Ghosts, Fox Spirits, Immortals, and Monsters - (Part 2)

Author: Cai Zhizhong
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: Cai Zhizhong's comics have not only captivated audiences both domestically and internationally but have also won praise from many high-level "niche" enthusiasts. Several of my friends who teach at universities abroad have told me in person that when they have some free time, they read Cai Zhizhong's comics with their children. The more they read, the more fascinating they find them, and the more they become engrossed, even to the point of neglecting sleep and food. So, where exactly is the "charm" in Cai Zhizhong's comics? The ancients said, "Incomprehensible charm." The true essence of appreciating this charm lies in understanding it intuitively without words. The best way is for you to buy a few sets and read them carefully, so that we can then chat as "Cai fans" and explore this charm together.
First, let's confirm one thing: comics are a form of art, and drawing comics requires talent. This talent consists of two aspects: basic drawing skills and the presentation of content. Some cartoonists have toiled for half their lives, achieving mastery in basic techniques, but the content they create is neither rich nor lively, resulting in failure. Other cartoonists may have extensive literary knowledge and deep life experience, but their basic skills are mediocre, and the characters they draw are dull and uninspiring, making it hard to move others. Their failure is inevitable, leaving people to sigh in frustration.
Cai Zhizhong's comics, however, excel in both hardware and software, reaching a realm of high charm and vitality, and he seamlessly integrates the two, controlling his art with ease. This talent is truly extraordinary—not just ordinary genius, but a kind of "demonic genius." A mediocre person may not be able to tell a convincing lie, and others might say, "You're lying to the ghosts!" As if ghosts are foolish and easily deceived, while people are clever and hard to fool. But those with real talent won't be content to sit back and let themselves be taken in; they'll reveal their skills, dazzling you with their tricks, and you'll willingly empty your pockets. When I talk about ghosts, write about ghosts, or sell ghosts, Cai Zhizhong's paintings of ghosts, capturing ghosts—just with a brush, he can make big ghosts get promotions and small ghosts push grinding stones. Much of this has to do with that inner "ghostly" drive!
The ancients said, "Each generation produces its own talents, and the new surpass the old." In this "ghost play," Cai Zhizhong leads the ghosts in the main roles. What I call writing this preface is merely to beat the opening gong for the audience.
In his earlier works, Cai Zhizhong mostly chose subjects from folk tales, carefully applying his ingenuity while eliminating overly superstitious or terrifying elements. Instead, he affirmed and celebrated the virtues of humanity, imbuing his work with educational and enlightening meaning. Children who read his comics not only avoid being misled but also gain strength in life, no wonder parents flock to buy them, and children cheer with delight. His keen eye for selecting material and his refined skill in presentation truly deserve praise.
In recent years, Cai Zhizhong has immersed himself in ancient texts, extensively studying classics, histories, philosophies, poetry, and even the teachings of Taoism and Buddhism, as well as historical tales. With this knowledge of the past and present, Cai Zhizhong has returned to the scene, and his presence is indeed far greater than before. Though his material may start from folk tales, his presentation adopts a grand style that spans the ages. Whether through humor, anger, or satire, everything becomes art. He naturally blends the modern with the ancient and skillfully uses the ancient to reflect the modern. In his comic world, he opens a fantastical "time tunnel," grasping the common threads of humanity, transforming the real into the surreal and the unreal into the real. His work is light, humorous, and pointed, never harsh.
Whenever you read his comics, you can discover his "wild imagination" and "unique ingenuity." I call him a "spiritual bartender," striving to mix a refreshing, endlessly delightful drink for you to savor. This blend of the modern and the ancient elevates itself to a state beyond time and reality, a drink that is neither real nor unreal, leaving you with wisdom and subtly transforming foolishness.
However, when a person reaches the height of fame, they often become too busy—rushing to write, draw, and come up with new ideas. Human energy and vitality are limited, and sometimes they may feel completely exhausted, even rolling on the ground and giving up. Occasionally, this can be amusing, but if it happens too often, it becomes "bad news."
In recent years, I have visited many countries and found that wherever there are Chinese people, there are Cai Zhizhong's comics. This reminds me of the Song Dynasty poet Liu Yong. His poems were sincere, simple, and easily understood, beloved by the masses, to the point where even village women could recite them. This led to the saying, "Wherever there is a well, there are Liu's poems." However, transportation in those days was not as advanced as it is today, and mass communication techniques were far less developed. Therefore, Cai Zhizhong's fame is something Liu Yong could never have dreamed of.