A new breed of Chinese graphic novel artists are emerging who are more expressive and don't hesitate to put forth their view
"Picturebooks! Oh yes, they were popular with youngsters in the 1980s. I used to like it when I was a child. They are read only by children below 12," says a Chinese embassy Press secretary quite shocked by a query on graphic novels.
Ignorant of the new wave of Chinese graphic novelists who are making their mark in the international arena, he added, "The little picture book Little Hero Yulai was very popular among kids in the 1980s. It tells about a little hero who fought against Japanes invaders bravely and cleverly."
According to publishing house Xiaopan's director Patrick Abry, these comments are simply a reflection of the government's attitude to manhua. "Most of the graphic novels in China are mainly produced for children below 12 and as all the publishing houses belong to State, no effort is made to promote manhuas."
The publishers too do not push the boundaries fearing the government's ire. Therefore, they avoid topics such as sex, politics or strong criticism of the government, as well as contentious subjects such as Taiwan or Tibet, he adds.
Though manhua is originally from China, due to greater degree of artistic freedom and closer international ties with Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan is from where manhua is mainly produced. Infact, publishing houses here also bring out Chinese translations of Korean manhwa and Japanese manga.
But the scene in China is slowly changing. With the worldwide circulation of Japanese comics or manga, many young Chinese artists grew up reading them. These artistes have today incorporated their styles and techniques but have made something distinctively Chinese by mixing old and new, East and West.
Some of these artists challenge the system, are more expressive and don't hesitate to put forth their view. Therefore, they approach foreign publishing houses like Xiaopan to bring out their work, says Abry, whose publishing house is based in France.
Interestingly, China has a long history of graphic novels. "Some of the Chinese graphic novels such as Monkey King written by Wu Ch'eng-en in the 16th century have always been popular with the Chinese. It is about an allegorical rendition of the journey, mingled with Chinese fables, fairy tables, legends, superstitions, popular beliefs, monster stories and whatever the author could find in the Taoist and Buddhist religions," says Abry.
"Currently, there is a large variety of styles in the new generation of comics like McMug and Chinese Hero, the ones which started in early 90s," says Abry. According to Abry, graphic novels currently available in China can be grouped into four – the ones made by Chinese but with a style more or less resembling the manga's; ones focusing on humour; ones on ancient historical themes such as the Monkey King, All Men Are Brothers etc; and some European and American ones.
McMug comics focus more on serious social topics, including death, poverty, unskilled labour and single-parent families and its plotlines are known for covering cultural festivals, and celebrities, reflecting the deep roots of Chinese culture. Chinese Hero brought innovative, realistic drawings with details resembling real people. It was totally different from the earlier characters and topics that were too serious.
Currently, most of the Chinese graphic novels lack superheroes, says Abry. "Apart from Monkey King or Tezuka's Atom boy, there are no superheroes in Chinese comics," he says.
Among some of the emerging manhua creators are Gene Yang, whose American Born Chinese has been a big hit. The book is a wonderful, funny, heart-breaking and inspiring graphic novel that tells the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese boy who is one of two Asian kids in his class at an American school. The story is told through three interleaving narratives - the story of Jin's school life, and two others: one is a recounting of a Chinese legend about The Monkey King, who wants to be something he is not, and the other is a notional sitcom about an American kid named Danny whose racist stereotyped Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, is ruining his social life. Other Chinese creators to make it to the world stage are Qian Yu, whose delicate designs update the lavish illustrative traditions from China's past.
There are readers who are waiting for cutting-edge manhua. The interest is reflected in the underground groups such as Cult Youth and Special Comics in Beijing.
Emerging graphic novelists:
Nie Chongrui: Veteran innovator who began as an animation studio director in 1979 and became artistic director of the Peking publisher "Popular Fine Arts." His acclaimed graphic novels include the traditional Chinese tale "The Merchant's Son" and the period fantasy "Beautiful Woman of the Haunted Temple."
Zhang Xiaoyu: A master of action and fantasy comics, he created his first comics in 1995 while studying fine art. Among more than a dozen graphic novels, he won awards in two national competitions.(means?) He currently runs the science fiction magazine Fei and is developing a serial about The Crusades for the French magazine Shonen.
Qian Yu: A young rising star still in her 20s, she began by contributing stunning illustrations to the magazine Cartoon King. Her ongoing series of full-colour graphic novels is in the period crime genre and called "The Doctor Li Cases."
Benjamin: Since quitting advertising, he has devoted himself to his passion for comics. His almost entirely digital artwork and moody young romances have made him one of China's biggest cult comics' authors. He has also written novels and illustrated for movies. A new book of his illustrations and comics, FLASH, will soon be launched.
