The (Western?) World’s first Chinese superhero! Gene Luen Yang creates an origin story for a forgotten, subversive character from the Golden Age. The Green Turtle! It’s fair to say that he has found a golden nugget from that era.
AUTHORS NOTE: I am embarrassingly behind on write ups. The others have kept up pretty well but I’ve spent the past year just not bothering. So here is a listicle version of everyone’s thoughts on the book. These are the literal notes from the night, which I’ve edited for any faux pas.
Jake
- Felt quite grounded.
- People who become superheroes.
- Breath of fresh air and uncynical compared to Mark Millar.
- Didn’t know any background - a mystery until the end.
- Doesn’t need the revival story - works as it’s own thing.
- Felt like a story working for itself.
- Funny.
- Great characterisation.
- Loved his mother.
- Not a character you see in comics much.
- Family relationship: heavy on that like Ms Marvel.
- Bit cartoonish, didn’t love the art but didn’t put me off.
- Serves the story.
- The whole sequence of pushing the boy into chemical concoctions - funny.
- Thing not normally fond of.
- Gangster thing again not one of my favourite things. Don’t like them…
- …but in the background. Father gets killed and he turns into a super turtle.
- An uninteresting character but didn’t need whistles and bells.
- Liked him - innocent.
- Fight scenes with tortoise giving instructions - brilliant/great.
- Having read the 40s character and the struggle of it being Chinese…
- …looking back over treatment, seeing the back a lot and similarities.
- A really sweet thing.
- Hope it’s a standalone.
- Series of 5 issues is enough.
- Loved setting of 40s World.
- Brought it to life.
- Cute romance but not necessary.
- Not a lot to say really.
- Read in one lunch time - easy.
- Unexpected and quite pleasurable.
A solid 4 stars.
Dan
- A lot like Jake…not a massive amount… not because awful or hated it.
- When I looked at it, wondered whether I would connect.
- Remarkably accessible.
- Extremely funny in some parts.
- Not lol’d at things that are culturally different just funny situations - witty.
- Art - not my scene.
- Chew - people very much like the same in that.
- Interested to know from anyone who insight into Chinese families if the archetypes are real or how much blown out of proportion?
- An archetype that must exist for a reason.
- A lovely, unlovable woman.
- Father loves her genuinely.
- The kung fu uncle loves her.
- Son does even she is weird and stand offish.
- As long as not through a lens that is weird for people not aware of it…
- …as in I map my own experiences to it, like in divorcing parents I cannot stand infidelity.
- But relationships here are so unfamiliar that I’m forced to look at it from outside.
- Bizarre why he puts up with her - no emotional feedback but still devoted.
- Making her smile but is heartbreaking.
- Jake says that felt really real: drawn on something.
- Honest, not stretching too far or too clever.
- A yarn with a different spin.
- Fave: “She’s talking about his testicles…”
- “Really made me want to watch Big Trouble In Little China which can only be a really good thing”.
- What’s with the obsession about the mother’s bosom?!?
Really interesting little thing. Didn’t stress. Didn’t want to burn it which is usually how I feel about Kelv’s books…
Tom
- I would’ve read it again myself… except Kelv had to borrow my copy!
- Missed first time: we see the Dad’s shadow, Turtle fulfilling the promise.
- Interested to read it.
- Both creators have books on Tom’s list.
- I think this is fantastic.
- Boxer’s and Saints - I will definitely go and read.
- Charlie Chan’s Art of Hok Chye.
- Hadn’t heard of this one.
- Thoroughly enjoyed it.
- Really do have an issue with the big heads.
- Will follow up on writer but not artist.
- Just a style thing, calms down to a degree, settles on just the Mum.
- A little too close to Rob Gilroy’s Chew which most of us don’t like.
- Only the art holding Tom back
- Read in 2 passes, as most of us - wanted to read it.
- Not been able to watch much telly, but more time to read and this one was wanted.
- Great touches how bullets scoot around.
- Despite disliking how he designs people, storytelling approach is very good.
- Dad death is a full page panel.
- It’s dense yet reads really, really easily.
- Jake loves all the silhouette work.
- Wondered if the Tiger spirit is in the mother (Me: “No…!”)
- Even though the dragon has a nice rivalry, the others weren’t needed.
- 40s types superhero archetypes.
- Really, really thoroughly enjoyed it.
If not for the art, it would’ve been a 5.
– @tomwe
Me
- Art and culture feel genuine.
- Tiger mum - hateful.
- Humbleness isn’t a thing.
- Hate how she treats son and husband.
- Pride makes her horrible.
- Genuine feelings.
- Real calligraphy.
- Easy to read.
- Back story intriguing. Love the subversiveness.
I didn’t really like the art either but enjoyed the story immensely.
