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4.55 AVERAGE
4.55 AVERAGE
I adore Gene Luen Yang. His graphic novels are always interesting and engaging, even those geared towards younger readers. When I saw Superman Smashes the Klan at my local bookstore, I had to take it home. Historical alternate fiction? Graphic novel? Superheroes? Gene Luen Yang? Yes.
Roberta and Tommy have moved to Metropolis from Chinatown, because their scientist father has been hired to take on a new project. Tommy quickly makes new friends, but Roberta has difficulty adjusting to their new life, particularly the many acts of casual racism. Just as she starts to acclimate, the Ku Klux Klan targets the Lee family. And that's where Superman and Lois Lane step in. Superman, however, struggles against memories and inexplicable loss of powers at crucial moments. Both he and Roberta must flesh out their uniqueness in order to tap into their strengths.
This is a middle-grade book, so the plot is fairly straightforward and aimed at younger readers. That said, don't be dissuaded from reading it! It's a charming and heartwarming tale about banding together to fight and defeat hatred in your own community. This was easily a 4.5 star book for me, and a fairly quick read. I hope there are sequels to follow in this solid superhero tale.
Roberta and Tommy have moved to Metropolis from Chinatown, because their scientist father has been hired to take on a new project. Tommy quickly makes new friends, but Roberta has difficulty adjusting to their new life, particularly the many acts of casual racism. Just as she starts to acclimate, the Ku Klux Klan targets the Lee family. And that's where Superman and Lois Lane step in. Superman, however, struggles against memories and inexplicable loss of powers at crucial moments. Both he and Roberta must flesh out their uniqueness in order to tap into their strengths.
This is a middle-grade book, so the plot is fairly straightforward and aimed at younger readers. That said, don't be dissuaded from reading it! It's a charming and heartwarming tale about banding together to fight and defeat hatred in your own community. This was easily a 4.5 star book for me, and a fairly quick read. I hope there are sequels to follow in this solid superhero tale.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Superman takes out bigots in the 1940s!
I think this is destined to become an iconic Superman story. In fact it already is- it’s based on a radio play from the 1940s with the same story line
I think this is destined to become an iconic Superman story. In fact it already is- it’s based on a radio play from the 1940s with the same story line
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Racism, Xenophobia
Moderate: Vomit
I read this since I'd heard it mentioned in a couple of the podcasts that had interviewed Gene Luen Yang. I initially thought this was an original idea by Yang, but it's not - one of the earliest Superman comics was about him protecting a Chinese American family! Full out DC comic, but complex themes portrayed.
I’m not much for Superman, but Superman smashing the Klan? Yes, I’m into that.
The duo responsible for the fantastic Avatar comics here bring us a tale of the obstacles facing immigrants in America. The fates of a Chinese family immigrating to Metropolis and Superman (an “alien” himself) are tied together, as they all learn to embrace what makes them unique and stop trying to merely fit in.
Though YA, Gene Luen Yang doesn’t hold back with his depictions of racism in Metropolis. Most of the characters fall somewhere on a spectrum between ignorant/polite racism to full on “Grand Scorpion” Klan members.
The duo responsible for the fantastic Avatar comics here bring us a tale of the obstacles facing immigrants in America. The fates of a Chinese family immigrating to Metropolis and Superman (an “alien” himself) are tied together, as they all learn to embrace what makes them unique and stop trying to merely fit in.
Though YA, Gene Luen Yang doesn’t hold back with his depictions of racism in Metropolis. Most of the characters fall somewhere on a spectrum between ignorant/polite racism to full on “Grand Scorpion” Klan members.
Now that’s what I call a Superman comic. Superman is magical because of his kindness and his humanity & this shows it off amazingly. The art is adorable and colorful & really feels like the 40s somehow.
Love love loved it! From the art that is a perfect homage to the time, to the actual story itself, this was just great. Plus, Superman punches the KKK, come on.
Shit that was badass. I've never actually read a Superman comic before but found myself engrossed in all aspects of the plot, from the killing of KKK (of course) to Lois and Superman's misstep romance. I wish there were more volumes?? I would read like 10 of these. Or a movie?? Will take anything.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, Religious bigotry
I went in relatively blind and didn’t realize this was YA-oriented. It’s cute and well-meaning enough, but the art is really distracting. Most of the men are drawn like romance manga archetypes for some reason. Bara himbo Superman is a really funny take on the character but it doesn’t gel with the tone of the story. A throwback 1930s style like an even older take on the “X-Men: Grand Design” retro look would have fit better, but I guess the higher ups at DC figured young readers would respond better to nü-Cartoon Network aesthetics.
Yes! A satisfying, hopeful YA Superman comic, wherein a Chinese girl and her family move to Metropolis and encounter bigotry and racism, and, as she makes friends with other kids and reporters at the Daily Planet, they work together to dismantle a local sect of the Klan. Highly recommend!