Comments on: United Media to launch Secret Asian Man

By: David Knight

David Knight — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 03:14:55 +0000

Hi. I stumbled upon this only recently, hence posting in March of 2008 — my apologies. I was originally looking for info on the Bruce Lee comic strip actually, and did find a bit of info on it in here. While reading of the topic of Asian contributions to American comics, in this case specifically American newspaper comicstrips, I couldn’t help also thinking of Asian contributions to American comic books which really needs an historical custodial overhaul. As a fan I have a vested (an artistic inspiration to me)but I think a justified interest in mentioning an artist in particular, Sanho Kim (or Kim San-ho?). Historically, he was one of the, if not THE, earliest Asian artist to contribute to mainstream newstand comic books (not that enough have noticed this imho).

In Ghostly Tales No. 101, from Charlton Comics, Jan. 1973, for example, he wrote AND drew “The Promise” based on a Korean folk-tale, which appeared in English AND Korean language. Easily a first. He was often given front cover credit for his work appearing (in that issue and in others) which while not unheard of in general, certainly was a first for any Asian comic artist. Also, his independantly published graphic novel, an amazing work (imho), Sword’s Edge Part One – The Sword and the Maiden, in 1973, is most likely the FIRST North American graphic novel proper, and certainly the first “Manga” or more properly to the Korean styling, Manhwa published in America.

In the meantime I will have to look for this comic strip as well, a happy accident of internet surfing. And I hope this doesn’t seem a needless resurrection of this thread/topic — apologies if so.

By: Alan Gardner

Alan Gardner — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:50:42 +0000

Ramirez probably doesn’t count. His heritage is Mexican if memory serves me right.

By: Charles Brubaker

Charles Brubaker — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:41:14 +0000

Thanks, Tak. We try.

Oh, and does editorial cartoonist Michael Ramirez count? He was BORN in Tokyo, Japan, but it doesn’t say whether that’s his ethnic or not.

By: Tak Toyoshima

Tak Toyoshima — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 19:56:19 +0000

You guys are like a bottomless well of knowledge. I’m impressed. Not sure who the first AA creator was. That’s a good point Doug made about the difference between creators and artists. There have definitely been a decent number of Asian artists out there. Love Frank Cho’s stuff. I think he’s working for Marvel now doing Spider-Man.

As for AA lead characters, not sure who the first would be. I remember thinking The Yellow Kid was Asian but I’m pretty sure he’s rish. I think his name was Duggan or something.

Thanks for the encouragement and all. –TAK

By: Rich

Rich — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:41:56 +0000

Tak – best wishes on your new strip. While the historians battle for what makes it unique, hopefully it will just be doggone funny and stand on it’s own! Congrats, syndication is a major accomplishment in and of itself!

By: Chris

Chris — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:16:44 +0000

PC is not Asian, nor is his cat Pixel, although it could be for all we know…

By: D.D.Degg

D.D.Degg — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 11:44:39 +0000

Tak Bui is Vietnamese-(Canadian)American and has done the PC and Pixel strip for over a decade. Anyone know if PC is Asian?

By: Charles Brubaker

Charles Brubaker — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 01:07:42 +0000

There’s also Frank Cho, a Korean-American cartoonist who drew the daily “Liberty Meadows” strip for 5 years.

By: Doug Johnson

Doug Johnson — Sun, 17 Jun 2007 21:41:34 +0000

DD Deggg:

So, it looks like Paul Fung was finally syndicated by King in 1924. Very interesting. Thanks for this info. And, C. Brubaker mentioned Bob Kuwahara’s strip last ran in 1950. So, although this may not be a first, there’s been a void for about 57 years.

I’m sure everyone is thrilled that Tak Toyoshima is here with his fresh, new perspective. I think his strip is hilarious and wish him the best of luck.

By: D.D.Degg

D.D.Degg — Sat, 16 Jun 2007 23:08:07 +0000

Paul Fung (1897 -1944) was hired by the Seattle Post-Intelligencer in 1916. That was the year his “Innocent Hing” began in that paper. According to M. Horn’s World Encyclopedia of Comics it was “about a young Chinese boy in traditional clothes facing problems in an American city.” It began March 1, 1916 and ended later that same year. Paul Fung continued on the paper as a staff cartoonist. In 1921 W.R.Hearst bought the P-I and Fung became a Hearst employee. Around 1924 – 25 Fung created, wrote and drew the King Features Syndicate daily comic strip “The Guy from Grand Rapids”. The guy from Grand Rapids was not Asian as far as I can tell.
For more on Paul Fung there is a short profile at Lambieks: http://lambiek.net/artists/f/fung_p.htm