Great Ten

Superteambox


imagesize=100
caption=The Great Ten
Ethan Van Sciver, artist
publisher=DC Comics
debut="52" #6 (June 2006)
creators=Grant Morrison
base=Great Wall Complex, China
members=Accomplished Perfect Physician
August General in Iron
Celestial Archer
Chang Tzu
Ghost Fox Killer
Immortal Man in Darkness
Mother of Champions
Seven Deadly Brothers
Shaolin Robot
Socialist Red Guardsman
Thundermind
The Yeti
memberlist=
subcat=DC Comics
hero=y
villain=
sortkey=PAGENAMEThe Great Ten are a team of fictional superheroes sponsored by the government of the People's Republic of China. Appearing in comics published by DC Comics, they were created by Grant Morrison, and were introduced in "52" #6 (June 2006). Several of the characters have a basis in Chinese mythology. Unlike conventional superhero monikers, their names are literally translated.

Background

This team of "super-functionaries" (the communist Chinese ethos rejects the word 'heroes' for a humbler one) is based in China's Great Wall complex. This massive complex houses the team's command and support technicians as well as facilities for the creation of more Chinese superhumans. The bureaucracy must approve every action the Great Ten take during combat.

"52"

First appearing in "52" #6, the Great Ten's actions are hampered by bureaucracy. Three of the team's members were forced to sit out a battle with Green Lanterns Hal Jordan and John Stewart because they had not completed the required paperwork. Following the events in the Infinite Crisis story arc, as a signatory of the Freedom of Power Treaty China has entered into a Coalition with Khandaq, Iran, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan, leading the Great Ten to join forces with Black Adam on the battlefield. Later, in week #32, the Accomplished Perfect Physician saves Ralph Dibny from his rampaging teammate Yeti, and gains his help into subduing and restoring him to his human self. The Accomplished Physician then shares with Dibny details about his life and powers, his role as a "super-functionary", and some cryptic advice about a coming crisis in the Middle East. The Great Ten later battle Black Adam when he invades China as part of his insane vendetta after the death of Isis in World War III.

One Year Later

On the final page of "Checkmate" #3, the Checkmate ground team, on an infiltration mission in China, is discovered and cornered by The Immortal Man in Darkness. In Checkmate #4 the August General in Iron, Celestial Archer and Yao Fei the Accomplished Perfect Physician show up to support the Immortal Man in Darkness, after a brief skirmish both sides declare a truce. Later after Yao Fei prevents Count Vertigo (acting under secret orders from Amanda Waller) from stealing Chinese state secrets, the August General decides that Checkmate has betrayed the truce and orders their deaths, only the timely intervention of Green Lantern Alan Scott and the Chinese Ambassador saves the lives of Sasha's ground team.

In "Checkmate" #13-15 and "Outsiders" #47-49, the Checkmate and the Outsiders are on an infiltration mission Oolong Island. In "Outsiders" #48, they are attacked by The Immortal Man in Darkness and Chang Tzu has re-appeared, ready to experiment on the captured Sasha Bordeaux of Checkmate and Captain Boomerang, in the presence of August General in Iron.

Ongoing series

According to DC Comics’ Director of Sales Bob Wayne "52"’s team of Chinese superheroes the Great Ten will also return in their own title. [ [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10013 Comic Book Resources - CBR News: WWLA: DC Nation with Dan DiDio & Co ] ]

Membership

Accomplished Perfect Physician

Real name Yao Fei. Apparently the diplomat of the team, the Physician appears to be a collected individual with well-developed people skills. Has the ability to use the sound of his own voice for a variety of superhuman effects, such as physical or mental paralysis, force fields, healing, destruction of matter, and earthquakes; he was able to disrupt Count Vertigo's powers with just his voice.See [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/Checkmate5.htm As seen in Checkmate #4] ] He and the Socialist Red Guardsman have a highly adversarial relationship. [ [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/CheckTen.html As referenced at Newsarama] ] Yao Fei was formerly a member of the Red Army who put his soldier's past behind him when he accepted the office and responsibilities of the Accomplished Perfect Physician. Yao Fei's origin is similar to that of Doctor Strange and the DoctorFact|date=January 2008. Yao was an outlaw in China for many years until he agreed to join the Great Ten. He refers to himself and the rest of the Ten as "super-functionaries" rather than super-heroes.As seen in 52 #32]

August General in Iron

Real name Fang Zhifu. [As seen in Checkmate vol. 2 #19 (September 2007)] He gained a reputation when he prevented an attempt by the Shaolin Robots to overthrow the ruling Socialist Party and return China to Imperial rule. Reshaped by Durlan DNA technology, his own skin is biometal hide.See [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/Checkmate5.htm As seen in Checkmate #4] ] He commands the Great Ten, but must run all command decisions in the field by them, and by extension the Central Committee. The General carries a special energy staff that can apparently cut through metal. Recently joined Checkmate as an interim member in the position of "Black King’s Bishop" until the return of Shen Li Po. [As seen in Checkmate vol. 2 #17 (September 2007)] Has romantic feelings for Ghost Fox Killer.

