Marvel Comics set to introduce new Chinese superheroes

Marvel Comics has been putting in the efforts to become more diverse with its superheroes in terms of race and gender, especially in Asia.

Apart from growing their market in several Asian countries through mobile games, high technology merchandise to be offered in Marvel Stores in countries like China and South Korea, Marvel Comics editor-in-chief C.B. Cebulski revealed plans to introduce two new superheroes, "Sword Master" and "Aero" whom he said are both "Chinese-based set in the Marvel cinematic universe."

"One is a human and the other is I can't give away the story because it's still a secret, but it will be heavily based on Chinese culture and Chinese mythology but set in the Marvel world and they will interact with the other heroes," he said.

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For their first female Muslim superhero, the comic giant recently introduced Miss Marvel Kamala Khan a teenage Pakistani-American, of South Asian origin.

Although, Asians are still infrequent in the Marvel universe, Cebulski said that the team has been focusing on telling relatable stories regardless their country, skin color, religion and sexuality. "At Marvel, there's something for everybody," he said.

"There are a number of Asian characters and yes they may not be as prominent as — you might not see them as one of the teams and on Avengers. But the thing that we always concentrate on is: We want to have stories that are reflective of every culture. No matter who you are, we want you to pick up a comic and feel like there's something you can relate to in that comic."

According Cebulski, the team has been "making great strides" in Asia to hire more creative talents to influence Marvel comics with different cultures.

"We try to hire more Asian creators, writers and artists to bring a piece of their culture into Marvel comics and it's been reflective on a lot of the stories and I think going forward you're gonna be seeing them reflect on some of the characters we'll be introducing," he told the press at the Marvel Creative Day Out Year 2 in De La Salle College of Saint Benilde in Manila earlier in the month.

In a one-on-one interview with GMA News Online, Cebulski revealed that Filipino Marvel comic artists are the third largest in the world, adding Marvel is looking for more talents from the country.

"I don't know the exact number, but I know it's the third largest in the world, from the States is the largest, Italy second, and the Philippines is third, but there's definitely at least over 20 artists in capacity working for a daily monthly basis, regularly. They're all over the world, some are here in Manila, some are in either Cebu or Davao, most of them are based here in the Philippines but there are a couple who live in the United States or in Canada or in different places." he said. — LA, GMA News