Amado Castrillo

Amado S. Castrillo, also known as "Ding", "Dino" or "Madz," was a renowned Filipino comic book artist and writer. Born into a family of artists (his father was a jeweler and goldsmith, and his mother a zarzuela singer), he began his career in 1951 under the guidance of Alfredo Alcalá. In the 1960s, he co-founded the publishing house CRAF Publications alongside other Filipino artists, where he published several comic series, including some of the first Filipino superheroes. Five of his serials were adapted into films in the Philippines. In the 1970s, Castrillo entered the American market, working primarily for Marvel Comics. He stood out in the Marvel Classics Comics series, where he adapted classic literary works such as The Count of Monte Cristo, Frankenstein, and The War of the Worlds. He also contributed to other series like Planet of the Apes and The Savage Sword of Conan. In 1980, he briefly worked for DC Comics before retiring from American comics. In addition to his comic career, Castrillo was a talented sculptor, inheriting his father's goldsmithing skills. Together with his family, he created a sculpture studio that included his brother Eduardo, his children, and grandchildren. Among his notable works are a sculpture of Our Lady of Manaoag and commemorative murals of historical Filipino battles. Castrillo passed away, leaving a significant legacy in the art and culture of the Philippines. [Sources: Comic Book Artist (Vol. 2) #4 https://www.tebeosfera.com/autores/castrillo_amado_s..html https://fichas.universomarvel.com/autores/castrillodino.html https://cv-zedricdimalanta.tumblr.com/post/130326175959/filipino-comics-art-fridays-dino].