Short Hiatus!



Plight of the Asian American Superhero Coming to MAASU
Sorry, I know I have to go for a short time (Two Weeks Tops, I promise!). But all my begging worked and I'm heading to teach a workshop at U of I! Topic of course is what is on this site, so if you want more of me check out: MAASU. Or if you can't attend just wait a bit and yes I will tell you all about Iron Man! Wish me luck!

Thanks to a certain someone, who believed in me all the way and never gave up!

Please Call Dr. Mario!


All my glands are hurt and I'm bleeding!
Sigh!, I've been infected... My nose oozes clear Sinus Lava, my eyes feel like ripe Grapefruits, and I'm shivering like an old man waiting for the Grim Reaper. Wrath of the gods! How could such a mortal illness befall such a super guy! I blame the elderly and babies, alas they are too much of a foe for me to handle.

They say a person should use his or her weakness to make them stronger. You know like that ol' Daredevil fellow. He may be as blind as naked mole rats, but he could beat up your every day Street Hustla in a New York Minute.

But how can I, lowly Benhur Calaguas, use my Common Cold as a weapon of justice? Maybe I can sneeze on my adversaries or at least I can vomit on their dead parents' graves! But lets be honest, I don't think my new persona, The Savage Sick Man, will raise any eyebrows. I mean although my Fortress of Solitude would be my bed in the shape of a pillow fort, I don't think I'd have very many archenemies. Maybe this guy...


He is a Doctor!
Iron My Pants!

Okay, so folks last week I said we were going to talk about Iron Man and we will. But before I do so lets say some nice things about him!


Tony Starks, the man behind the suit, is rich! And as you know rich superheroes always get what they want: women, cars, boats, everything... this includes Orphans! Don't believe me just look a such hot Super celebs like Batman, Green Arrow, Scrooge McDuck (Who remembers that Duck Tales Episode?)! The fictional rich get what they want and if they want to fight crime, so be it!


Also, Ol' Ironsides is coming out with a movie! Now, don't base that off of his popularity, the forces that be did give us that awful Elektra and I didn't think she was that popular! But hey its Iron Man he's one of Marvel Comics's star players! He even hunted down the oh so elusive Stilt-Man during the 90s Armor Wars series!

And just to set the record straight, "I'm not teasing Iron Man because I've been brainwashed by the current Civil War series!"

The Truth

Like'em or love'em, Iron Man is what he is, a rich man with fancy gadgets! Kidding! Any way, the point of the matter is to show how Asians fit into the mix. Well it begins with a real war, the Cold War! Just like in the Golden Age of comic books where editors used World War II as a means of building fantastic plots and creating amazing characters, the developing Cold War was the perfect base to build elaborate story arcs.

And who'd be perfect to represent America's Fighting Force, but good ol' Arms Industrialist Tony Starks. However, even with his money, it won't stop him from taking that tragic trip to Asia!

We stop here folks, because I'm going to faint and perhaps cry myself to sleep. Which means I'm going to curl up, watch Princess Bride, and wish I could be the Dread Pirate Roberts!

Join us next week as we meet The Guru and Some Commie Bullies!

Greet me well or revel in my suffering by writing me a comment...

Love is a Battlefield!


Happy Valentine's Day... you filthy animal!
Behold my villainous vassals the Death Day is upon us, Valentine's Day. Yes, Valentine's Day, the day when good school going children all around the world buy those ridiculous cards that make pansies out of the most manliest Superheroes...


I remember when I was a lad, my mom bought me a whole pack of Batman Valentine's Day cards. You know the kind that displayed the Cape Crusader in action poses with hearts all around him. And some of the cards would read...

I'll swing for you, my Valentine or Going Batty about you!

I was so overly excited to pass these around and I hoped that each of my classmates would say, "Man! Ben, these are the best Valentine's day Cards ever!" Instead, the same cards were also being passed around like old French Whores


But seriously folks! I don't think dipping the Dark Knight in rich chocolate will scare many of Gotham's shady underworld. Nor do I think the hearts surrounding him will protect him from gunshots, stabbings, or the occasional acid spray. At best, he could better his chances with the ladies! And if that's the case, then I'll start pouring candy hearts down my pants!

