
Gene Luen Yang, a world-renowned cartoonist and author, delivered the Jacobs Residency Lecture in the Burgin Center for the Arts on Monday, December 9. This followed a day of visiting Mercersburg classes like Graphic Novels and Arts Practicum. In his humor-filled lecture, Yang highlighted the importance of honing a craft and pursuing dreams despite inevitable challenges such as writer's block and adversity.
Yang grew up on the classic Journey to the West and traditional Chinese books sent from his grandparents in China, all of which his immigrant parents read to him throughout his childhood in California. Inspired, he began reading and creating comic books in third grade, even working with a friend to create handmade books to sell at school.
Following his parents’ wishes, Yang majored in Computer Science and minored in Creative Writing at UC Berkeley. During college, he balanced drawing with studies and eventually saved enough money to publish his work. He also received a Xeric Foundation grant in support of self-publishing authors, an event he called “better than getting a girlfriend.” His first comic series, Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks, was commercially unsuccessful, prompting him to produce hand-stapled mini-comics to sell at conventions.
Yang persisted, and 10 years after introducing Gordon, First Second Books published his groundbreaking graphic novel American Born Chinese. Inspired by his experiences as a minority in America, the story resonated globally and opened new opportunities. He later signed with Marvel and DC for Shang-Chi and Superman, respectively. Mogere Nyakoe ’25 said, “It was really interesting to hear that he had worked with names even I had read about when I was little. Even though he is successful, it was comforting to know there can be ups and downs and how to push past them.”
Beyond storytelling, Yang urged students to "set up your factory," meaning to organize life in a way that supports creative passions through time management and resource planning. "It’s helpful advice for pursuing my art; especially at a boarding school when I have to balance between multiple things," said Kate Talley ‘26. Fine Arts department head Kristen Pixler expressed hope that her Arts Practicum students would find inspiration in Yang’s journey and stay motivated in their artistic pursuits. Ethan Stiffler ‘25 said, “It was insightful to hear how Yang broke into the art industry slowly. I also learned a lot about making connections in the art world.”
Yang now lives in the Bay Area with his wife and four children. His latest graphic novel, Lunar New Year Love Story, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, merges their dating experiences into stories about love, sharing with younger generations the importance of relationships.