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A review by oliviak07
Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology by Keith Chow, Parry Shen, Jeff Yang
4.0
Phil Yu, from AngryAsianMan.com, states it best in his review of Jeff Yang et al's "Secret Identities: The Asian American Superhero Anthology": "Where were these comics when I was a kid? At long last, here are the Asian American superheroes I've always wanted."
I worried that, in not reading both of Yang's anthologies in chronological order I would miss something key that unifies both graphic novels. However, it was not held against me, and should not be held against other readers, since like most superhero movies and comics it is best to jump right in. The water is fine!
Like the second anthology, there is something to learn from each line of dialogue, from each cell, in each story. My personal favorites from this collection were: "The Citizen" by Greg Pak, with art by Bernard Chang (56), "S.O.S." by Tanuj Chopra, with art by Alex Joon Kim (93),"Section Three: Girl Power" written and illustrated by Kripa Joshi (99), "You Are What You Eat" by Lynn Chen, with art by Paul Wei (100), and "Supergrrrls" written and illustrated by Hellen Jo (126).
I was also introduced to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed of almost entirely second-generation Japanese Americans, who in World War Two became the most decorated regiment in United States military history. I cannot fully fathom what that experience was like for them, given the atrocities they faced on the frontlines overseas, and where their families were relocated to back home. If there are any books (novels, biographies, etc.) on these men please let me know.
There may be some out there who think once the month of May is through that they do not need to continue to read books about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experience. I thoroughly disagree, and would encourage you to check out www.secretidentities.org for more stories and resources to enjoy all year long.
I worried that, in not reading both of Yang's anthologies in chronological order I would miss something key that unifies both graphic novels. However, it was not held against me, and should not be held against other readers, since like most superhero movies and comics it is best to jump right in. The water is fine!
Like the second anthology, there is something to learn from each line of dialogue, from each cell, in each story. My personal favorites from this collection were: "The Citizen" by Greg Pak, with art by Bernard Chang (56), "S.O.S." by Tanuj Chopra, with art by Alex Joon Kim (93),"Section Three: Girl Power" written and illustrated by Kripa Joshi (99), "You Are What You Eat" by Lynn Chen, with art by Paul Wei (100), and "Supergrrrls" written and illustrated by Hellen Jo (126).
I was also introduced to the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, a unit composed of almost entirely second-generation Japanese Americans, who in World War Two became the most decorated regiment in United States military history. I cannot fully fathom what that experience was like for them, given the atrocities they faced on the frontlines overseas, and where their families were relocated to back home. If there are any books (novels, biographies, etc.) on these men please let me know.
There may be some out there who think once the month of May is through that they do not need to continue to read books about the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experience. I thoroughly disagree, and would encourage you to check out www.secretidentities.org for more stories and resources to enjoy all year long.