Graphic novel by Chan and Badiucao warns Gen Z 'Chinamaxxers' that authoritarianism is universal
A new book imagines US-China war in 2035 to counter young people's romantic fantasies about living in China.
What to know
- Gen Z "Chinamaxxing" trend romanticizes Chinese culture and lifestyle among young Westerners, prompting Chan and Badiucao to create a counterpoint.
- The graphic novel You Must Take Part in Revolution portrays a 2035 US-China war and features diaspora characters facing choices under authoritarian oppression.
- Both creators have personally experienced Chinese government retaliation for their criticism: Chan was expelled in 2012; Badiucao's identity was compromised and his family threatened in 2019.
- Rather than lecturing, the authors aim to help young readers empathize with characters and understand that authoritarianism is a universal problem, not unique to China.
“When you want to see change, there is the hard way, which is being innovative and finding a solution. And there is the lazy way, which is finding a cheap alternative and fantasising about a faraway, oriental, communist country.”
Badiucao, Co-author · The Guardian
Melissa Chan Co-author and journalistBadiucao Co-author and political cartoonist
The record 3 articles and posts · last 30 days
What people are saying 2 voices from 2 sites · verbatim
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Melissa Chan and Badiucao's graphic novel You Must Take Part in Revolution carries the message that all forms of authoritarianism are bad “This book happens to focus on China, but authoritarianism everywhere is bad,” Chan says. “We don’t want anyone to engage in whataboutism and I don’t think there needs to be a balance – if things are shit…
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A graphic novel by Melissa Chan and Badiucao imagines China and the US at war in 2035. They hope to remind young people that ‘authoritarianism everywhere is bad’