Mangaka Interview: Chi-Kit Kwong

Aliens!

A brief introduction, before we get into the interview!

I’ve talked about my taste in manga pretty extensively here on MangaCraft. Horror, delinquents, dystopian, all favorites of mine. But one of my all-time favorite topics in storytelling and beyond, all factors included, is aliens. Problem is, not a lot of alien manga out there. At least not that I’ve found. Sure, Dandadan has elements of it, but not really deep alien lore.

So when I was sitting at the Nakama Press panel at New York ComicCon 2024 (or 2023, time is a menace), and I saw the brochure of manga coming from this new imprint, I was immediately hooked by Indigo. Sheer aliens. Just what I wanted.

May 20th came, the title dropped, and sure enough, it’s everything I wanted it to be. So much so that I want more. Like, now. But I’ll have to wait.

In the meantime! Mangaka Chi-Kit Kwong was kind enough to agree to answer a few questions about creating Indigo, aliens, and what’s next.

Before we get to that, a brief bio for both Chi-Kit (the artist) and his brother Chi-Ho (the writer).

Chi-Kit Kwong: Born in Hong Kong, in his early years Chi-Kit Kwong went to the United States to study and work, after earning a BFA and MFA. After returning to Hong Kong, he taught illustration for ten years. Now that he is middle-aged, he has decided to resume his comic book dreams.

Chi-Ho Kwong: Born in Hong Kong, Chi-Ho Kwong graduated from the Faculty of Law of the University of Hong Kong in his early years. He is passionate about writing and has dabbled in plays, lyrics, novels, columns and poetry. Except for three loyal readers who have been loyal for many years, the work has been unpopular. But he keeps writing because he enjoys it.

Now then, onto the interview.

What’s your connection to manga and comics? Your origin story, if you will?

I love comic ever since I was a kid. Me and my brother Chi-Man worship the local comic legend Mr. Ma Wing Shing. We later on learnt that he was studying at Des Montages studio before he becoming an art star. Like many other fans, me and my brother went on and have lessons there after school, and I studied under another comic artist Mr. Mak Tin Kit. Along with that, I started to have my short comic stories published in a local teenager magazine. I was taking baby steps toward my goal of becoming a comic artist. However, When I turned 18, I got an offer to study abroad in the U.S. Then I took on a totally different path.

Long story short, I became a teacher in college and didn't do anything with comic for 20 years. Until I bumped into Mr. Mak Tin Kit again in 2019, He invited me to collaborate with him for the title "The Sagas of Kunlun Mountain ". It was well received by local fans and that's how I relaunch my career as a comic artist. Mr. Mak then encouraged me to apply for the 1st Hong Kong Support Programm, which is a very prestige funding by the the Hong Kong Gorvement.

Luckily I got in and won 2 awards. The 1st edition was all sold out in 5 days and I had to print the 2nd edition almost instantly. I got my confidence builded up and apply for the same funding again the year after. This time I got the Gold awards and all the copies sold within a month. Life kinda came in a full circle, Mr. Ma Wing Shing, my comic hero saw my works and recommended me to an investor for the Wuxia title I am working on right now. Yes, here I am, still marveled by how life works in such a mysterious way.

What made you want to start telling stories in this medium?

Comic in an actual book format is something I have a great deal of emotional attachment to. Regardless of how digital media is rapidly taking over nowadays, there is something magical about turning the page and not knowing what is gonna happen next. To me, it is an act of curiosity and discovery. I painted a lot in my 20s, however, to tell a story through one single picture just doesn't satisfy me as much.

There is a wealth of alien lore out there, how did you pick the story you wanted to tell within that lore? How did Indigo come together, and how long had it been cultivating?

My brother and I have been collecting urban legend stories and alien related news for awhile. So what we did was look at the script and see which one from the collection will fit the plot and we used it.

The development of the story of Indigo was rather quick. There was a very tight deadline for us to submit a proposal to the Hong Kong Comic Support Program (since the original idea is to work on a book specifically for that program), it only allowed us to turn in a complete script within a month.

Aliens are one of my favorite topics, so this was a sweet spot manga for sure. What’s your connection to aliens? When did you begin exploring them? What made you want to tell a story so steeped in extraterrestrial themes?

I have not yet having the luck to encountered aliens so far, but I firmly believe that there is something more that human beings out there in the universe.

I am also fascinated by all the conspiracy theories and beliefs that we are blindfolded to the truth. I thought it would be great to make a comic book that can reflect my interest and connect with people who do have the same kind of thoughts.

How much were you working with existing alien lore (Reptilians, for instance) and how much were you creating from scratch?

I would say half and half. Some of them are pretty straightforward and others are kinda mixed with my own twists. For instance the Bale brothers are based on the legend of the Ohio Frog-man and the horrific legend of the Bunny-man. I kinda mixed these U.S urban legends with a Hong Kong legend of strange sound were heard by students near by Hong Kong University.

Can I just ask outright—do you believe in aliens? And, more specifically, the aliens you’ve depicted in Indigo?

I do 100% believe in aliens. Yes, Reptilians and the galactic federation. Absolutely.

Why was Ella the right vessel to tell this story through, and how did you go about building her out as a character?

I was just becoming a father when I was creating Indigo. Ella is my daughter's name and I kind of projected my imagination of my daughter onto the character. I intended to make this a gift for her. On top of that, I do have friends in my close circle who are considered an Indigo child. Naturally, I use them as a blueprint to build the character.

What’s next for Indigo, and for your storytelling in general? And where can people find you and your work online?

I am currently working on a long series of swordsman stories, adopting from a novel. I have already completed 4 volumes and moving on to the 5th and 6th at the same time. For Indigo, I do have some ideas for a spin-off story and planning to start the project by the end of 2026.