Full Name and Common Aliases

Gene Luen Yang is a comic book writer and illustrator best known for his work on the DC Comics series _New Super-Man_.

Birth and Death Dates

He was born on October 13, 1972. As of this writing, he is still alive.

Nationality and Profession(s)

Yang is an American comics creator, novelist, and video game designer.

Early Life and Background

Gene Luen Yang grew up in the San Gabriel Valley area of California. His parents were both Chinese immigrants who had a significant influence on his early life. Yang's father was a factory worker, while his mother worked as a seamstress. He has stated that he was an introverted child, often spending hours reading and drawing.

Yang attended Bishop Amat Memorial High School in La Puente, California. After graduating high school, he went on to study computer science at the University of California, Berkeley, but dropped out without completing his degree. Instead, he moved to Taiwan to teach English as a second language for two years. It was during this time that Yang began to develop his skills as a cartoonist.

Major Accomplishments

Yang's breakthrough comic book series is _American Born Chinese_, which won the Eisner Award for Best Graphic Album in 2007 and was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in 2008. He has also written several other critically acclaimed graphic novels, including _Boxers_ and _Level Up_. Yang has been a vocal advocate for diversity and representation in comics, and he has worked to bring more Asian-American characters into the mainstream.

In addition to his work as a comic book writer, Yang is also an accomplished novelist. His first novel, _The Shadow Hero_, was published in 2013 to critical acclaim. He has also written several young adult novels, including _Secret Identity_ and _Superman Smashes the Klan_. Yang's other notable works include the video game _Marvel Future Revolution_.

Notable Works or Actions

Yang is perhaps best known for his work on the DC Comics series _New Super-Man_, which he launched in 2016. The series follows a Chinese superhero who becomes part of the Justice League. This was the first time that a major comic book publisher had featured an Asian-American protagonist as the main character.

In addition to his work on _New Super-Man_, Yang has also been involved in several other notable projects, including a video game called _Hey Ash, Whatcha Playin'?_ and a graphic novel called _The Great Dog_.

Impact and Legacy

Gene Luen Yang's impact on the comic book industry cannot be overstated. He has paved the way for more Asian-American characters to appear in mainstream comics, and his work has inspired a new generation of creators. As an advocate for diversity and representation, Yang continues to push boundaries and challenge the status quo.

Yang has also had a significant influence on education policy. In 2018, he was appointed by the National Endowment for the Humanities to be one of four U.S. delegates to the 2019 Tokyo International Forum. He has also been an advocate for arts education in schools and has spoken out about the importance of teaching comics and graphic novels in the classroom.

Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered

Gene Luen Yang is widely quoted or remembered because he is a trailblazer in the comic book industry, particularly when it comes to representation. His work challenges traditional notions of superheroes and characters from diverse backgrounds. He is also known for his advocacy work on issues such as arts education and diversity and inclusion.

Yang has been featured in _The New York Times_, _Entertainment Weekly_, and _Vogue_ among other publications. He has spoken at conferences around the world, including the TED Conference and the San Diego Comic-Con International.