小猪麦兜是在香港诞生的著名卡通角色。尽管麦兜的首秀登场是作为辅助角色在麦兜漫画中出现,但麦兜已经成为一名核心人物,它吸引了在香港的大批粉丝。
McDull is a famous cartoon pig character that was created in Hong Kong. Although McDull made his first appearance as a supporting character in the McMug comics, McDull has since become a central character in his own right, attracting a huge following in Hong Kong.
Walking into Alice Mak's office is like walking into a world of McDulls. The illustrator's office is completely filled with McDull dolls and paintings.
Although Mak has produced several comic books featuring the pink little pig, she herself has never seen a real pig.
Alice Mak says, "I have never seen a real pig because I grew up in the city. But to me, it is a very adorable animal. And out of curiosity, I started to draw pictures of it."
Alice Mak has liked drawing ever since she was a little kid. But she did not receive any formal training until she entered the former Hong Kong Polytechnic Institute to take a design courses. After graduation, Alice met Brian Tse Lap-man, a children's literary author, who is now her husband.
Mak has been producing the McDull cartoon stories with Tse since 1991. She draws pictures according to Tse’s script.
The character first appeared in a children's magazine. It was then gradually shown in different kinds of products, like dolls, stationery and even mobile phone games.
Alice Mak says, "Actually, the sales of McDull products are more than that of the comic books. But I'm not sad. My concern is whether it can bring happiness to people, whatever means I use does not matter. For example, a kid may feel happier when he receives a McDull doll compared to reading a comic of it."
McDull, with a birthmark over his right eye, has starred in a series of animated movies, including "My Life as McDull", "McDull, The Alumni" and "McDull, Kung Fu Kindergarten." The character harbors many dreams and perseveres to achieve them despite repeated failures. His positive attitude towards life has inspired many children and young people in Hong Kong.
Alice Mak says she's happy that Mcdull inspires people in such a good way.