Celestial Archer

An archer with ties to Chinese mythology, and who can fire arrows charged with a mysterious energy. An irreverent character, disrespectful of August General's authority who attempted to become friends with Sasha Bordeaux.See [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/Checkmate5.htm As seen in Checkmate #4] ]

Ghost Fox Killer

Female emissary from the hidden colony of "Ghost Fox Women", tasked with killing evil men, and who apparently can control the ghosts of men she's killed. Apparently her home city is powered by the souls of evil men, and her touch causes instant death. ["Checkmate" #19] She has romantic feelings for August General in Iron, and is typically accompanied by a rui shi (or Imperial guardian lion) of living jade.

It is interesting to note that the relationship between Ghost Fox Killer and the August General in Iron parallels a past connection between Marvel Comics characters Rogue, a woman whose touch has unpleasant and potentially fatal consequences for normal men, and Colossus, a man whose powers allow him to become living metal and ignore these effects.

Immortal Man in Darkness

The most recent in a line of Chinese pilots bonded to a living Durlan fighter craft. Apparently his or her bond with the craft allows him to alter its shape, and even diffuse it into a smoke-like substance. According to Sasha this type of bond eventually breaks down a human's molecular structure.See [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/Checkmate5.htm As seen in Checkmate #4] ]

Mother of Champions

Real name Niang Guan Jun, [As seen in Nightwing #146 (September 2008)] is a woman who can birth a litter of twenty-five super-soldiers about every three days. Each member of her brood only lives to age twenty-five, which adds up to a maximum contingent of seventy-six thousand soldiers. She uses a metallic chair with six insect-like legs to remain mobile during her pregnant state. One of her superstrong and tough children named "Number Four" appeared in "The OMAC Project - Infinite Crisis Special". Number Four was sent into Saudi Arabia to retrieve the fallen OMAC satellite. In Nightwing #144, Mother of Champions is kidnapped from the Great Wall Complex by operatives of Talia al Ghul, in this same issue it is revealed that she has had thousands of children, and that each batch of superhuman children are conceived by suitors whom she hand picks. [As seen in Nightwing #144 (July 2008)]

Seven Deadly Brothers

A martial arts expert who can divide into seven separate bodies.

Shaolin Robot

A shaolin robot. It was seen using hexagrams from I Ching to speak. In "52" #50, Shaolin Robot 'speaks' three times. Springing forward to attack Black Adam, it speaks, 剝 (bol), which represents deterioration or 'splitting apart'.

Socialist Red Guardsman

Gu Lao is one of the oldest Chinese heroes. He used his solar powers to carry out the Cultural Revolution. His body is highly radioactive, so he is forced to wear a special suit of containment armor.

Thundermind

A Bodhisattva with the power to access metahuman analogues of the powers listed in the Buddhist siddhis. According to 52 #45 he has supersenses akin to telepathy, and fancies himself to be the team's conscience. While he works for the People's Republic of China, he is a Tibetan Buddhist, making his presence on the team a mystery.

Reserve members

Chang Tzu

As revealed to Alan Scott by Thundermind, Chang Tzu and his Science Squad are members of the Great Ten that provide, among other things, the funds to operate the organization and the technology they use.

The Yeti

Hu Wei is a scientist who unlocked an "atavistic trigger gene" that transforms men into monsters. This discovery enabled him to transform into a powerful white furred yeti-like monster plagued with an uncontrollable rage. While in his Yeti form, Hu Wei must wear a special electronic amulet around his neck that keeps him from going berserk.As seen in 52 #32] His origin bears similarities to that of the Hulk, and Sasquatch from Alpha Flight. He was apparently killed in 52 #50 by Black Adam.

References

External links

* [http://www.mykey3000.com/cosmicteams/cosmic/g.html#greatten Cosmic Teams: The Great Ten]
* [http://www.comicbookresources.com/news/newsitem.cgi?id=10013 Comic Book Resources: Great Ten ongoing title announced]
* [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/52/GreatTen/gallery.html Newarama's article on the Great Ten]
* [http://www.nytimes.com/2006/05/28/arts/28gustines.html New York Times' article on diverse superheros]
* [http://www.azcentral.com/ent/pop/articles/0531comics0531.html Reprint of the New York Times article, now archived]
* [http://www.newsarama.com/dcnew/Checkmate/04/CheckTen.html GREG RUCKA ON THE GREAT TEN IN CHECKMATE]