Level Up

Gene Luen Yang and Thien Pham's Level Up (2011–present, First Second) is a stand-alone graphic novel that blends the pressures of modern life with the fantastical. The story follows Dennis Ouyang, a young man caught between his late father's dream for him to become a gastroenterologist and his own passion for video games. When four angels appear to guide him toward medical school, Dennis must navigate family expectations, personal identity, and the very real world of gaming. Yang and Pham's collaboration delivers a heartfelt, visually engaging tale about finding your own path.