The True Autobiography of a Comic Artist

On September 28, in Ho Chi Minh City, Du But Books organized an exchange program to introduce the publication What Will Happen Later (Vietnamese Women Publishing House). This is considered an autobiography in comics, bringing readers a realistic, emotional and colorful slice of Le Phan's two-decade journey with comics.

Knowing What Happens Later is the 10th work in Le Phan's writing collection, but it is the first time he has chosen to write about himself in the first person. The book consists of 176 pages, divided into 8 chapters, each chapter inspired by a famous song, associated with important milestones in his journey to become an artist: from the first time he learned what an "artist" was, to the days of his childhood when he was passionate about copying comics, deciding to embark on the path of creation, to the first real shocks in life, and the journey to find himself again after getting lost.

In addition to the Vietnamese version, Du But also produced an English version of "How to Know the Future" to bring to international book fairs.

Comics here are not only a form of storytelling but also a language that helps Le Phan convey all the emotions - from witty, humorous to calm, thoughtful... related to the drawing career that he has pursued for nearly 20 years.

Reading How to Know the Future , readers - especially those who choose to make a living through the path of art - will surely find sharing and sympathy with Phan. Although there may be differences in starting point, goals or perspectives when working, surely everyone has experienced days of confusion and helplessness when life is vast, passion is like a boat too big and oneself is too small.

Le Phan (right) is a young artist who is persistent in his profession and has a certain position in the comic book market in Vietnam.

Graphic memoir is a branch of graphic novels in the West. This is a type of work that uses comic language to tell the author's real life story. Unlike traditional autobiographies that are only written in text, graphic memoirs combine images and narration to vividly and intuitively recreate memories, personal experiences and inner emotions.

Le Phan signs books for readers

The appeal of comic book autobiographies is that they are both personal and universal: the story bears the author’s own mark but touches on common issues that everyone can relate to – childhood, family, love, loss, identity, maturity. However, in Vietnam, the concept of comic book autobiographies is almost unprecedented. Comic books have long been associated with children or served entertainment purposes. Le Phan’s retelling of his own life in this form opens an important precedent, proving that comics can also become a mature literary genre, where individuals express and reflect on their inner lives.

Many young people attended the book launch program "What will happen tomorrow?"

At the program, Le Phan said that at first he was also wondering whether he should publish "Biet ra sao ngay sau" . However, according to him, the important thing is to still write, and whether to publish or not depends on the time.

“I think everyone in life needs to write an autobiography, not just one, but once every ten years. You have to diligently write it down, otherwise the feeling will gradually disappear. Many events have happened in life, many feelings need to be expressed, need to be remembered, as an act of cherishing the past and also to summarize the past journey, from there gain momentum to move forward”, Le Phan shared.

QUYNH YEN

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/tu-truyen-chan-that-cua-mot-hoa-si-truyen-tranh-post815203.html