Introduction to “Superman Smashes the Klan”

Trade dress cover of “Superman Smashes the Klan” by Gene Luen Yang with art by Gurihiru.

The 2019 series “Superman Smashes the Klan” by Gene Luen Yang with art by Gurihiru is loosely based on a 1946 storyline from the Superman radio show. In both stories, #Superman defends a Chinese immigrant family against the Ku Klux Klan, powerfully rejecting nativist bigotry. 1/9

Superman gifts Lan-Shin Lee his cape, telling her that she’s the real hero

Yang & Gurihiru also add emotional depth to the original version by forcefully centering the unique perspectives of the Lee family and drawing historically & culturally informed parallels between Superman’s alien identity and, in particular, Lan-Shin/Roberta Lee’s identity. 4/9

A page from “The Last Galactus Story,” depicting the scene discussed in the post.

Where the FF are too busy fighting to save the world to think about consequences, Phil is not so lucky. Thus, Busiek and Ross’s work can be seen to isolate and amplify the sublime nature of the original Galactus/Surfer story with this simple shift in perspective. 3/12

Superman looks in the mirror and is confronted with his reflection as a green-skinned alien.

Superman has always been an alien and immigrant, created by sons of Jewish immigrants on the eve of WWII. But these aspects of the character haven’t always been emphasized. In contrast, Yang writes Clark Kent as a man struggling with both external and internalized prejudice. 5/9

The concluding page of Superman Smashes the Klan, in which Lan-Shin declares her intention to fight injustice “just like Superman.”

The parallels between Lan-Shin & Superman’s similar desires to both fit in & stand out never flatten the complexity of their individual identities. But comparing Lan-Shin to Superman–and Superman to Lan-Shin–does underscore the universality of their experiences and journeys. 6/9

Superman roughly hoists a couple of Ku Klux Klan members.

If Superman can be an immigrant (and even a literal alien) while being quintessentially American, then so can Lan-Shin Lee. In turn, situating both characters in opposition to the Klan presents the Klan as anti-truth and anti-justice. 7/9

An image of a burning cross on the lawn of the Lee family from Superman Smashes the Klan.

Aimed at a YA audience, “Superman Smashes the Klan” is fantastical and hopeful without sugarcoating the realities of racist violence and prejudice. Indeed, one could argue that the accessible storytelling makes the intrusions of historically accurate violence more affecting. 8/9

In image of Superman literally smashing the Klan from Superman Smashes the Klan.

Receiving accolades from the Eisner, Harvey, and Ringo Awards, “Superman Smashes the Klan” has quickly become a modern classic. In the weeks ahead, we’ll be discussing the comic’s historical, cultural, and artistic impact from multiple angles. Stay tuned! 9/9