20 years ago, Gene Luen Yang was making his own comics… by hand.
Now the graphic novel’s universe is brought to life in theAmerican Born ChineseDisney+ TV adaptationwhich Yang helped produce.
Newfound fans ofthe series pay attention: There’s a lot more good reading where that came from.
‘Boxers & Saints’ by Gene Luen Yang.First Second
“The Asianness of that show just felt so authentic to us,” Yang says.
“That’s a testament to how seriously Mike and Bryan researched the heck outta that show.
They also included a group of Asian Americans on their team to help develop that show.
‘Dragon Hoops’ by Gene Luen Yang.First Second
All of that comes through.”
The comics were “such a collaborative project,” Yang says.
My own process of writing changed from that experience."
‘Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings’ #1 cover by Dike Ruan.Marvel Comics
“I definitely am attracted to magical realism, Yang says.
“Maybe it’s just from reading lots of superhero comics when I was a kid.
I just felt like I had to draw that.”
‘Monkey Prince’ #1 by Gene Luen Yang and Bernard Chang.DC Comics
“Number one, I’m telling this story about real people who I know.
I was constantly worried about how the book was gonna affect my relationships with them.”
I didn’t know how the season would end.
‘The Books of Clash’ volume 1 by Gene Luen Yang, Allison Acton, and Les McClaine.First Second
“So we leaned into that theme.
We created a supporting cast that was made up of his half-siblings.
Yang says Cretton “always comes across as relaxed, even in the most stressful situations.
He can handle anything.”
“Monkey Princewas our chance to do it.
We wanted it to feel like a story that could only be told in the DC Universe.
We can give interior lives to these characters that players know and love.”
