Same Difference

Derek Kirk Kim's Same Difference (2011–present, First Second) is a single-issue graphic novella that captures a quiet, bittersweet slice of young adulthood. Kim writes and draws this story of two Korean-American friends navigating the subtle gap between their ambitions and their realities in a small California town. It matters for its tender, understated exploration of identity and connection, a hallmark of Kim's acclaimed indie storytelling.