Description
– Available editions:
1. Officially Licensed Old Master Q Playing Cards – Bicycle Edition (Yellow tuck box and Monochrome card backs)
2. Officially Licensed Old Master Q Playing Cards – Room One Edition (Grey Hats Off! Tuck Box: Pop his cap on and off with a flick, and Multicolor card backs)
3. Old Master Q Collector’s Boxset containing both decks (1) and (2). Out of Print, please check availability before payment. Price of the boxset is much higher as a result. If you just want the decks, there is no need to get this.
🪐 Old Master Q (老夫子) is a beloved 4 panel comic hailing from Hong Kong and is one of the oldest and on-going Asian comics that is still in publication!
Deck Features:
2. Officially Licensed Old Master Q Playing Cards – Room One Edition
– Hats Off! Tuck Box: Pop his cap on and off with a flick, rendering a classic Old Master Q with his trademark eccentricity.
– Fully Custom Art: Every card is a tribute. The courts feature the medley of characters seen in the classic comics.
– Multicolor Card Backs: Reversible backs that bring Old Master Q’s silly side to every deal.
– Printed on 300GSM Elite (Walnut) cardstock, these cards are produced with linen-finish, giving it a smooth and pliable texture.
For the collectors with a pension for fun illustrations and good-old classic comics. This one’s for you.
Printed by Room One Cards
The Old Master Q Playing Cards – Room One Edition was officially launched on September 13, 2023. This deck was launched by Room One Cards to celebrate their first anniversary, with the company itself having been founded on that same date in 2023.
1) Officially Licensed Old Master Q Playing Cards – Bicycle Edition
Marking our 2nd Collaboration with Old Master Q is the officially licensed Old Master Q Playing Cards – Bicycle Edition.
– Timeless Monochrome Card Backs: Two-way card backs featuring custom illustrations that celebrate Old Master Q’s iconic style from every angle. Elegant, reversible, and unmistakably 老夫子.
– Fully Custom Art: Every card is a tribute. The courts feature the medley of characters seen in the classic comics.
– Made of premium quality cardstock, these cards are produced with AIR-CUSHION technology, giving it a smooth and pliable texture.
– For the collectors with a pension for fun illustrations and good-old classic comics. This one’s for you.
Printed by USPCC, Made in the USA.
Industry Recognition
In its first year, Room One’s debut project, Oppenheimer: Father of the Atomic Bomb, won the 2023 Rookie of the Year award from Portfolio52, cementing their status as a rising force in the playing card industry.
What is Room One?
Room One is a collective of individuals, including magicians, cardists, designers, and card collectors. Our primary goal is to create the best playing card projects ever; whilst having a bit of fun of course. We believe that although the perfect playing cards may not exist, we will take every conceivable step and make every effort to reach that goal.
Why “Room One”?
We chose the name Room One because it represents our aspiration to make room for the best playing cards projects in the world, one that is loved by everyone. When we first conceived the idea for this company, we were brainstorming in a conference room simply labeled “Room One.” Thus, the name holds sentimental value and reminds us of where our journey began.
Collecting the Old Master Q Playing Cards – Room One Edition is popular among enthusiasts for its blend of cultural nostalgia, high-quality production, and its status as a landmark anniversary release.
1. Cultural Heritage and Nostalgia
– Iconic Hong Kong Legacy: Old Master Q (Lao Fu Zi) is a cornerstone of Hong Kong pop culture, having documented the city’s social and technological evolution since the 1960s. Collecting these cards is often seen as owning a “piece of Hong Kong history”.
– Multi-Generational Appeal: The comic series remains a cherished memory for older generations while continuing to attract younger audiences, making the cards a bridge between different eras.
2. Fully Custom and Licensed Artwork
– Tribute to the Classics: Unlike standard decks, every card in this edition features custom art. The court cards are reimagined with the series’ legendary characters, including Big Potato, Mr. Chin, and Miss Chan.
– Unique Tuck Case: The packaging is specifically designed to recreate signature humorous scenes from the original comic strips, making it highly suitable for display.
3. High-End Production Quality
– Premium Materials: The deck is printed on Room One’s 300GSM Elite Stock, which is touted for its durability and flexibility.
– Professional Handling: Produced with Air-Cushion technology, the cards offer a smooth, pliable texture ideal for magic, cardistry, or everyday gameplay.
4. Collector Status
– First Anniversary Release: This edition was launched to mark the first anniversary of Room One Cards, giving it a unique place in the company’s history.
Part of a Collection System: Room One decks often include a “collector’s card.” Gathering a full set of these cards over a season can unlock exclusive rewards, such as a Golden Collector deck.
– Versatile Editions: Fans can choose between the exclusive Room One Edition and the landmark Bicycle Edition collaboration, or seek out the now-rare Collector’s Box Set that includes both.
The story of Old Master Q (Lao Fu Zi) is more than just a comic strip; it is a historical record of Hong Kong’s transformation from the 1960s to the present day.
The Origin Story
The series was created by Alfonso Wong (born Wong Kar-hei), who began publishing it in Hong Kong newspapers and magazines in 1962.
– The Pen Name: Wong used his eldest son’s name, Wong Chak, as a pseudonym—a legacy that came full circle when Joseph Wong Chak actually took over the series in 1995.
