Zhang Leping

Zhang Leping was a comic artist born in Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, China. He played a key role in the development of modern manhua in China, and is mostly remembered for his work in .

Early History

In 1924 Zhang lived in extreme poverty and was unable to continue his primary school education. In the fall of 1927 his area was attacked by the army. By 1928 at the age of 18 years old, with the support of relatives, he was recommended by the teachers to re-enter school for formal a period of formal art education.

In a short time the January 28 Incident occurred in 1932 and his artistic skills became the highest demand. China would use comics in anti-Japanese advertising in publications. His comic career would officially begin in 1934. In just one year, he would become part of the anti-Japanese comic propaganda team.

When he initially created in 1935 his main goal was to convey the hardships of the Second Sino-Japanese War war taking place in China through the eyes of the children, especially the orphans. He wanted to express his concern for the young victims, particularly the real orphans on the streets. And Sanmao became the symbol for those children.

Achievements

In the 1950s he worked for the Shanghai People's Fine Arts Publishing House, the Shanghai-based ''Liberation Daily'' and the Shanghai Youth and Children's Publishing House.

While he published other work such as ''Mr. Wang'' and ''Miss Bee'', they do not have the impact or longevity that Sanmao have. The Sanmao comics were translated through out his career and introduced to other countries. The character has also been the main attraction in a number of movies, cartoons and other forms of on stage theatricals.

After death

A public trial was held in 1997 in the First Intermediate People's Court of Shanghai to settle the lawsuit of who owned the rights to the Sanmao character and comics after the death of the author.