Manhua, or comic novels, have a long history in Hong Kong, dating back to 1911, when Sun Yat-Sen, who founded the Republic of China, used them to mock the corrupt Qing Dynasty. Due to the impact of Japanese and Western animation, the local comics industry has seen several changes throughout the years.
1. Old Master Q
Old Master Q, also known as Lou Fu Zhi in Cantonese, is undoubtedly one of the most famous Chinese comic book characters ever. Alfonso Wong created the comic strip way back in 1962, and it has since become a fixture in Hong Kong comics (and oddly enough, Malaysian hair salons), inspiring movies.
2. Cloud And Wind
without simultaneously referencing both of them in Ma Wing Seng's Tin Ha cartoons. Nip Fung (Wind), a kind and composed fighter with long hair, excels at sabre and leg-based martial arts.
3. Tiger Wong Xiu Fu
Tony Wong Yuk Long, a renowned comic book artist from Hong Kong, has produced a number of best-selling works over the course of his almost 50-year career. However, the comic strip Little Rascals, which he began in 1970 and subsequently renamed Oriental Heroes, is his most famous work.
4. The Green Turtle
The Green Turtle, often regarded as the first Asian comic book superhero, had his debut in 1944 in Blazing Comics, anthology published by obscure publisher Rural and drawn by unknown artist Chu Hing.
5. Shang-Chi
Thanks to the Kung Fu TV series, kung fu fever swept over America in the 1970s (starring the late David Carradine). Marvel instead purchased the Dr. Fu Manchu comic book rights after failing to secure the rights for the TV show.
6. Jubilee
Jubilee was originally introduced in Uncanny X-Men (Vol. 1) #244 (May 1989), written by Chris Claremont and illustrated by Marc Silvestri. She first served as Wolverine's sidekick until eventually transitioning into a full-fledged X-Man.
7. Mandarin
He was regrettably designed as a clichéd Fu Manchu-type megalomaniac, complete with awful Oriental bad guy clichés like the conventional long moustache and long flowing robes. He was born in China to a Chinese father and an English noble mother.
8. Tony Chu
Chicken is illegal in the universe of Image Comics' Chew following a bird flu pandemic that claimed the lives of millions of Americans. Tony Chu, a Chinese-American, is both a cibopath and an investigator for the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in this universe.
9. McDull
There is no way we can discuss Hong Kong comics without bringing up McDull. His friendliness, innocence, and admirable resilience against hardship - despite failing at nearly everything - make up for the fact that he may not be the smartest little pig.
10. Cowboy
One of the few really unique Hong Kong legends and the star of an eponymous 41-volume comic book, Cowboy is a singularly funny and heartwarming figure. The cartoons, which were created in the 1970s by Macau-born artist Wong Wing-hing, centre on a young child and his father and represent working-class life in Hong Kong around that time.