"Picturebooks! Oh yes, they were popular with youngsters in the 1980s. I used to like it when I was a child. They are read only by children below 12," says a Chinese embassy Press secretary quite shocked by a query on graphic novels.
Ignorant of the new wave of Chinese graphic novelists who are making their mark in the international arena, he added, "The little picture book Little Hero Yulai was very popular among kids in the 1980s. It tells about a little hero who fought against Japanes invaders bravely and cleverly."
According to publishing house Xiaopan's director Patrick Abry, these comments are simply a reflection of the government's attitude to manhua. "Most of the graphic novels in China are mainly produced for children below 12 and as all the publishing houses belong to State, no effort is made to promote manhuas."
The publishers too do not push the boundaries fearing the government's ire. Therefore, they avoid topics such as sex, politics or strong criticism of the government, as well as contentious subjects such as Taiwan or Tibet, he adds.
Though manhua is originally from China, due to greater degree of artistic freedom and closer international ties with Japan, Hong Kong and Taiwan is from where manhua is mainly produced. Infact, publishing houses here also bring out Chinese translations of Korean manhwa and Japanese manga.
But the scene in China is slowly changing. With the worldwide circulation of Japanese comics or manga, many young Chinese artists grew up reading them. These artistes have today incorporated their styles and techniques but have made something distinctively Chinese by mixing old and new, East and West.
Some of these artists challenge the system, are more expressive and don't hesitate to put forth their view. Therefore, they approach foreign publishing houses like Xiaopan to bring out their work, says Abry, whose publishing house is based in France.
Interestingly, China has a long history of graphic novels. "Some of the Chinese graphic novels such as Monkey King written by Wu Ch'eng-en in the 16th century have always been popular with the Chinese. It is about an allegorical rendition of the journey, mingled with Chinese fables, fairy tables, legends, superstitions, popular beliefs, monster stories and whatever the author could find in the Taoist and Buddhist religions," says Abry.
"Currently, there is a large variety of styles in the new generation of comics like McMug and Chinese Hero, the ones which started in early 90s," says Abry. According to Abry, graphic novels currently available in China can be grouped into four – the ones made by Chinese but with a style more or less resembling the manga's; ones focusing on humour; ones on ancient historical themes such as the Monkey King, All Men Are Brothers etc; and some European and American ones.
McMug comics focus more on serious social topics, including death, poverty, unskilled labour and single-parent families and its plotlines are known for covering cultural festivals, and celebrities, reflecting the deep roots of Chinese culture. Chinese Hero brought innovative, realistic drawings with details resembling real people. It was totally different from the earlier characters and topics that were too serious.
Currently, most of the Chinese graphic novels lack superheroes, says Abry. "Apart from Monkey King or Tezuka's Atom boy, there are no superheroes in Chinese comics," he says.
Among some of the emerging manhua creators are Gene Yang, whose American Born Chinese has been a big hit. The book is a wonderful, funny, heart-breaking and inspiring graphic novel that tells the story of Jin Wang, a Chinese boy who is one of two Asian kids in his class at an American school. The story is told through three interleaving narratives - the story of Jin's school life, and two others: one is a recounting of a Chinese legend about The Monkey King, who wants to be something he is not, and the other is a notional sitcom about an American kid named Danny whose racist stereotyped Chinese cousin, Chin-Kee, is ruining his social life. Other Chinese creators to make it to the world stage are Qian Yu, whose delicate designs update the lavish illustrative traditions from China's past.
There are readers who are waiting for cutting-edge manhua. The interest is reflected in the underground groups such as Cult Youth and Special Comics in Beijing.
Emerging graphic novelists:
Nie Chongrui: Veteran innovator who began as an animation studio director in 1979 and became artistic director of the Peking publisher "Popular Fine Arts." His acclaimed graphic novels include the traditional Chinese tale "The Merchant's Son" and the period fantasy "Beautiful Woman of the Haunted Temple."
Zhang Xiaoyu: A master of action and fantasy comics, he created his first comics in 1995 while studying fine art. Among more than a dozen graphic novels, he won awards in two national competitions.(means?) He currently runs the science fiction magazine Fei and is developing a serial about The Crusades for the French magazine Shonen.
Qian Yu: A young rising star still in her 20s, she began by contributing stunning illustrations to the magazine Cartoon King. Her ongoing series of full-colour graphic novels is in the period crime genre and called "The Doctor Li Cases."
Benjamin: Since quitting advertising, he has devoted himself to his passion for comics. His almost entirely digital artwork and moody young romances have made him one of China's biggest cult comics' authors. He has also written novels and illustrated for movies. A new book of his illustrations and comics, FLASH, will soon be launched.
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