The New Main Character to be a Korean American Teenager
Marvel Comics chose a Korean American teenager for the new super hero to replace Dr. Bruce Banner who is the main character of the Hulk series.
According to recent Washington Post, Marvel Studio has assigned Amadeus CHO to be the hero of ‘Totally Awesome Hulk’, which is a new super hero comic book series. Amadeus CHO is a very smart Korean American teenager and has appeared so far as an assistant to Hulk.
Also several Korean American artists are working for ‘Totally Awesome Hulk’ for the storyline and illustrations. Korean American Frank CHO does the illustrations and Greg PARK whose father is Korean is in charge of the storyline.
Frank CHO on illustration has recently written on facebook that there have been many Asian creators but only rarely, if ever, Asian characters took an important role, which makes it a breakthrough in the history of the US comics to have a Korean American character for the main character.
Such change of Marvel Comics would help diversify the superheroes who used to be mostly white men. Marvel Comics has introduced a black Spider Man, Muslim Ms Marvel and female Thor, which were all warmly received.
Last year, Marvel Comics decided to insert scenes shot in Korea in
Avengers: Age of Ultron and recruited a Korean actress
Claudia KIM to entertain Asian audiences. Claudia KIM performed the role of Dr. Helen CHO who is Amadeus CHO’s mother. Later when ‘Totally Awesome Hulk’ turns into a film, it is interesting to see if she will be recruited again.
Such trend has to do with the industrial expansion of the Chinese market. Just like in Transformers: Age of Extinction where Chinese actors and settings were inserted a lot with the Chinese market in mind, Hollywood studios’ attention to the Chinese market is becoming clearly visible.
The new comic book series where Amadeus CHO turns into Hulk will begin in December.