Gordon Yamamoto and the King of the Geeks

Gene Yang’s debut series for Slave Labor Graphics is a short, self-contained story from 2004 that introduces a high-school outcast whose life is upended by a mysterious, powerful ring. Blending Yang’s warm, expressive cartooning with a quirky take on teenage alienation and geek culture, this single issue stands as an early showcase of his signature blend of humor and heart. Though brief, it marks a key moment in Yang’s rise as a distinctive voice in indie comics.