Welcome back nerd squad, my name is Roya Destroyaa and this is Top 10 Nerd.
Comics have a history of being very white.
It has been a long time coming for diversity in the pages of comic books, but luckily now
we have great stories and great characters across a whole range of nationalities, abilities,
and genders.
And we got some pretty sick characters hailing from all sorts of Asian backgrounds.
So letÕs take a look at the top 10 ASIAN SUPERHEROES.
In the number 10 spot we got GRACE CHOI. Grace first appeared in the pages of Outsiders volume
3.
She is an Asian-american and Amazon who has gone through a lot in life.
She is the survivor of a child prostitution ring who was only able to escape when her
powers kicked in at puberty.
She then went on to become a member of the Outsiders, and became an intimidating and
large presence of the group, which went against what Asian female characters were historically
depicted as; quiet and tiny.
Not this girl.
Coming in at number 9 IS THE HULK.
Amadeus Cho took up the mantle of the totally awesome Hulk in 2015, and though he was in
existence since 2005, it was then that he proved just how awesome he was.
He is of Korean-American background, and the reason he came to be the Hulk is because he
absorbed the gamma radiation from Bruce Banner, effectively freeing Bruce from the Hulk and
becoming a much more friendly, confident Hulk himself.
Like okay, if you donÕt want this totally cool thing, then sure, IÕll take it.
This gave him an advantage in gaining popularity because the Hulk was already someone fans
were familiar with.
And it was a welcome change from the sulking.
Next, at number 8, we have TIMESLIP.
Rina Patel is a superhero of Indian background who first appeared in New Warriors #59.
She is a mutant with the ability to switch her conscious with the consciousness of her
past and future self.
While this was super useful when she was trying to escape studying, you can imagine the headache
it presented writers for continuity issues.
Yeah, as if they ever care about continuity.
Needless to say, she didnÕt stick around long, but in the right hands a revival of
her character could make for some interesting storylines.
In the number 7 spot is JUBILEE.
Jubilation Lee is a member of the Xmen who debuted in uncanny xmen #244.
She was born into a privileged life with her Chinese parents, but then her parents were
murdered and she was left to live in an orphanage.
She ran away and took up residence in the mall, earning small change by putting on shows
with her pyrotechnic powers; yes, her fireworks!
She eventually joins the xmen, loses her powers, and then becomes a vampire.
This woman has lived.
Coming in at number 6 IS KATANA.
You may familiar with this character from the film Suicide Squad, if youÕve never encountered
her in comics before.
Tatsu Yamashiro is a Japanese born superhero who first appeared in the brave and bold #200.
She is the weilder of an ancient samurai sword, also known as a katana, that traps the souls
of those it has slain.
One of those being her husband, who was killed with this same weapon by his very own brother
in jealous rage that he was not chosen as TatsuÕs husband instead.
Next up, at number 5 WE HAVE ATOM.
Ryan Choi was the fourth Atom, and debuted in DCU Brave New World.
Ryan was born in hong kong and was a fill-in at Ivy University for Ray Palmer when Ray
went missing.
Not only did he fill in for RayÕs work, he also filled in for his superhero mantle, discovering
RayÕs bio belt and becoming his own Atom.
There was some controversy surrounding his death in the Brightest Day events, some citing
that it was racist to kill off the highest profile Asian character at the time.
Of course he came back after that; fans probably shouldÕve remembered that death is never
death in comics.
Up next at number 4 WE GOT SILK.
Peter Parker gets all the acclaim for becoming Spiderman that one fateful field trip, but
there was another character who went through the very same thing.
Her name is Cindy Moon, and we are fully introduced to her in the amazing spiderman volume 3 #4.
She was a Korean student bit by the same spider right after peter, but was unable to control
her powers until a man named Ezekial Sims stepped in and offered her training.
She spent several years after locked up to rortect her from spider serial killer morlun.
But that didnÕt do anything to dull her, shall we say tingling spidey senses, around
peter parker.
In the number 3 spot is BATGIRL.
Cassandra Cain was introduced in Batman #567, and is the biracial Eurasian daughter of David
Cain and Lady Shiva.
Due to her life being raised as the perfect assassin, she has undergone abuse extreme
enough to leave her mute, with violence as her only language.
Reading and writing apparently isnÕt necessary for killers.
She is taken in by Batman and given the Batgirl costume after escaping her violent lifestyle
and saving commissioner GordonÕs s life.
Coming in at number 2 we have MS MARVEL.
We first meet kamala Khan in Captain Marvel volume 7 #14, and she has become MarelÕs
first muslim superhero to head her own comic book, Ms. Marvel.
The Pakistani teenÕs powers are established after she is blasted by the Terrigen mist,
granting her the ability to shapeshift.
She then take sup the mantle of her idol, Carol Danvers, and becomes Ms Marvel.
She is not just a token character or someone who is going to fade into the background;
she has made huge leaps for comic books with her great portrayal and writing.
Even Obama would agree, having received Ms Marvel volume 1 at a reception for womanÕs
history month.
And finally, in the number 1 spot is THE GREEN TURTLE.
Wait, who?
If you donÕt know the Green turtle, his impact is huge, because he was the first Asian American
superhero.
The Green turtle was introduced by Blazing Comics in 1944.
He aided the Chinese during WW2 and was a highly skilled fighter who also flew a turtle
plane.
He was never drawn without his turtle design mask because his publisher didnÕt think the
market would be great enough for an Asian superhero.
Hello, Asians are the most populous race group out there; thereÕs a ginormous market.
So those were the top 10 ASIAN SUPERHEROES.
Let me know in the comment section down below WHICH OF THESE HEROES IS YOUR FAVORITE.
My name is Roya Destroyaa, thanks for watching, and donÕt forget to subscribe so you never
miss another nerdy list!