Gene Luen Yang is the hardest working guy in comics

Award-winning creator talks about making comic books for Panda Express and Fresh Off The Boat.



If there's a comic book creator who's at the center of Asian American pop culture, it's Gene Luen Yang.

He recently partnered with Panda Express for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month to revisit his brilliant re-imagining of the obscure Golden Age superhero The Green Turtle, with artist Sonny Liew, in Shadow Hero Comics #1 (available with the purchase of a kid's meal).

Gene also penned the Fresh Off The Boat tie-in comic book, with artist Jorge Corona, featured on this week's episode of the popular ABC sitcom, available in comic shops May 6 as part of "Free Comic Book Day."

In addition to regular writing duties on DC Comics' New Super-Man, he also serves as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature for the Library of Congress. Oh, and did I mention that he's a MacArthur "Genius"?

Plus, he's the nicest guy.

I recently caught up with Gene, who's on the road for his numerous school visits and speaking engagements. He talked about his collaborations with Panda Express and Fresh Off The Boat, possible future adventures for The Green Turtle, and his efforts to get people to read outside their comfort zones.

The first Asian American superhero returns in 'Shadow Hero Comics' #1

Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew partner with Panda Express for an exclusive new Green Turtle comic.



The Green Turtle returns! Award-winning comic book creator Gene Luen Yang has partnered with Panda Express to release an exclusive new comic featuring The Green Turtle -- the first Asian American superhero and star of the acclaimed graphic novel The Shadow Hero, in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and the restaurant chain's salute to underdogs and unsung heroes.

Yang, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, has reunited with artist Sonny Liew to revisit their re-imagining of the obscure Golden Age comic superhero The Green Turtle in Shadow Hero Comics #1. Created by artist Chu Hing in 1944 for Blazing Comics, the character is believed to be the first Chinese American superhero. Yang and Liew revived the character in 2014 with an all-new Asian American origin story.

Fresh Off The Boat teams up with Panda Express

Fast food chain partners with ABC comedy to celebrate Chinese New Year.



This is really weird, yet actually kind of makes sense. ABC's Fresh Off The Boat and fast food chain Panda Express are joining up for an exclusive partnership to promote the show and celebrate Chinese New Year.

Beginning this week through February 3, Panda Express restaurants across the country will display special branded Fresh Off the Boat Chinese New Year Posters and table tents featuring the Huangs.

That's right. If you step into a Panda Express location, you might just see Hudson Yang or Constance Wu's faces plastered on that little cardboard table tent, sitting next to your glistening plate of orange chicken.

Chinese People Try Panda Express For The First Time

Taste testers of Chinese descent sample greatest hits from the fast food chain's menu.



Everybody knows that there's Chinese food... and then there's "Chinese food." If you don't know the difference, let me be the one to break it to you. Most of the stuff that is dished out and sold at your average strip mall Chinese takeout joint is nowhere to be found on menus in China. It's something else entirely.

The quintessential franchise version of "Chinese" cuisine is, of course, Panda Express. A staple of every mall food court, the ubiquitous fast food chain has had a hand in shaping America's palate for "Chinese" food. But what do Chinese people think about Panda Express?

In this BuzzFeed video, Chinese People Try Panda Express For The First Time. Taste testers of Chinese descent -- virgin tongues to the Panda's flavors -- sample and give their thoughts on Egg Rolls, Orange Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken, Chow Mein, and other greatest hits from the Panda Express menu.

Their reactions are interesting. Take a look: