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4saradouglas's review against another edition
4.0
I liked it! I really loved the information Yang included at the back explaining the history of the Green Turtle. Very interesting! I'm glad to see all this diversity in graphic novels these days!
shai631's review against another edition
4.0
I picked up a copy of The Shadow Hero during a professsional development program I attended. The topic was teaching AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) History with graphic novels. I had never read a Green Turtle comic prior to receiving this book.
As an origin story, I find that this book did a good job filling in the gaps left by the original material from the 1940's. As the epilogue explains, the original creator never explained how the Green Turtle came to be and so it was up to Gene Yang and Sonny Liew to pull a story from their imagination using what they knew from Chu's stories.
I was a little disappointed by the male chauvinistic attitude and the depiction of women as not being able to lead a group of men, but will chalk that up to Liew & Chang trying to remain true to the attitudes that were prevalent during the timeframe in which the comics were written.
All in all, this was a quick read. The illustrations served to propel the story and the plot moved at a good pace.
As an origin story, I find that this book did a good job filling in the gaps left by the original material from the 1940's. As the epilogue explains, the original creator never explained how the Green Turtle came to be and so it was up to Gene Yang and Sonny Liew to pull a story from their imagination using what they knew from Chu's stories.
I was a little disappointed by the male chauvinistic attitude and the depiction of women as not being able to lead a group of men, but will chalk that up to Liew & Chang trying to remain true to the attitudes that were prevalent during the timeframe in which the comics were written.
All in all, this was a quick read. The illustrations served to propel the story and the plot moved at a good pace.
sparklethenpop's review against another edition
5.0
The back story of a most likely Chinese American superhero during the Golden Age. Yang returns to exploring the past with The Shadow Hero. For me, the characters and the little moments are what makes a story, that was definitely the case with this one. I loved Hank and his mom and Red Center and his spirit. I hope this isn't the last we see of The Green Turtle.
wrentheblurry's review against another edition
4.0
I'm yet to be disappointed by any of Gene Luen Yang's titles, and Sonny Liew illustrating this one just ensured that I'd like it.
An Asian-American boy grows up helping in his immigrant father's Chinatown grocery store. Once he gets older, he discovers the darker side of Chinatown. His mother pushes him to become a superhero, and to her surprise, it eventually happens, and The Green Turtle is born.
The Shadow Hero is nicely drawn and perfectly laid-out. While the overall feeling is bleak, Yang interjects bits of humor here and there to lighten the mood. Plus, this being a superhero graphic novel, hope reigns eternal; The Shadow Hero finds his path and takes it to the end.
Learning the back story behind The Shadow Hero was a special treat at the end. My 13 year old son liked it too, so this one appeals to plenty of ages. Check it out!
An Asian-American boy grows up helping in his immigrant father's Chinatown grocery store. Once he gets older, he discovers the darker side of Chinatown. His mother pushes him to become a superhero, and to her surprise, it eventually happens, and The Green Turtle is born.
The Shadow Hero is nicely drawn and perfectly laid-out. While the overall feeling is bleak, Yang interjects bits of humor here and there to lighten the mood. Plus, this being a superhero graphic novel, hope reigns eternal; The Shadow Hero finds his path and takes it to the end.
Learning the back story behind The Shadow Hero was a special treat at the end. My 13 year old son liked it too, so this one appeals to plenty of ages. Check it out!
mindfulbanter's review against another edition
5.0
I had to read this as part of an assignment, but I really enjoyed reading this. I'm not familiar with the Green Turtle in the slightest, so my opinion from that of a newcomer. I enjoyed all the cultural sentiments, the accuracy for the time period, and the quirkiness of the characters absorbed me until the very last page. If I get the chance at some point this year, I will definitely pick up the next edition!
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
4.0
Modern take on China Town X number of years ago. Also at the end of the book a reprint of the comic from the 1940s featuring Green Turtle.
darkdahlia9's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0