Damian M
@damiandamiani.bsky.social
Postdoc at @uniheidelberg.bsky.social #ChinaComx working on politics in/of Chinese comics after 1949 | PhD @uni-freiburg.de on political study practices in China (1950s-80s) | researching intersections of state socialism, visual culture, and everyday life
Added another 80 images over the last two days, bringing the total collection to 385 historical photographs of all kinds of reading acts in twentieth-century China: chinareading.wordpress.com
October 30, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Added another 80 images over the last two days, bringing the total collection to 385 historical photographs of all kinds of reading acts in twentieth-century China: chinareading.wordpress.com
Just added 50 new photos to my visual repository of reading acts in China, chinareading.wordpress.com -- too many great images to repost here, but these are the four that stood out for me. Go visit the website and browse the 300+ historical photographs of people reading in China!
October 27, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Just added 50 new photos to my visual repository of reading acts in China, chinareading.wordpress.com -- too many great images to repost here, but these are the four that stood out for me. Go visit the website and browse the 300+ historical photographs of people reading in China!
In my paper, I trace how the CCP celebrated and/or educated about its anniversaries via comics. As these ranged in format and style from classical lhh booklets through comic strips to fancy coffee book tables, the bottom line is evident: comics were (and are) part of polit communication efforts.
September 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
In my paper, I trace how the CCP celebrated and/or educated about its anniversaries via comics. As these ranged in format and style from classical lhh booklets through comic strips to fancy coffee book tables, the bottom line is evident: comics were (and are) part of polit communication efforts.
The double-panel includes contributions by Dr Chihho Lin, Dr Mariia Guleva, @ndanysz.bsky.social, and 4/5 of the #ChinaComx team; Dr Annabella Mei Massey (The Courtauld Institute of Art) and Dr Elizabeth Emrich-Rougé (University of Cambridge) will respectively act as Chair/Discussant.
September 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
The double-panel includes contributions by Dr Chihho Lin, Dr Mariia Guleva, @ndanysz.bsky.social, and 4/5 of the #ChinaComx team; Dr Annabella Mei Massey (The Courtauld Institute of Art) and Dr Elizabeth Emrich-Rougé (University of Cambridge) will respectively act as Chair/Discussant.
Traveling to the UK today for the
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
September 2, 2025 at 7:25 AM
Traveling to the UK today for the
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
@chinesestudies.bsky.social annual conference #BACS2025. Together with @beckminster.bsky.social, I co-organize a two-parted panel on all things lianhuanhua: P1 “Politics” and P2 “Aesthetics”, back-to-back on Thu 4.9 in Room SBB 1.02 from 13:00-16:15. Join us then!
Another exciting week at #ChinaComx! On Tuesday, July 22, we host a workshop with the “Caricature as a Sphere of Communication in the Ottoman Context” project (caricatures.hypotheses.org/499) — and welcome a new visiting scholar, Ivan Gomes, for a keynote on Brazilian caricatures of post-Mao China 🎭
July 20, 2025 at 4:11 PM
Another exciting week at #ChinaComx! On Tuesday, July 22, we host a workshop with the “Caricature as a Sphere of Communication in the Ottoman Context” project (caricatures.hypotheses.org/499) — and welcome a new visiting scholar, Ivan Gomes, for a keynote on Brazilian caricatures of post-Mao China 🎭
Ahoj from Prague where I am participating in the “Transformations of Cultural Life from Mao to Xi” conference at @charlesuni.cuni.cz.
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
June 26, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Ahoj from Prague where I am participating in the “Transformations of Cultural Life from Mao to Xi” conference at @charlesuni.cuni.cz.
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
In my paper, I advance the argument that lianhuanhua were both very loud and affective, making it a perfect intermedial medium.
ksi.ff.cuni.cz/en/research/...
Celebrations and marches welcoming the Chinese delegation to Dresden in June 1951, notice the crowds holding Mao portraits next to Wilhelm Pieck (GDR president); a still heavily destroyed Theaterplatz visible in the background. Photos by Erich Höhne und Erich Pohl, via Deutsche Fotothek.
June 16, 2025 at 11:23 AM
Celebrations and marches welcoming the Chinese delegation to Dresden in June 1951, notice the crowds holding Mao portraits next to Wilhelm Pieck (GDR president); a still heavily destroyed Theaterplatz visible in the background. Photos by Erich Höhne und Erich Pohl, via Deutsche Fotothek.
Many thanks again to Laura de Giorgi and Dayton Lekner for organizing and including me in their workshop! I’ve learned a lot about the sound(s), noise(s) & silence(s) of history and how to extract them, and the venue was—most probably—among the most stunning conference location I’ll ever witness.
