Filipino Assassin: Graphic Comic Book Unearths Forgotten Boxing Legend

Creative Mussel proudly announces the release of “Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright,” a powerful graphic novel that resurrects the forgotten legacy of a Filipino-American boxing legend.

Set in the late 1920s, Vincent Manago Hambright, known as “The Filipino Assassin,” boxes his way to fame in the Midwest. This graphic comic book charts his rise, military service, and tragic death in 1946, highlighting the struggles of Filipino Americans against racial prejudice.

“As a Filipino American creator, I’ve always felt a lack of representation for individuals like me in historical narratives predating World War eras.” says writer Jay B. Kalagayan, “Discovering Vincent Hambright, a fellow Filipino American who challenged the very notion of the ‘American Dream’ and its exclusivity, was truly inspiring.”

MeSseD Comics creators Jay B. Kalagayan (Writer) and Dylan Speeg (Illustrator), alongside public historian James Tecco, have researched and crafted this compelling narrative to ensure Hambright’s story is not lost to history. Their aim is to bring Hambright’s forgotten story to light, and to inspire future generations to preserve this historical narrative.

“Vincent’s story is important to the larger narrative because it brings visibility to a history that has long been silenced,” says James Tecco, “The presence and impact of Asian Americans in early 20th-century Cincinnati, an experience often erased or overlooked in traditional accounts.”

“The story has more ups and downs than your usual fictional story arc. It’s tragic, it’s uplifting, it’s cautionary.” says Dylan Speeg, “This story has it all… I hope we make history come alive just a little bit more. I want people to think about how hard I worked on it.”

The graphic novel serves as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of Asian Americans in the face of adversity, offering a poignant glimpse into a chapter of

American history that deserves to be remembered. “Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright” is available for purchase now.

Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright was supported through a Black and Brown grant with ArtsWave. ArtsWave is the Cincinnati region’s primary arts funding organization, supporting a wide range of arts organizations, artists, and projects.

Filipino Assassin: The Untold Story of Vincent Manago Hambright
Writer: Jay B. Kalagayan
Illustrator: Dylan Speeg
Public Historian: James Tecco
Pages: 32 Price: $11.99 ISBN: 978-0-9992302-2-0

About Creative Mussel: Creative Mussel is dedicated to creating impactful graphic novels that explore untold stories and shed light on overlooked historical narratives.

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!