The Good Asian #3 Review

Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote / Artist: Alexandre Tefenkgi / Image Not very many comics can make a history lesson utterly enthralling, but Pichetshote and Tefenkgi manage to make the opening sequence of The Good Asian #3 just that. Pichetshote carefully narrates the origins of the Chinese Exclusion Act, a law that you probably saw in an American history textbook briefly but never really understood the great implications of it because of how American history actually works. As Tefenkgi provides vivid representations and recollections, Pichetshote provides a comprehensive explanation of different historical events that led to the current circumstances of 1936 Chinatown and, from this carefully recreated sandbox, is able to tell the story. The Good Asian #3 marks a very special departure from the series usual perspective, as we get to spend time with Lucy Fan and get her history in Chinatown in San Francisco. It provides a nice contrast to the portrait that Edison Hark’s perspective has provided and further enriches the city and its citizens. Lucy acts as a way to situate Hark in this new city as he continues to search for Ivy Chen.

This type of mid-series tonal shift textures the narrative perfectly and gives Pichetshote a chance to explore different aspects of the era to great effect. However, the signatures markings of the series: namely stellar detective work and thrilling action sequences are still prevalent even with the shift in point of view. Hark’s roll is downplayed …