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Fung Wan

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This article is about the comic series. For other uses, see Fung Wan (disambiguation).
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
Volumes18

Fung Wan (Chinese: 風雲) is a Hong Kong wuxia manhua series. 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, Wind and Cloud, 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. Its most notable adaptations are the 1998 Hong Kong film The Storm Riders and its 2009 sequel The Storm Warriors, the video game Fung Wan Online, and the 2002 Taiwanese television series Wind and Cloud and its 2004 sequel Wind and Cloud II.

Plot

The story takes place in China during the Ming Dynasty. It revolves around the two expert pugilists, Wind and Cloud. They learn martial arts and move up to become legendary figures in the jianghu (martial artists' community). As the comic progresses, more characters are introduced in many story arcs filled with battles.

Tin Ha Wui arc

Wind and Cloud are accepted into the most powerful martial arts sect, Under Heaven Society (Tin Ha Wui), and become the disciples of its leader, Lord Conqueror. In fact, Conqueror 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 Conqueror 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 his downfall. Conqueror 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.

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 Conqueror actually intended to make them destroy each other after Frost informed them. They defeat Conqueror together and force him to retreat. Subsequently, Conqueror's followers betray him while he is wounded and he loses Tin Ha Wui. Conqueror 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 Heavenly Emperor, 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 Heavenly Emperor while Lord Godless is betrayed and killed by his own son, Heartless. 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 Fung Wan characters

Protagonists

  • Wind (聶風; Nip Fung)
  • Cloud (步驚雲; Bou Keng-wan)

Villains

  • Lord Conqueror (雄霸; Hung Ba) - the teacher of Wind, Cloud and head of Tin Ha Wui.
  • Lord Godless (絕無神; Juet Mou-san) - the most powerful pugilist in Japan who plans 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 was 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 Wind and Cloud. It is also written by Ma Wing-shing and has met with mixed reviews.[citation needed]

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.

Television series

  • Wind and Cloud 2 (2004) - a sequel to the 2002 series. Peter Ho and Vincent Zhao reprise their roles.

Video games

  • Fung Wan Online - a MMORPG based on the series.

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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