Marvel will put Asian and Asian American heroes in their own publication

OPINION

Asian American comic book characters -- often relegated to the margins -- will be the heroes of their own stories this summer.

In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Marvel Comics announced it is launching a brand-new Marvel's Voices one-shot spotlighting some of the most legendary Asian super heroes: Marvel's Voices: Identity #1.

Finally, Asian and Asian American writers and artists will get proper front-and-center exposure. I guess we're supposed to be thankful, but before comic book fans get too excited, realize this is only a one-shot publication, making the one-time comic appear like a token effort.

This  issue will take readers across the Marvel Universe with a collection of tales written and drawn by new and established Asian creators. 

“It’s unreal to me that one of Marvel’s first Asian super heroes, Jimmy Woo, was first introduced in in 1956. He predates the Fantastic Four, Spider-Man, and the X-Men,” Editor Darren Shan said. 

“It just goes to show that Asians have been an integral part of Marvel’s history, both on the page and behind it. So I’m incredibly excited to celebrate that with all these amazing creators, new and established, featuring some of Marvel’s greatest (and dare I say it, best) super heroes!”

Following in the footsteps of the mega-popular "Marvel's Voices: Indigenous Voices" and "Marvel's Voices: Legcay," "Marvel's Voices: Identity #1" will continue the tradition of featuring inspiring and uplifting storytelling that truly reflect “the world outside your window.” 

These new stories will celebrate Marvel’s ongoing, ever-expanding representation of the vastness of all Asian, Asian American and Pacific Island cultures and identities including South Korean, Chinese, and more.

The giant-sized one-shot issue will be packed with action-packed stories, such as:

• Eisner Award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang continues his groundbreaking work on the Shang-Chi mythos in an all-new tale with artist Marcus To (Excalibur). 
• Get ready for some fireworks when Generation X writer Christina Strain and artist Jason Loo catch up with everyone’s favorite mutant mallrat Jubilee. 
• Greg Pak takes secret agent Jimmy Woo on another hair-raising mission that will mark the Marvel Comics debut of artist Creees Lee. 
• artist Lynne Yoshii joins critically-acclaimed Maurene Goo to weave another unpredictable adventure in the saga of Silk. 
• Plus, an amazing tale starring Ms. Marvel drawn by Mashal Ahmed and a bonus surprise story that will be announced at a later date.

“I'm thrilled to be a part of Marvel's Voices: Identity #1,” Yang said. “Asian and Asian American super heroes are such a vital part of the Marvel Universe. Asian and Asian American creators, too. This book proves it.”

Thrilled? Thanks, but ...

EDITOR'S NOTE: A word of caution. This is news laced with opinion. Readers are encouraged to seek severl news sources to form their own opinons.