The Swingin' 60s

Alright enough Valentine's Day stuff, lets focus on the good stuff! Last time I spoke we were taking a look at the Silver Age of comic books. To recap, this period of time in Comic Book history primarily resides in the 1960s.

At the time artists like, Jim Steranko, were applying new art styles to comic books. Some of the styles would include naturalism, Surrealism, and graphic designs.

In addition, the Silver Age opened new doors for legendary comic book creators Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Steve Ditko. These legends were responsible for the creation of such characters like The Fantastic Four, The Hulk, Spiderman, Thor, and other Marvel favorites.

And of course lets not forget...


Iron Man

I make a big deal out of ol' metal pants here, because his origin is riddled with the most ridiculous Asian stereotypes I've ever seen! But alas, we shall have to wait until next week...

Join us next week as I explain the origin of the Man in the Iron Suit!


If you like me you'll leave me a Valentine's Day comment!

Back in the Saddle Again


We Got Him!
Where the hell have you been?

This question and this question alone, is probably the only question you have for me right now. And granted I feel like a estranged father that hasn't paid child support since Ricky Maritn was in Menudo. But ladies and gentlemen, I have returned and I'm back to tell you more about Asians and Asian Americans in comic books.

Just to let you know why I've been gone, well...

I got laid off

I'm okay and I don't need any more support. All I can really say is...

"Let those poor bastards who did this to me feel the Vengeance of the Ghost Rider"

or

"Well at I hope for those a'holes to get a bad rash!"


Any way... don't worry about me folks, I'm back working again and I don't have to resort to selling my kidneys to support my comic book habit!

Where Was I Last... Ah yes!

I was recently talking about the new Agents of Atlas, a Silver Age group lead by Asian American Jimmy Wong. And as you remember the Agents made an appearance in 2006 self entitled miniseries, which has recently ended. I'm betting you're wondering how I felt about the series?

Well, I liked it in the beginning... But the ending could have been better. Let me just show you this SPOILER panel.


Well if you read the series or if you just like twist surprises, let me just say...

"I like my plot twists like how I like whiskey sours, heavy on the whiskey and easy on the sour"

Any How!

Before I regale you with more history about Asians in comic books. Many of my few readers have been asking...

"Hey Benhur! How did you get so dorky?"

Well kids, it starts with the very thing that started my love for comic books... Marvel Comic Trading Cards!



Yes, yes... I spent many nights alone with my cards reading over and over again the back stories behind all of my favorite comic book characters.

I started collecting way before I started collecting actual comic books! I was really interested in the stories behind each characters and it intrigued me to see the stories would intertwine with other characters. Eventually, I wanted to know more and so I decided to collect the books so I could perpetuate my knowledge of all those fictional characters. Sometimes I feel like a secret agent looking at pile of dossiers, awaiting the moment where I can use my knowledge to save those I love. But until then, I'll just let you, the few who read my rants, the pleasure of sharing my somewhat vast knowledge.

Well, I'm too drunk to write any more and I have a feeling I'll be writing again very soon. I promise, by Thor's Hammer I promise, and that's a pretty tall order if you ask me! Well get ready for next week as we take one last look at the Silver Age and get ready to venture out to another major era in comic book history!



Hey kids! do you want to see me in person! Tell the good people at MAASU that you want to see me! And if they don't well, then I guess I'll have to unleash my full power... Shameless Begging!

Till Ragnarök my minions, leave me a comment!

I will retrurn!



I know, I know... "Where the heck of you've been Mr. Benhur?" Well time and fate she's a devilsh mistress! I'm not back from my vacation just yet! I know, I know its the new year and I promised some more rants! Above is evidence that I'm still alive and well, although you don't get to see my real identity!

I still have to take care of a few things before I get back to regale you stories of the Asian and Asian American plight. I have been keeping up with my comics and yes I am sad about the ending of Agents of Atlas. (I'll tell you about that comic in my next entry)

For now kids, keep your head up and allow me some more time to just get things settled. I have herculean labors to attend to, but it should not take me much long to over come them. Until then folks! Keep watching the stars!

Read more comic books, PLEASE! Why?

Harvey Pekar needs money and Frank Miller needs an Oscar!

See you Soon!

