Three Laughs Fate (Collector's Edition)

Author: Zhang Bànqīng
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2005-03-01
Features: As someone who grew up in the 1970s, comic books were almost synonymous with those years. Years later, when flipping through the yellowed old pages again, it felt like an old photograph, suddenly unfolding a nearly forgotten era of simple joy amidst today's hectic pace. Thus, one begins to reminisce about the old days, cherishing a sigh of longing and preciousness. The Three Smiles is a well-known folk tale, but comic books based on this theme had never been published after the founding of New China. The illustrations in this book adopt the classic works of Mr. Zhang Dihán, a renowned artist of the 1930s. During the 1930s and 1940s, the "Four Great Masters" of the comic book world—Zhao Hongben, Qian Xiaodi, Chen Guangyi, and Shen Manyun—had not yet fully developed their styles, yet "Zhang Dihán" managed to create such exquisite artwork, which was rare in the comic book world. His masterful technique brought the characters in the book to life, making them both lifelike and captivating. Additionally, experts in the field of comic book collecting suggest that "Zhang Dihán" was not a professional comic book artist at the time. The Three Smiles was a side project he took on, and it was only serialized in old newspapers. As a result, this version holds even greater value for modern audiences, and its publication marks the first time it has been released since the founding of New China, making it highly collectible and readable.
Another noteworthy aspect is the accompanying text. The colloquial and straightforward style of the writing reflects Zhang Bànqīng's lyrical and graceful prose, characteristic of the Wu dialect of Suzhou and Hangzhou. Combined with the story's background and the cultural atmosphere of the old days, it creates a delightful sense of being immersed in Suzhou and Hangzhou, perfectly complementing Zhang Dihán's exquisite illustrations. The pairing of the text and images is so seamless that it leaves one in awe. Moreover, the elegance of the writing is infused with the simplicity of the Jiangnan water towns, leaving a lasting impression.
The publication of this comic book was driven by a desire to prevent such a treasure from being overshadowed by the passage of time. The hope is that it will be widely read, allowing readers to recall and savor a bygone era, leaving a comma in time for today's memories to trace back to.