I Ching (comics)
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This article is about the DC Comics character named I Ching. For the ancient Chinese Confucian text, see I Ching. For the Tang Dynasty Buddhist monk, see Yi Jing or I Ching (monk).
I Ching is the blind martial arts instructor who guided Diana Prince during the time she relinquished her role as Wonder Woman.
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[edit] Character History
[edit] Pre-Crisis
I Ching is the last surviving member of an ancient sect. Their monastery was hidden high in the mountains and their task was to maintain ageless knowledge lost centuries past - a time when men foolishly concluded that magic and science are different. Only the sect knew that they are sides of the same coin. In their Temple rested treasures of precious gems and metals. The agents of Doctor Cyber wanted them and so they struck! The sect resisted bravely but they were helpless before the attackers' guns. Finally, all were dead except I Ching, who himself was badly wounded. He was however able to escape and hid until the murderers left with their booty.
Around this time, Wonder Woman surrendered her powers to remain in "Man's World" rather than accompany her fellow Amazons when they relocated to another dimension so they could "restore their magic." Now a mod boutique owner, the powerless Diana Prince acquired I Ching as her mentor. Under I Ching's guidance, Diana trained to use her body as a weapon, learned martial arts and weapons skills, and proceeded to undertake adventures that encompassed a variety of genres, from espionage to mythology. It is also revealed that he has a daughter, Lu Shan.
I Ching (and later, Diana Prince) come to the aid of Superman during the time of the Sand Superman's existence on Earth. Ching is instrumental in healing Superman, in identifying the source of the sand being, and in helping to show a path forward for the Man of Steel. (Superman #240-242)
Wonder Woman's powers and traditional costume were restored in 1973 (issue #204). The issue begins with a lunatic sniper gunning down innocent passersby from his rooftop vantage point. A newly married couple driving to their honeymoon destination are among the fatalities and their car crashes into a nearby restaurant where Diana Prince and her mentor I Ching are dining. During the chaos, the sniper fires again and this time he kills I Ching, who dies in the arms of a distraught Diana.
[edit] One Year Later
In Justice League of America #0, Wonder Woman is shown in her white "Diana Prince" outfit during a flashback. It is unknown if her time as a powerless adventurer has been restored in her history, or if I Ching was her mentor.
Later in Wonder Woman #2, photos are obtained of Wonder Woman training with an Eastern mystic code-named I Ching. In the photos (presumably obtained during the one-year gap), Wonder Woman is in her white "Diana Prince" outfit.
[edit] Trivia
The new format of the comic book was influenced by the British television drama The Avengers (with Wonder Woman influenced by Emma Peel, and I Ching influnced by John Steed).
[edit] Controversy
Many comic fans deride the character of I Ching — not because of the Oriental martial arts master stereotyping (which was only a half-hearted stereotype at the time), but because of his name.
