Wong Jan-lung

Early life

Tony Wong Chun-loong was born on 27 March 1950 in Jiangmen, Guangdong, China. After he turned six, he moved to Hong Kong with his family. He went to school until age 13, after which he began his artistic career. Wong never attended an educational institution focusing on art, and was largely self-taught as a comic artist. His decision to begin working at 13 was because he could command a relatively high salary at that time.

In 1971, Wong created Jademan Holdings, which became one of the most prominent comic publishing companies in Hong Kong. Under Jademan Holdings, Wong published many popular manhua series, including Little Rascals (later renamed Oriental Heroes), which became one of the best-selling comics in Hong Kong. According to Monica Ko of the South China Morning Post, because of Wong's dominant profile in the company, the company's stock became known as "personality stock". In 1989, he lost his position at Jademan by resigning, ending his involvement in the company's comics.

Wong also adapted several of Louis Cha's classic wuxia novels into manhua, including The Return of the Condor Heroes (retitled Legendary Couples), Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils, and Ode to Gallantry. He later provided the artwork for Batman: Hong Kong, written by Doug Moench, demonstrating his international reach as a comic artist.

Later career

In 2015, Wong announced plans to establish a comics-themed park in Hangzhou, Mainland China, with a proposed budget of HK$800,000,000 Hong Kong dollars. Wong expressed some disappointment that the park could not be built in Hong Kong itself.

Legal issues and return

At some point Wong was convicted in Hong Kong courts of a financial offense. He received a 2.5-year prison sentence and was sent to Stanley Prison, but was released after serving one year and six months. Despite his imprisonment, Wong remained a popular figure; in 1993, the South China Morning Post reported that "Despite his jailing, Mr Wong,[...] is still seen as a hero by young people in the territory."

After his release from prison, Wong established Jade Dynasty Publications, with the stated intention of creating what he described as "an oriental [sic] type of Walt Disney."