Ruan made his Marvel debut in 2019 with Spider-Verse #3, quickly gaining recognition for his dynamic style. He is best known for his work on Shang-Chi, collaborating with writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Philip Tan to relaunch the character for a new generation. Ruan’s run on Shang-Chi is praised for its energetic action sequences and nuanced depiction of Asian characters, reflecting his own cultural background and influences.
Ruan’s art is known for its sense of movement and energy, making static comic panels feel as if they’re in motion. He excels at choreographing fight scenes and martial arts action, drawing on his admiration for martial arts cinema and legendary figures like Bruce Lee and Wong Fei Hung.
His work synthesizes the clean, expressive lines of manga with the bold dynamism of American superhero comics, resulting in a style that is both accessible and visually exciting.
Ruan’s meticulous hatching and smooth linework give his characters depth and personality, while his ability to convey emotion ensures each scene resonates with readers.
Ruan is influenced by artists such as Olivier Coipel and is inspired by both manga/anime and classic American superheroes. He grew up idolizing martial arts heroes and Japanese characters like Goku, and his favorite American comic character is Daredevil.
The artist continues to work with major publishers, including Marvel, DC, and Netflix projects. He recently contributed to Mark Millar’s Magic Order and is slated to provide cover art for Marvel’s Alien: Thaw.
Critics and fans regard Dike Ruan as one of the most talented emerging artists in American comics, particularly for his ability to merge Eastern and Western styles and bring fresh representation to superhero storytelling!