The complaint by culture critics that “wokeness” is invading comic books is laughable. Over 86% of comic book characters are white males or white in general. Only a minuscule amount of those characters are well-known or popular Asian characters. Here is a list of 10 of the best comic books and stories featuring Asian superheroes.
1. Jubilee
Jubilee is a Chinese American teen, X-Men, and one of the most underrated Asian superheroes in Marvel Comics. She has the power to project fireworks-like energy from her hands. Jubilee is also undetectable to telepaths.
Uncanny X-Men #297, from 1992, features a poignant outing between Prof. X and Jubilee. Prof. X can temporarily walk; however, this ability is slowly fading. Soon, Prof. X will be paralyzed again. Jubilee was a new X-Men at the time; the issue is all about a teacher and student relating to each other before the reality of Prof. X losing the ability to walk becomes inescapable.
Buy a copy of this issue on Amazon for $5 now.
2. Psylocke
Psylocke, a former Japanese assassin, is one of the most popular Asian superheroes at Marvel. She also has one of the most complex origin stories ever. Betsy Braddock is a white English woman and the sister of Captain Britain. In Uncanny X-Men #256, from 1989, she changes minds with a female Japanese assassin. The female Japanese assassin didn’t have an origin or name until 2018.
In 2018, Betsy left her Asian body and returned to her true body. The mind of Kwannon, the nameless Japanese assassin from 1989, went back to her original body. Even though Betsy was in control of her body for 30 years, Kwannon is technically the second Psylocke, even though she was Psylocke all along.
Psylocke Vol. 1 Guardian is a 120-page paperback collecting the first five issues of her new series. Psylocke must stop a new threat from harming young mutants. Get it for $17.99 at Amazon now.
3. Shang-Chi
Many fans had never seen Asian superheroes in the MCU until 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. However, Shang-Chi is an old superhero character; the character made his debut in Special Marvel Edition #15 back in 1973. The character was modeled after Bruce Lee during the Hong Kong kung fu craze of the 1970s and 1980s.
The 1,120-page Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Vol. 1 features the earliest appearances of Shang-Chi in Marvel Comics. Buy it for $74.95 at Amazon now.
4. Mandarin
Asian superheroes like the Mandarin have backstories just as complex as Psylocke’s. In the comic books, the Mandarin is the son of Chinese aristocrats who finds 10 powerful rings and becomes a supervillain. He is a super genius, and his main foe is Iron Man. The character was unknown to comic book film fans until 2013’s Iron Man 3; Ben Kingsley was cast as Trevor Slattery, an impostor version of the Mandarin.
Tony Leung was cast as “Wen Wu,” the true MCU’s Mandarin in 2021’s Shang-Chi and The Legend of the Ten Rings.
Iron Man/War Machine: Hands of the Mandarin is a 276-page paperback. The Mandarin tries to turn the world into ancient China while Iron Man tries to stop him. Get it for $33.99 at Amazon now.
5. Sunfire
Shiro Yoshida’s mother was a victim of radiation poisoning during the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Shiro was born a mutant with the powers of solar radiation absorption, projecting fiery plasma from his hands, and flight. Taking the name Sunfire, Shiro became a short-term member of the X-Men; though he wants to become a hero, Shiro harbors a deep hatred of the United States because of Hiroshima. Although the character was a hothead, recent versions of the character feature more emotional nuance.
Sunfire & Big Hero Six #1 features the Japanese government trying to form their own Asian superheroes Avengers squad with Sunfire as the leader. This comic is a rare collectible; a seller on Amazon is trying to sell issue #1 for $280.
6. Kamala Khan
Kamala is a very new character. She made her debut in Captain Marvel #14 in 2013. As Ms. Marvel, Kamala is the first Pakistani-American and Muslim character to headline her own Marvel Comic. Casual readers might know Iman Vellani’s version of Ms. Marvel in the MCU better.
Khan has stretching powers like Mr. Fantastic and the ability to control “hard-light” projections, among others. Ms. Marvel Vol. 1: No Normal is a 120-page paperback that collects the first five issues of her debut series. Get it for $14.87 at Amazon now.
7. New Super-Man
New Super-Man and New Super-Man & the Justice League of China were real DC Comics publications from 2016 featuring Asian superheroes from China. Kong Kenan is a teenager who fights a bully and becomes a social media sensation. The Chinese government exposes him to experimental kryptonite, and Kenan gains a portion of Superman’s powers.
Get New Super-Man #3 for $4.99 at Amazon now.
8. Cassandra Cain
Cassandra Cain is the daughter of one of the deadliest assassins and Asian superheroes in DC Comics, Lady Shiva. Cain was taught how to become an assassin from birth. She is mute, never speaks, and focuses on her martial arts. Cain is not the first Batgirl, but she is the first one to get her own Batgirl comic book series. Batgirl Vol. 1: Mother tells the story of when Cain and her mother, Lady Shiva, join forces to find out who is trying to kill them. Buy it for $17.99 at Amazon now.
9. Ryan Choi
The Atom is a DC character with the ability to shrink himself down to microscopic size. The Atom made his comic book debut in 1940; Marvel’s Ant-Man made his debut in 1962. There have been four Atoms; the second and best known is Ray Palmer. Brandon Routh was cast as Palmer in DC’s Legends of Tomorrow TV show. The fourth and current Atom is Chinese; Ryan Choi is the latest in Asian superheroes, making a name for themselves in comic books.
The All-New Atom: My Life in Miniature is a 157-page paperback that collects the first six issues of Choi’s solo series. Buy it now for $5.16 at Amazon.
10. Amadeus Cho
Amadeus Cho is a 19-year-old Korean-American student who is known as the 7th smartest person on Earth. After Bruce Banner suffers from gamma radiation poisoning, Cho uses nanobots to siphon off the radiation. Cho then absorbs the radiation and becomes the Totally Awesome Hulk. Cho retains his intelligence while in Hulk form.
Amadeus Cho: Genius At Work is a 109-page trade collecting the first issues of his solo series. Buy it on Kindle for $7.99.
Read More
The 8 Most Action-Packed Punisher Comic Book Stories
6 Greatest Stories Featuring Jean Grey and the Phoenix Force
The post 10 Greatest Marvel and DC Comics Featuring Asian Superheroes appeared first on Personal Finance Advice.
