Sanmao. Episode 1

Author: Zhang Leping, Chen Lei
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-07-01
Features: Sanmao was a figure from a decade ago. Logically, after another ten years, she should have grown into a more distinguished person. However, I still draw Sanmao, and I still draw the old Sanmao. The reason is that I feel Sanmao's living environment has remained unchanged over the past decade. Ten years ago, Sanmao picked up trash and slept on the streets. Ten years later, Sanmao shows no improvement. The only slight difference in her spirit is that the later Sanmao starts acting like an adult, selling goods on the streets, smoking American cigarettes, and shouting "Hello, Joe." Since Sanmao has so many problems, I feel that there is always more to draw and write about.
"The Military Chronicle" was a fresh and engaging topic about eight or nine years ago, but after eight or nine years, it has become a monotonous old theme. It is natural that playing an old tune wouldn't please people, but considering that over the past eight years, people of all ages, young and old, joined the war effort, it would be unreasonable for Sanmao not to participate. So, regardless of whether she qualified or not, I decided to have her sign up for the army. Out of impulse, the story inevitably has flaws. For example, in terms of Sanmao's age, joining the army is not entirely reasonable. If I exaggerated it too much, it would lack realism. If I said she had no courage, it would also undermine the essence of joining the military. Therefore, it was difficult to appropriately place Sanmao in the military camp. In the end, I had to portray Sanmao as a clown.
Over the years, what has made me most heartbroken is that, whether intentionally or unintentionally, I have drawn an innocent Sanmao as a clown-like character. Although Sanmao has many problems, the responsibility does not lie with Sanmao herself. I draw Sanmao every day, and every day, I discover her stubborn and flawed traits. Therefore, my hope for Sanmao's living environment to improve is particularly strong.