Ariel Padilla began his career in the Philippines working for Graphic Arts Services Inc (GASI) for 11 years. In 2005 he started working as a penciller for IDW and is currently working for Dynamite Entertainment.

He also worked on the eight volume Tomo series for Funny Pages Productions.

He credits Nestor Infante, Francisco Coching, Carlos Pacheco and Chris Bachalo as having the greatest inluence in his artwork.

Has also published as Ariel Rey D. Padilla.