I'm a big fan of Yang's work so I was pretty excited for this one even though I'm fairly indifferent to Superman in general. Since Superman is basically invulnerable there's no real danger for him, making the stakes low. Pitting him against the Klan is a pretty basic conflict. Yang uses this clear good and evil framework to point out grey areas, to explore the roots or racism and borderline racist attitudes. We see a basically good kid who's been raised to believe in race separation. We also see not only the main family but also Superman himself feeling like outsiders, feeling very "other". Interesting.

Loved this book. Such an important story that connects with so many societal issues today. Brings a new light to Superman.

Easily one of my favorite books this year. The art and writing are both fantastic, and it is a very important story for kids to read in these times. I'm going to recommend this to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and DC Comics for sharing this eARC in exchange for an honest review.
Graphic novels are always a hit in my classroom and Gene Luen Yang is known for writing gripping, thought-provoking, and suspenseful stories. But this one, this one is unique and powerful. It is a superhero comic, which will engage and entertain my sixth graders, but it also tells a very important story that was first broadcast in the 1940s, but is now in print. It tells about a Chinese American family, the Lees, who was moved from Chinatown to downtown Metropolis, but their welcoming is less than warm. The Ku Klux Klan begin targeting the Lee family and even kidnap Tommy, the oldest boy. Along with Superman battling the Klan and saving Tommy, there also emerges a story of identity and learning to accept and embrace what sets you apart from others. This book also has some origin story in it with Superman. All in all, a fantastic and important story that I cannot wait to have in my classroom.

Like many of us, I grew up on Superman. He was the paragon of virtue that all of us were to aspire. My first introduction was the old serial cartoons made in the 1940s. My dad bought me a VHS copy in the early 90s at a garage sale. I watched it repeatedly because it was simple: Superman is good and right and true; he overcomes the bad guys with his might. Rinse and repeat every nine minutes. Mechanical monsters, evil super-geniuses, arctic giants, and volcanos– these were his enemies as far as I was concerned. It never occurred to me that Superman needed to fight hate and racism, but he did.

In 1946, “The Adventures of Superman,” a popular radio show that aired from 1940 to 1951, took on the Klan. During the years of World War II, the show often had Superman battle and overcome the Nazis. It was easy to write with great payoff because America wanted to beat the Axis. However, with the Allies winning and the Nazis defeated, it didn’t make sense for Superman to continue fighting them. The producers of the show were looking for a new villain, and Klan activity was on the rise in the northern United States. According to who you talk to, it was several people’s idea to have the show go after the Klan, but what’s important is that it happened and they had the courage and support to do it. “Clan of the Fiery Cross” was born as a stand-in for the Klu Klux Klan for legal purposes. We need to remember that the KKK, then as it is today, is litigious and organized with dues, budgets, and marketing campaigns. Superman took on the “Clan” and punched racism in the face. While thinly veiled, it worked, and ratings skyrocketed while Klan leaders denounced the show.

Fast-forward to 2019: “Superman Smashes the Klan,” written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Gurihiru, is released as a three-part serial and is loosely based on the aforementioned radio show. Set in 1946, a Chinese-American family moves to the suburbs of Metropolis and out of Chinatown. The Lees are not welcome by all, and some are so disturbed by them moving in that a flaming cross appears on their front lawn. The focus of the story is on the two Lee children, Tommy and Roberta. Tommy is a gifted athlete who quickly usurps the mantle of starting pitcher on the community center baseball team. The former starting pitcher’s uncle is the “Grand Scorpion” of Metropolis’ local Klan chapter. Yang shows an interesting dichotomy with the uncle because when his nephew talks about being replaced, he essentially tells him to take it in stride and do better next time. That is until he hears the name “Lee.” His entire mood changes, and he practically goes for his robes right there. I’m pointing to this moment because we often hear, “well, he’s always been nice to me.” It’s a familiar character defense that comes up regularly when somebody accuses another of racism, sexism, or xenophobia. Yang lifts the veil of this defense as well as sheds light on the duality of racism. This theme is done deftly and sometimes overtly throughout the story. You can forgive the use of overt themes in place of subtly once you understand the history of this story and from what it was adapted.