Rumble Young Man, Rumble


Me and the mates did some Winter Cleaning the other day, which surely enough became utter CHAOS! Above is a picture of myself pwning some defenseless closet that couldn't hold your clothes up even if they were hot glued onto it.

Sides, those closets come a dime a dozen at the "As is" section of Ikea.

Gold, Frankincense, and The Silver Age

Most comic book experts, i.e. geeks and various dorks, can agree the Silver Age began around the 1950s and lasted until the early 1970s. The times were changing and Comic book writers followed suit.
DC played it cool with revamped origin stories of there “un-popular” characters. Showcase #4 featuring the new Flash is considered by most to be the first appearance of a Silver Age superhero.

Arch villains and natural disasters weren’t the only problems superheroes faced.
Writers of the Silver age also injected realism into their heroes. The birth of Marvel’s Spiderman is a clear representation of a superhero facing real world problems like poverty, depression, and even illegal-drug use. Superheroes weren’t just for the kiddies anymore, the now teenage and adult readers of the Golden age wanted characters to identify with.


Yellow Claw and Jimmy, a Match Made in Heaven

Remember like 4 weeks ago when I introduced to you this infamous Fu Manchu clone.


I was going to talk about him two weeks ago, but I was busy then and I was only trying to get your attention away from pornography. It’s a never ending and vicious cycle, get over it!

In 1956, Atlas comics, the company that would later become Marvel, dedicated a 4 comic book mini-series featuring Yellow Claw as title character. Again the books were to rekindle the readers love for creepy, Asian men. The plot featured the same cliché of a Mad Scientist trying to take Freedom, Love, and Salve away from fun-loving Americans. By the way I love the name Yellow Claw, sounds so evil and so racists!


Who would confront this “Yellow Menace” and save us poor defenseless Americans? Would it be the patriotic Captain America, the aquatic and arrogant Submariner, or the billionaire drunkard Iron Man?

No, our nation’s safety would lie in the hands of special trained F.B.I agent Jimmy Woo.


No lies here folks, Atlas made a bold move by introducing this heroic Asian American. Al Feldstein and artist Joe Maneely created the character and made the ultimate decision to not give the character the grotesque features of common Yellow Peril characters.

Jimmy’s career did not end with Yellow Claw series; in fact he got to lead his own team of superheroes in Marvel’s What If #9. And although the What If series is considered un-canonical to the main Marvel story line, this issue managed to bypass that statute and even helped develop this year’s mini-series Agents of Atlas!


Yes, folks Jimmy’s back in business for the 2006 and he’s not only the main protagonist of the 6 issue series, but also he reprises the role of leader to some of Marvel’s classic characters. The series is only at issue 5, so I would start looking for back issues now!

Jimmy also made an appearance in the suspenseful Secret War series. Although, he was not the title character, it’s still good to see Marvel never forgot about him and if you read the graphic novel they even poke fun at his age. *Hint you think a man from the 50s should be looking so young?


Till Next Time

Alright its X-KwanHanuck time again and if your like me you probably ran out of gift ideas! Well here is my list of some comics that are worth giving this year.

Secret War 1-5: A suspenseful tale that if I tell you more about, I’ll just ruin it!

1602 1-8: Do you like Pilgrims? The series is a must have for people who like a shirtless Captain America!

Kingdom Come: The future looks good!

American Virgin: Christians, Sex, and all the celibacy you can eat!

The Quitter: A must have for someone who needs some direction in there life… okay I’m too serious!

American Splendor: If you liked Quitter, you'll like this one!

Mouse Guard: Mice and Some Lord of the Rings like action, a stocking stuffer right there

All Star Supermen: Superman and Cancer

All Batgirl back issues: I love this character, she’s no Barbra Gordon, but she has that Peter Parker innocence to her. I’ll be sure to talk more about her later… she’s Asian American! Oh and Santa I'm missing this one... appreciate it if you'd umm drop me a copy! *sigh!



Okay till then, enjoy the holidays! I won’t be back until the New Year, so please drop me a line in them comments. Or this year I’m going to have a blue X-ManMas!

Red Kryptonite



Could it be... Red Kryptonite! Better get Superman's lead suit out of the laundry. No, sorry folks the picture above is not what you think. Its not the legendary weakness of the Supes Fam, the crash site of the mighty Thor's Hammer, nor is it a Mystical Red Ring of Power!

