The boy who became a dragon A Bruce Lee story

Jim Di Bartolo

Book - 2020

Presents a biography of the martial arts legend, describing his childhood in Hong Kong and how it was shaped by World War II, and his success as an international star.

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Subjects
Genres
Biographical comics
Nonfiction comics
Graphic novels
Published
New York, NY : Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic 2020.
Language
English
Main Author
Jim Di Bartolo (author)
Edition
First edition
Item Description
Chiefly illustrations.
Physical Description
233 pages : chiefly color illustrations ; 21 cm
ISBN
9781338134124
9781338134117
Contents unavailable.
Review by Booklist Review

Considering Bruce Lee's legendary status and how comics can serve the dynamic forms and movements of martial arts, it's a wonder this is his first graphic biography. Solid and beautifully produced, it focuses mainly on Lee's childhood, growing up in Japanese-occupied and then British-occupied Hong Kong. A child actor living with devoted parents and a huge extended family, Lee is a mischief-maker always ready to throw a punch. Until, that is, he finally talks his way into the school of the great Kung Fu master Yip Man, who helps the boy find his constant desire to improve. Di Bartolo's idiosyncratic faces and wiry bodies make the legend accessibly human through childhood, marriage, fatherhood, the creation of his own martial art, and his ups and downs in cinema. Visual highlights include several intricate martial arts displays and gorgeous, painterly spreads that focus on the films that turned Lee into an indelible part of world culture. While his mysterious death is given short shrift, Chinese Zodiac imagery the titular Dragon, primarily imbues Lee with a higher spirituality.--Jesse Karp Copyright 2019 Booklist

From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review

Gr 4--8--This laudatory graphic biography follows actor and martial artist Bruce Lee from his tumultuous childhood to his death at age 32. Lee was born in San Francisco in 1940 (the Year of the Dragon) while his father, an actor and Cantonese opera star, was touring America; they returned to Hong Kong three months later. Soon after, the Japanese invaded Hong Kong and Lee's father agreed to use his fame to help Japan, safeguarding the family but leaving young Bruce vulnerable to bullying by those who considered the Lees traitors. Lee followed in his father's footsteps, acting in films as a child, but disappointed his family by responding to disputes with violent street fighting. Studying kung fu taught him discipline, and, at 17, he moved to the United States, where he attended college, developed his own style of martial arts, and became an influential film star. Reminiscent of Lee's kung fu movies, Di Bartolo's bold artwork portrays dramatic fight sequences and expressive characters. Recurring images of a dragon that helps Lee focus are a refrain, and add an epic, otherworldly quality to an otherwise straightforward biography. When there are conflicting accounts, like an infamous duel between Lee and martial artist and teacher Wong Jack Man, Di Bartolo depicts Lee's version of the story, or the one that presents him in the best light, without acknowledging that there might be another side. VERDICT Readers will appreciate this admiring account of the film and kung fu legend, but should seek out additional sources for a more nuanced portrait of Lee.--Kacy Helwick, New Orleans Public Library

(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

An ambitious graphic novel takes on the life of Chinese American star Bruce Lee.A twisting red dragon looms over the Golden Gate Bridge to mark Bruce Lee's birth in San Francisco in 1940 before his family returns to Hong Kong soon after. Di Bartolo paints colorful, realistically styled panels, his account of Lee's early life laced with frequent allusions to the Chinese zodiac. Concise narration and dialogue chronicle Lee's experiences growing up in Hong Kong during the Japanese occupation and his many street fights as an adolescent. He also has an early movie career and eventually studies Wing Chun Kung Fu under revered master Yip Man. A brief overview covers his adult life in Seattle and Oakland before Lee lands his first movie deal. Here Di Bartolo relates the storied fight between an adult Lee and martial artist Wong Jack Man in Oakland. It unfolds like a scene from a kung fu movie, initiated by racial tension, but is a cinematic if oft-retold departure from the less-dramatic reality of a combination of Lee's confrontational personality, several messages about a challenge, and weeks of planning. While readers may gain insight to the early years of the martial artist, this artistic liberty adds dramatic flair but flattens the complexity of Lee's character.An entertaining but not entirely faithful account of the movie legend. (Graphic biography. 11-14) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.