Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology Boasts Top-Notch Talent

It's been three years since Secret Identities was published, an anthology that collected groundbreaking work of Asian American superhero work. Three years is a long time, which makes 2012 a great year to follow up that book with another in Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology.

While the first collection focused on the conventions of superhero comics, this new book expands its horizon to include edgier genres, from hard-boiled pulp to horror, adventure, fantasy, and science fiction. Using this darker range of hues, it seeks to subvert—to shatter—the hidebound stereotypes that have obscured the Asian image since the earliest days of immigration: the stoic brute, the prodigious brain, the exotic temptress, the inscrutable alien, the devious manipulator.

The lineup is quite the doozy. Lending their talents to the anthology are Bernard Chang, Greg Pak, Takeshi Miysazawa, Gene Yang, Ming Doyle, Sonny Liew, Sean Chen, GB Tran, Christine Norrie and Larry Hama. That's just the comics talent. Other creative geniuses include Adam WarRock, Bao Phi, Michael Kang, Jamie Ford and more. The original short stories cover everything from ethnic kiddie shows to airline security procedures to China's AIDS policy.

Michael Uslan says Shattered “shatters conventions, stereotypes, and most importantly, myths in comic books and graphic novels… and finally opens the door globally to a contemporary mythology steeped in Asian folklore of brave warriors battling demons, external or inner."

The book should be available now. Full press release below.
PAK, CHANG HEADLINE "SHATTERED: THE ASIAN AMERICAN COMICS ANTHOLOGY"

Three years after the publication of the groundbreaking Asian American superhero anthology Secret Identities, the same team is back with a new volume — bigger, bolder, and more breathtaking in scope.  And now, you can pre-order Shattered: The Asian American Comics Anthology through your local comic retailer via Diamond Code: SEP121160.

While the first collection focused on the conventions of superhero comics, this new book expands its horizon to include edgier genres, from hard-boiled pulp to horror, adventure, fantasy, and science fiction.  Using this darker range of hues, it seeks to subvert—to shatter—the hidebound stereotypes that have obscured the Asian image since the earliest days of immigration: the stoic brute, the prodigious brain, the exotic temptress, the inscrutable alien, the devious manipulator.

The eclectic and impressive lineup of contributors includes many leading comics creators, including Bernard Chang, Greg Pak, Takeshi Miysazawa, Gene Yang, Ming Doyle, Sonny Liew, Sean Chen, GB Tran, Christine Norrie, and Larry Hama; as well as stars from other media such as rapper Adam WarRock, slam poet Bao Phi, filmmaker Michael Kang, author Jamie Ford; and many more!  Their original graphic short stories cover topics from ethnic kiddie shows, China’s AIDS policy, and airline security procedures to the untold backstory of Flash Gordon’s nemesis and the gritty reality of a day in the life of a young Koreatown gangster.

Writer/Artist Derek Kirk Kim (Same Difference) calls Shattered “a highly eclectic grab bag,” while The Detention Club author David Yoosays, “there truly is something for everyone… these stories are all ridiculously unputdownable!”

Michael Uslan, the Executive Producer of The Dark Knight trilogy, says Shattered “shatters conventions, stereotypes, and most importantly, myths in comic books and graphic novels… and finally opens the door globally to a contemporary mythology steeped in Asian folklore of brave warriors battling demons, external or inner."

Shattered incorporates thrills, chills, and delight while exposing the hidden issues and vital truths of the nation’s fastest-growing and most dynamic community, and features a cover designed by DC Comics' superstar Cliff Chiang!

Look for Shattered on page 313 of the September issue of Previews, in stores now!

For more information on the book, follow the Secret Identities Universe: @SIUniverse,facebook.com/SIUniverse and siuniverse.tumblr.com.