What you see before you is $120 worth of steak that was consumed, digested, and regurgitated by this man...


One Tru Nugyuen, whose day of birth was celebrated at one of those fancy Brazilian Steak Houses! You know the kind where Gauchos come skipping around with swords laced with meats... Apparently, Tru here couldn't handle the deadly combination of Alcohol and Flesh.

You have much to learn my young Padawan.

Our final stop on the Golden Age...

Okay, okay... You folks are already probably tired of being in this time in history, but there is a couple of things I want to cover before we move on. So sit back and get some popcorn!

World War II Propaganda

If you thought Fu Manchu and Charlie Chan were a low blow to Asians and Asian Americans, then guess again, here's another one.


Above you will notice a very similar theme... Proud American Heroes kicking the stuffing out those Damn Japanese Devils!

The popularity of comic books during this bleak time raised moral for many young Americans. Characters like the super soldier Captin America and all American fighting machine Sgt. Rock were born to bring hope to Americans. Like all heroes, these characters needed villains and the Axis of Power provided a good basis for Monstrous and Atrocious adversaries.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that the Axis of power wasn't evil or that they were mistreated, but the propaganda advocated at this time created negative affects on Asian and Asian Americans. You will notice in the pictures above that the same characteristics from the age of Yellow Peril were being used to describe the Japanese. The same characteristics could also be applied to all Asians and Asian Americans, thus continuing anti-Asian sentiment.

Before you say I'm jumping to conclusions, I just want to bring up one thing. Let us not forget the many Japanese Americans that were sent to Interment Camps because they were seen as the enemy...

The End of Golden Age

By the end of the War, comics books were evolving from Superhero/Solider war time stories into Horror and Sci-fiction tales. And the public became concerned about the inappropriate material. The final blow came from Dr. Fredric Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent, a book that placed comic books under a microscope. Wertham described comic books as the leading cause of child delinquency and he convinced the public to put regulations on the contents of the books.

Pressure from the government caused many Publishers to redefine characters and stories. In the end this evolution would bring about a new era, The Silver Age.

Preview of the Silver Age

The Silver Age would redefine the image of superheroes and at the same time it would bring about the first Asian American hero, Jimmy Woo




That's right you heard me correctly, an Asian American comic book hero. And just like the cliffhanger from Heroes, you're going to have to wait another week for the story behind it all...


East Bound and Down... come on Smokey leave me a comment!

Fightin' The Holidays...



Its that time of the year again: Pilgrims, Santa Clause, Menorahs, and Mass Suicides. This year I'm thankful for the unseasonable warm Chicago weather, the Chicken Noodle Soup song, and Emmitt Smith winning Dancing with the Stars... which are all possible signs that the Apocalypse is well at hand!

Be sure to stalk up on Spam and Bottled Water... worst New Years ever!

Sorry for no post last week, I was too busy filling the food bag with alcohol and various meats! Here's a picture of young Ava dominating a worth adversary:


You have to train them young or they'll never manage to live up to your expectations! Good job Avz soon your gullet will be as big as mine.

Asian Heroes

Before Hiro Nakamura and Mohinder Suresh were sperm and egg, there existed a legendary man... his name was Chang Apana!


Chang didn't have super powers or wear an elaborate costume; to vanquish his foes all he needed was his police badge, a bull whip, and a cigar. An amalgam of Indiana Jones and Nick Fury, Chang battled crime on the mean streets of Honolulu...

Okay, okay I know its not as terrible as Brooklyn, Cabrini Green, or Compton. Probably drive by shootings there were the locals getting into banana fights or something... but in 1916 Chang was bitch slappin' opium-smuggling and illegal gambling!

With his gaggle of informants and forward detective style, Chang was a one man S.H.I.E.L.D. And like Batman under the suit, he had has own collection of scars from his numerous battles with rouges! Chang's reputation made him famous. It would also give birth to a fictional Asian Hero, Charlie Chan.


American novelist Earl Derr Biggers was inspired by Chang, so inspired that he created six novels featuring this Chinese-Hawaiian detective, Charlie Chan.