– The Characters: The series follows the slapstick adventures of the titular Old Master Q, an eccentric elderly man dressed in an antiquated Qing-style outfit. He is almost always accompanied by his bumbling, short, and rotund sidekick Big Potato and the more modern, grounded Mr. Chin.
Cultural Significance
Old Master Q holds a unique place in Asian pop culture for several reasons:
– Mirror of Society: The comics faithfully chronicled the lives of the working class during Hong Kong’s “boom years”. It touched on everyday struggles like poverty, the rising cost of living, and the rapid shift from traditional values to a Westernized, capitalistic society.
– A “Clown” for the Common Man: Alfonso Wong described Old Master Q as a reflection of himself—a “clown” who falls down so that readers can laugh at life’s absurdities. This self-deprecating humor resonated deeply with a generation of immigrants and workers who were finding their way in a fast-paced city.
– Educational Impact: For many children in the 1960s and 70s, the comic was a primary way to learn four-character Chinese idioms (chengyu), as many strips were titled after them and used slapstick to explain their meanings.
– Political Satire: Despite its playful look, the series frequently offered daring commentary on colonial rule, the Chinese Communist government, and the anxieties surrounding the 1997 handover of Hong Kong.
– The “Hair Salon” Staple: In Hong Kong and Southeast Asia, the comics became a ubiquitous presence in doctor’s waiting rooms and hair salons, serving as a “universal language” for people of all ages.
Today, the comic remains the longest-running Asian comic series still in publication, viewed as an enduring icon of Hong Kong’s resilience and humor.
Old Master Q has a rich cinematic history, appearing in over 15 screen iterations ranging from black-and-white classics to modern 3D CGI films.
Landmark Movies
– Old Master Q (1965): The first live-action adaptation, starring Ko Lo-chuen, whose physical appearance was famously said to perfectly match the character’s lanky frame.
– Older Master Q (1981): A significant milestone as the series’ first feature-length animated film.
– Old Master Q (2001): A major modern production produced by Tsui Hark and directed by Herman Yau. It was a historic first for Hong Kong cinema, combining 3D CGI characters with live-action performances from stars Nicholas Tse and Cecilia Cheung
Unique Adaptations
– Parody & Literature: Several films placed the characters into famous stories. For example, Old Master Q Water Margin (1982) was a popular animation that parodied the classic Chinese novel Water Margin.
– Sci-Fi Themes: In Old Master Q & “San-T” (1983), the characters interact with an alien character, reflecting the sci-fi trends of the 1980s.
– Television: The characters also transitioned to TV, notably in the 2003 animated series Old Master Q – Fantasy Zone Battle, which reimagined Chinese myths with modern twists (like exchanging a magical fan for an electric one).
Actor Trivia
– Famous Cameos: Early films featured guest appearances by legendary actors like Kenneth Tsang, Connie Chan, and Lydia Shum.
– The Creator’s Appearance: In the 2001 film, creator Alfonso Wong actually appeared on screen, interacting with his own cartoon creations.
Beyond its cultural impact, Old Master Q has several fascinating behind-the-scenes stories and “Easter eggs” that many fans might not know:
1. The Creator’s “Secret” Skills
– Ambidextrous Drawing: Alfonso Wong was naturally left-handed but could draw with both hands simultaneously. He was also a trained drummer, which he credited for his hand-eye coordination.
– A “One-Man” Studio: In the early years, Alfonso did everything himself—writing, drawing, and even the hand-lettered text for the Chinese idioms.
2. Character & Name Trivia
– The “Q” in the Name: While it stands for “Cute” in some English contexts, it was also inspired by the protagonist Ah Q from Lu Xun’s famous novella The True Story of Ah Q, whom Alfonso considered a similarly humorous and satirical figure.
– Real-Life “Miss Chan”: The recurring love interest, Miss Chan, was actually based on Alfonso’s own wife, whose maiden name was Chan. Unlike the comic version—who is often portrayed as a vain “gold digger” who leaves Old Master Q for wealthier men—Alfonso and his wife were happily married for decades.
– Birth of the Trio: Although Old Master Q, Big Potato, and Mr. Chin are best friends now, they originally had separate comic strips. They only became a “team” after appearing together in a crossover episode in the late 1960s.
3. The “Plagiarism” Controversy
– The Original “Lao Fu Zi”: There is a long-standing controversy that Alfonso Wong “borrowed” the character design from a mainland Chinese artist named Peng Di (born Feng Di). Peng Di created a very similar character called “Old Master Q” in the 1930s.
– The Difference: While the character designs were strikingly similar, Alfonso’s version became a global phenomenon due to his more refined art style, modern Hong Kong settings, and surreal humor involving aliens and ghosts.
4. Unusual Abilities
– Master of Kung Fu: In the comics, Old Master Q isn’t just a bumbling old man; he is frequently depicted as a highly skilled martial arts master who can defeat groups of younger opponents.
– Superhuman Feats: He has survived bizarre scenarios, including eating bullets as if they were candy and having his fingers act like real guns.
5. Social Impact in the Barber Shop
– The “Silent” Language: Many Old Master Q strips have no dialogue at all. This made them a “universal language” in Southeast Asia, as even people who couldn’t read Chinese could understand the slapstick humor while waiting at the barber shop or doctor’s office.
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