The Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang
Yang, G. L. (2014). The shadow hero. First Second. (S. Liew, Illustrator) ISBN 9781596436978
Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew have revived the 1940s comic book legend, The Green Turtle. The Shadow Hero is an origin story for the iconic Green Turtle comics.
Hank is your every day, average Chinese American teen, that is, until his Mom gets rescued by a real-life superhero and is determined to make her son a superhero too. Forced into this new reality, Hank half-heartly agrees with his mom's requests, only to become invested himself once his father is murdered. Much to Hank's surprise, his fathers death comes with something unexpected, Hank now has powers too! Armed with is new powers, Hank must decide if he is going to avenge his father's death or let justice take care of his father's killer the legal way.
The Shadow Reader was such a fun read, and that is coming from someone who is a self-proclaimed not big fan of graphic novels. Gene Luen Yang has a way of engaging the readers throughout the text, and I myself found myself laughing or scoffing at situations Hank went through, either during his training to become the Green Turtle or during his adventures as the Green Turtle. The pacing of the book was a bit slow, but only for the first few pages. Once readers hit the scene where Hanks mother begins to experiments different ways for Hank to become a superhero, the pace picks up and stays constant. While not an avid graphic novel/comic book reader myself, I am a big fan of superhero movies, and Yang does hit a few cliches such as someone close to Hank dying and Hank wanting revenge, Hank falling in love (in this case with the villains daughter) and Hank going from an average guy to superhero. but those cliches are part of what makes a superhero story, a superhero story! Even in the face of adversity, Hank manages to make the best of his situation and ultimately brings the justice and avenge his fathers death. This action packed, fast paced graphic novel will engage even the most reluctant of readers.
Yang did a great job writing an origin story for The Green Turtle, as Sonny Liew did with brining the story to life! Each page has multiple panels with great detail from the background to the characters. Each character has detailed features that make the expressions add to the story. The colors of are more muted, though it may be so that the comic blends more with the original comics which were published in the 1940s. Being set in the 1940s, Tang and Liew do a good job at portraying what it must have been like to have been an Chinese immigrant in Chinatown in the 1940s. Early on in the story, readers also get a feel for the obligation Hank's family feels, starting off with his mother who was obligated to marry and obligated to have a baby which may tie back the the Chinese culture and the respect they have for and towards their elders. In addition to that, the Spirits (which are how Hank got his power) were mentioned, the story being set in Chinatown, and Hank learning martial arts are all aspects that add to well written, engaging, and authentic Asian story.
What do readers think of The Shadow Hero? The School Library Journal states that "Yang clearly knows the field and has a blast with the [superhero] tropes" and "the art, too, is excellent" ultimately agreeing that "this [graphic novel] should not be dismissed too lightly." After reading the Shadow Hero, encourage yourself to learn more about Chinatown and the lives of Chinese-Americas in the 1940s. If you're feeling inspire after, take a second to reflect and put yourself in Hank's shoes. If you had been offered the same chance to make a promise with the Turtle, what would you have asked for? Once you've decided, brainstorm how you could use that promise to become a superhero and create your own origin story! If you enjoyed this title, make sure to check out the rest of the series by Gene Luen Yang, there are six total!
Some of the Awards and Honors for The Shadow Hero
- NPR Best Book of the Year
- Chinese American Librarians Association Best Book Award
- Eisner Award Nominee
- YALSA Great Graphic Novel for Teens
- ALA Quick Pick for Reluctant Readers
References
The shadow hero. Macmillan Publishers. (2021, July 20). https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781596436978/theshadowhero
The Shadow Hero. School Library Journal. (n.d.). https://www.slj.com/review/the-shadow-hero
Yang, G. L. (2014). The shadow hero. First Second. (S. Liew, Illustrator) ISBN 9781596436978
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