The art is done in a playful way to showcase how different this is from the modern tellings of Superman of this current decade. It also achieves that shiny veneer and idyllic view of the past that so many of us have but also reveals how Camelot was a lie for people who looked different than Superman or me. Setting the story in Gotham, the reader wouldn’t feel like it was that much of a stretch to see police corruption, systemic racism, casual xenophobia, etc. But Metropolis is the shining city upon a hill (even with death rays). Certain characters even voice their disbelief in the kind of activities that take place, including our favorite veteran paperman Perry White.

While Superman swooping in to save the Lee family from drowning, bombs and Klan activity is the main plot; the b-plot is Supes dealing with his own identity and the development of his powers. Superman can only leap, and his eyes only see. The comic goes out of its way to remind us of the early history of his character and limited abilities. These two stories are fantastic on their own, but at times they feel clumsy when smashed together. Going back and forth, you keep wondering whether this is a story about an immigrant family struggling with the Klan with the help of Superman or a Superman story struggling with his parentage while punching the Klan. The connections between the two stories of self-identity and immigration are tenuous at best, that is until the end. Yang does stick the landing when Superman accepts he’s an alien and an immigrant and proudly reveals it to the world. Superman’s revelation mirrors Roberta Lee’s journey and the acceptance of her issues as well as her birth name.

Overall, this is an entertaining read with a pertinent message and, sadly, still a timely one, but it can either give you a glimpse of your past or small window into one you’ve never experienced. If you do read it, I recommend you make sure to read the epilogue written by Yang. It gives a brief history of the plight of Chinese-Americans, Klan activity, and his own experiences growing up. It is just as interesting as the Superman story the proceeds it and, in my opinion, should have been the prologue. It gives much more depth and understanding to the reader.



Tristan Riddell

Co-Founder and Publisher

TheNerdParty.com

It is 1946 when Tommy and his family move from Chinatown to Downtown Metropolis. Their dad is excited about his new job at the Metropolis Health Department, but Roberta and Tommy are reluctant to make the change. The only thing that makes the move worth it is the fact that Superman will be nearby. Tommy quickly makes friends, but Roberta feels like the odd man out. While the Lee family is trying to learn about their new lives, the Klan of the Fiery Kross has targeted them as their next mission. It starts with a burning cross in front of their house and then moves on to Tommy being kidnaped. The Klan is looking for bigger targets too as it moves its focus to the Daily Planet and the Unity House, a local youth club. What adventures will Tommy and Roberts have with Superman? What truths will Superman learn about himself and his history?

Superman Smashes the Klan is a compilation of the first three serials with the same title. This story was originally published in the ’40s as a radio broadcast that shook America. I was not familiar with this storyline for Superman and fully enjoyed learning a little bit of Superman folklore along the way. This book is being promoted for middle school readers, but I think young adults and adults alike will have a good escape while turning the pages. A great read for all graphic novel and Superman fans.

If you have been reading the blog for a while you might know that I don't really read any Superman comics or graphic novels, but this one seemed very interesting so I jumped at the chance to take a look. DC Comics is doing a series of books called Graphic Novels for Young Adults. They are exactly what you would think, graphic novels geared toward a teen/ young adult audience.

This graphic novel has a number of themes but there is the overarching theme of racism and being different and fitting in. There is also an appearance of Nazis.

I have to admit that when I started reading this graphic novel I was a bit taken aback at the bluntness of the racism and the Clan of the Fiery Cross (being a stand-in for the KKK). After getting further in to the book it became clear that the more important theme was understanding of differences and it being ok to be yourself both for the kids in the book but also for Superman himself.

There are a lot of extreme visuals in this book showing racism and there are different types of racism in the book as well, but it was a very good story. The main characters are Roberta and Tommy Lee, their family is Chinese and just moved to Metropolis from Chinatown and not all their neighbors are happy about them being there. Tommy is good at making friends sometimes at his family's expense but Roberta isn't sure about this new place or these new people and feels like she is just too different.

Superman in this book does not fly, he is not the Superman we now know and love but only a portion of him. In this graphic novel, he too is learning it is ok to be different, it is ok to show his full self, and to remember what that even is.

Overall this was a great read, it even concludes with an Author's note of sorts called "Superman and Me" by the author that talks about how this book came to be and the time period. That is what sold the whole thing for me, the somewhat personalized story from the author. Superman had meaning to him, especially in this particular context and that is a wonderful thing.

