I continue to love the DC graphic novels, and this was also a great one. While not my favorite, it was an interesting read.

Yang writes a good story that shows the direction he might have taken as the regular writer on "Superman." I appreciated "classic Clark" and that the story took place in the 40's, as well as the fact that Clark was as involved in the story as his caped counterpart. We often forget that Clark, also, is one of the best at what he does.

This is an adaption of a classic radio show that is sure to satisfy those new to Superman and long time fans alike! Three were so many details that delighted me, like the main character's initials, and Superman facing his own immigrant origins. People who say there's no such thing as a good Superman story haven't read this book.

I have a confession - I don't really like Superman comics. But this is an exception to that. This was just a really great example of what comics about racism and other hard topics like that can be. I enjoyed all the characters, but Gene Luen Yang is a master at writing believable characters so that was almost a given. Overall, even if you're not into Superman, I would highly recommend that you check this book out.

Perhaps the best Superman comic I've ever had the pleasure of reading. If all of Superman's stories were like this, I'd read them more often.

Excellent. Unusual, but extremely important subject for a Superman title. Deftly handled and sensitively written. It kept me reading.

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang is a fun, refreshing, and wholesome take on the original story of Superman vs the Klan. The art is bright and attractive and easy to follow. The story is engaging, accessible enough for younger readers, but enjoyable enough for older audiences as well. The twelve page essay with illustrations at the end of the book is full of touching and interesting facts about the original Superman story that inspired this retelling and the author’s own family stories that informed this version of the story.

Let’s be honest: I’m going to love almost any story that has defeating white supremacists as a significant plot point. But this was more than I expected, from how much I liked Roberta and Tommy Lee and their family story, to how it intersected with Superman’s personal story of grappling with his heritage and how their combined stories and strengths and values worked to help, well, smash the Klan. All representation within the book seemed thoughtful and nuanced, from the various ways in which the Lee family members coped with their transition to life and work outside Chinatown, to Superman’s growing awareness of his abilities and heritage, and to the different expressions of and reasons for hate within members of the Klan, from vicious fanaticism to cynicism and greed to the hesitancy of disaffected new recruits. I also enjoyed the glimpses of Clark’s work at the Daily Planet. I forgot how awkward and goofy Superman’s alter ego could be, and loved rediscovering his dynamics with Lois and Jimmy and everyone else both as Clark and as Superman.

There’s obviously great Asian-American representation in this story, as well as thoughtful discussion of immigration and white supremacy. There are also some terrific Black characters and some Jewish representation. Roberta and Lois Lane are wonderfully strong smart female characters, and this story passes the Bechdel test, I believe.

Overall just a lovely graphic novel, both as a fun superhero story and a diverse historical YA story. There’s charming fashion and culture of the time, but also a timeless reflection on identity and immigration and belonging and community and diversity and racism and defeating prejudice. Highly recommended for the comic readers and superhero fans and strong brave girls in your life.

Thank you to #NetGalley and DC Comics for sharing a free temporary digital #advancedcopy of #SupermanSmashestheKlan in exchange for my honest review.

I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher (DC Comics) in exchange for an honest review. The graphic novel does not shy away from talking about racism and the KKK, which I believe is a good thing. Plus, it is about taking down the white supremacists like they deserve. The main characters are great, as is the story. The artwork is amazing! 
I recommend this graphic novel for everyone. 4 out of 5 stars. The book came out in May, so you can buy it now if you like.

Delivers exactly what it promises and more. Definitely the graphic novel I needed in my life right now - five stars for story, artwork, everything.

One reason that I like Gene Luen Yang so much as a writer is that he is both entertaining and informative. It is clear in his writing that he loves history and he can bring it to life in his graphic novels. Another nice touch is how he talks about history at the end of his graphic novels, giving the reader background and context to the story. He even provides some of his references, so you can read and learn more if you wish. It adds a deeper element to his works and helped to make this story about Superman even more interesting.

