Secret Asian Man: The Daily Days by Tak Toyoshima
Art director for an alternative city paper by day, comics artist whenever he has the time, SAM (Secret Asian Man, yes!) – not so unlike his own creator Tak Toyoshima – fights stereotypes when he can, makes biting commentaries when frustrated, and generally tries to get along in his diverse world. His cousin Simon challenges him, his best friend Charlie hangs with him, his hapa son Shin inspires him, and thank goodness his Irish/Italian wife keeps him grounded.
Over the five years that Secret Asian Man ran daily under United Features Syndicate, Osamu “SAM” Takahashi – “You got Ellis Islanded,” his son’s preschool teacher points out! – watches his best friend Charlie build one invention after another and finally hit it big, survive cuts and layoffs and creative differences at his alternative paper, witnesses history being made with Obama’s victory (and wonders when an APA President might be a reality), somehow survives the economic downturns, celebrates his son’s growing sense of mixed identity, repeatedly debates a city vs. suburb future with his suburban-raised wife, shakes his head when his annoying cousin finally gets a girlfriend (named Grace Lee – everyone knows a Grace Lee, right?), and generally tries to stay a positive, supportive friend, father, and husband.
Collected for the first time in this single entertaining volume, SAM’s adventures can be read in a single sitting, or strip by strip as they were meant to be. Toyoshima advises, “… feel free to jump around, dog ear pages, cut out favorites or give them to your kids to color.” When you’re finished, put your withdrawl worries to rest … SAM’s adventures don’t end on page 231 – you can keep following him at secretasianman.com or check in with SAM’s creator at Toyoshima’s regularly updated blog.
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2009
Discussion