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djdimond's review
5.0
I met Onrie Kompan at New York Comic Con in 2017. He asked for a moment of my time to tell me about his graphic novel, and after listening, I wound up buying both collected editions and promised to give him a review. The thing that Onrie emphasized most is that this this not a legend. This is based on true events surrounding Yi Soon Shin, a Korean Admiral who actually lived some 400+ years ago.
For much of history, with respect to comic books and graphic novels, heroes have been one of two things: White and American or minority representative in a stereotypical way. Onrie breaks tradition by taking a real-life, non-American, historical figure and giving him main stage representation in his own graphic novel.
Yi Soon Shin is not a stereotype of any culture, nor is he presented as perfect. He is a flawed human being with wants, desires, and feelings. While some artistic license is taken, it's clear that Onrie did his research in bringing this story to life.
It's been said that children who can grow up with a hero who looks like them tend to be better adjusted and more ambitious. If there is any truth to this, then Onrie Kompan is definitely helping to bring graphic novels into the 21st century.
For much of history, with respect to comic books and graphic novels, heroes have been one of two things: White and American or minority representative in a stereotypical way. Onrie breaks tradition by taking a real-life, non-American, historical figure and giving him main stage representation in his own graphic novel.
Yi Soon Shin is not a stereotype of any culture, nor is he presented as perfect. He is a flawed human being with wants, desires, and feelings. While some artistic license is taken, it's clear that Onrie did his research in bringing this story to life.
It's been said that children who can grow up with a hero who looks like them tend to be better adjusted and more ambitious. If there is any truth to this, then Onrie Kompan is definitely helping to bring graphic novels into the 21st century.
kaciep's review
1.0
The art wasn't bad, but not great. Good factual information, I enjoyed the primary source journal entries, but the story itself was weak and I thought the story fell apart toward the end instead of wrapping up.
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