Amadeus Cho’s Shocking New Transformation Revealed in 20th Anniversary Special!

This year signifies the 20th anniversary for me, Amadeus Cho, a hero of Asian descent who’s journeyed through an engaging character progression within the Marvel Universe. Originally, I was Hercules’ sidekick, then I joined the Hulk clan as the Totally Awesome Hulk, and eventually became my own muscle-bound hero, Brawn. Over time, I’ve been part of the Champions and Agents of Atlas teams, and more recently, I made an appearance on the fresh Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man animated series on Disney+. Many of my early stories were written by Greg Pak, my co-creator, who’s returning to help steer the course for the next phase of this super-strong genius.

In an exclusive conversation with Greg Pak, ComicBook delved into the making of the Amadeus Cho 20th Anniversary Special #1. Pak has penned three distinct tales for this one-shot, each highlighting a significant phase in Amadeus’ adventurous past. We probed Pak about the genesis of Amadeus Cho in 2005, shaping his character, the various time periods he’s depicting along with artists Takeshi Miyazawa (Amadeus Cho’s co-creator), Creees Lee, and Jethro Morales, anticipated guest stars, and a hint that Amadeus will undergo another transformation by the issue’s conclusion. Additionally, we are excited to share an exclusive sneak peek at interior pages from the Amadeus Cho 20th Anniversary Special #1.

It’s fascinating to reflect on the growth of Amadeus Cho, who first appeared in 2005. Can you share some insights into the initial discussions among the team as they crafted Amadeus’ character and persona?

Greg Pak: Marvel decided to let some new writers use established character names in short stories for the second volume of Amazing Fantasy, issue #15. I chose “Mastermind Excello” because it sounded so large, absurd, and enjoyable. My idea was to create a hero who is a resourceful Asian American kid who wins an internet game show for soap companies, unbeknownst to him, it’s a recruitment tool for a secret agency. This results in his home being destroyed, causing him to flee and evade everyone.

In my creative process, I intended to incorporate an Asian American boy character into the Marvel Universe. At that point, such representation was scarce within comic books. I envisioned this character as chatty and rebellious against authority figures, often finding himself in various predicaments – a dynamic that would not only provide entertainment but also challenge the stereotype of the ‘model minority’ in a positive manner. Given my affection for the Hulk, I decided to have his initial interaction with any superhero be with none other than the Hulk himself.

Back then at Marvel, everyone approved my work without hesitation, which meant a lot to me since I’d transitioned from film in 2004 where Asian American heroes often faced rejection. Tak Miyazawa did an exceptional job illustrating it, Christina Strain brought it to life with colors, Dave Lanphear lettered it meticulously, and Mark Paniccia and Nate Cosby carefully edited it. It became a massive success, and here we are two decades later!

Could you enlighten us on the details of the three narratives or eras you’re delving into? It’s quite engaging to witness Amadeus progressing through significant turning points in his life, similar to how the character known as the Hulk transitioned from the Totally Awesome version to Brawn.

I’m absolutely thrilled about this amazing opportunity to write for all these editors – Mark Paniccia, Darren Shan, and Jordan White! Amadeus has experienced various stages in his career, from being a devoted Hulk fan, to being Herc’s close friend, leading the Olympus Group, embodying Totally Awesome Hulk, and now as Brawn. It’s been truly rewarding to delve into untold tales from some of these periods and highlight the emotional arcs.

What guest stars can fans look forward to seeing throughout the stories?

Here they are! Angel, Jimmy Woo, Silk, and last but not least, Maddy Cho – Amadeus’s beloved sister! The bond among them is truly pivotal, and Creese Lee masterfully depicted this narrative in his artwork.

How has the collaboration process been going with Takeshi Miyazawa, Creees Lee and Jethro Morales?

In the past, Amadeus was jointly developed by me and Tak. Therefore, having him participate in our collaborative projects is indispensable and always a joy for me. Over the years, I’ve admired Creese’s growth as an artist, and we previously worked together on a Jimmy Woo story. With each new project, he continues to innovate, and his unique Korean American perspectives enriched the Amadeus/Maddy tale in ways that resonated deeply with me. This time around, I’m collaborating with Jethro Morales for the first time, but his talent and enthusiasm, as demonstrated through the last story, left an indelible impression on me. Prepare yourselves for their captivating Herc and Angel characters!

Could you perhaps give some insights on the significant transformation Marvel hinted at for Amadeus, which seems reminiscent of the character known as Brawn in the preview artwork they recently released for Imperial? I find it intriguing.

No spoilers, but dontcha dare miss it!

2025-04-05 00:40

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