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Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero    by Fred Chao Amazon.com order for
Johnny Hiro
by Fred Chao
Order:  USA  Can
Tor, 2012 (2012)
Softcover
* *   Reviewed by Hilary Williamson

Fred Chao's Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero is an engaging graphic novel adventure starring a Brooklyn busboy who lives with his girlfriend Mayumi in 'New York City: the Tokyo of North America'.

It starts with a dino-lizard busting open their apartment and making off with Mayumi. Of course our young hero leaps to the rescue ... in Mayumi's Hello Bunny slippers (and that style of humor continues throughout). As Johnny chases the girlfriend-stealing monster, said ditzy girlfriend tries to send him back for her digital camera!

There are lots of back stories in this graphic novel - even the monster, Gozadilla has one, and he's bent on revenge for past injuries. But it's bedtime in Japan so he takes a nap, giving Mayumi the opportunity to call the mayor, who actually responds, because he's concerned about real estate values!

Johnny's next adventure is a perilous lobster quest, followed by a samurai attack at the opera, a Moby moment, a car chase across the city, and disaster at work. But he and Mayumi still have each other, and they have their day in court, and even call the mayor once more.

Johnny Hiro: Half Asian, All Hero will be appreciated by anyone starting out on life on their own (or remembering what that was like). This graphic novel is only half serious but it's all fun.

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