SUPERMAN SMASHES THE KLAN No. 1 (OF 3)
DC COMICS
[This review was originally published on Patreon.]
STORY: Gene Luen Yang
ART: Gurihiru
COLORS: Gurihiru
LETTERS: Janice Chiang
COVER: Gurihiru
VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Kyle Baker
80pp, Color, $7.99 U.S. (October 2019)
Rated “E” for “Everyone”
Superman created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster
Part One
Superman is the most famous DC Comics superhero characters. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Superman first appeared in Action Comics #1 (cover dated: June 1938). Superman was first a baby named “Kal-El” shot into space via rocket from the doomed planet, Krypton. Brought to Earth by that rocket ship (or space craft), Baby Kal was adopted by Martha and Thomas Kent of Smallville, Kansas.
They named their new adopted baby, “Clark Kent.” Earth's yellow sun gave Clark amazing powers, and he used those strange powers and abilities to become the superhero, Superman. As a character Superman was an immediate hit. In the 1940s, Superman was not only the star of comic books, but also of movie serials, novels, and radio serials.
The Adventures of Superman was a long-running radio serial that originally aired from 1940 to 1951, originating on New York City's WOR radio station and eventually being syndicated nationally by the Mutual Broadcasting Company. One of The Adventures of Superman story arcs was “Clan of the Fiery Cross,” which found Superman fighting an racist and terrorist organization that was a fictional stand-in for the Ku Klux Klan (KKK).
The “Clan of the Fiery Cross” is the inspiration for a new young readers and “all ages” Superman three-issue, comic book miniseries, Superman Smashes the Klan. Acclaimed comic book creator, Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese, Superman), is the writer of Superman Smashes the Klan, presenting his personal retelling of the adventures of the “Lee family” (the target in the original radio serial) as they team up with Superman to smash the Klan. Superman Smashes the Klan is drawn and colored by Gurihiru and lettered by Janice Chiang.
Superman Smashes the Klan #1 opens in 1946 at the Metropolis Dam. There, Superman smashes “the Atom Man,” a Nazi-inspired villain seeking to avenge the “humiliation” of the “master race.” Witnessing Superman's victory is Lois Lane, the star reporter of Metropolis newspaper, The Daily Planet; and Jimmy Olsen, a cub reporter for the Planet; and Inspector William Henderson (an African-American character) of the Metropolis Police Department. Shortly after the battle, Superman is overcome by a powerful smell that emanates from the device that powers the Atom Man.
Meanwhile, Dr. Lee, a scientist, is moving his wife and two children, Roberta and Tommy, from Chinatown to the new home located in a neighborhood in Metropolis. Tommy quickly adjusts to his new home, even joining a baseball team that was started by a local religious organization (“The Unity House”) and is managed by Jimmy Olsen. Roberta struggles, feeling awkward and out of place.
You see Dr. Lee and his wife are Chinese immigrants to the United States, but their Roberta and Tommy were born in America. Although the family tries to fit in with their new neighbors, they have drawn the ire and attention of a dangerous racist and terrorist organization, “the Klan of the Fiery Kross.” Now, Superman must help protect a family and perhaps save three children from the evils of racism and bigotry.
If I remember correctly, Superman Smashes the Klan was announced early last year (2018), so it has been long-awaited and eagerly-awaited. And I am not at all disappointed; in fact, I am absolutely thrilled. It is one of the most enjoyable Superman comic books that I have ever read. If the remainder of the series delights me as much as this first issue did, I might call Superman Smashes the Klan an instant classic.
Writer Gene Luen Yang and artist Gurihiru seem to act as one creative unit, fashioning a story that captures the true all-American spirit of Superman. That spirit conjures the Man of Steel as a fighter for the little guy; a model of fair play and honesty, and a champion of truth, justice, and the American way. Yang's depiction of Roberta Lee is superb character writing, delving into the struggles of a pre-teen girl who is trying to adjust to a new life and new neighbors. However, I also like that Yang has made Roberta a fighter and a budding champion of justice in her own right.
Giruhiru's lovely art, with its Walt Disney-like qualities, might be called “cartoony,” but it is also true to the spirit of the clean, somewhat minimalist comic book art of American comic books' first three decades, especially the comic book art of the 1950s and early 1960s. On the other hand, Giruhiru's compositions are clearly inspired by the kinetic and expressive nature of animated films and television series. Giruhiru's graphical storytelling is also powerful and immediate, and her glorious colors pop off the page. Paired with Janice Chiang's classic-cool lettering, Giruhiru's art and colors recall the graphic classicism of Darwyn Cooke's DC: The New Frontier (DC Comics, 2004).
Superman Smashes the Klan #1 also includes the first part of a feature article or essay by Gene Luen Yang that discusses the history of the Ku Klux Klan and its history of violence against African-Americans after the civil war and against Chinese immigrants. The essay also concerns the history of the persecution of Chinese immigrants and Yang's personal background.
Obviously, I love Superman Smashes the Klan #1 and can't wait for the second issue or graphic novel (because this series is really like a graphic novel miniseries). By the way, I must congratulate Yang for making the saying of the slur, “ching-chong,” feel like someone is saying “nigger.”
[This comic book includes the essay, “Superman and Me, Part 1,” by Gene Luen Yang.]
A+
10 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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