Even though his comics have a Malaysian flavor, the underlying themes are universal. Themes like unrequited love or growing up or having your best friend move away. The art is so detailed, and he captures the funny little things that people do in every day life. When I read his books, it just takes me away to another world. My favorite comics by him are the Kampung Boy , Town Boy , the Mat Som trilogy.
Lat is a fairly political cartoonist.
Barefoot Gen is a very powerful commentary on the need for humanity in times of war. Some reviewers of Double Happiness didn't appreciate the ending. I think a lot of people felt the ending to be morally confusing. On the other hand, I think that when violence is portrayed accurately, it should be morally confusing. In most comic books and movies violence is used to solve problems.