Breaking Cultural Barriers: An Interview with Books of Clash Author

Clash of Clans is expanding its universe once again with the release of a graphic novel series called Books of Clash. The first volume, which follows the story of Hog Rider Terrodicus (also known as Terry) and his trusty hog Pim Pim, will be released on May 30th. Each book in the eight-volume series will focus on different characters from the popular Clash franchise, including the Archers and Golems.

Gene Leun Yang, the graphic novelist behind Books of Clash, recently spoke with Game Rant in an interview about his goal to turn Clash players into avid readers and to help them get to know the game's characters on a deeper, individual level. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and brevity.

My name is Gene Leun Yang and I am a cartoonist who creates comic books and graphic novels. I have a vast experience in this field and have authored several graphic novels with my own characters, stories, and plots. Additionally, I have worked on stories set in other universes. Notably, I collaborated with the talented art team, Gurihiru, on the first five Avatar: The Last Airbender graphic novels. I have also produced work for DC, primarily in their Superman group, and teamed up with Dike Ruan and Marcus To on a 24-issue run of Shang Chi.

I recently collaborated with First Second books to create a graphic novel series called Books of Clash in partnership with Supercell. The series is illustrated by the talented duo of Les McClaine and Alison Acton, while I handled the writing. Given that Clash of Clans and Clash Royale are incredibly popular mobile games, the challenge was to ensure that the graphic novel would live up to the expectations of the fans.

Yang first discovered Clash of Clans through her son when he was just nine or ten years old. Her daughter also joined in on the fun, and the family even played together. They eventually joined a clan with the children of Yang's editor, Mark Siegel, and found that playing the game together was a great way to bond despite living on opposite coasts. Yang and Siegel had been discussing the idea of creating Clash books for years, but it wasn't until a meeting with Supercell in 2020 that the project finally gained momentum.

One of the biggest obstacles in the game is the allure of the world itself. It's a world that captivates you and makes you want to stay. Everything from the breathtaking environments to the impeccable sound design and music is designed to draw you in. However, the troops in the game all look identical within their respective groups. Every Hog Rider, Archer, and Barbarian is indistinguishable from the next. As a result, you end up viewing the game from a bird's-eye perspective.

Instead of seeing the characters as a group, the focus is on individuals and their interior lives. This can be a challenge when telling stories about groups of characters. However, in the first volume, the aim is to shift the perspective from that of the player to that of the reader. This way, readers get to know the characters on a personal level. The protagonist of the first book is Terry, a Hog Rider who moves to a new village and meets new people. As he gets to know them, he starts seeing them as individuals. One of his friends, Jane, who initially appeared like all the other archers, gradually stands out as a unique character.

Through my experience as a high school teacher for 17 years, I learned the importance of individualization. Initially, when my students walked into the classroom, they were just a mass of teenagers to me. However, as time went on and I got to know each one of them, they became individuals with their own unique personalities and characteristics. In the game of Clash of Clans and Clash Royale, all the characters may look the same, but we aim to bring out the same dynamic of individualization by incorporating deeper themes such as family betrayal into the book.

The world created by Supercell is quirky and full of in-jokes, with numerous references to the 80s era that the game's creators grew up in. From the Hog Rider's resemblance to Mr. T to the Barbarian's similarity to Hulk Hogan, the game pays tribute to the pop culture of that time. The commercials feature 80s-style heavy metal, adding to the fun and nostalgia. However, in order to keep readers engaged for the full 120 pages, the story also delves into deeper human emotions. The first volume explores the sibling relationship between Terry and his older brother Rokkus. Inspired by the author's own children who bonded over playing Clash, the story centers around Terry's struggle to emerge from his brother's shadow.

Q: Can you describe Terry and his sidekick Pim Pim, and what does he or his journey symbolize thus far?

The series is comprised of eight books, each focusing on a different character. The first book centers around the Hog Riders, which is essentially two characters - the rider and his hog. Having two characters at the center of the story allows for a dialogue between them, giving readers a window into their interior lives. The Hog Riders, Pim Pim and Terry, have a familial bond and would die for each other, yet they still bicker like family. Les McClaine, the artist, particularly enjoyed drawing the hog and even has a hog-heavy story in volume four.

Terry's arrival in Jazzypickleton, a diverse village with different clans, forces him to confront his narrow-mindedness and preconceptions about the world. He begins to realize that there are different ways of living and interacting with others, and that the "Hog Rider way" is not the only way. This realization marks a significant point in Terry's character development, as he begins to open his mind and embrace the diversity around him.

Being in Jazzypickleton really challenged my preconceived notions. I wanted Terry to experience something similar, as he only hung out with other Hog Riders before. Jazzypickleton was much more diverse, and for him, it was like what UC Berkeley was for me. His one way of doing things was tested, and he grew as a character because of it. Similarly, I learned more from interacting with people who were different from me during my time at Berkeley than I did from my actual classes.

The inclusion of the word "clan" in Clash of Clans was a challenge Terry faced early on. While college served as a major inspiration, delving into the world of comics was another. As the child of immigrants, Yang's parents had specific career aspirations for him that did not include becoming a comic book creator or graphic novelist. Pursuing a career in the comics industry was a way for Yang to break away from his parents' expectations.

In the world of comics, I've had the chance to connect with individuals who have vastly different backgrounds from my own. One of my closest pals in the industry actually decided to forgo college, but this was only because he possessed an incredible talent for art that didn't necessitate a degree. The notion of dropping out of college was completely foreign to me growing up, but in the diverse community of comics, it's not an uncommon occurrence. Being a part of this community has been a true stroke of luck for me. As an Asian American, contributing to successful franchises like these is an incredible opportunity.

Yang hopes that this book will serve as a bridge between video games and books, bringing more readers into comics. As an Asian American, his experience of navigating between different communities and cultural expectations inspired him to create this bridge. The goal for Clash of Clans is to serve as a connection between gamers and readers.

Playing Clash Royale with my son before he went off to college was a fun bonding experience, even though he would often criticize my gameplay. What I love about the game is that it transcends cultural barriers, as sometimes I would face opponents with names in Korean or Russian. In a way, the game fosters connections and breaks down stereotypes. This is exemplified in Terry's character arc, as he learns to overcome his preconceived notions about those who are not Hog Riders. Even the use of emotes during gameplay allows for a small form of cultural exchange. I hope this aspect of the game is conveyed in the book as well.

Q: There are still more volumes to come. Do you know what the next adventure is going to look like?

The second volume will feature Jane the Archer as the main character, who comes from a community of all archers. This is in contrast to Terry's story, where he comes from a clan of all Hog Riders and finds a more diverse community at Jazzypickleton. The goal is for the first two volumes to have a dialogue with each other, while also being enjoyable and humorous. In the third volume, the character will be a Golem, who communicates in a limited way like the Hulk due to their tongue not being suited for human language. However, the volume will explore the Golem's interior life, creating an interesting contrast between what they can say and what's going on inside their head.

We are delighted to be a part of this project and have had an amazing experience working with Supercell as partners. They have taken great strides in connecting the game and the book to build a bridge between the two. During my visit to their San Francisco office a few weeks ago, I was impressed by their unique and quirky work culture. For instance, they have a no-shoes policy in their office and provide a slipper room for employees and guests to wear slippers. It was a fun experience to take off my shoes, wear the slippers and walk into their office.

The life-size statues of Barbarians and a chicken from Hay Day added a fun and quirky element to the environment. It would be great to incorporate some of the company's unique character into the books as it is such a fundamental part of their brand.