May 26, 2025 at 10:53 AM
Many thanks again to Laura de Giorgi and Dayton Lekner for organizing and including me in their workshop! I’ve learned a lot about the sound(s), noise(s) & silence(s) of history and how to extract them, and the venue was—most probably—among the most stunning conference location I’ll ever witness.
On my way to Venice for the “Sonic Histories of East Asia: Thinking History Through Sound” conference at Ca’ Foscari — I will humbly join a splendid line up of speakers to present on the various sounds of collective reading activities in the PRC. Come say hello if you’re around!
May 14, 2025 at 10:46 AM
On my way to Venice for the “Sonic Histories of East Asia: Thinking History Through Sound” conference at Ca’ Foscari — I will humbly join a splendid line up of speakers to present on the various sounds of collective reading activities in the PRC. Come say hello if you’re around!
The first #ChinaComx workshop last week was a great success! Engaged discussions, provocative questions, fun talks, and overall a greatly inspiring two-and-half days of engaging with lianhuanhua and other Chinese comics. Thanks to all participants for taking their time!
April 28, 2025 at 5:33 PM
The first #ChinaComx workshop last week was a great success! Engaged discussions, provocative questions, fun talks, and overall a greatly inspiring two-and-half days of engaging with lianhuanhua and other Chinese comics. Thanks to all participants for taking their time!
In just over a week, we invite all scholars and students of Chinese comics to Heidelberg for our first #ChinaComx workshop! Revolving around the theme "Lianhuanhua as Method", expect lively discussions and fascinating case studies. For the program and details, go to: tinyurl.com/LianhuanhuaA... 🌟
April 15, 2025 at 8:15 PM
In just over a week, we invite all scholars and students of Chinese comics to Heidelberg for our first #ChinaComx workshop! Revolving around the theme "Lianhuanhua as Method", expect lively discussions and fascinating case studies. For the program and details, go to: tinyurl.com/LianhuanhuaA... 🌟
Our research project #ChinaComx had the opportunity to once again spend a few fruitful days browsing the largely untapped lianhuanhua collection at the Berlin State Library. New gems discovered, including a multi-volume series of weiqi (go) manuals in comics form. Thanks @stabiberlin.bsky.social!
April 9, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Our research project #ChinaComx had the opportunity to once again spend a few fruitful days browsing the largely untapped lianhuanhua collection at the Berlin State Library. New gems discovered, including a multi-volume series of weiqi (go) manuals in comics form. Thanks @stabiberlin.bsky.social!
Small two-sided cartoon from a comics pictorial from 1952 China during the Three Anti, Five Anti campaign to combat corruption and wasteful bureaucracy: “Before the cadre gets trapped: Enticement / After the cadre gets trapped: Threat” — turn your phone upside down!
April 2, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Small two-sided cartoon from a comics pictorial from 1952 China during the Three Anti, Five Anti campaign to combat corruption and wasteful bureaucracy: “Before the cadre gets trapped: Enticement / After the cadre gets trapped: Threat” — turn your phone upside down!
Lianhuanhua interpretations of four Chinese emperors by Lu Yanguang 卢延光 from the November 1987 issue of China Picture-story (中国连环画): Gouojian of Yue (520?-465 BCE), Guangwu of Han (5 BCE-57 CE), Cao Cao (155-220 CE) the so-called Emperor Wu of Wei, and Wu Zetian of Zhou (690-705 CE).
March 24, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Lianhuanhua interpretations of four Chinese emperors by Lu Yanguang 卢延光 from the November 1987 issue of China Picture-story (中国连环画): Gouojian of Yue (520?-465 BCE), Guangwu of Han (5 BCE-57 CE), Cao Cao (155-220 CE) the so-called Emperor Wu of Wei, and Wu Zetian of Zhou (690-705 CE).
The Gang of Four, quite literally bringing capitalism back from the dead to reign supreme over China once again.
Caricature titled "Ganging up for restoration" 结帮为了复辟 by Ge Qinglun and Sun Xiaofei, ca. 1977.
Caricature titled "Ganging up for restoration" 结帮为了复辟 by Ge Qinglun and Sun Xiaofei, ca. 1977.
March 19, 2025 at 6:39 PM
The Gang of Four, quite literally bringing capitalism back from the dead to reign supreme over China once again.
Caricature titled "Ganging up for restoration" 结帮为了复辟 by Ge Qinglun and Sun Xiaofei, ca. 1977.
