Long before Internet message boards and Facebook status updates, comic books had a letters page, where fans pined to see their missives in print. On these pages, a public debate began between superfan William F. Wu and writer Doug Moench, then the author of Marvel’s “Master of Kung Fu” series.<\/p>\n
A comics collector since his childhood in Missouri, Wu was incensed over the way the series – and dozens of other Marvel and DC Comics titles – depicted Asian characters, with jaundiced skin, squinty eyes, buck teeth and one-dimensional character development. Their correspondence went on for years, with neither side relenting.<\/p>\n
Instead of turning the other cheek, Wu, a science fiction writer, went on to amass the largest collection of American comics featuring Asians and Asian-Americans. This collection, which he donated to New York University, spans four decades of comics history and is currently on display at the Museum of Chinese in America in Manhattan’s Chinatown.<\/p>\n
“Marvels and Monsters: Unmasking Asian Images in U.S. Comics, 1942-1986” features eight of the most recognizable Asian stereotypes found in mainstream American animation. Many have spilled into other areas of culture: the raven-haired and sinister temptress, the occult wise guru, the maniacal scientist aiming to conquer the world.<\/p>\n
Comics often reflect the social and economic climate of the times in which they’re created, and these images are no exception. These characters have roots in wartime propaganda – during the 40 years that the works cover, the United States was engaged in several wars in Asia.<\/p>\n
“It provides a fantastic mirror of nearly half a century of global events, from world wars to seismic economic and demographic shifts, and illustrates how powerfully the printed image both reflects and changes our cultural environment,” said Jeff Yang, the exhibit’s curator.<\/p>\n
A companion exhibit that also opened last week at the Museum of the Chinese in America looks at the work of today’s most influential Asian-American comic book authors, who are leaders in the current graphic-novel movement.<\/p>\n
Among the most renowned of these artists is Gene Luen Yang, whose “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel to be nominated for a National Book Award. The exhibit includes some of his childhood sketches. Larry Hama, the creator of the comics series, “G.I. Joe: A real American Hero,” is also featured.<\/p>\n
“Asian Americans have been at the forefront of the comic book revolution both on the mainstream superhero side and on the alternative side,” said Yang. “Most of us grew up with comics and fell in love. And surprisingly a large number went on to try to make a career out of them, against their parents’ heartfelt wishes.”<\/p>\n
The Museum of Chinese in America is at 215 Centre St., Manhattan; 212-619-4785; mocanyc.org. Admission is $10. The museum is closed on Mondays.<\/p>\n
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