DC Comics announces new asian superhero for AAPI-driven Festival of Heroes special

[Saucycarpdog]

DC Comics announces brand-new Asian superhero and more for AAPI-driven 'Festival of Heroes' special

In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, DC's dropping a brand-new 100-page special led by a new Asian superhero character.

www.syfy.com

Next month, in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, DC Comics will release DC Festival of Heroes, a massive celebration of the company's AAPI heroes led by some of their top AAPI creators. Today, the publishers revealed more details about the 100-page anthology special, including the launch of a brand-new superhero from two of DC's very best creators.

Festival of Heroes will feature the debut of The Monkey Prince, a Chinese mythology-inspired new superhero created by writer Gene Luen Yang (Superman Smashes the Klan, New Super-Man) and artist Bernard Chang (Teen Titans, Batman Beyond). The character will launch in a 12-page original story within Festival of Heroes titled "The Monkey Prince Hates Superheroes," in which Monkey Prince will both face off against and team-up with DC's Shazam! in a battle that also include Doctor Sivana and a Chinese deer demon.

To mark the announcement of this new Asian superhero, DC also dropped character designs for Monkey Prince and another character from his story, Shifu Pigsy, along with Jim Lee and Alex Sinclair's ensemble cover for Festival of Heroes.

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[Deleted member 4461]

Would it be a drive-by post if I said "thank goodness Marvel has Shang Chi to push?"

Because that is my very first and most honest reaction.

That's also my only possible reaction, as I'm not Asian. More specifically, I'm not Chinese.

 

[ILikeFeet]

since it's written by Gene Luen Yang, it's a must read for me

 

[Kain-Nosgoth]

finally we can have goku vs superman

 

[SageShinigami]

This is cool, but in the spirit of being a comics fan, I want more of the thing I know I like instead of a new thing. In other words: more Kenan Kong, please.

But also I will be checking this out. Yang is a great talent.

 

[ILikeFeet]

This is cool, but in the spirit of being a comics fan, I want more of the thing I know I like instead of a new thing. In other words: more Kenan Kong, please.

But also I will be checking this out. Yang is a great talent.

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there will be a story featuring Kenan

"Hawke & Kong" – Writer Greg Pak and artist Sumit Kumar team up on a story spotlighting the return of onetime Green Arrow Connor Hawke and Kong Kenan, also known as New Super-Man. Connor and Kenan need to do some quick thinking when a gift for Connor's Korean aunt gets damaged in a battle with a dragon!

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DC Festival of Heroes Introduces Monkey Prince! | DC

NEW DETAILS REVEALED FOR DC FESTIVAL OF HEROES: THE ASIAN SUPERHERO CELEBRATION

www.dccomics.com

 

[The Lightsmith]

Just do more Justice League of China, that was good stuff

Edit: Canonising Tai Pham in the main DC universe is awesome if they're doing this.

"Dress Code" – Green Lantern Tai Pham makes his first comic book debut in this story by Green Lantern: Legacy writer Minh Lê with artist Trung Le Nguyen. Green Lantern is fighting with Arkillo, and the villain taunts him for his costume "looking like a dress." This reminds Tai of a memory with his dead grandmother who he inherited his powers from."

 

[Viewt]

Gene Luen Yang is a good writer, so that bodes well.

BTW, speaking of AAPI heroes (and this author), I've been reading and enjoying the new Shang-Chi series. It's good stuff.

 

[Aly]

Gene Luen Yang means I'm reading. Also glad for more Kenan.

 

[JDSN]

Yeah, I don't know.

 

[JonnyDBrit]

Honestly, he seems like he's getting positioned as a Chinese equivalent to Shazam - invoking the power of Sun Wukong, presumably - which honestly, could kinda work? Sage Equal to Heaven vs Mightiest Mortal, etc. If it gives off Monkie Kid vibes at all, I'm in

 

[NinjaGarden]

why does he need a mask

The more Wukong the better

 

[Pet]

Gene Luen Yang freaking loves Sun Wukong. lol

 

[wandering]

Just give me a Journey to the West graphic novel series

 

[HStallion]

Always glad to get more diversity but was hoping for something a little more interesting than Journey to the West for the thousandth time.

 

[Deleted member 17388]

since it's written by Gene Luen Yang, it's a must read for me

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Oh, wow! A must read then :D

 

[Neo Hartless]

Superman vs this guy when?

 

[KtotheRoc]

finally we can have goku vs superman

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Can't wait for Z Fighters vs. Justice League.

 

[ILikeFeet]

Superman vs this guy when?

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we're sooner to get Kenan Kong vs Monkey Prince. hell, put MP in the JL of China while they're at it

 

[Watchtower]

Would it be a drive-by post if I said "thank goodness Marvel has Shang Chi to push?"

Because that is my very first and most honest reaction.

That's also my only possible reaction, as I'm not Asian. More specifically, I'm not Chinese.

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Marvel actually has its own version of Wukong, a fairly minor character who was last seen briefly joining the Agents of Atlas only to seemingly sacrifice himself:



Monkey Prince here looks significantly more standard, and I mean...nothing wrong with standard Wukong, right? I'd honestly prefer Marvel going that route anyway.

 

[Deleted member 4461]

Marvel actually has its own version of Wukong, a fairly minor character who was last seen briefly joining the Agents of Atlas only to seemingly sacrifice himself:



Monkey Prince here looks significantly more standard, and I mean...nothing wrong with standard Wukong, right? I'd honestly prefer Marvel going that route anyway.

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TIL!

 

[mrmoose]

I'm all for going into Chinese mythology but am I the only one disappointed that the thread indicates a new Asian superhero, and it's a monkey?

 

[Mr. Poolman]

Gene Luen Yang is a very very good writer, so I'm giving this one a chance :)

 

[Mr. Snuffleupagus]

I'm all for going into Chinese mythology but am I the only one disappointed that the thread indicates a new Asian superhero, and it's a monkey?

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I thought the same thing.

 

[Kaswa101]

Good stuff.

 

[kmfdmpig]

I think that the key will be that they actually use the character in a meaningful way. The Great Ten, Ryan Choi, Dr. Light (Kimiyo), the Justice League of China (by the same author) and many other Asian DC characters are all under-utilized. Hopefully we start to see more than just Katana as a somewhat regular character in the comics.

Also, in somewhat related news - Superman Smashes the Klan, by the same author with gorgeous and timeless art by Gurihiru is one of my favorite comics in recent years. Everyone should read it.

 

[fallengorn]

As long as he's not meeting Jesus, I'm down for it.

 

[Slayven]

Striker Z wasn't good enough. Look who help debuted him?