Superman faces off against Atom Man at the Metropolis dam, and Atom Man is surprisingly strong! Superman rings Atom Man's bells, and finds a strange glowing green rock there, which weakens him. Superman isn't sure why he feels so...well, human all of a sudden, or why he's seeing strange phantoms that keep trying to speak to him. Meanwhile, the Lee family is moving from Chinatown to downtown Metropolis. Their daughter, Lan-Shin (though after the move her family calls her Roberta), is a bright girl who's awkward around other people, and her brother Tommy just wants to play baseball and fit in. Life seems good after moving in, though one of the early visitors is underhandedly rude, and the Lee family begins to settle into their new life. However, Tommy upsets one of the kids he meets, and that leads to the Klan of the Fiery Kross showing up at the Lee's house and burning a giant cross in their front yard. To make matters worse, one of the Klan members throws a molotov cocktail toward their home! Will the Lees be able to deal with this newfound racism as they build a life in Metropolis? Will Superman help them, and what is going on with his strange visions?

I have so many ways I want to praise this graphic novel, simply because of how well it exemplifies what a story about a superhero should be, particularly for youth (though adults will also love this story). A superhero taking the fight to racists, what's not to like here? This book showcases both outright and overt racism in realistic, dramatic ways, and I really appreciated how well the author nailed this part across a variety of characters and situations. This book packs a lot into its pages, the artwork is excellent, some beautiful panels even span two pages seamlessly, and there are many touching moments that have real impact. The characters act like real people, even Superman himself, and I really appreciated how even the smaller characters contributed in great ways to the story. With the story covering big swathes of Superman's backstory, his origins, and even his own internal complexes, I really liked seeing a rooted Superman who deals with his own mental blocks on his way to becoming a better superhero. Even the villains of the story are relatively well developed, and they also behave just like real people would, even when they're being vile.

This graphic novel is based on a very popular 16-part storyline from the radio show called The Adventures of Superman that aired in 1946, and that storyline was called "The Clan of the Fiery Cross." I think that Gene Luen Yang has done a phenomenal job of refreshing this story for modern audiences, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from start to finish. There's even a personal article written by him at the end that describes some of the history of Superman mixed with US history, and his own reasons for writing this graphic novel. Go now, leap whatever buildings you must, stop whatever locomotives are necessary, and fly to buy this book today. Scratch that, buy two and give one to somebody you love, so that they too can enjoy a beautifully drawn and written story with a moral heart of gold.

This was excellent! The story, the characters, the art work. I loved all of it. The story is meaty and rich. It's not just about the racism and Superman saving the day. There's an identity piece of the story for Roberta and even more for Superman. It's also a friendship story as the Lees try to adjust to a new community. The racism piece had several layers to it as well. I was so impressed by how much was covered in this story. This didn't feel like a one-and-done read to me. I would read this again and probably discover more nuances than I did the first time through.

I continue to be impressed with the work DC Entertainment has been doing in the last year on graphic novels for kids and teens. Highly recommend!

This graphic novel is based on an actual radio play from the 1940s and tells the story of Superman and a Chinese American family dealing with the Klan of the Fiery Cross. It is a wonderful story of of acceptance and understanding of self. There is also a great historical essay at the end that provides factual background information.

Thank you to NetGalley and DC Comics for providing me an advanced reader copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.

This is a heavy story, but an important one. I love that Superman has been utilized in both the past and present-day as a champion for justice against evil individuals and organizations that threaten innocent people in real life. While this story is intense and often upsetting, I do think it is appropriate for children to read and learn from.

I hope the story will empower immigrant children and children of color as they watch one of the world's most iconic heroes fight for and stand alongside them. Although this is a Superman story, the Lee children can be labeled heroes in their own right. They are not written as helpless victims, but as capable and intelligent individuals who need support from a more powerful entity to do what they already know is right. I also appreciated that the narrative did not shy away from labeling the racist Klan members as evil, even though the nephew of one of the leaders struggles to accept that originally. White children should never be encouraged to view racist ideologies and behaviors as anything but evil, even when they're expressed by people they trusted.

The Gurihiru team did an excellent job of creating colorful and expressive art that charged the story with emotion and developed an appealing atmosphere at the same time. The advanced reader copy I was provided with only included the penciled art from the third portion of the book, but it was done skillfully enough that I had no trouble becoming lost in the story again. I'm sure the finished pages are even better.

