Korean Comic Creators Take On Classic Avengers Stories

The world is simply too full of comics that most of us are never going to read. For example, all the manga that gets translated into English is just the tip of that particular iceberg, and the French market is brimming with comics that you're unlikely to get to if you don't read French. So it's especially dispiriting to consider that Korea's wealth of home-grown comics, or manhwa, has a presence among English language readers that makes even those libraries look bountiful.

All of which means that Marvel publishing an adaptation of Roy Thomas and John Buscema's classic 'origin of Ultron' storyline from the late '60s Avengers comics from a group of Korean manhwa creators may be the first experience a lot of readers will have of Korean comics.

A whole studio of artists is credited on Avengers K: Avengers vs. Ultron, which promises to be the first of five books in Marvel's new line of manhwa-style Avengers stories. You can check out a few pages below, featuring Ant-Man and the Vision in combat, and you can pick up the oversized 168-page book in May of next year.

Manhwa aficionados may not consider this the purest introduction to Korean comics, but anything that expands readers' horizons in new directions is surely worth encouraging.

Here's the official word from Marvel, which manages to use the word 'classic' three times in three consecutive sentences.

AVENGERS K BOOK 1: AVENGERS VS. ULTRON TPB
Writer: Si Yeon Park
Translator: Ji Eun Park
Artists: Woo Bin Choi with Jae Sung Lee, Min Ju Lee, Jae Woong Lee, Hee Ye Cho, Ji Hee Choi & In Young Lee
168 Pages …$24.99
ISBN: 978-1-302-90099-1
Classic Marvel tales told through an exciting international lens! For the first time ever, the classic origin of Ultron presented as never seen before in a new dynamic style! Adapted from the classic Avengers comics, Ultron comes to life in the traditional South Korean style of manhwa comics. Today Marvel is thrilled to announce AVENGERS K, the first in a brand new publishing initiative that will enlist an untapped pool of international talent to bring these exciting manhwa adaptations to English speaking audiences!
As Marvel continues to take the world by storm and expand across the globe, witness your favorite Marvel characters as told by some of the leading South Korean artists and writers. Leading Korean Manhwa Publisher Daweon C.I.’s best-selling adaptations of iconic Avengers tales, available to even more comic fans around the world. A now famous Avengers story, witness the rise of the deadly robot Ultron, reimagined and retold in thrilling South Korean manhwa style!
“Marvel’s popularity is growing exponentially throughout Asia – specifically within Korea – which has resulted in a vast catalog of visually kinetic original content,” said David Gabriel, Marvel SVP, Print & Digital Publishing. “Now, partnered with Daewon, Marvel is poised to introduce the international comic book community a bold reimagining of one of the most iconic Avengers stories ever told through the vibrant and action-packed manhwa format presented for our English-speaking fans for the very first time.”
Scientist Hank Pym sets out to create the world’s first artificial intelligence. Instead, he creates a monster. Enter Ultron! But one diabolical robot isn’t enough: When Ultron in turn creates the Vision, the Avengers are really in trouble. Together, the pair is poised to destroy the Avengers — and the world. But wait! Who is the Bride of Ultron? What happens next is a tale beloved around the world — with a story telling flair distinctive to a South Korean style!
The first title in a five book series, AVENGERS K presents Daewon C.I.’s manhwa original Korean content that reimagines one of the most historic Avengers stories of all time for a whole new audience available now for pre-order.
The age of Ultron has arrived in an all-new 168-page oversized format designed for all fans of the manga, manhwa, and the Marvel Universe. This coming May – Avengers assemble for AVENGERS K!