Zu Shun Lei, 90, publishes his comic books to bring joy and laughter into the community

SAN FRANCISCO — Zu Shun Lei enjoys a happy life significantly related to the cartoon art that he has fallen in love with for most of his life. He published two comic books at the age of 90 in late 2024 for a number of reasons. Most importantly, he hopes to bring joy and laughter into the community via his comic books which are illustrated in a humorous and entertaining way.

Both are Lei's debut comic books in the United States. First book, Smile, is a collection of his early cartoon drawings in China for 40 years. While the second book, Smile Again, collected his drawings in his later 40 years living in San Francisco. There are around 80 cartoons in each comic book.

Some of Lei's cartoon artwork collected in both books are currently on public view in the Portsmouth Square Garage gallery in San Francisco Chinatown until April 19 with free admission.

"Laughter is good for your health. Laughter can relieve your stress and and help you free from depression," said Lei in an interview with Wind Newspaper. Lei always has smiles on his face and laughs at his own cartoons. "I will continue to draw. I have never thought of retiring from cartoon drawings although I am going to be 91 soon."

Lei’s family root was from Taishan village in Guangdong Province. He was born in Guangzhou in 1934. He moved to Taishan at age 4 for schooling. After graduating from elementary school, he moved to Hong Kong at age 13 and stayed there for one year. Then Lei returned to Guangzhou to finish his middle school, high school and college education at the Nanfang University.

Lei started drawing cartoons in the art classes at his elementary school by copying cartoons published in professional comic books.

"My drawings were very often rated in good grades by teachers and posted on the wall as good artwork that had made me so excited as a young child and encouraged me to do more drawings," Lei recalled.

In the 1950s to 1970s, comic books were very popular in Hong Kong. In addition to the professional comic books published weekly, readers could find cartoons focusing on civic and social issues in daily newspapers. Lei enjoyed reading daily newspapers with cartoons and copied the drawings when he lived in Hong Kong.

"Cartoons made me laugh and happy all the time when I was young," said Lei with laughter.

Day by day cartoons have become Lei's talents and hobbies, but cartoon drawings had never been a way of making a living for him.

Lei had sent his cartoon artwork to three largest daily newspapers when he moved back to Guangzhou, Nanfang Daily, Guangzhou Daily, and Yangcheng Evening News. He was overwhelmingly enthusiastic to see his cartoons to be published in all three newspapers.

"In those days in Guangzhou, newspaper spaces were so precious. All cartoons were published in a stamp-like size. I was more than happy to see my cartoons in the papers, it was an exceptional recognition to me. It was also a financial support to me. I was able to receive $30 for one cartoon, while my monthly salary at my full-time job was only $36," said Lei.

After graduating from college, Lei was assigned to work at the agencies serving as convention planners. It was how Lei learned the skill of advertising design and productions.

The Cultural Revolution in China lasted for 10 years from 1966 to 1976. It was also difficult for Lei when he was in his 30s living in China. Many of his cartoon artwork were criticized as politically motivated and confiscated.

Lei said his goal for cartoon drawings has always been in promoting positive spirit including encouraging everyone to be a good citizen in a society.

In 1984, Lei, his wife and two children immigrated to San Francisco. He started an advertising company for making shop awnings, signs and banners. His cartoon drawings were mostly used in the advertising business.

Among his advertising products, the upright sign hanging at the historic Chinatown Restaurant building on Washington Street has been an icon for Chinatown for decades.

Jimmy Quan, owner of the Chinatown Restaurant, said he invited Lei to design a new sign for him when he took over the restaurant's ownership in 2000. "Our sign is so classic and historical. No more could be found nowadays," said Quan, who organized a party to celebrate Lei's cartoon exhibit and releases of two comic books.

Lei returned to cartoon drawings in 2015 when he was invited by Hazel Lee, President and Founder of the San Francisco-Shanghai Association. Lee formed the association in 2015 and launched a website to promote civic education. Lee strongly believed that cartoons would be a fun and effective way to stimulate community members to be better citizens.

In 2016, Lei presented a cartoon artwork to late community leader Rose Pak, who returned from China for medical treatment, in appreciation of her tireless work for the Chinese community and Chinese Hospital.

Lei heard of Pak's contribution to the community for many years, but both Lei and Pak did not know each other. Lei remembered many years back when he was loading a shop sign for his customer by Portsmouth Square in Chinatown, a police officer issued a citation to him for illegal parking.

After Pak learnt about it, she complained to the San Francisco Police Department. As a result of it, the citation was dismissed. Lei was always grateful in his heart for Pak's courtage speaking for him and the community.

President Donald Trump has been frequently seen in Lei's cartoon drawings in recent years. Lei said his drawings were not related to his political positions. "For all the cartoonists in the world, Trump has been one of the most popular subjects. It is all because of his political agendas. Trump has made so many dramatic changes. It is what political cartoons are about," Lei said.

"In my long life, I have experienced lots of hardships, which are hard to describe in a few words. But no matter where I go, cartoons are always with me. A few years ago, I returned to Guangzhou for a reunion with old classmates. As soon as I arrived, someone called out, 'Here comes the cartoonist.' It immediately brought me back to the past. Indeed, I have been fascinated by cartoon drawings since I was a child, and I have been drawing 'confusedly' for decades. Someone asked, what is your experience? My answer: I just want 'Smile'. What is the price? 0.99 cents plus 'One More Smile'. That's all! Thank you!" Lei wrote in his comic book.

Lei was selected for artist grants during the pandemic. He wanted to share his grant with community members by publishing two comic books of his cartoon collections. 500 copies of two books are free for everyone who loves his artwork.