Caricature titled "Ganging up for restoration" 结帮为了复辟 by Ge Qinglun and Sun Xiaofei, ca. 1977.
And while this was Aomi’s first time featuring Star Wars, it was far from the last—see, for instance, this gorgeous cover from the magazine’s August 1997 issue on the Dark Empire story arc!
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
And while this was Aomi’s first time featuring Star Wars, it was far from the last—see, for instance, this gorgeous cover from the magazine’s August 1997 issue on the Dark Empire story arc!
This small example of transcultural adaptation illustrates how a modern visual storytelling medium—the daily newspaper comic strip—featuring a distinctly American narrative, Star Wars, was recontextualized to fit the vastly different landscape of an early-Reform Era Chinese monthly pictorial.
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
This small example of transcultural adaptation illustrates how a modern visual storytelling medium—the daily newspaper comic strip—featuring a distinctly American narrative, Star Wars, was recontextualized to fit the vastly different landscape of an early-Reform Era Chinese monthly pictorial.
With this added textual element, the Chinese version feels more like an adaptation than a translation as an integration of descriptive text alongside images is a hallmark of lianhuanhua, Chinese comics. And by such expanding of each strip, the adaptation expands the lore beyond the original, too.
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
With this added textual element, the Chinese version feels more like an adaptation than a translation as an integration of descriptive text alongside images is a hallmark of lianhuanhua, Chinese comics. And by such expanding of each strip, the adaptation expands the lore beyond the original, too.
“130 At the thieves’ den, Blackhole forbade the Stormtroopers from massacring everyone, as that would only earn the Empire a good reputation. Seeing how the odds were against him, Jax didn’t dare to kill Luke—Blackhole came for him and Leia, so if he killed them, he would also lose his head.”
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
“130 At the thieves’ den, Blackhole forbade the Stormtroopers from massacring everyone, as that would only earn the Empire a good reputation. Seeing how the odds were against him, Jax didn’t dare to kill Luke—Blackhole came for him and Leia, so if he killed them, he would also lose his head.”
Compared to the original, the Chinese version—of all these Star Wars strips, not just this one!—used a handwritten font for the speech bubbles and also included an additional paragraph of text to the left of the strip, providing context and describing the depicted action. It reads:
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Compared to the original, the Chinese version—of all these Star Wars strips, not just this one!—used a handwritten font for the speech bubbles and also included an additional paragraph of text to the left of the strip, providing context and describing the depicted action. It reads:
Originally dated 1 Sept 1979, this strip marks the beginning of a culminating arc in which Blackhole—a follower of Darth Vader with dark side abilities (later retconned as Shadowspawn/Cronal)—leads Stormtroopers in an attack on the Freelies, a crime syndicate that captured Luke and Leia for ransom.
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Originally dated 1 Sept 1979, this strip marks the beginning of a culminating arc in which Blackhole—a follower of Darth Vader with dark side abilities (later retconned as Shadowspawn/Cronal)—leads Stormtroopers in an attack on the Freelies, a crime syndicate that captured Luke and Leia for ransom.
In 1981, the Chinese science-fiction monthly 奥秘 (Aomi) featured Russ Manning’s first run of Star Wars comic strips. Collected and re-arranged to fit a fullpage format, the comics remained virtually identical to their American original—if not for one key difference. Let’s look at one exemplary strip.
March 13, 2025 at 9:11 PM
In 1981, the Chinese science-fiction monthly 奥秘 (Aomi) featured Russ Manning’s first run of Star Wars comic strips. Collected and re-arranged to fit a fullpage format, the comics remained virtually identical to their American original—if not for one key difference. Let’s look at one exemplary strip.
Save the date: 24-26 April the #ChinaComx project welcomes to CATS @uniheidelberg.bsky.social for a hands-on workshop on all things Chinese comics! With keynotes by Barbara Mittler and Stephan Packard, and a dozen presenters & discussants, it is to treat lianhuanhua as research method. Details soon!
January 29, 2025 at 8:33 AM
Save the date: 24-26 April the #ChinaComx project welcomes to CATS @uniheidelberg.bsky.social for a hands-on workshop on all things Chinese comics! With keynotes by Barbara Mittler and Stephan Packard, and a dozen presenters & discussants, it is to treat lianhuanhua as research method. Details soon!
Here’s the back cover of a 1980s lianhuanhua adaption series of William Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, for no particular reason…
January 23, 2025 at 10:11 AM
Here’s the back cover of a 1980s lianhuanhua adaption series of William Shirer’s The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich, for no particular reason…