The book ends with several pages detailing the history and context around this story, in addition to Yang's own experiences of racism he dealt with as a child. Yang's retelling of Klan history and why the Adventures of Superman radio program originally created this story is straightforward enough for readers of any age, though younger readers may require additional guided discussion to further understand racism's historical and current influences. I think this book could easily be utilized in an educational sense by competent teachers. In totality, I believe Yang and the Gurihiru team made full use of their experience telling stories for younger readers and have successfully adapted the original radio program into a thought-provoking and affirmative narrative relevant to its time, and to the modern-day,

This is another new graphic novel from DC. They are really on it last few months. I'm having a blast reading these on my Kindle Fire. It took a bit of trial and error, but now that I've got it, I'm pretty happy reading on Comixology. This story centers on racism, which is a complicated topic, and I thought that this novel (aimed at the YA crowd) handled all of the complicated aspects well. I'm adding it to our high school reading list, and I'd recommend it to adults as well. I found that when Superman says,

"We are bound together by the future. We all share the same tomorrow.

-That he could be speaking to all of us in 2020.

In 1946, the Adventures of Superman radio show had a story titled “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” as our hero took on a group of White Supremacists across 16 episodes. That story is what inspired this Young Adults collection, Superman Smashes the Klan- which consists of the three-issue mini-series that tackles the all too real threat of bigotry and hate in real life.

From writer Gene Luen Yang and the art team Gurihiru, we get a fantastic story that harkens back to Superman’s days of leaping tall buildings in a single bound. Set in 1946, Superman is operating at a lower power level- he doesn’t fly; he doesn’t use his heat vision- but for a reason. At the same time, Dr. Lee and his family move from Chinatown to Metropolis, a big enough adjustment as it is. Being Chinese American unfortunately makes them a target to some of the small-minded residents, and puts the family on the radar of the Klan.

The story focuses on Lee’s kids, Tommy and Roberta, as they both try to fit into their new home in their own ways. But when the Klan strikes with a massive burning cross on the front lawn of the Lee’s household, it attacks the police, and a few very well known reporters; Lois Lane, Jimmy Olsen, and Clark Kent. Of course, the other focus is on big blue himself, Superman, who is going through some changes of his own as he starts to find himself and realize that being yourself is ok.

Yang’s story is fantastic: a real throwback to the Superman of yesteryear and a shining example of how to take a stand against hate. The Lee family’s struggles run parallel to Superman in a way and creates a bond between Superman and the Lee children. Sometimes the strongest ones are the smallest ones, the quietest ones, and Superman sees that firsthand.

I have loved Gurihiru’s artwork since their days at Marvel, but this book takes the cake. The clean linework, the animated feel to it all: it is impressive to see. I love that this story takes place in the ’40s, as we see that world visually represented so well here, right down to the “S” on Superman’s chest and the designs of Superman’s Kryptonian parents. The artwork is stunning, and fits so well with this story: from the lighthearted moments to the pulse-pounding sequences- everything looks and feels fantastic.

You might be thinking: “but it’s a young adult book, can I, a fully grown person, enjoy this?” The answer is a loud and factual YES! Superman Smashes the Klan is a book I would not imagine to be for young adults, as the topic of racism is always dark. But it is also very real, and this book does a fantastic job tackling the issue. I highly recommend Superman Smashes the Klan: whether you are a Superman fan, superhero fan in general, or just love a good story- this one is for you.

Superman Smashes the Klan takes place in the mid-1940s, paying homage to the era of radio shows and specifically The Adventures of Superman series that played a role in trivializing the Ku Klux Klan with its “Clan of the Fiery Cross” storyline. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) reached out to the show producers and suggested that the Man of Steel take on the KKK, which they were more than happy to agree to as they were looking for new villains. For this, the radio show was called “the first children’s program to develop a social consciousness.”

Synopsis
“It’s just Superman, no “The,” the “The” is a bit pretentious.” – The Superman

The story begins with Superman battling against Atom Man, a self-proclaimed “Avenger of the Master Race – Made by Nazi Science.” But behind that Nazi science is actually Kryptonite on his chest, which initially made me believe he was an analog to Metallo. However, a quick Google search revealed the Atom Man is a historic character from the Golden Age.



Soon we are introduced to our other main characters, Tommy and Roberta Lee who are moving to Metropolis from Chinatown as their father has recently been hired by the city’s Health Department. They are given a warm welcome by Dr. Lee’s new coworker and boss. It’s here that we see that racism isn’t just a trait found in supervillains, but something that exists even in everyday conversation. When Mrs. Lee thanks the men for the apple pie, Dr. Jennings apologizes that it’s not dog.

