For me, the title was all it took; with a name like Secret Asian Man how could you not love it? It automatically brings to mind the favorite song: Secret Agent Man (presumably the song that SAM was named after). Of course, reading a few of Tak Toyoshima’s comic strips didn’t let me down at all.

From its start as a two-page-per-issue comic in a small Boston monthly, SAM has grown to national syndication over the last 9 years. Secret Asian Man is now the first nationally-syndicated comic strip featuring an Asian American hero character. The newest step for Secret Asian Man is a partnership with AsianAve.com, an Asian-oriented social networking site. AsianAve.com will feature a new SAM comic each week, making Toyoshima’s work available for the first time to a worldwide audience.

The Secret Asian Man comic is based around the life its creator, and offers a reflection on his experiences growing up as an Asian American in the United States. While there are many humorous and light-hearted moments, Toyoshima also uses SAM to take a closer look at the roles of race and stereotype in the US. The comic opens the door on subjects ranging from politics to restaurants, each from a unique perspective.

–Danny Nathan