Much like the popularity of Fu Manchu Charlie Chan would transcend onto the Silver Screen. And like Manchu, Charlie was not portrayed by Asian or Asian American actors. However, the movies did feature Japanese and Chinese American actors co-starring as Charlie's family.


It would not be until the 1970s when Hanna-Barbera created the show The Amazing Chan and the Chan Clan that an Asian American would be able to play as Chan.

Charlie Chan also had his share of clones...



Above Peter Lorre gives his best impression of what Japanese gumshoe should look like. And what's this... check out good ol' Boris Karloff try to redeem himself by playing a Chinese American crime fighter!

Again, folks the harsh realities of the Chan, Moto, and Wong movies were the stereotypical portrayal of Asian and Asian Americans. Again, if you don't believe me go ahead and rent these classics and count how many times you can hear a bad accent or see some big ol' ugly buckteeth.

Till We Meet Again

So today we got to meet Chang Apana and his fictional counterpart Carlie Chan and your probably wondering to yourself how do comic books mix into this? Well ladies and gentlemen prepare yourself for next week, because I will be introducing to you one of my favorite Asian American comic book heroes...

Jimmy Woo



*Side Notes
For more information on Charlie Chan, check out Giant Robot magazine issue 36: Iconoclash

Please give a moment of silence for comic book artist Dave Cockrum. His imagination gave birth to the X-Men characters Storm, Colossus, and Nightcrawler.



Got a moment to spare, then please place a comment if you dare... gotta stop with the rhyming

Watchin' the Tube...



Spent the weekend hanging with the kids, No these human larvas aren't mine! They belong to my sister, although on several occassions I have offered her 3 magic beans for these precious darlings. But, she's a tough sell...

Looks like I'll have to trade in my imaginary friends for imaginary children, *sigh*! Okay enough of my sad life, let me go slip into something nice and we'll go dicuss some more comic book stuff.

The Spawn of Fu Manchu

Last week we talked about this colorful genttleman Doc Fu Manchu



Lets recap for thoes who missed out or can't scroll down to the last entry! Dr. Fu Manchu was made popular by the stories of Sax Rohmer. His signature charater was inspired by the monsturous depiction of Asians during the Yellow Peril movement. Doc Manchu became so popular that his presence was made real by the magic of the movies. Thus making him immortal and haunting Asians and Asian Americans for generations to come...

Wait! what do you mean he's immortal!

Some clever a'hole once said that "Imitation is the best form of flattery." What they forgot to mention is that it pays to copy something popular. We've seen it all before folks: Folex Watches, Neentendo PsP's, Bulls 3-peat t-shirts, ect. If we like something we can't get enough of it and there is this constant desire to have more. So ladies and gents get a load of this DC comic original:


In March of 1937, one of America's largest comic book companies, DC, published this issue of Dective Comics #1. The majoirty of villians in this issue are Asians and share Fu Manchu's physical apperance: yellow skin, slanted eyes, and long wisker mustaches. DC wasn't making a lot of money at the time and this issue really help them raise some funds. Detective comics did become popular and later it would transition into the birth of Bat Man...


However, the character of Fu Manchu wasn't only a money maker. The character gave life to other popular villians:



Who can forget Iron Man's arch nemesis The Mandarin, fully equiped with 10 rings of power and arance scientific genius. I think the robe and beard are a dead give away for this Manchu clone.

And let me ask you this... what kind of name is The Mandarin? I mean why not call him Super Evil Chinamen or Slant-Eyed the Terrible!?

*Side Note: Super Evil over here wasn't Iron Man's first Asian villian, in the weeks to come we'll get and indepth look at Iron Man's origins

Another Manchu Clone was the Flash Gordon villian Ming the Merciless. As you can see in the picture to the right, Ming here was sporting the Manchu facial hair and eyes, but with new and improved Satan Eyebrows.




And lets not forget these atrocious foes:




Johnny Quest's Dr. Zin







James Bond's Dr. Julius No







Marvel's Yellow Claw
*Side Note: Next week we'll be talking about this guy in more detail!




Bottom line here folks is that the notorious Doc Manchu cannot be defeated so easily... or can he? Next week we'll be discussing something you've all been waiting for...

Asian Heroes!





Don't agree with what I say... FINE go ahead and write me a comment! BENHUR SMASH!