The kids meet their new neighbor across the street, Jimmy Olsen, who shows them around. When they get to the baseball field, Tommy impresses everyone with his pitching. However, the former star pitcher Chuck Riggs doesn’t take too kindly to this and starts making his feelings known, calling Tommy “ching-chong.”

During this time, Superman is experiencing hallucinations which he believes to be a result of his exposure to the strange green rock from his earlier encounter with Atom Man. But he is able to ignore his ailment by focusing on helping others as his Pa taught him.

“Pa always said, minding yourself too much is a good way to lose your mind. Time for me to mind someone else.” – Pa Kent

Superman Smashes the Klan progresses with the Lee family being threatened by the local Klansmen of Metropolis, and the good people of the city doing their part to stand up against the Klan. I don’t want to spoil anymore because there’s only so much I can reveal for this 3-part miniseries and still allow you to enjoy the book for yourself.

Characters
In addition to Superman, the main characters of Superman Smashes the Klan include:

Tommy Lee: He’s the oldest child of two in the Lee family. He loves baseball, is social, and couldn’t be more excited to move out of Chinatown. His only faults are at times making self-deprecating jokes about his Asian descent: “it’s like Confucius says…” “these wontons don’t fry easily.”

Roberta Lee: She’s Tommy’s younger sister, but can come across as the older one with her maturity and insightfulness. Although at times, she lets her shyness get the best of her and doesn’t speak up as much as she should.

Chuck Riggs: Coming from a family of nationalists, he struggles to reconcile his personal feelings with family’s views throughout the book. But it’s a bit ironic that Superman is a hero to this would-be bigot.



Themes of Superman Smashes the Klan
Superman is able to break through Chuck’s true nature early on by telling him about the essence of being a good person, “If you might be able to help another person, you ought to at least try.”

These words inspire Chuck to do the right thing and share what he knows about the Klan and their plans, even taking action on his own.

Chuck is a well-written character. While he is from a family who asks “is it really all that bad to want to live around only people who look like you,” we’re able to sympathize with his situation. He’s conflicted by what he grew up believing and what his personal experiences have come to be. It’s that conflict and friction that leads him to have trouble accepting that what his family believes in is opposed by his hero, Superman.

I’m sure if it were any of us, to have grown up with such beliefs, even as we open ourselves up to better ideals, we would still put on some form of resistance, denial that the people who raised us are wrong or even bad.

Chuck’s character development throughout the story represents this idea of coming to terms with one’s upbringing and not allowing it to affect you as you choose to be a better person.

***

Through flashbacks, we learn that during his childhood Superman was accused of being a demon or a monster as a result of others witnessing him levitating and using heat vision. This led him to deny his heritage and limited his own potential.

Superman’s denial of his abilities is very reminiscent of author Gene Luen Yang’s earlier graphic novel American Born Chinese. In American Born Chinese, the character Jin Wang is transformed into a white boy named Danny after denying his Chinese roots.

In this story, it’s Roberta who is able to convince Superman to embrace his true roots.

“You want everybody to believe that you’re just a better version of a normal human… but the truth is.. you can do things that are entirely different from what humans can do.”

Given his experience in writing stories about racial struggles and understanding identity, Gene Luen Yang is the perfect person to write this kind of story starring Superman, quite possibly the world’s most powerful immigrant.

***

Tommy and Roberta’s new friends praise them for their bravery in standing up against the Klan with words like “my grandpa used to say that Chinese people are sneaky, but my dad would tell him that you all are actually hard-working and brave.”

This is when Roberta feels compelled to speak and urge against generalizations and stereotypes, “We’re not all brave, y’know. Or sneaky. We’re not all anything.” Well said, Roberta.

***

Now the members of the Klan in this story are definitely vocal about their beliefs.

One even asserts to Superman, “If you truly loved your nation and your race – you would recognize that!”

It’s worth pointing out that these nationalists, who believe they are of some superior race, are convinced that surely the strongest man they’ve ever seen has to be from their same group.

“When push comes to shove, you cannot unite a nation of people who share neither blood nor history. And as much as you want to deny it, Superman, you are one of us.”

Oh, how wrong they are. He might be from Kansas but Clark Kent has so much more in common with immigrants given his creators’ Jewish heritage.

“Whatever you did, wouldn’t have worked had you been of inferior blood. You’re living proof of just how superior a white man can be.”



