Farewell to artist Nguyen Hung Lan, father of the legendary comic series 'Hesman the Hero'

According to information from artist Bui Duc Lam, artist Nguyen Hung Lan (born in 1956) died of a stroke. Because he lived alone, no one discovered him in time to provide emergency care. "I can't count how many times I sat with him, talked about life, career, and even religion... All of them are now memories, Hung Lan!", artist Bui Duc Lam exclaimed.

Painter Nguyen Hung Lan (left) and painter Bui Duc Lam

Photo: PROVIDED BY ARTIST BUI DUC LAM

Painter Nguyen Hung Lan's life came to painting as a fate, although before that he had a job unrelated to fine arts as a rubber tapper. Luckily, one time when he went to My Tho, he came across and read a comic book and felt that he could do it too, and then stuck with the profession.

The life of painter Hung Lan is also an admirable story.

Throughout his artistic career, he has written more than 700 volumes of stories. In addition to the famous comic series such as Dung Si Hesman (160 volumes), he also has many other very popular works: Co Tien Xanh (150 volumes), Superman Viet Nam... It can be said that from the late 1980s to the early 2000s, artist Nguyen Hung Lan nurtured the childhood memories of many generations of readers with simple but imaginative drawings, with humane and generous stories.

Regarding his passing, the Du But page shared very touchingly: "The life of artist Hung Lan is also an admirable story. Without going through formal education, he "started his career" with his first comic book when he was over 30 years old, after years of hardship as a rubber tapper. Step by step, he drew and studied, satisfying readers' tastes while creating a unique creative personality. It was his persistent working spirit that helped him support his family of 5 children and bring Vietnamese comics into a prosperous period. He is one of the rare artists who kept the fire of creativity burning continuously for more than three decades. Not only did he leave his mark on newspapers and bookshelves, he also left a deep influence on the souls of many generations of young artists - including us, those at Du But. In particular, his humble attitude, eagerness to learn and his relentless creativity are always great examples for those who make Vietnamese comics today".

Throughout his artistic career, he has written more than 700 collections of stories.

Photo: Document

It is known that the science fiction comic series Hero Hesma n (published by Hanoi Fine Arts Publishing House, 160 episodes long) was very dedicated and focused on by him from 1992 to 1997. Episode 160 was created by the artist in 2019, creating a "fever" among readers and making a big splash for his name.

Shocked, hurt...

This afternoon, we - comic artists, people in the publishing press, professional and non-professional graphic designers nationwide, believers who love hymns, and all parishioners of Phu Hanh church received very sad news: Artist Hung Lan, the author of the famous comic series Dung Si Hesman , who also drew the comic series Co Tien Xanh that has captivated many generations of Vietnamese children... suddenly passed away at home!

Not only a comic artist, Hung Lan also works in many other fields. No designer in the country or abroad does not know that he is the creator of the beautiful and convenient Vietnamese font HL. Notably, all the fonts he painstakingly created are free and not for sale - as gifts to the community, a very nice gesture! Every time he releases a new font, I often joke: "You are doing charity again. Keep doing good deeds like this, someday you will definitely go to heaven!"

Another job that few people know about: Mr. Hung Lan is the Chairman of the Pastoral Council and the Choir Leader of Phu Hanh Parish. In addition to his talent in composing hymns, he also writes short stories and novels (not published, only printed a few copies as gifts for close friends - including me)...

So talented, but he is an extremely humble and gentle person. I am sure in his whole life he has never harmed a tree or a blade of grass...

You have gone to heaven, there are so many people who are sad and miss you, Hung Lan...

Painter Bui Duc Lam

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/vinh-biet-hoa-si-nguyen-hung-lan-cha-de-bo-truyen-tranh-huyen-thoai-dung-si-hesman-185250509204603834.htm