6.5/10, it was ok. ( )

Satisfying, but even more fun when you can relate to the feeling of "there's this ridiculous/cruddy/offensive/banal piece of media I am totally obsessed with, how can I take the established facts as a point of departure and retroactively alchemize it into the amazing story I always desperately wanted it to be?" ( )

Absolutely loved this origin story Yang created for an obscure superhero from the Golden Age of comics. The art was great, and I laughed all the way through.
This is the first Gene Yang comic I've read. I believe it's time to pick up [b:American Born Chinese|118944|American Born Chinese|Gene Luen Yang|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1317066615s/118944.jpg|114515], [b:Boxers|17210470|Boxers (Boxers & Saints, #1)|Gene Luen Yang|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359199413s/17210470.jpg|23691809] and [b:Saints|17210471|Saints (Boxers & Saints, #2)|Gene Luen Yang|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1359199657s/17210471.jpg|23691810]. ( )

Note: I received a paperback copy from the publisher. ( )

I still think Yang's Boxers & Saints is his best work, but this was such a fun read. Like most of the readers reading this book, I knew nothing previously of the Green Turtle. He's one of those Golden Age heroes long forgotten by the public. The Shadow Hero decides to bring back the hero, but giving him an origin story and making him more of a developed character.

I really liked this version of the Green Turtle's story. Yes, it has elements from other heroes, but I think they wanted to mix-and-match the Green Turtle's origins to make him feel like a Golden Age hero. I liked that Hank Chu (the Green Turtle's alter-ego in this title) saw this shadowy turtle spirit that gave him the power to dodge bullets, meaning if someone was to shoot him the bullet would always miss him.

This has a great cast of characters besides the main hero. I loved the mother. Unlike most superhero origins she is the one who wants her son to become a superhero after being saved by another. She makes him is fist costume and gives him his first name (neither last and ultimately change). I liked the mother mainly because she was determined her son was to grow up a good boy and do good for the people. Plus, she makes funny remarks throughout the book.

I'm not really familiar with Liew's artwork, but I enjoyed it too. I was hesitant to get this for sometime because looking at previews I wasn't sure about the art. Something felt off to me about it, but I was wrong. I think the art fits well for the way the story is told. At times it reminds me of the artwork in Chew, but it's less humorous.

I'm pretty sure this will be the only volume, but I think they could easily do another book. You can read the original Green Turtle story, but this is so much better. About the original stuff, this book includes the first story, lets jest say be thankful Yang and Liew remade the Green Turtle. The original had a lot of plot holes, racial issues, and just bad writing. I'm glad this book included the first issue for historical and fully enjoyment purposes. ( )