Classic manga 'Self-Aggrandizement' returns with a new version

Manga author Zhang Wei has presented a new version of his classic work Self-Aggrandizement. He did so within the "Words in the Frame" section of the Liaoning Ribao newspaper, as reported by the digital edition of Beiguo Wang on October 10, 2026.

The piece is published under the title of "new version of the classic," indicating that it is not a simple reissue, but rather a redrawing or reinterpretation of the original work. Zhang Wei himself signs the manga, which arrives with Liu Xin as editorial manager and Ye Jian in charge of review.

The "Words in the Frame" section is a regular space in Chinese media where drawing and brief text combine to comment on current affairs or reflect on human attitudes. The title of the work, Self-Aggrandizement, already hints at where the critique is headed: that tendency to inflate one's own importance, something the author brings into his own territory through the language of manga.

A classic that looks at itself in the mirror

It's not every day that an author decides to remake their own work. In the world of comics and manga, this type of revision usually serves to update the linework, adapt the message to a new context, or simply allow the creator to dialogue with their past self. Here, moreover, the section's short format demands getting straight to the point.

No details have been given about how much this version differs from the original, nor whether there will be more installments of this kind. What is clear is that Self-Aggrandizement is back on the table with the signature of its original author.

The news is limited to confirming the publication and the team behind it. For now, there is no information about a possible release outside China or distribution on other platforms.

A note for collectors

For those who follow auteur manga and opinion cartoons, these pieces hold special value. They are works that are difficult to find outside their original medium and often fall outside the usual distribution circuits. If Zhang Wei's name rings a bell, this revision could be an interesting way to see how his style has evolved.

We'll have to keep an eye out in case the newspaper publishes more redrawn classics in the coming weeks. For now, Self-Aggrandizement has a new lease on life.