Chinese Hero

Infobox manhua


imagesize=200
caption = Cover of "Chinese Hero" volume 1 from the second series
zh_hanzi = 中華英雄
romanized = Zhong Hua Ying Xiong
genre =
Adventure = y
author = Ma Wing Shing
publisher = flagicon|Hong Kong Jademan
publisher_en =
publisher_other =
demographic =
magazine =
first =
last =
volumes =
subcat=Hong Kong comics
sort = Chinese Hero
zh=yes

"Chinese Hero" (zh-t|t=中華英雄 "Zhong Hua Ying Xiong") is a popular manhua created by Chinese artist Ma Wing Shing. It is also referred to as "Blood Sword", "Blood Sword Dynasty", "A Chinese Hero: Tales of the Blood Sword" and "A Man Called Hero".

Background

The artwork and drawing style of "Chinese Hero" is responsible for the modern day characteristics of manhua. It was a breakthrough in terms of using high levels of details, realistic style, clear cut action scenes and skillful use of color in combination with an engrossing plot. The manhua turned the artist from rags to riches. Ma Wingshing became Hong Kong's hottest artist at the time.Wong, Wendy Siuyi. [2002] (2001) Hong Kong Comics: A History of Manhua. Princeton Architectural Press. New York. ISBN 1-56898-269-0] The story was an immediate hit selling 45,000 copies when first released. During the peak of the series, it hit peaks of selling 200,000 copies.

Original story

After taking vengeance upon the murderers of his family by white men, Hero flees to America to start a new life. Along his way he has many adventures, meets new friends and gradually becomes a kung fu master. Once in Chicago, Hero is up against gang wars, murder, treachery and racial hate.

Publication history

Original release

* "Chinese Hero" was first published in Golden Daily newspaper in 1980.
* It was a supplement to Wong Yuk-Long's Drunken Master.
* It then later became its own separate manhua. The very first issue of the "Chinese Hero" periodical was published in 1982.

Jademan comic releases

In the late 1988 Jademan publishing started publishing "Chinese Hero" in English under the name "The Blood Sword". Jademan later published a second series entitled "Blood Sword Dynasty" which followed the adventures of the Hero's son, Kim-Hung. By 1989, the artist Ma Wing Shing left Jademan Comics company.

In the original Chinese comic "Blood Sword Dynasty" is part of the same series as "Chinese Hero" and is not a spin-off, rather events that occur near the end of its run. Despite the popularity, the series was eventually canceled in 1993.

"Chinese Hero" is yet to be published in its entirety in English. The Jademan releases were often criticised for their poor translation.

DrMaster releases

In October 2006, DrMaster publishers announced that they were planning to release a new English translation of "Chinese Hero". These new releases will include an all new English translation as well as new being digitally re-coloured. The DrMaster releases will not be starting from the beginning of the story (as the first season was full of racially-charged anti-western sentiments), but rather at the beginning of the second series, with the plot alteration of Hero's parents being murdered by a "rival martial arts clan" rather than by westerners as in the original.

Collections

The collections are:
* "Chinese Hero":
** "Tales of the Blood Sword volume 1" (April 2007, 260 pages, ISBN 1597960411)
** "Tales of the Blood Sword volume 2" (September 2007, 260 pages, ISBN 1597961167)
** "Tales of the Blood Sword volume 3" (August 2007, 280 pages, ISBN 1597961175)
** "Tales of the Blood Sword volume 4" (November 2007, 280 pages, ISBN 1597961183)
** "Tales of the Blood Sword volume 5" (February 2008, 240 pages, ISBN 1597961248)

Adaptations

TV series

In the early 1990s, a TV series of "Chinese Hero" was filmed.

Film

In 1999, a film adaptation of the manhua called "A Man Called Hero" (zh-t|t=中華英雄) was released. Despite its many departures from the comic storyline, the film proved very popular and became the highest grossing Hong Kong film up to that time.

Video game

An adapted video game was produced by Acebrock. The game was released in both Chinese and English, and is considered a collector's item. Like the film, the English translation title was used, and the game was called "A Man Called Hero". Unlike the film however, it stayed close to the comic storyline instead. As of 2007, the game has gone under the radar of some of the most well known gaming sites like GameSpot or GameFAQs.

References