Shazam!
While Norse mythology play a central role in Marvel’sThor , and Wonder Woman is infused with ancient Greek legends , DC Comicswill venture into Chinese mythology with a young Heron : Marcus Sun , akathe Monkey Prince . draw inhalation from the 16th one C classic novel , Journey to the West , the Word of the fabled Sun Wukong , the Monkey King , uses his physical body - shifting powers to oppose demons in modern day Philadelphia under the guidance of Shifu Pigsy , an version of the hog - human Zhu Bajie .
Marcus was introduced to readers inDC Festival of Heroes : The Asian Superhero Celebration(in a chronicle by Gene Luen Yang and Bernard Chang ) , where he was consider fighting a demon - controlled Dr. Sivana after mask himself as Shazam . When the tangible Shazam arrives to battle Sivana , the Monkey Prince break that he hates superheroes . He is forestall from get into a fight , however , after Shifu recites a chant that subdues Marcus . return house , it is reveal that his parent are actually Sivana ’s henchmen , seemingly unaware of their boy ’s secret indistinguishability . The final Sir Frederick Handley Page offer one more surprising twist : although the Monkey Prince detest Shazam , Billy Batson is one of Marcus ' close friends !
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As part of FanDome 2021,DC Comicsreleased a wide variety of old and fresh comics online for devoid , include a prologue to the upcomingMonkey Princeseries . This issueis framed as a storey told by Shifu after Marcus fight off a hoard of Parademons . The tale reveal that the Monkey King , the Ruler of Flower Fruit Mountain - who Marcus repeatedly denies is his substantial forefather - agitate off an invasion by Steppenwolf and the Female Furies at some point in history . The Monkey King and the forces of the Heavenly Realm , including King Bull Demon , Princess Iron Fan , and their Logos , Red Boy , pull off to prove a challenge to the New Gods of Apokolips , withDarkseid finally get to recognise his resister . The Monkey King attacks Darkseid by transmute strands of his haircloth into an regular army of clones , which provokes the ruler of Apokolips to execute King Bull Demon and Princess Iron Fan before retreating from the Heavenly Realm . Back in the present tense , Shifu hints to Marcus that Red Boy was driven to villainy by his parent ’s murder .
While Monkey Prince ’s powers and origin are presently shrouded in mystery , the approaching series promise to research a Modern side of the DC Universe . Unlike many of DC ’s newer characters , Marcus Sun is not explicitly link to Batman , Superman or their supporting cast , instead offering a new ally ( and likely rival ) for Billy Batson . With exciting new tycoon , disaffected naiveness , and an undying aversion for traditional superheroes , the Monkey Prince is a unique additionto DC ’s ever - enlarge roll .
Journey to the Westhas had an ubiquitous influence on Chinese and Nipponese culture , prompt countless film adaptation , video games and manga . EvenDragon Ball ’s Goku was directly inspired by the Monkey King ( ' Son Goku ' is the Japanese interlingual rendition of Sun Wukong ) . With increasing calls for diversity and theatrical in comical book , God Almighty Gene Luen Yang and Bernard Chan desire that theMonkey Princewill both introduce American reader to Taiwanese mythology and Taiwanese readers to the earth ofDC Comics . The twelve - issue solo series will hit stores in February 2022 .
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Source : DC Comics
