Although we’ve read many diverse comics in our class, the Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang is by far my favorite graphic novel we’ve read along with Ms. Marvel. I couldn’t put it down after starting it. In chapter 1, “The Green Turtle Chronicles,” we’re introduced to Hank and his family. I was really irritated with Hank’s mom considering how judgmental she was towards American women. Seeing her discriminate against American women, confused me because I can only assume Americans discriminate against her for being Chinese. Hank’s mom made off-putting statements such as, “Such fat arms! If I had those sausages hanging from my shoulders I’d never wear sleeves like that” and “Such a lack of shame! Like a two-bit whore going to a funeral” (12). She ridiculing the appearances of the American women walking down the street in front of her which I wasn’t expecting as I read. Along with Hank’s mom unusual behavior towards Americans, there are a lot of racist insults towards the Chinese such as when the robber says, “Don’t you understand English?! Driv-ee the car-ee!” (12) He also says, “Mouthy Ching-Chong!” (13) Obviously racist comments are very common within our society but I still couldn’t help but get offended. By over emphasizing how words are pronounced, it basically implies Chinese people are incapable of understanding what is being said. Another characteristic of Hank’s mom, I disliked was her contradictory statements. She yelled at the robber for staring at her boobs and even called him shameful but when the Anchor of Justice stared at her boobs, she’s flattered. What makes the robber’s stare different than the Anchor of Justice’s stare? They’re both men, yet it seems as if Hank’s mom is consumed with appearances and values Anchor of Justice’s opinion or view more because he’s more important than the robber.
In chapter 2, “Dawn of a Golden Age,” Hank’s mother proved to be hilarious in her attempts to give Hank superpowers. For instance, when she pushes Hank into a toxic spill because she thinks it will give him superpowers, but instead Hank gets a fever. A statement that stuck with me was when Hank’s mom said, “Isn’t this wonderful?! Turns out you don’t need any superpowers at all to be a superhero! You just have to fight very well and very fast!” (31) We’ve discussed in class what makes a hero super and if having superpowers determines whether or not someone is a superhero which is why I liked how Yang touched on this subject. When we look at superheroes we’ve discussed Superman has powers yet Wonder Woman and Batman don’t but have extensive combat training. It’s not really about having powers that determines whether someone is a superhero or not, it’s about what a person does and why that determines if they are a superhero or not. Hank’s mother, again, makes contradicting statements when she says, “How can you be so selfish? If you’re lonely during the day, call up your delinquent friends for mahjong! Hank is doing something important right now! He doesn’t have to end up a coward like you!” (33) She’s ungrateful for everything her husband has sacrificed for her. This statement is also ironic because she’s the selfish one as she doesn’t care what Hank wants, instead she forces him to become a superhero because it’s what she wants. Another example is when she says, “Only criminals wear masks!” (39) As she is wearing a mask, she makes this statement which alludes to her being a criminal yet she claims she needs the mask to hide her identity to protect her reputation. By saying this to Hank, it seems like she’s insinuating he doesn’t have an identity to hide because he doesn’t know who he is.
In chapter 3, “Fathers and Sons,” the monumental moment in this chapter was the Tortoise’s shadow requesting to live within Hank’s shadow since Hank’s father dies. In return, the tortoise promises Hank will never get shot which is essentially what makes Hank an official superhero. In chapter 4, “Fights you cannot win,” the Tortoise proves to be extremely wise as he gives Hank advice on being a coward and fighting. The Tortoise says, “A fight you cannot win is still worth fighting” (84). This statement proved to be the lesson of the entire graphic novel which I found to be very empowering. Although some fights in life, like fighting cancer, seem impossible to win, it’s still worth fighting for. Perseverance seems to be the biggest theme within this graphic novel. I really connected to this graphic novel because of how important perseverance is in life which is what my grandparents always used to tell me before they passed away. In chapter 5, “True Colors,” there are a lot of offensive comments made such as “sneaky slant-eyed bastards” (118) and “You hit like a girl” (120). It actually irritated me at how many times the characters used being a girl as an insult. In chapter 6, “Enter the Green Turtle,” the Red Center brings up the concept of Hank parading around in a silly costume to fit in yet Hank realizes being a superhero is more than that. I admire Hank for stating that it’s not about fitting in with others but about finding himself which he discovers through being the Green Turtle. As he finds himself he realizes, he’s both Hank and the Green Turtle which is the duality we discuss in class all the time.
In chapter 2, “Dawn of a Golden Age,” Hank’s mother proved to be hilarious in her attempts to give Hank superpowers. For instance, when she pushes Hank into a toxic spill because she thinks it will give him superpowers, but instead Hank gets a fever. A statement that stuck with me was when Hank’s mom said, “Isn’t this wonderful?! Turns out you don’t need any superpowers at all to be a superhero! You just have to fight very well and very fast!” (31) We’ve discussed in class what makes a hero super and if having superpowers determines whether or not someone is a superhero which is why I liked how Yang touched on this subject. When we look at superheroes we’ve discussed Superman has powers yet Wonder Woman and Batman don’t but have extensive combat training. It’s not really about having powers that determines whether someone is a superhero or not, it’s about what a person does and why that determines if they are a superhero or not. Hank’s mother, again, makes contradicting statements when she says, “How can you be so selfish? If you’re lonely during the day, call up your delinquent friends for mahjong! Hank is doing something important right now! He doesn’t have to end up a coward like you!” (33) She’s ungrateful for everything her husband has sacrificed for her. This statement is also ironic because she’s the selfish one as she doesn’t care what Hank wants, instead she forces him to become a superhero because it’s what she wants. Another example is when she says, “Only criminals wear masks!” (39) As she is wearing a mask, she makes this statement which alludes to her being a criminal yet she claims she needs the mask to hide her identity to protect her reputation. By saying this to Hank, it seems like she’s insinuating he doesn’t have an identity to hide because he doesn’t know who he is.
In chapter 3, “Fathers and Sons,” the monumental moment in this chapter was the Tortoise’s shadow requesting to live within Hank’s shadow since Hank’s father dies. In return, the tortoise promises Hank will never get shot which is essentially what makes Hank an official superhero. In chapter 4, “Fights you cannot win,” the Tortoise proves to be extremely wise as he gives Hank advice on being a coward and fighting. The Tortoise says, “A fight you cannot win is still worth fighting” (84). This statement proved to be the lesson of the entire graphic novel which I found to be very empowering. Although some fights in life, like fighting cancer, seem impossible to win, it’s still worth fighting for. Perseverance seems to be the biggest theme within this graphic novel. I really connected to this graphic novel because of how important perseverance is in life which is what my grandparents always used to tell me before they passed away. In chapter 5, “True Colors,” there are a lot of offensive comments made such as “sneaky slant-eyed bastards” (118) and “You hit like a girl” (120). It actually irritated me at how many times the characters used being a girl as an insult. In chapter 6, “Enter the Green Turtle,” the Red Center brings up the concept of Hank parading around in a silly costume to fit in yet Hank realizes being a superhero is more than that. I admire Hank for stating that it’s not about fitting in with others but about finding himself which he discovers through being the Green Turtle. As he finds himself he realizes, he’s both Hank and the Green Turtle which is the duality we discuss in class all the time.