Superman takes on Kryptonite, racism, and the Klan in the new graphic novel Superman Smashes the Klan. The Lee family have just made the move from Chinatown to the inner circle of Metropolis. Almost immediately, Tommy and Roberta encounter the local kids and racism as they are Chinese Americans. One of the boys in the group lashes out at Tommy with some pretty nasty comments after its proven Tommy is a better baseball pitcher. Roberta tries to stand up for her brother, but ends up on the bad side of his anger. She desperately wants to go back to Chinatown. Her father works on a secret project at the local hospital, and after Superman has a run in with a German covered in Kryptonite, it becomes clear the two may be connected. Lois Lane wants to get to the bottom of Superman’s behavior and what secret the local hospital is covering up. While Roberta does her best to get comfortable, the boy her brother had a run in with tells his uncle. Unfortunately, his uncle is the Scorpion of the local Klan of the Fiery Cross. Superman and Roberta must team up to save Tommy, who is most definitely in danger.
Superman Smashes the Klan is written by Gene Luen Yang, and comes out just in time for Asian Pacific American Heritage month. With an actual family history of dealing with the struggle or American racism, the book feels therapeutic. The illustrations by Gurihiru has a charming 1950’s feel, while still striking home important and terrifying images. The Klan of the Fiery Cross is very clearly the Ku Klux Klan, and honestly I wish we had a Superman to deal with the recent highlighted racist nonsense the United States is going through.
Superman Smashes the Klan is available from DC today.
