About – Canon Comics Zine

About The Canon Team

Alex is a high school mathematics instructor with a long-standing interest in comics. He enjoys various types of comics, ranging from classic American newspaper comic strips to contemporary Korean manhwa. He is particularly drawn to foreign books, as they often offer novel perspectives and approaches to storytelling that differ from American comics. He also consumes a lot of podcasts that recommend and review manga, such as Mangasplaining.

Something New

A book that I enjoy for its humor and entertainment value is Fungirl by Elizabeth Pich. This graphic novel is a witty and irreverent satire of the modern dating scene, with a protagonist who is unapologetically herself. The book evokes the spirit of the classic raunch comedies that I enjoyed in my youth. Reading Fungirl or Ben Dewey’s Tragedy Series (very different in humor) always lifts my mood when I am feeling low.

Something Old

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, despite its flaws, rekindled my interest in comics during my college years. I was fascinated by the character design and the meticulous details in every page. I also enjoyed the audacious plot crafted by Alan Moore. The art of Kevin O’Neill and Ho Che Anderson, with their distinctive chunky styles, inspired me to rediscover comics.

Something Banned

American Born Chinese is not my favorite work by Gene Luen Yang, but it is a work that resonates with me deeply. It’s most important impact was as a work that many of my students found meaningful and relatable when I started teaching. I had the opportunity to meet Gene Luen Yang a few years ago and he is one of the most kind and humble people (and a former teacher, which I appreciate) that I have ever encountered. His work does not deserve to be banned.