Graphic novelist Marjorie Liu talks to Zara Zhuang about creating comic book universes, fighting for representation, and finding her voice in the male-dominated arena.
COMIC BOOKS WEREN’T a prominent feature of Marjorie Liu’s childhood in Seattle, but being treated differently due to her biracial heritage was.
Though she considered herself “very Chinese on the inside” from growing up among her Chinese cousins and spending weekends in her grandparents’ laundromat — “the Chinese-American stereotype” — she was rejected membership in her high school’s Asian-American club for not looking Asian enough. “That really stung,” the Boston-based author says when she dropped in for the Singapore Writers Festival last November. “I began to retreat and became defiant.”
That episode serendipitously led her into the world of comic books. Having grown up enthralled by the X-Men cartoon series of the 1990s, Liu popped into her university town’s comic bookshop for a peek, picked up issues of X-Men, Wonder Woman, Batman and Deadpool, and never looked back. “I became obsessed,” Liu says. “Part of what drew me to these stories, particularly X-Men, was the theme of otherness and what it means to be fully human and for others to see you as such.”
Liu is now a celebrated writer and graphic novelist. Monstress, her epic fantasy set in a matriarchal Asia, was nominated in 2016 for Eisner Award for Best New Series. She has written the Dirk & Steele paranormal romance novels and the Hunter Kiss urban fantasy series, and worked on Marvel titles such as X-23, NYX, Astonishing X-Men, Dark Wolverine and Black Widow.
Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
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Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Prestige Singapore.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Double Take
Although somewhat dismissed by the contemporary art world as gimmicky, works that incorporate optical illusions remain immensely popular with the general public. Perhaps it speaks to our inherent need for something slightly magical in our everyday lives.
Plugged Into Wealth
Fintech advocate Carney Mak is bullish on disruptive technologies, but preaches deep understanding of business models before diving in.
Going for Green
SIMON ROGAN's visionary approach of cooking in tune with nature is inspiring chefs in Asia to be more sustainable.
TABLES TURNED
They could have their pick of the best schools, but more young super achievers from Asia are going to a hotel academy a choice they believe opens up more doors.
PRECIOUS HISTORY
Cleef Arpel TACHA VASSILTCHIKOV res her insights the jewellery house Peers preserving its patrimony and Heritage.
MARKS OF DISTINCTION
A clasp-free necklace that could be easily put on by the wearer, without assistance.
Colours of the Season
Thanks to K-pop stars, analysing colours to personalise make-up has surged, with theslategs service available from the boutique of Korean. brity make-up artist JUNG SAEM MOOL.
MAKING OF AN OPUS
In Hermes’ Barénia, in-house perfumer CHRISTINE NAGEL has realised a decade-long dream that harks back to her childhood stories.
Everywhere Care
Serums from homegrown skincare brand Blé de Fonty target more than just the face.
Pucker Up
Lip moisturisers are essential in Singapore’s air-conditioned environment. We share our personal favourites and introduce lip care that go the distance.
