Lee Wai Chun

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 Wai Chun
Lee Wai Chun's handprint on the Hong Kong Avenue of Comic Stars
BornHong Kong 
DiedAugust 27, 2020 
OccupationComics artist 
WorksMiss 13 Dot 
Websitehttp://www.miss13dots.com/ 

Early life
Statue of Sapsaam Dim in Kowloon Park, Hong Kong

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]

Death

Lee died on 27 August 2020 after an illness.[6] She was buried at St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, Happy Valley.[7]

References
  1. Wong, Wendy Siuyi (2019), "Fifty Years of Popularity of Theresa Lee Wai-chun and Her Comic, 13-Dot Cartoon: Changing Identities of Women in Hong Kong", in Ogi, Fusami; Suter, Rebecca; Nagaike, Kazumi; Lent, John A. (eds.), Women's Manga in Asia and Beyond, Springer International Publishing, pp. 253–270, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-97229-9_16, ISBN 9783319972282
  2. Lam, Connie; Lee, Theresa Wai-chun (2019), Ogi, Fusami; Suter, Rebecca; Nagaike, Kazumi; Lent, John A. (eds.), "A Conversation with Theresa Lee, the Creator of Miss 13 Dots", Women’s Manga in Asia and Beyond, Springer International Publishing, pp. 271–283, doi:10.1007/978-3-319-97229-9_17, ISBN 9783319972282
  3. "Lee Wai-chun". lambiek.net. Retrieved 2019-11-02.
  4. Wong, Wendy Siuyi; Cuklanz, Lisa (Fall 2000). "The Emerging Image of the Modern Woman in Hong Kong Comics of the 1960s & 1970s" (PDF). International Journal of Comic Art. 2 (2): 33–53.
  5. Lent, John A. Asian Comics. Jackson: University Press of Mississippi. ISBN 9781626740853. OCLC 881592441.
  6. Tse, Fion (14 September 2020). "Obituary: Theresa Lee Wai-chun (c.1930–2020)". ArtAsiaPacific Magazine. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
  7. "少女漫畫《13点》作者李惠珍離世 本月底出殯" [Lee Wai-chun, author of girls' comic 13 Dot, passes away; funeral to be held later this month]. Ming Pao. 11 September 2020. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
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