It’s a perfect irony in this case that Superman did not have to do anything for his powers. He was simply born on another planet and came to Earth where his gifts could be fully used for good.

Even once Superman shares his alien roots, the leader of the Klan pushes on, stating that only by forming a nation of only people who look alike, can America survive. “That has been the Klan’s point all along! A nation bound by nothing cannot last!”

But Superman disagrees. He believes a nation can be bound together by so much more than the color of hair, eyes, skin, religious belief, or national heritage. A nation can come together as a choice, as a decision, and in response to what lies ahead.

“We are bound together by the future. We all share the same tomorrow.”

I had a great time reading this graphic novel. This hero faced a more realistic foe, but that didn’t mean it was going to be easy taking them down. While their attacks seem to get worse, he starts learning more about who he is and where he came from. Once Roberta learns what their plan is, she is determined to find a way to help Superman out. As this tale comes to a close, this hero has made some new friends, and this family’s life will never be the same.

A Chinese family, the Lees moves from Chinatown to a suburb of Metropolis. As they are unpacking the boxes, racial remarks are made. The neighbors help the family by taking their boxes into the house. Tommy and Roberta, his younger sister go to the Unity House. Tommy joins the baseball team as pitcher. The original pitcher Chuck quits and calls Tommy and Roberta “Wontons.” Tommy is still in the team as pitcher and makes friends. Roberta tries to be invisible. The “Klan of the Firey Kross” visits their home where they plant a burning cross while threatening them. Later when Tommy and Robert go home from their school, they split up. As Tommy is walking home, he stops to see if a driver needs help and is kidnapped. The leader of the Klan has decided that Tommy will “pay” for getting his group arrested. Roberta gets Superman to help as Tommy has not gotten home for several hours. Superman comes to the rescue. Superman is having a crisis, he is hearing voices and seeings things. He doesn’t know who he is or who his original parents were. Will Superman be okay? Will Tommy’s family move back to Chinatown? The police lieutenant is an Afro-American who helps Tommy get to the hospital as Superman thinks Tommy’s arm is broken. When he asks the policeman under him why he wouldn’t do something with a racial slur, he arrests the policeman.

There was a radio show in the 1940s “The Adventures of Superman,” that did a series on the Ku Klax Klan. Due to
fear of retribution, it was named “The Klan of the Firey Kross.” Superman has discover that he is an alien. The Lee family must decide how to deal with racial slurs and treatment. The art is well done. It has you see the cars and homes of the 1940s America. The author has written an interesting essay about his family and their personal experiences. He also gives background on the Ku Klux Klan and the impact of Superman’s stand against them. It impacted America. There is a bibliography included.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from NetGalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

*Special thanks to DC Comics for letting me read an advance reading copy of Superman Smashes the Klan in exchange for an honest review.

Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang is an #OwnVoices 240 page graphic novel published by DC Comics. The graphic novel is set in 1940s America, a time during increasing racial tensions that gave rise to racially motivated violence. The story follows the lives of Chinese Americans Roberta and Tommy Lee whose family had just moved to Metropolis from Chinatown as a result of their father’s job promotion. Their arrival into a predominantly white neighborhood is met with violence from racists who believe they don’t belong, but the Lee’s are not alone and receive the help of Superman and various allies such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olsen who come to their aid. Meanwhile, Superman is struggling to reach his full potential power as a result of his childhood which forced him to suppress the alien side of himself. His story runs parallel alongside the Lee’s in his journey towards connecting with his heritage and embracing his difference.

The book ends with an informative essay by Gene Luen Yang titled “Superman and Me” in which he delves into the inspiration for Superman Smashes the Klan which has to do with Superman’s own history in the fight against racism. The essay reveals that the story is based on the 1946 radio show The Adventures of Superman where, in the duration of sixteen episodes, Superman defends a Chinese American family from The Clan of the Fiery Cross, a stand-in for the Ku Klux Klan.

Superman Smashes the Klan presents a Superman who is vulnerable and battles self-doubt, and I personally have never seen or felt Superman more relatable than in this book. The art by Gurihuru is gorgeous and I enjoyed seeing how each character’s expressions were drawn. The story presented by Gene Luen Yang is about confronting racism and stays true to Superman’s core which is the battle for peace and justice. For Superman, this story also tackles the question of what humans would do when confronted with a super-powered alien such as himself. Ultimately, I believe that this book is a must read for any Superman fan and anyone who has ever been made to feel different because of who they are. Superman Smashes the Klan is available now on Amazon so make sure to get your copy of this super amazing #OwnVoices graphic novel.

