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Fung Wan

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Fung Wan
Cloud (left) and Wind
風雲
Wind and Cloud
Genre
AuthorMa Wing Shing
PublisherHong Kong Jonesky
English publisherUnited States ComicsOne
Original run1989 – Present
Volumes553 issues

Fung Wan (Chinese: 風雲) is a Wuxia Manhua series from Hong Kong. It is the first Manhua released by Ma Wing Shing in 1989 with the help of his assistant Siu Kit under his own company, Jonesky Publishing. The title translates to "Wind and Cloud". Before the 4th story arc, the comic was originally titled Fung Wan (Chinese: 風雲), until the two protagonists of the story, Nip Fung and Bou King Wan, became secondary characters and the comic was renamed Tin Ha (Chinese: 天下).[1]

The story has been adapted into other media a number of times. The most notable of its adaptations are the 1998 film The Storm Riders, the video game Fung Wan Online and the Taiwanese Wind and Cloud TV series.

Story summary

The story takes place in China during the Ming Dynasty. It revolves around the two expert pugilists, Nip Fung (nicknamed Wind) and Bou Keng Wan (nicknamed Cloud). They learn martial arts and move up to become legendary figures in the Kong Woo. As the comic progresses, more characters are introduced in many story arcs filled with battles, especially swordplay.

Tin Ha Wui Arc

Wind and Cloud are accepted into the most powerful martial arts sect Tin Ha Wui and become the disciples of its leader Hung Ba. In fact, Hung does not teach them his skills out of altruism by rather, for his personal gain, since a Buddhist prophet once told him that he will rise to power with Wind and Cloud's help. When Hung Ba is at the pinnacle of his achievements, the second half of the prophecy is revealed, in which it is said that Wind and Cloud are destined to bring about Hung Ba's downfall. Hung Ba plans to turn Wind and Cloud against each other by making use of the servant girl Charity. The plot succeeds initially and Wind and Cloud both become fugitives of Tin Ha Wui.

Cloud meets Yu Ngok and his daughter Yu Chor-Chor and acquires the superhuman Kirin Arm from Yu. He also travels to Sword-Worshipping Villa where he seizes possession of a newly-forged sword, Ultimate Superior Sword. He encounters the legendary swordsman Nameless and his disciple Kim San, becoming Nameless' second disciple sometime later. Meanwhile, Wind retrieves his late father's Blizzard Saber and tames the Fire Kirin monster. Wind and Cloud realise that Hung Ba actually intended to make them destroy each other after Frost informed them. They defeat Hung Ba in a battle together and force him to retreat. Subsequently, Hung Ba's followers betray him while he is wounded and he loses Tin Ha Wui. Hung Ba is killed by Cloud eventually.

Japanese Invasion Arc

Lord Godless, the most powerful warrior in Japan, invades China and kidnaps the Chinese emperor. Wind and Cloud are unable to stop him due to his formidable prowess in martial arts. In desperation, Wind and Cloud set off in search of First Evil Emperor, who teaches Wind the "Demonic Saber" skill to counter Lord Godless, and Wind meets the love of his life, Second Dream, at the same time. Wind enters a demonic trance while mastering the evil skill and runs berserk. Meanwhile, another Japanese warlord called Tin Wong sets foot on China as well and attempts to steal the Dragon Bones, the spiritual foundation of the Chinese empire. Cloud and Nameless join hands to destroy Tin Wong while Lord Godless is betrayed and killed by his own son, Juet Sum. Wind morphs into the Kirin Demon when the holy aura of the Dragon Bones fuse with the demonic powers in him. Cloud and the other heroes manage to exorcise Wind after a long battle but Cloud falls off a cliff and is lost.

Characters

Main article: List of characters in the Fung Wan series

Protagonists

Villains

  • Hung Ba (雄霸; Lord Conquer) - the teacher of Wind and Cloud. He is the leader of Tin Ha Wui.
  • Juet Mou San (絕無神; Lord Godless) - the most powerful pugilist in Japan. He wishes to dominate China.
  • Dai Seik Tin (帝釋天) - the mysterious phantom menace. He is the alter ego of Chui Fook.
  • Duen Long (斷浪) - originally a member of Tin Ha Wui. He becomes the most powerful villain ever.

Publication

The English version of the manhua is published by the now-defunct ComicsOne.

  • Storm Riders Vol.01: ISBN 1-58899-142-3
  • Storm Riders Vol.02: ISBN 1-58899-143-1
  • Storm Riders Vol.03: ISBN 1-58899-144-X
  • Storm Riders Vol.04: ISBN 1-58899-145-8
  • Storm Riders Vol.05: ISBN 1-58899-146-6
  • Storm Riders Vol.06: ISBN 1-58899-156-3
  • Storm Riders Vol.07: ISBN 1-58899-157-1
  • Storm Riders Vol.08: ISBN 1-58899-246-2
  • Storm Riders Vol.09: ISBN 1-58899-159-8
  • Storm Riders Vol.10: ISBN 1-58899-160-1
  • Storm Riders Vol.11: ISBN 1-58899-161-X
  • Storm Riders Vol.12: ISBN 1-58899-162-8
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.1: ISBN 1-58899-359-0
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.2: ISBN 1-58899-360-4
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.3: ISBN 1-58899-361-2
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.4: ISBN 1-58899-362-0
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.5: ISBN 1-58899-352-3
  • Storm Riders II: Invading Sun Vol.6: ISBN 1-58899-168-7

Spin-offs

There is a spin-off of Fung Wan called Shenwuji which involves the descendants of Nip Fung and Bou Keng Wan. It is also written by Ma Wing Shing and has met with mixed reviews.

Adaptations

Films

  • The Storm Warriors (2009) - a sequel to the 1998 film. Ekin Cheng and Aaron Kwok reprise their previous roles in the prequel film.
  • Storm Rider Clash of the Evils - an upcoming animated feature film currently in production by Puzzle Animation Studio Limited. It is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2008. A 5 minute animated clip was released. It had no voice acting at all and consisted of a duel between Wind and Cloud vs. Duen Long after his absorbing of the Dragon Pill.

Television series

  • Wind and Cloud II (2004) - a sequel to the 2002 series. Peter Ho and Vincent Zhao reprise their roles.

Video games

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Wong, Wendy Siuyi. [2002] (2001) Hong Kong Comics: A History of Manhua. Princeton Architectural Press. New York. ISBN 1-56898-269-0
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