Written by Joy Lyn Parohinog Francisco
Asian-American superheroes such as Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel highlight the next Marvel Voices anthology.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Month. Thus, Marvel Comics will showcase their top AAPI superheroes in the second Marvel Voices anthology.
In celebration of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, Marvel Voices: Identity No. 1 features Shang-Chi, Ms. Marvel, Wong, Mantis, and Jimmy Woo. However, Marvel Voices: Identity No. 1 will not only feature AAPI characters. The creators are among the company’s top Asian and AAPI creators, too.
Ms. Marvel And Shang-Chi Star In New Anthology Of Asian Superheroes
Image: Marvel Comics Group
Like previous anthologies, Marvel’s Voices: Identity No. 1 will be a collection of stories. One anthology that Marvel Comics previously published was Marvel’s Voices: Legacy No. 1. It featured Black Panther, Sam Wilson’s Captain America, Misty, Moon Girl, Runa the Valkyrie. Short stories about Spectrum, Cecilia Reyes, Blue Marvel and Spider-Man Miles Morales were also included.
The upcoming anthology has a May 11, 2022 as the release date with Crees Lee’s art on the cover. It has the following official description:
THE GREATEST ASIAN SUPER HEROES AND CREATORS RETURN! Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, comes a new spotlight on the best Asian super heroes in comics! Ms. Marvel! Shang-Chi! Wong! Mantis! Plus, more surprises to come from an amazing lineup of new and established AAPI creators!
First in the collection will be “Secrets” starring Shang-Chi and Jimmy Woo with Pornsak Pichetshote’s writing and Crees Lee’s art.
Second will be “Fool Me Twice” starring Ms. Marvel and Shang-Chi with Sabir Pirzada’s writing. Eric Koda is the artist.
Third is “The Primeval Paradox” starring Mantis written by Jeremy Holt with art by Kei Zama.
Fourth is “While You Were Out” starring Wong in Emily Kim’s writing with Rickie Yagawa’s art.
Image: Marvel Comics Group
Readers have found previous anthologies to be well-written with fantastic art. Nevertheless, as these are single specials, some commented on the brevity of the stories. In other words, readers prefer more fleshed-out tales in the future. Nevertheless, there are those that find it very promising in a sense. After all, since these stories are short, interest is teased for more.
Certainly, the popularity of Shang-Chi and Ms. Marvel opened the doors for other Asian characters.
Marvel Voices offer representation of identities and personalities not a lot of people expect to see a few years back. Now, heroes come from different ethnic backgrounds and beliefs. Consequently, the heroes more diverse. In addition, the creators are given more opportunities to explore topics.
These anthologies provide the sounding board for different voices to be heard.