Superman Smashes the Klan is actually inspired by the early radio show "The Adventures of Superman" and in 1946 saw Superman take on the Klan of the Fiery Cross (a group heavily inspired by the KKK) and the story helped to destabilize them. In the original, Superman works with a Chinese-American family to thwart the Klan of the Fiery Cross' plans and to promote tolerance and acceptance. This story follows the same broad outline but brings welcome depth to the characters and dimension to the story.

Despite the fact that this is a Superman story, I felt that Roberta was the main character. I was intrigued by her life, struggles, and tenacity. Superman (and Clark Kent) felt more like a side character to Roberta when she was sticking up for herself or trying to stop the bad guys with Jimmy Olsen or her brother, Tommy. I loved getting a look into her life and her family, as everyone struggled and coped with moving from Chinatown to the main part of Metropolis in their own way. It felt authentic and really helped you to connect with the characters.

Overall, I thought this was a great superhero story that would appeal to people with an interest in history or books with strong characters, even if they don't usually gravitate to graphic novels about superpowered people.

The digital version of this graphic novel was provided to me by DC Ink, but that does not affect my review in any way.

A fabulous and much-needed comic! Comics have always been political (even though some seem to forget that fact) and Superman Smashes the Klan is a fantastic addition to the medium. I had not heard of the radio serial prior to hearing about this book, but I love that DC had Gene Luen Yang update something from their history in a great way. I will absolutely be talking this book up to everyone!

I'm not a big superhero book reader but I loved Superman Smashes the Klan. The main character was delightful, and both she and Superman learned some tough lessons. Watching Superman discover his powers and his history was a nice bonus. The art was fantastic and colorful. I was disappointed that Lois wasn't in it more, but Roberta definitely made up for that. The racism and violence may be tough for some readers, but there wasn't any other objectionable content.

Thanks for the free copy, DC Comics! I wasn't sure what to expect but OMG this was SO good! Brilliant writing and artwork! The people involved in this truly worked like a team to bring this story to life. *Loud applause*

It takes a unique and insightful team to tell a Superman story worth telling and that is exactly the case with with Superman Smashes the Klan.

The story takes place in a post-WWII America, where the Klan violently spreads its prejudices against those they deem “other”, which includes the Chinese-American Lee family. At the same time, Clark Kent is learning new things about himself and his abilities, learning to face and embrace the alien aspects of his own life as well as those in the world around him.

Love love loved it! From the art that is a perfect homage to the time, to the actual story itself, this was just great. Plus, Superman punches the KKK, come on.

This is a timely and awesome book. Yang is a great storyteller, and seeing the Man of Steel take on white supremacists in incredibly satisfying.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Gene Luen Yang, and DC Comics for a chance to review this graphic novel. I was given this book for free in exchange for my fair and honest opinion. I have not felt compelled, in any way, by the author, the publisher, or NetGalley to alter my sincerest thoughts on this book. Every word of this review is solely and completely mine.
I received this graphic novel as a digital trade paperback. It had not been completely colorized, but the story and pencils were finished. It was a beautiful story that you would think was more appropriate for the 1950s, but alas, no. We still need to hear these stories. We still need to see these stories. We still need to read these stories. Until they resonate inside of our hearts, and we confront the uncomfortable truth within ourselves, we will continue to need these stories.
The story is predictable. Clearly, we are reading a comic book, but I still felt suspense. I still believed the main characters were in peril and felt that in this story there might very well be a moment of heartbreak. I will not assuage that thought one way or the other. Suffice it to say that it is the best graphic novel I have read this year (from about 20) and it has my greatest recommendation.

Superman Smashes the Klan takes place in the late 1940s, post World War II. Nazis and white supremacy is still a problem, with the Klan terrorizing everyone that isn't part of their one race, one religion demographic.

Superman, AKA Clark Kent, keeps imagining alien-like humans that nobody else can see. He keeps suppressing these memories and visions, calling himself normal. Though he has powers, it's clear that he doesn't know of his heritage from Krypton just yet.

Roberta moves from Metropolis' Chinatown to the main part of the city. After her brother accidentally hurts a kid on the baseball team, the kid goes home crying, only for his uncle to reveal himself as part of the Klan, and trying various threats on the Lee family, from burning a cross to trying to set fire to the house.

