Please also see my post Asian-American Graphic Novels 2019.
Three years ago, I did a display in the library and a post here about Asian-American Graphic Novels. This year felt like time for an update! Just a few notes – this list was originally started around a core bibliography put together by Dr. Stephen Hong Sohn, now of UC Riverside, with his permission. I’ve added more titles that have come out, after removing books that weren’t at my library. There’s also a nice list at the Harris County Public Library, for those who are interested in more. And, if you’ve read of generally available graphic novels by Asian-American authors that I’ve missed, please let me know in the comments!
Asian in America: Graphic Novels
Adult
The Best We Could Do by Thi Bui (2017)
Boundless by Jillian Tamaki (2017)
Cook Korean by Robin Ha (2016)
Empire State by Jason Shiga (2011)
Four Immigrants Manga by Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama (1999)
Get Jiro! By Anthony Burdain (2012)
Killing and Dying by Adrian Tomine (2016)
Level Up by Gene Luen Yang (2011)
Monstress by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda (2016)
Nanjing: the Burning City by Ethan Young (2015)
One! Hundred! Demons! By Lynda Barry (2002)
Same Difference by Derek Kirk Kim (2011)
Secret Identities by Jeff Yang et al (2009)
Shortcomings by Adrian Tomine (2007)
Summer Blonde by Adrian Tomine (2003)
Vietnamerica by G.B. Tran (2007)
Teen
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang (2006)
The Arrival by Shaun Tan (2006)
Brain Camp by Susan Kim (2010)
Diary of a Tokyo Teen by Christine Mari Inzer (2016)
Eternal Smile Gene Luen Yang and Derek Kirk Kim (2009)
Half World by Hiromi Goto (2009)
Johnny Hiro! By Fred Chao (2012)
Koko Be Good by Jen Wang (2010)
Re-Gifters by Mike Carey (2007)
Scott Pilgrim series by Bryan Lee O’Malley (2004 and on)
Shadow Hero by Gene Luen Yang and Sonny Liew (2014)
Skim by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (2008)
Snotgirl by Bryan Lee O’Malley (2017)
SuperMutant Magic Academy by Jillian Tamaki (2015)
This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki (2014)
Tina’s Mouth by Keshni Kashyap (2011)
What It Is by Lynda Barry (2008)
Youth
Amulet series by Kazu Kibuishi (2008 and on)
Avatar: the Last Airbender series by Gene Luen Yang (2012 and on)
Secret Coders series by Gene Luen Yang and Mike Holmes (2015 and on)
[Updated 5/17/17 to add Cook Korean.]
This is an excellent list, thank you so much! There is a second Johnny Hiro book out now. Another book I’d recommend for this list is Good As Lily, a Korean-American coming-of-age time travel story that seems fluffy but is surprisingly deep. I read it in 2007 when it was first released and it has stuck in my mind for the past decade!
You mentioned not having any Pacific Islander comic books. I only know of one (which I haven’t read yet): The Shark King
Thank you very much! I will look into these titles!
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