Comics One has licensed Wing Shing Ma's Storm Riders comic series for release in North America. First introduced in Hong Kong in 1989, Storm Riders has become one of the best selling Hong Kong-produced titles, typically selling over 500,000 copies per issue. Volume #1 of the ongoing 87-volume series will be available in the U.S. in December. The 120-page full color graphic novel will carry a cover price of $11.95.
Set in the turbulent world of ancient China, where martial arts masters compete for the title of 'Ultimate Master,' Storm Riders captures the dynamic fighting styles and all-out action that have made Hong Kong martial arts films so popular in the West.
Storm Riders--the DVD
The Storm Riders comic itself spawned a film version in 1998 (directed by Wei Keung Lau) that is currently available in the U.S. on DVD from Tai Seng Video. With the recent popularity of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Iron Monkey, martial arts films are clearly making a comeback here in the States. Comics One is counting on Storm Riders to fuel a similar revival of interest in martial arts comics.
