Gene Luen Yang
Gene Luen Yang
Gene Luen Yang is an American writer of graphic novels and comics. Until recently, he was the Director of Information Services and taught computer science at Bishop O'Dowd High School in Oakland, California and travels all over the world, speaking about graphic novels and comics at comic book conventions and universities, schools, and libraries. In 2012, Yang joined the faculty at Hamline University, as a part of the Low-Residency Master of Fine Arts in Writing for Children and Young Adultsprogram...
NationalityChinese
ProfessionWriter
Date of Birth9 August 1973
CountryChina
If I'm writing about a modern-day suburb, there's going to be details of the home and furniture, and if I'm writing about a historical period, those details, those pieces of the world are going to be there as well, but they'll be simplified, because I'm cartooning it.
When I was growing up, I did go to the arcade. We had a neighborhood arcade, and my friends and I would go fairly regularly.
I was really worried that sitting at home by myself in front of a computer was going to make me crazy.
I was a huge fan of the Bruce Timm animated series and, of course, the live action 'Lois & Clark' series. I watched that when I was in college.
I think there is always romantic tension between Lois Lane and Clark Kent.
I think a lot of the things in my life that I become most passionate about, and most excited about, are all from comics.
I never worked a job that required research. I'm not really good at it, to be honest.
I minored in creative writing in college, and I've played with the idea of doing something more hybrid, but comics are my first love.
I love hearing people who are smarter than me talk about my comics. It makes me feel smarter.
I general don't color my stuff - I'm pretty horrible with color. Usually, I'll get one of my cartoonist friends to help me out.
I finished 'American Born Chinese' in 2005, so after that, I started actively researching the Boxer Rebellion.
Going from idea to production is a huge hurdle. It took me a while to overcome it. It's basically all about self discipline, right?
Figuring out a way to balance the Boxer story with the Chinese Christians was difficult.
Every superhero has this superhero identity and a civilian identity. A lot of their lives are about code switching.