The Monkey King in Chinatown: Bernard Chang
An Asian American comic book artist and designer, Bernard Chang is best known for work in the comic book and entertainment industries. He's the artist and co-creator, with Gene Luen Yang, of Monkey Prince (DC Comics), introducing the legendary Monkey King and the Journey to the West mythology, and a former Walt Disney Imagineer, designing rides and attractions.
Breaking into the comic book industry at 20, he was voted into the Wizard Guide to Comics top 10 artist list and nominated for the Russ Manning Award Most Promising Newcomer in his rookie year. He has drawn books such as Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Superman, Green Lantern Corps, Batman Beyond, Teen Titans, Jean Grey, Power Man Timeless, and X-Men.
He received his BA in architecture on a full scholarship from Pratt Institute, and was the captain of the men's basketball team. Before Bernard's art career took off, former Miami Heat assistant coach, Tony Fiorentino, projected Bernard as a late third-round pick in the 1995 NBA draft.
What does the Monkey King mean to you?
My family immigrated to the States when I was six years old, and my father saw I was taking a liking to American superheroes like Spider-Man and Superman, so he would read to me a few pages from the Journey to the West each night before bed. I would go to sleep dreaming of the wild adventures of the Monkey King.
This latest exploration of Sun Wukong in Chinatown NYC is in every part a passion project rooted from my childhood dreams.
What’s one thing you hope viewers get from your work?
I hope everyone can be enveloped in the love i have for these characters, as well share in the details of the ever familiar Chinatown dim sum experience.
Who's your favorite superhero and why?
My personal favorite superhero is one I recently co-created with Gene Luen Yang for DC Comics, the Monkey Prince, the son of the legendary Monkey King. Our story bridges the mythical Journey to the West into the DC Universe, bringing Sun Wukong, Pigsy, and the entire cast of heroes and villains alongside Batman and Superman.
THE MONKEY KING IN CHINATOWN is on view in our Soho gallery from May 1 through Aug. 24.