While to topic of Other is a go-to with a graphic novel like this, I found the title of ur hero to be a bit misleading. Yang and Liew title their graphic novel The Shadow Hero but that is not the name of the hero in the text. Hank's superhero name changes from the Chinese symbol for gold, to Golden Man of Bravery, to the Jade Tortoise, and finally Green Turtle. Hank's superhero name shifts from Chinese culture to a blend of Chinese-American, much like his own personal identity. There is a balance needed in order for Hank to become this hero. Yet, Hank is still only human and though he can fight well, he is no Batman. His name is also never The Shadow Hero, which begs the question: who is The Shadow Hero?
Take into consideration that it was Hank's mother who wanted him to become a superhero; he was perfectly content with working in the store with his father. This is similar to other superheroes who have "greatness thrust upon them", like Spiderman or when Hal Gordan became Green Lantern. Despite her best efforts, including pushing her son into a toxic spill, ingesting a mix of unknown herbs, contacting spirits of the dead, and letting her son get bit by a mutated dog, Hank was just "normal". He only became a superhero after the Great Spirit of the Tortoise made him a promise: that he would never be shot. If the Tortoise had never encountered Hank, then Hank would never have become a superhero (though if he kept fighting he may have been an ordinary, everyday kind of hero but I digress).
The Tortoise is the real superhero, if you stop to think about it. He is the one who originally fought for justice and to protect his nation. He was the one who helped those in need (Hank's father and Hank himself). It may be argued he did it so he wouldn't disappear, since the fall of China meant the fall of the old gods as well. But the selfishness that the Dragon spirit shows does not motivate the Tortoise. The fact that the entire novel is named after this shadowed hero is proof enough. His face is also covering most of the front cover of the novel, with the focus being on Hank's Green Turtle to distract from the fact that he is not the real hero. Then there is the fact that the Great Tortoise is the first image seen in the text on the title page and the last image seen in the entire graphic novel.
The only reason, then, that Hank is the hero and focus of the story is that the Tortoise needed someone to fight for him. Being a shadow the Tortoise is not able to have a physical body in our world. Hank acts as the physical manifestation of the Tortoise. So the Tortoise takes on the next best role: the sidekick. He is there to back up Hank, giving him advice, and helping fight against the bad guys (by protecting him from bullets).
It is my opinion that the real hero of the story is in the title: the hero that lies in the shadow. Taken literally, this means the Tortoise. Metaphorically, it could also mean the self that hides from the world, which then references Hank's personal identity as a Chinese American.
Take into consideration that it was Hank's mother who wanted him to become a superhero; he was perfectly content with working in the store with his father. This is similar to other superheroes who have "greatness thrust upon them", like Spiderman or when Hal Gordan became Green Lantern. Despite her best efforts, including pushing her son into a toxic spill, ingesting a mix of unknown herbs, contacting spirits of the dead, and letting her son get bit by a mutated dog, Hank was just "normal". He only became a superhero after the Great Spirit of the Tortoise made him a promise: that he would never be shot. If the Tortoise had never encountered Hank, then Hank would never have become a superhero (though if he kept fighting he may have been an ordinary, everyday kind of hero but I digress).
The Tortoise is the real superhero, if you stop to think about it. He is the one who originally fought for justice and to protect his nation. He was the one who helped those in need (Hank's father and Hank himself). It may be argued he did it so he wouldn't disappear, since the fall of China meant the fall of the old gods as well. But the selfishness that the Dragon spirit shows does not motivate the Tortoise. The fact that the entire novel is named after this shadowed hero is proof enough. His face is also covering most of the front cover of the novel, with the focus being on Hank's Green Turtle to distract from the fact that he is not the real hero. Then there is the fact that the Great Tortoise is the first image seen in the text on the title page and the last image seen in the entire graphic novel.
The only reason, then, that Hank is the hero and focus of the story is that the Tortoise needed someone to fight for him. Being a shadow the Tortoise is not able to have a physical body in our world. Hank acts as the physical manifestation of the Tortoise. So the Tortoise takes on the next best role: the sidekick. He is there to back up Hank, giving him advice, and helping fight against the bad guys (by protecting him from bullets).
It is my opinion that the real hero of the story is in the title: the hero that lies in the shadow. Taken literally, this means the Tortoise. Metaphorically, it could also mean the self that hides from the world, which then references Hank's personal identity as a Chinese American.