The Monkey King in Chinatown: Cliff Chiang

Cliff Chiang's artwork has been hailed for its "fluid and confident storytelling" and "sweeping linework and nuanced style." Graduating from Harvard University with a joint degree in English Literature and Visual Arts, he worked in editorial at Disney Adventures Magazine and Vertigo/DC Comics before making the leap into freelance illustration.

Best known as the artist of the New York Times best-selling Wonder Woman (with writer Brian Azzarello) and Eisner Award-winning Paper Girls (with writer Brian K. Vaughan), his most recent work is the acclaimed Catwoman: Lonely City, which he both wrote and drew.

What does the Monkey King mean to you?

You don't need to be the biggest or the strongest if you are clever and luck is on your side.

What’s one thing you hope viewers get from your work?

Even if the subject is superheroes, mythology, or science fiction, there is a shared humanity that connects us all.

Who's your favorite superhero and why?

My favorite is Batman because his stories range from tragic to triumphant, and there's something really noble about a young Bruce Wayne deciding to protect others after his own loss.

THE MONKEY KING IN CHINATOWN is on view in our Soho gallery from May 1 through Aug. 24.