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billyjepma's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
I knew I would like this, but I'm surprised by how much it moved me. It's a wonderful, heroic, and surprisingly upfront condemnation of bigotry and racism wrapped in a vibrant, kid-friendly package. Gene Luen Yang and Gurihiru—who have done great work together on the Avatar: The Last Airbender comics—are at the top of their game here, from the first page to the last. Yang's script is thoughtful and empathetic but doesn't shy away from the ugliness it's interrogating, and Gurihiru gives the story a classic, colorful visual style that perfectly balances the charm of the era it takes place in with modern flourishes. It's a gorgeous comic.
That said, I was initially frustrated by the story's inability or unwillingness to name the Ku Klux Klan, especially considering how blunt Gene Luen Yang's script frames the Klan as villains. Why work so hard to portray the Klan's ideals, actions, aesthetics, and language as evil, just to give them a fictional name like the "Klan of the Fiery Kross"? I know the 1946 radio drama the comic is based on used the "Klan of the Fiery Kross" to avoid getting sued by the KKK, who were a real organization at the time, but it feels like that's one aspect that would've benefited from a change. Yang's script updates the original in plenty of ways, so why not go further? Maybe the risk of legal action is still an issue today, which is sobering in its own way, but either way, the story's decision to draw that distinction between its world and ours took me out of it a bit.
Thankfully, Yang's (excellent) essay at the back of the book helped me accept the decision more, as it gives him the space to explain the original story's role in history and how it helped shift public opinion against the bigotry of its time. I also appreciated how the story does tie its version of the Klan to the world of superheroes a bit more, which helped me accept the decision not to name the real-world Klan, as the two groups are different. It also draws an interesting connection between the stance of the KKK and someone like Lex Luthor (who is not mentioned in the comic), which is probably an obvious parallel but never occurred to me. I would love to see that explored more in the comics.
I could (and probably will) talk about this comic for hours, which is honestly as positive an endorsement as I can give. It's not the exact story I hoped it would be, but it hits on so many levels that it had me near tears multiple times. Yang's ability to capture racism and hate in overt, passive, and "small" ways is one thing, but to do so while still spotlighting the hope found in "radical" empathy and compassion is a real feat. In less confident hands, this could've become a "pat on the back," but thankfully, Yang ensures that its displays of heroism and justice are a call to action to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
That said, I was initially frustrated by the story's inability or unwillingness to name the Ku Klux Klan, especially considering how blunt Gene Luen Yang's script frames the Klan as villains. Why work so hard to portray the Klan's ideals, actions, aesthetics, and language as evil, just to give them a fictional name like the "Klan of the Fiery Kross"? I know the 1946 radio drama the comic is based on used the "Klan of the Fiery Kross" to avoid getting sued by the KKK, who were a real organization at the time, but it feels like that's one aspect that would've benefited from a change. Yang's script updates the original in plenty of ways, so why not go further? Maybe the risk of legal action is still an issue today, which is sobering in its own way, but either way, the story's decision to draw that distinction between its world and ours took me out of it a bit.
Thankfully, Yang's (excellent) essay at the back of the book helped me accept the decision more, as it gives him the space to explain the original story's role in history and how it helped shift public opinion against the bigotry of its time. I also appreciated how the story does tie its version of the Klan to the world of superheroes a bit more, which helped me accept the decision not to name the real-world Klan, as the two groups are different. It also draws an interesting connection between the stance of the KKK and someone like Lex Luthor (who is not mentioned in the comic), which is probably an obvious parallel but never occurred to me. I would love to see that explored more in the comics.
I could (and probably will) talk about this comic for hours, which is honestly as positive an endorsement as I can give. It's not the exact story I hoped it would be, but it hits on so many levels that it had me near tears multiple times. Yang's ability to capture racism and hate in overt, passive, and "small" ways is one thing, but to do so while still spotlighting the hope found in "radical" empathy and compassion is a real feat. In less confident hands, this could've become a "pat on the back," but thankfully, Yang ensures that its displays of heroism and justice are a call to action to readers of all ages and backgrounds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia and Racism
Moderate: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, Hate crime, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Violence, Bullying, Religious bigotry, Classism, Suicide attempt, and Kidnapping
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