By Erica Martin

American comic book giant Marvel has teamed up with Chinese company NetEase to create a new series starring several Chinese superheroes. The characters will join the Marvel Universe along with Spiderman and Captain America, making for the first Marvel comic series centered around Chinese superhero characters, according to China Film Insider.

A photo from the press conference announcing the collaboration shows three potential characters in the new comic series, which make prominent use of black leather and glowing neon weapons. Comic book artists Keng and Zhou Liefen, along with playwright Shui Zhu, have been tasked with creating the new characters, and production is already in progress.

For now these characters will be limited to the pages of comic books, but considering Marvel’s massive popularity in China, they could also play a role in upcoming Marvel films. The same deal has allowed NetEase to distribute 12 of Marvel’s comic books in China, including Guardians of the Galaxy, The Amazing Spider-Man and Invincible Iron Man.

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