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Comic book legend Jim Lee joins me on the podcast today. You heard me right, Jim Lee! Can you tell I’m psyched?
I wanted to take advantage of every minute with Jim, so wrote a short bio for you all to read before the interview in case you don’t already know!
Jim Lee is a renowned Korean-American comic book artist, is the President, Chief Creative Officer and Publisher of DC Comics. His detailed and dynamic art on titles like The Uncanny X-Men, WildC.A.T.s and Batman have earned him numerous accolades.
He has made significant contributions to the industry through his artistry, innovation, and unwavering commitment to storytelling. As co-founder of Image Comics and a driving force behind DC Comics’ revitalization, Lee’s impact extends beyond his artistic prowess. He has championed diversity and representation, promoting a more inclusive comic book landscape.
Born in Seoul, Korea, Jim Lee’s journey to becoming a comic book luminary was not without its challenges. At the tender age of 4 or 5, he survived a harrowing accident where a truck hit him while crossing the street that left a lasting impact on his life. This incident would influence the way his parents raised him. In a strict and protective household.
Despite facing initial resistance from his parents, who advocated for a more traditional career path, Jim’s passion for art persisted. His childhood dreams of drawing comics never wavered, and he pursued this passion while obtaining a degree in psychology from Princeton.
The turning point in Jim’s artistic journey came after a heated and emotional confrontation with his parents, where he staunchly asserted his determination to follow his dreams. Overcoming obstacles and cultural expectations, Jim is not only a legend in comic book history but also an inspirational figure for aspiring artists around the world.
Jim is a collaborator on the Make Us Visible Florida (MUV FL) Asian American History Activity Book. He shares why he felt it was important to be a part of this project and advocate for Asian American history. Our book highlights some of Florida’s Asian American pioneers and their contributions to this nation. Make Us Visible Florida proudly passed their legislation in 2023 to require the instruction of AAPI history in K-12 schools. MUV FL started as a response to anti-Asian American violence and I am so proud of the work we have accomplished. I’m hopeful and excited to see these activity books in our schools.
Jim generously spends over half an hour with me as he reflects on his Asian American identity and discusses the impact it has had on shaping his present self. I am grateful to Jim for his candor and also learned a lot about his blend of art and physics!
I am honored to share in these conversations with guests like Jim and hope you enjoy listening. If you do, please rate my podcast on your platform of choice and share it with others! If you would like to support with a donation to help keep this podcast going, and support the work I do, you can become a patron of the show by visiting my website or http://Patreon.com/sifumimichan.
For comments or suggestions reach out on social media @sifumimichan.
Discussed in this episode:
Other Interviews for more background on Jim Lee:
BIG THINK Interview
How Jim Lee became a comic legend
THE SIFU MIMI CHAN SHOW CREDITS Host: Mimi Chan Intro Music: Mike Relm
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