Superman Smashes the Klan is a young adult graphic novel based on the “Clan of the Fiery Cross” story arc from 1940s radio show Adventures of Superman. Like the radio show, this novel does not shy away from how reprehensible the Ku Klux Klan is. It may be one of the most meaningful and important graphic novels I have read.

I was surprised to see that even though this novel is for young readers (ages 13+), the writing treated the complex topic of racism very seriously. It was serious to the point where it was uncomfortable to read, but also very necessary. As a white person, I think this subject matter is important to feel uncomfortable about. We should feel this way.

Over the course of the novel, The Lee's: Roberta, Tommy, and Superman support each other and work together to take a stand against the Klan and the other racists they come into contact with. Superman becomes more comfortable with who he is and begins to fully embrace all aspects of himself, not just what makes him fit in better.

Overall, I really enjoyed Superman Smashes the Klan. I think it is such an important book for young readers today. It is a story that illustrates not only strength, courage, and acceptance, but it shows the importance of representation in comics as well. Comics should have characters in them that everyone can relate to, who look like they do, and go through similar struggles.

I highly recommend Superman Smashes the Klan to all readers ages 13 and up. The story is thought-provoking and inspirational with beautiful artwork. My full review can be found here: https://thegeekiary.com/a-new-twist-on-an-iconic-story-superman-smashes-the-klan-graphic-novel-review/82470

Hello Again!


I felt like today was going to be kind of a slow day when I got up, I thought not much would be going on at work, and I would have plenty of time in my day to read, write, listen to an audiobook, and do whatever else I needed. Boy, was I wrong! My day has turned out to be super busy from about five minutes after I woke up until when my head hit the pillow (and I did not even leave my home aside from to get the mail). I had an unexpected small project come up at work (on top of my normal stuff for the day), some other projects around the house, and a few bookish and personal things I was working on (like my puzzle, animal crossing (gotta get that five-star island), and reading). So at the end of the day, I decided to settle in and read a graphic novel (something I could devour in one sitting and still go to bed on time so I would not be a grump in the morning).


SPOILERS AHEAD


Tommy and Roberta Lee are just moving to Metropolis, their dad got a new job at the Health department and the whole family is excited yet scared about this big change. After moving to Metropolis Tommy and Roberta meet some neighborhood kids who take them to a place called the Unity House, where Tommy joins the community baseball team. However, things are not as great as they seem in Metropolis as a group called the Klan of the Fiery Cross has started to threaten and attack Tommy and Roberta's family and other members of the city. However, Tommy and Roberta will not leave town or give in to the threats with Superman and the Daily Planet on their side they will work to get the Klan of the Fiery Cross out of Metropolis for good!


If I am being honest, I had some hesitation about picking up this comic, as some of you may know I have been reading my way through the new DC comics (and I knew little to nothing about the characters before this, just stuff I heard from my husband, movies, or television, which was not much). I was nervous to pick this one up mostly because I did not know what it was going to be like but I wanted to see where things were going to go and Gene Luen Yang is one my of favorite graphic novel authors and in the end, I am so glad I gave this one a try. I loved the art (out of all the DC comics I have read so far, this one might take the award for favorite art style!), the story was well done, and I loved getting to know more about Superman, Metropolis, and Ms. Lane (I also really liked Tommy and Roberta as characters). I can not wait to see what might come next from these comics (maybe a phase two?).


Rating: 5 stars on Goodreads





***Thank you so much to the publisher for a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was amazing. It's set in the 50s (I think, it's definitely set after World War II). It's mostly an old style Superman style suit (although the S is more modern) and at the beginning of the story it is the old type of superpowers as well.

The Lees, Roberta, Tommy, and their parents, move from Chinatown to the main part of Metropolis. It's not an easy move for any of them. And then the stand in group for the KKK starts to try and force the family out of their new neighborhood. But, even that isn't all the story.

It was a typically amazingly written Gene Luen Yang book. He hits the balance of the important underlying issues vs. the story itself perfectly (as usual). Oh, and Superman's growth in this TPB was cool (but Roberta's was better).

It was a fun read (and such a wicked quick read). Go Lan-Shin!!

I was given this ARC by Netgalley on behalf of DC Entertainment.