The Shadow Hero engages many Asian stereotypes which include having small eyes, parents having high expectations for their children, being emotionally indifferent and distant, having a good work ethic. Detective Lawful refers to the Chinese gang members as “sneaky, slant-eyed bastards,” which shows the derogatory language people use about Asians when they think they are not around (118). Hua is the typical Asian parent. She sets incredibly high expectations for her son, like becoming a superhero, and pushes her son to pursue her dream even when he doesn’t want to. Like another stereotype, Hua does everything that she can to help her son become a superhero (28-29). The mother also shows her emotional indifference in the beginning of the graphic novel when she tries to avoid being in Chinatown with her husband and son as much as she can (7). The hard working stereotype can be seen in the father as he runs his shop and in Hank as he trains with Uncle Wun Too. Learning to fight reveals another Asian stereotype in which Asians are good fighters, but this story also challenges the stereotype that all Asians know kung fu because Wun Too expresses that he is not teaching him kung fu (32).
This graphic novel challenges many other Asian stereotypes which include submissiveness, intelligence, and cowardice. Many believe that Asian women are submissive, but this novel shows strong female characters with authoritative roles. For example, Hua calls the robber out on eyeing her chest while pointing a gun to her head (13). Asians are said to be smart, intelligent people, but this story shows Hank’s stupidity and thoughtlessness throughout the novel. In media, Asians are not usually portrayed as the hero, but The Shadow Hero redefines that stereotype.
The story about Hank’s father being a successful fighter when drunk is actually based on a well known Chinese legend known as the Drunken Master.
