MA Wing-shing’s masterpiece Storm Riders recreated on stamps (with photos)
Hongkong Post will launch a special stamp issue and associated philatelic products on the theme of Hong Kong's famous comic Storm Riders on October 29 (Thursday). Advance orders will be accepted starting from today (September 7).
Serialised from 1989 to 2015, Storm Riders was a classic long-form wuxia comic of Hong Kong created and edited by the renowned comic artist Mr MA Wing-shing. Over the years, it has been enduringly popular among readers from Hong Kong and those around the world.
Hongkong Post issues stamp products, ranging from a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets to a first day cover and a presentation pack. The issue is designed on the comic headed by Wind, Cloud and Nameless. It is the very first time to recreate the legendary heroes and classic story scenes of Storm Riders, which accompanied numerous Hong Kong people throughout their teenage years, on stamps. This will definitely be a piece of good news to fans of local comics and avid collectors alike.
Mr MA selected eight masterpieces for the production of stamps and stamp sheetlets personally. Each of the works features a unique mood of the character situated in a classic scene in an expressive manner, underscoring the serenity of the comic. Among these drawings, "Rising Storm" and "Braving the Wind Alone" are the most favourites of the artist as the two pieces marked the milestone of his career in the comic industry and showcased his yearning for the world of comics. Simple yet powerful, the drawings leave much empty space in the composition, adding lustre to the pieces. The two representative works were displayed in an art exhibition around 30 years ago, long before the publication of Storm Riders. It is exceptionally meaningful to see them publish again.
In the collaboration with Hongkong Post, Mr MA personally drew for the Prestige Stamp Album after he completed the finale of Storm Riders back in 2015. With a limited edition of 5 000 sets worldwide, the album has its cover printed with artworks drawn with ink personally by Mr MA. In addition to a set of six stamps and two sets of stamp sheetlets, the album also includes paintings of classic story scenes interpreted anew in ink by the artist. Every single brushwork is illustrated in the exquisite sketches. Furthermore, the album also contains the $10 and $20 stamp sheetlets printed in black prints. The purchasing quantity is limited to two copies per person.
Apart from the Prestige Stamp Album, Hongkong Post also issues a presentation pack containing a set of six stamps and two stamp sheetlets. Printed with the manuscripts of the paintings recreated by Mr MA, the pack features the stunning artworks of Wind and Cloud, which are specially created for this highly anticipated collaboration. With sets of carefully planned junction of lines, the contours of the famous duo are illustrated along with each other to represent the tangle of fates of the two protagonists.
To promote philately and stamp products among the local community, Hongkong Post has set up a Facebook page named "郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps" (www.facebook.com/HKPStamps) and an Instagram account (www.instagram.com/hkpstamps). In the coming two weeks, Hongkong Post will issue videos of Mr MA on the page of "郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps", sharing his ups and downs in the creation of Storm Riders. All are welcome to follow "郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps" and stay tuned with the latest philatelic news.
Customers can place their advance orders for this set of special stamps and associated philatelic products through the website of Hongkong Post Stamps (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or the above Facebook page starting from 10.30 am today. Another alternative is to return the completed order form to any post office. For orders submitted on or before September 23 (Wednesday), they will be available for counter collection or delivery on its date of issue (October 29). For orders submitted after September 23, the date for their collection or delivery will be notified separately.
Video of "Storm Riders" stamps has been uploaded to youtu.be/nfM-tcRuoOU and the Facebook page and Instagram account of "郵票．郵趣@Hongkong Post Stamps". For further information about this special stamp issue, please check it out on the Hongkong Post Stamps website (stamps.hongkongpost.hk) or the Hongkong Post mobile app.