This book really did a good job of showing racial tensions, as well as solidarity in a post WWII time. Clark learned to accept himself, even the foreign part, and Roberta decides to stop trying to assimilate. On top of that, the Klan is a serious issue and it's nice to see that everyone treats it as such, especially the newspapers, that don't sugarcoat how bad it is.

The brief mentions of Lana Lang were great as usual and gave me a nostalgic flashback to the Smallville TV show.

I pick up everything by Gene Luen Yang, because he’s just that good. I’ve never read any Superman, and I haven’t seen any of the movies either, but of course I know the basics. This volume has a lot jam packed into the story: it starts out with a Superman taking down a Nazi, tells the story of a Chinese-American family terrorized by the Klan, gets into Superman discovering his own backstory and powers, and ends with Superman taking down one power hungry guy armed with kryptonite. Lois Lane was awesome, even as a background character, but I absolutely loved Roberta Lan-shin Lee as the teenage female protagonist we all need in comics.

But what I liked best about this was the history lesson Yang included after the story ended. Because I was woefully uneducated on the topic. As I read the comic, I thought it was an interesting take to pit the Klan against Chinese-Americans instead of African-Americans, and I honestly thought it was just because Yang weaves his own cultural and familial history into most everything he writes. But boy, was I wrong. The history of the Klan attacking CHinese-Americans in the West was something this white Midwesterner had never heard of. And the fact that Superman did in fact do this exact story line during his radio run in the 1940s was equally fascinating. Kudos to Yang (and the original writers of Bob Maxwell et al) for bringing such an important part of history to light, and in such an accessible way - through Superman.

When I found out that Gene Luen Yang was going to be writing a Superman story for younger readers, I was ecstatic. Imagine my joy to learn that the book was titled Superman Smashes the Klan. Yang is an exceptional cartoonist, and no stranger to writing stories for DC Comics. His New Super-Man series was one of my favorite things to come out of the Rebirth line, and American-Born Chinese was brilliant as well (Boxers and Saints are still in my to-read pile).

Superman Smashes the Klan is a phenomenal adaptation of an early Superman radio serial, in which a Chinese-American family, the Lees, moves from Metropolis’ Chinatown to the suburbs, pursuing a new, better life. Roberta and Tommy and their parents are adapting to the changes, and meeting new people. Daily Planet cub reporter Jimmy Olsen is quick to befriend the young Lees and introduce them to other kids their age.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t take long for the Lee family to draw the attention of the Klan of the Fiery Kross. The Klan does not take kindly to a Chinese-American family settling in any part of Metropolis, let alone outside of Chinatown, and make their hatred known by burning a cross on the Lee family’s lawn. The Daily Planet sends Lois Lane and Clark Kent to investigate, and soon, Superman is on the case as well. With help from Roberta and Tommy, Superman must face off with the Klan and show them that Metropolis and America have no place for their bigotry and violence.

Gene Luen Yang’s story seamlessly weaves the updated tale of the Lee family (this version gives names and characterization to all of them!) and a younger Superman, still coming into his own powers (no flight, no heat vision, and no super-breath yet, for starters) and finding his own place as an outsider. Clark flashes back to his early years in Smallville, learning the truth about his origins as an alien. Yang effortlessly manages the most difficult part of any Superman story, too, in making both Clark Kent and Superman relatable and fun to read. Roberta serves as the primary narrator for the Lee family, trying to fit in with a new group of friends in a new part of town. Ostracized by her old friends from Chinatown now that she’s living in the “better” part of of Metropolis but not fully welcomed in her suburban neighborhood, she struggles to establish herself. Her keen observation skills make her an essential ally in Lois and Clark’s investigation of the violence aimed at her family.

This is an incredibly timely book, and Yang nails the importance of narratives in which immigrants are welcomed, not hated. Superman Smashes the Klan is the type of Superman story that America needs in 2020. I’m grateful to NetGalley for providing the eARC copy in exchange for a fair review.

“This looks like a job for Superman.”