Lee Wai Chun | |
---|---|
Born | Hong Kong |
Died | August 27, 2020 |
Occupation | Comics artist |
Works | Miss 13 Dot |
Website | https://www.miss13dots.com/ |
Lee Wai Chun ( Chinese: 李惠珍; c. 1939 – 27 August 2020) was one of the most successful female Hong Kong comics artists. She is best known for her popular series Sapsaam Dim, known as Miss 13 Dot or 13-Dot Cartoon in English, which follows the adventures of a rich, fashion-oriented teenager. Sapsaam Dim was one of the best selling comics in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. [1]
Lee recalls her early influences as children's book illustrator Kwan Shan Mei (關山美), comics artist Chan Chi-dor (陳子多), American Don Flowers, creator of the comic strip Glamor Girls, and imported Harvey Comics like Richie Rich and Hot Stuff the Little Devil. [2] Richie Rich would become an inspiration for her most famous creation. [3] As a teenager, she won a 1965 children's fashion design contest sponsored by Tin Tin Daily. [1]
Her first comic book, Fafa Siuze (Miss Flower), was published in March 1965 and lasted eight issues. [1]
Sapsaam Dim (Miss 13 Dot) began in 1966. Zai-se-ti, literally translated as "13 dots", is Shanghainese slang for frivolous young women. [1] The title character is the daughter of a millionaire banker, Mr. Cash, and a lenient mother, Mrs. Lovely. [4] Like Richie Rich, the series focused on her unrealistic, luxurious adventures. Western fashion was a major focus of the series; it is estimated that the first 28 issues featured over 1700 different pieces of clothing. Readers took copies of the comic to tailors to have imitation outfits made. [5] Miss 13 Dot was intended and received as a feminist icon during a time of change for women in Hong Kong; Lee said "can do what she likes, make her own decisions, have her own ideas." [5] At its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sapsaam Dim was selling 50,000 copies a month. The series ended in 1980. [1]
In 1978, Lee and her husband were artists on a new children's magazine called Sannei Gogo (Brother Sunny). [1]
In 2005, Lee and the company Dog 9 released a 12-inch Miss 13 Dot doll. She also published a Miss 13 Dot graphic novel, Lyun-lyun Baa-lai (Love in Paris), in February 2008. [1]
Lee died on 27 August 2020 after an illness. [6] She was buried at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley . [7]
Lee Wai Chun | |
---|---|
Born | Hong Kong |
Died | August 27, 2020 |
Occupation | Comics artist |
Works | Miss 13 Dot |
Website | https://www.miss13dots.com/ |
Lee Wai Chun ( Chinese: 李惠珍; c. 1939 – 27 August 2020) was one of the most successful female Hong Kong comics artists. She is best known for her popular series Sapsaam Dim, known as Miss 13 Dot or 13-Dot Cartoon in English, which follows the adventures of a rich, fashion-oriented teenager. Sapsaam Dim was one of the best selling comics in Hong Kong and Southeast Asia. [1]
Lee recalls her early influences as children's book illustrator Kwan Shan Mei (關山美), comics artist Chan Chi-dor (陳子多), American Don Flowers, creator of the comic strip Glamor Girls, and imported Harvey Comics like Richie Rich and Hot Stuff the Little Devil. [2] Richie Rich would become an inspiration for her most famous creation. [3] As a teenager, she won a 1965 children's fashion design contest sponsored by Tin Tin Daily. [1]
Her first comic book, Fafa Siuze (Miss Flower), was published in March 1965 and lasted eight issues. [1]
Sapsaam Dim (Miss 13 Dot) began in 1966. Zai-se-ti, literally translated as "13 dots", is Shanghainese slang for frivolous young women. [1] The title character is the daughter of a millionaire banker, Mr. Cash, and a lenient mother, Mrs. Lovely. [4] Like Richie Rich, the series focused on her unrealistic, luxurious adventures. Western fashion was a major focus of the series; it is estimated that the first 28 issues featured over 1700 different pieces of clothing. Readers took copies of the comic to tailors to have imitation outfits made. [5] Miss 13 Dot was intended and received as a feminist icon during a time of change for women in Hong Kong; Lee said "can do what she likes, make her own decisions, have her own ideas." [5] At its peak in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Sapsaam Dim was selling 50,000 copies a month. The series ended in 1980. [1]
In 1978, Lee and her husband were artists on a new children's magazine called Sannei Gogo (Brother Sunny). [1]
In 2005, Lee and the company Dog 9 released a 12-inch Miss 13 Dot doll. She also published a Miss 13 Dot graphic novel, Lyun-lyun Baa-lai (Love in Paris), in February 2008. [1]
Lee died on 27 August 2020 after an illness. [6] She was buried at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley . [7]