New Comic Reimagines Lois Lane as an Asian American Teen

First look at 'Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story' by Sarah Kuhn and Arielle Jovellanos.



If you were like me, growing up as an Asian American consumer of comic books, you sometimes had to crane your neck to find representation within those four-color panels. And sometimes, intended or not, it was right there in front of you in plain black ink. I can't be the only one who interpreted Superman's canonically black hair as a signifier of Asian-ness -- by way of Krypton, of course. (Kal-El is an immigrant, don't ya know?)

For writer Sarah Kuhn, it was Lois Lane, intrepid reporter for the Daily Planet.

"Lois Lane is my idol — as a kid, I imprinted on her immediately and dreamed of becoming a hard-charging reporter on a quest for the truth (who also gets burgers and freshly squeezed orange juice delivered to her desk at 9 am)." Sarah says. "I was always desperately searching for some tiny scrap of representation in the stories I loved and Lois had dark hair, so sometimes I'd fantasize that she was Asian American -- like me."

Sarah, whose previous work includes the Cassandra Cain story Shadow of the Batgirl, gets to realize that fantasy in her upcoming original graphic novel, Girl Taking Over: A Lois Lane Story, due out in April 2023. Part of the DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults line, with art by Arielle Jovellanos, the book reimagines Lois Lane as an Asian American teenager -- a small town girl with a big city summer internship trying to get a handle on friendship, romance and a burgeoning career.

I'm pleased to share this first look at preview pages from Girl Taking Over:

They Call Us Bruce 126: They Call Us The Asian Superhero Celebration

Jeff Yang and Phil Yu present an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America.



What's up, podcast listeners? We've got another episode of our podcast They Call Us Bruce. (Almost) each week, my good friend, writer/columnist Jeff Yang and I host an unfiltered conversation about what's happening in Asian America, with a strong focus on media, entertainment and popular culture.

In this episode, we welcome DC Comics Editor Jessica Chen, the mastermind behind DC Festival of Heroes: The Asian Superhero Celebration, a new comics anthology spotlighting Asian superheroes and creators. We discuss why superhero representation matters and do some deep-cut nerding out over Batgirl, Samurai, Jim Lee and more.

Ali Wong joins the cast of 'Birds of Prey'

'Baby Cobra' comedian will play a supporting role in DC's female-centered superhero movie.



Ali Wong has nabbed a supporting role in the upcoming DC superhero movie Birds of Prey.

According to The Wrap, the Baby Cobra comedian will reportedly play an associate of Rosie Perez's Renee Montoya in the Gotham police force. I don't suppose there's any chance that she'll play a nunchuck-wielding superhero (or villain) actually named "Baby Cobra"? That would be fun.

Wong, who voiced Felony in Disney's animated hit Ralph Breaks the Internet, is currently a series regular on ABC's American Housewife, and released her second Netflix special Hard Knock Wife earlier this year. She also co-wrote and stars opposite Randall Park in the upcoming Netflix romantic comedy Always Be My Maybe.

Superman is going to smash the Klan

Gene Luen Yang joins the roster of DC Comics' new imprints aimed at young readers.



Battling racists? This is a job for Superman! DC Comics recently announced two new youth-oriented original graphic novel imprints, DC Ink, which will focus on young adult readers, and DC Zoom, which will focus on middle grade readers. Both imprints will feature work by an acclaimed, all-star roster of talent, but one title in particular caught our attention: Superman Smashes the Klan by Gene Luen Yang.

There's not a lot to go on yet, outside of DC's press release, but the title alone instantly conjures up imagery of the Man of Steel punching out white hooded assholes. And that's kind of fun. Story-wise, it might be the kind of thing that gives you pause -- racism is real; will these themes be handles with some sensitivity?

Then you see that Gene Luen Yang is writing it, and it's allllll good. That's all I need to know.

"If anyone can make a bold statement with Superman, it is Gene Yang," Michele Wells, the vice president for content strategy at DC, told The New York Times.

Ryan Potter cast as Beast Boy in 'Titans'

Upcoming live action TV series based on the DC Comics title.



Looks like we have a Beast Boy! Ryan Potter has been cast in the series regular role of Beast Boy in Titans, the upcoming live-action TV series adaptation based on the popular DC Comics title.

'Titans': Ryan Potter Cast As Beast Boy In Live-Action Series For DC Digital Service

Titans follows a group of "soon-to-be superheroes from every corner of the DC Universe." Recruited by Dick Grayson (Brenton Thwaites), this fearless band of new heroes includes Starfire (Anna Diop), Raven (Teagan Croft), and of course, Garfield "Gar" Logan, aka Beast Boy.

