Meet the Hong Kong artist behind the comic book adaptation of Star Wars: Thrawn

South China Morning Post

25-05-2025

Every week, Talking Points gives you a worksheet to practise your reading comprehension with exercises about the story we've written.
A huge stage. A sea of fans. Hong Kong comic artist Man Tsang Wai-man was surprised when he saw his art on the big screen and heard cheers from the crowd.
It was the Star Wars Celebration 2025, held last month in Tokyo. For an artist from Hong Kong's small comic scene, Tsang had achieved something special: working with Disney on the comic book version of a novel, Star Wars: Thrawn.
The original book is by an award-winning author, Timothy Zahn. The comic book will be released later this year.
'The idea that people would cheer for something we made? It's unimaginable ... Just being part of it, even in a small way, was exhilarating. It actually made me tremble,' said the artist, who is in his 40s.
Hong Kong's comics industry
For Tsang, his experience in Tokyo was unforgettable. But it was very different to what he faced back home.
'In Hong Kong, we draw comics, and no one really notices,' he said. 'Hong Kong comics have been dying for over two decades.'
The city's comics industry was successful in the late 80s and early 90s. But since then, local graphic novels have not been very popular.
'Given the way things are in Hong Kong now, you have to hustle,' Tsang said.
For example, he often takes on commissioned projects to make a living.
Tsang has been dedicated to art ever since he was a child. When he was just 17 years old, he became a full-time comic artist.
In 2022, Tsang won the Gold Award from the Hong Kong Comics Support Programme. The government initiative supports comic publishing. This helped him release an original title, The Zeros (0課特工).
After Tsang showed his comic book at an international festival, it became popular and has been published in countries around the world. Through these international editions, Disney noticed his work.
Drawing the mind of a villain
When Tsang was illustrating the story of Thrawn, he faced some unexpected challenges. Unlike most Star Wars characters, Thrawn does not have special powers or weapons.
'I figured I'd get to draw some cool battles. Those are easier to handle,' Tsang said. 'But Thrawn was a completely different story.'
The artist found himself drawing a calm, calculating general – a villain defined not by strength, but by his brain.
'Thrawn is like Sima Yi from Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' Tsang explained. 'He doesn't overpower his enemies – he outsmarts them.'
And the real challenge, Tsang said, was showing what happens in Thrawn's mind.
'He's up against someone with a nuclear weapon, and all he has is his brain. He has to win using mind games. That's way harder,' he said.
A new path for local artists
Disney's collaboration with Tsang could create a new path for Hong Kong's comic scene. He hopes this progress does not end with him.
'If a major international company has worked with someone from Hong Kong and had a good experience, maybe they'll start to take us more seriously,' he said.
'Maybe we'll see something shift – maybe we'll be known as Hong Kong artists who specialise in international comics.'
To young artists, Tsang offered advice: do what it takes to get your chance to shine.
'Don't be too proud to fight for opportunities,' he said. 'Sometimes, you have to be willing to crawl and clutch for your shot.'
Reflect: Do you know of any famous Hong Kong comic books?
To test your understanding of this story, download our printable worksheet or answer the questions in the quiz below.