Master cartoonist Alfonso Wong is dead but his characters live on

Hong Kong has lost a good friend. Having delighted generations of readers with his eccentric yet beloved cartoon character Old Master Q, Alfonso Wong Kar-hei passed away at his US home on New Year’s Day, aged 93.

The flow of tributes to the great artist is not just recognition of his role in shaping pop culture in the city and the wider Chinese community overseas, but also a reminder of the need to further promote our creative industries.

Few local cartoon characters have had as wide and enduring an appeal as Old Master Q, or Lo Fu Zi as he is affectionately called in Cantonese. The story lines are simple but amusing, mirroring city life in various eras starting from the 1960s with a satirical touch. The comic books were popular among children waiting for haircuts at street-side barber shops back then and remain a good read even for adults today.

Notwithstanding allegations of plagiarism, Old Master Q has enthralled local and overseas readers alike for decades. Accumulated sales are estimated to be in the tens of millions of dollars, with copies also available in other languages. The characters also ventured out of their panels to appear in films, plays, exhibitions and auction halls.