A graphic novel about Asian America’s first superhero released a book trailer today, reports sci-fi blog io9.
Written by Gene Yang and illustrated by Sonny Liew, The Shadow Hero is billed as the origin story of the Green Turtle, who was created by Chu F. Hing in 1944 as the first Asian American superhero. After a limited run in Blazing Comics, the Green Turtle faded into obscurity before being revived by Yang and Liew.
The Shadow Hero follows the adventures of Hank Chu, a Chinese American teen growing up in 1930s Chinatown who eventually becomes the Green Turtle. According to Yang’s website, The Shadow Hero explores “the immigrant experience through the genre of superheroes.”
Yang’s previous works include American Born Chinese and the graphic novel adaptation of Avatar: The Last Airbender.
The Shadow Hero is being published by First Second Books as a six-issue miniseries and will be available in paperback July 15.
You can read more about the book and view the trailer at io9.
