The Straits Times reported today that the National Arts Council revoked its $8,000 grant for Singaporean comic book artist Sonny Liew's mammoth new book The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye. The NAC reportedly said that the finished book "did not meet [their] funding conditions."

The book covers contemporary Singapore history through satire and allusion, featuring famous political rivalries, the communist opposition and other sticky subjects. It's blurbed by controversial academic Cherian George, who said it was "equally uncompromising in its political critique and artistic vision". 

Depressing news, but don't feel too bad. Liew is going to illustrate DC Comics' forthcoming series Dr. Fate. And as for The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye, the 340-page book was picked up for an international edition back in January. In Singapore, it has been already flying off the shelves, and after this we suspect the entire first run will be wiped clean soon.

Get your copy fast this weekend. Sonny Liew will be at Books Kinokuniya at 2pm for the official book launch.

More on the book here: