala Ka?, Bondying Movie Specials (1975-1976)
• Rosa Mistica, Extra Komiks (1958)
• Serpentina, Pioneer Komiks (1975-1976)
• Suicide Six, Espesyal Komiks (1967)
• Supermando, Liwayway (2006-2007)
• Tanikala, Pioneer Komiks (1979)
• Trio Bandido, Tagalog Klasiks (1962)
• Vanessa, Superstar Komiks (1974-1975)
• Wonder Man, Holiday Komiks (1968)