As a child, Gar contracted a lethal disease on an African safari with his geneticist parents, only to experience some "bizarre side effects" after being treated with an experimental drug. In addition to his skin and hair turning permanently green, the wisecracking, fun-loving Beast Boy is able to transform himself into animals of any size.

When DC's Asian Superheroes Got Together for Dim Sum

Artist Bernard Chang celebrates #asianheroesmonth on his variant cover for 'New Super-Man' #11.



It's May, so it's Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month... but it's also #asianheroesmonth!

To celebrate, artist Bernard Chang created this awesome variant cover for New Super-Man #11 depicting Kenan Kong, aka the Chinese Superman, going out to dim sum with some of his fellow Asian superheroes of the DC Universe (at a restaurant where the poor wait staff is apparently possessed by Starro the Conqueror).

Meet the New Chinese Super-Man!

View a four-page preview of Gene Luen Yang's 'New Super-Man' #1.



DC Comics newest high-flying hero, Kenan Kong, is a Chinese teenager from Shanghai who finds himself infused with the powers of the Man of Steel. Written by acclaimed graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, with art by Viktor Bodganovich, the new monthly title New Super-Man is part of DC's "Rebirth" initiative.

Ahead of this month's debut, here's an official preview of the first four pages of New Super-Man #1, which introduces our hero Kenan Kong and the DC Universe's version of metropolitan Shanghai, which appears to have its own super-problems. It also seems that when we first encounter Kenan, he is... well, a bit of a jerk.

Take a look:

A new name for a New Super-Man

Why the new Chinese Superman went through a name change before he'd even taken flight.



Meet Kenan Kong, the New Super-Man!

Last month, as part of its much-hyped "Rebirth" initiative, DC Comics announced that its newest high-flying hero, starring in the monthly title New Super-Man, would be a Chinese teenager from Shanghai who finds himself infused with the powers of Superman. Best of all, this decidedly Chinese take on the Man of Steel would be written by acclaimed graphic novelist Gene Luen Yang, with art by Viktor Bodganovich.

Here's the cover art for New Super-Man #1:

Jim Lee is giving away 50 sketches at Comic-Con

Fifty lucky attendees will get a drawing by the legendary comic book artist


Today kicks off the massive annual celebration of geekdom known as San Diego Comic-Con. For four days, sweaty legions of thousands of eager fans -- costumed and non-costumed alike -- will descend upon the pop culture mecca. Heads up: if you're headed to the San Diego Convention Center, and you're extremely lucky, you might walk away with a rare free sketch by legendary artist Jim Lee.

Lee, the Co-Publisher of DC Entertainment, is celebrating his upcoming 50th birthday (August 11) by giving away 50 sketches of various characters at his Comic-Con spotlight panel on Sunday. Lee's Batman art -- commemorating the character's 75th anniversary -- also graces the cover of the convention's souvenir book.

Check out this great interview with the comic book industry icon:

Is Warner Brothers looking for a big screen Wonder Woman?

Rumors say Elodie Yung is among actresses testing for a possible role in Batman/Superman.

Fanboys and fangirls are aware that there is a Batman/Superman movie currently in the works at Warner Brothers. Directed by Zack Snyder, the movie will star Henry Cavill reprising his role as the Man of Steel, and Ben Affleck stepping into the role of the Caped Crusader. But it's rumored that they might also be casting for the role of Diana Prince, aka Wonder Woman: New Actresses Test for 'Batman vs. Superman' ...as Wonder Woman?

According to Variety, actresses Gal Gadot, Elodie Yung and Olga Kurylenko have tested for the movie's female lead, who is described as "tall, brunette, athletic and exotic" -- and sounds a lot like a certain superheroic Amazonian princess from DC Comics fame. Could Wonder Woman be the latest superfriend to make an appearance alongside Superman and Batman?

Jim Lee's rejection letters from Marvel and DC

"Your work looks as if it were done by four different people."



Artist, writer and editor Jim Lee, co-publisher of DC Comics, is hands-down one of the most important figures in the comic book industry. He's had a hand in creating some of the medium's most iconic characters and stories, and his unique style and technique have influenced a generation of artists.

To this fanboy, he's a personal hero -- not only as a comic book professional, but also as one of the first Korean Americans I ever saw working in a nontraditional, creative career. He's the best.

But he wasn't always at the top of the game. While cleaning out some file cabinets, Jim recently came across a bunch of old rejection letters he received as a young hungry artist trying to break into the biz. Naturally, he snapped photos of the notes -- correspondence from both DC and Marvel Comics -- and posted them on Instagram. They're definitely humble evidence that even the greats must start at the bottom.

Take a look: