Shang-Chi Appreciation

[Tien Long]

Hey all, greetings from China! In the same vein as the Iron Fist and Black Panther appreciation threads, I thought I'd get the ball rolling and discuss everyone's favorite master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi. Granted, every couple of months, one of these threads on Shang crops up, but personally I just had to make this thread. Indeed, this is one of those times that I REALLY wish I was a successful comic book writer, because Shang is a character who've I've been wanting to write about for the past several months. Anyway, a couple of my thoughts:

- In a way, I'm pretty glad that Shang has started to make more frequent appearances recently. Unfortunately, as I'm in China, I don't have access to alot of American comics. Still, I read reports here and there, and I'm glad to see that Shang is playing a prominent role in the Shadowland mini-series and will play a vital part in an upcoming issues of Secret Avengers. At the same time, I can't say I'm too happy with Shang's attire. As I look at the pages of Shadowland and the cover of the SA title, I have to roll my eyes at Shang's 70s/non-Chinese costume. As we've said before in the past, one of the things that has to change is Shang's costume. Iron Fist was able to get a needed and welcome costume change. Shang should as well!

- As an East Asian Studies scholar, who has studied Chinese history, religion, philosophy, and martial arts, Shang speaks to me. I like that dynamic he has with his father and the Confucian overtones are very prominent. Though his father is irrehensibly evil, Shang cannot outright hate him. He's come close, but in the back of his mind, he feels a ton of regret in that he cannot be the dutiful son. At the same time, I think Shang has difficulty controlling his violent urges. During the most recent H4H series, Shang had moments when he did just lose it, the most telling is when he snapped the neck of Humbug. I think a writer could tap into that inner tension. Although he is very calm and pacific, everytime he heads back into the world, he engages in violence and destruction. Everytime he does that, he proves his father right.

- I think there's alot of potential for a Shang series. Yes, he is a master of Kung Fu, but in the old series he was also a member of MI-6. I could envision some issues with him "walking the earth," like Caine from "Kung Fu," and engaging in some straight up martial arts action, while at the same time he could do espionage and spy missions. I could definitely see Ed Brubaker writing a Shang series.

- I think that there could be several new editions to Shang's rogue gallery. Guys like the Cat and Zaran the Weapons Master are pretty cool, but there have been a ton of new characters who could easily become Shang villians. One who comes to mind is Mr. X. A cold-blooded psychopath and exceptional fighter, he would relish trying to claim a victory over the undisputed Master of Kung Fu. Another character who I think would make an excellent adversary for Shang is Daken, since both are vastly different yet similar on various levels. Both have less than stellar relationships with their fathers and spurn what their fathers represent. However, whereas Shang spurns the thought of ruling an empire, Daken yearns to carve one out for himself. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see Daken try to psychologically manipulate someone as focused and centered as Shang.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts on Shang Chi. What about yours?

[marshal99]

Captain america or Iron Fist enemies can easily become Shang Chi's enemies.

Bruce Lee is Shang Chi. Paul Gulacy based Shang on Bruce in the 70s.

[rick]

I reread my issues of Master of Kung Fu again a couple of months ago, and the whole series just shines all the way through. Both Paul Gulacy and Gene Day do just about the best work of their careers, and in my opinion, it was also writer Doug Moench's shining moment.


Here is one classic example from Giant Sized Master of Kung Fu #2....






Just a wonderful use of the art form.

[TonyStark1012]

Thank you so much for putting this up. I put up a Shang-Chi recommendation thread to try and get info on him. He has always been a character I've wanted to get into and hopefully I'll be able to with help.

[TonyStark1012]

Hey all, greetings from China! In the same vein as the Iron Fist and Black Panther appreciation threads, I thought I'd get the ball rolling and discuss everyone's favorite master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi. Granted, every couple of months, one of these threads on Shang crops up, but personally I just had to make this thread. Indeed, this is one of those times that I REALLY wish I was a successful comic book writer, because Shang is a character who've I've been wanting to write about for the past several months. Anyway, a couple of my thoughts:

- In a way, I'm pretty glad that Shang has started to make more frequent appearances recently. Unfortunately, as I'm in China, I don't have access to alot of American comics. Still, I read reports here and there, and I'm glad to see that Shang is playing a prominent role in the Shadowland mini-series and will play a vital part in an upcoming issues of Secret Avengers. At the same time, I can't say I'm too happy with Shang's attire. As I look at the pages of Shadowland and the cover of the SA title, I have to roll my eyes at Shang's 70s/non-Chinese costume. As we've said before in the past, one of the things that has to change is Shang's costume. Iron Fist was able to get a needed and welcome costume change. Shang should as well!

- As an East Asian Studies scholar, who has studied Chinese history, religion, philosophy, and martial arts, Shang speaks to me. I like that dynamic he has with his father and the Confucian overtones are very prominent. Though his father is irrehensibly evil, Shang cannot outright hate him. He's come close, but in the back of his mind, he feels a ton of regret in that he cannot be the dutiful son. At the same time, I think Shang has difficulty controlling his violent urges. During the most recent H4H series, Shang had moments when he did just lose it, the most telling is when he snapped the neck of Humbug. I think a writer could tap into that inner tension. Although he is very calm and pacific, everytime he heads back into the world, he engages in violence and destruction. Everytime he does that, he proves his father right.

- I think there's alot of potential for a Shang series. Yes, he is a master of Kung Fu, but in the old series he was also a member of MI-6. I could envision some issues with him "walking the earth," like Caine from "Kung Fu," and engaging in some straight up martial arts action, while at the same time he could do espionage and spy missions. I could definitely see Ed Brubaker writing a Shang series.

- I think that there could be several new editions to Shang's rogue gallery. Guys like the Cat and Zaran the Weapons Master are pretty cool, but there have been a ton of new characters who could easily become Shang villians. One who comes to mind is Mr. X. A cold-blooded psychopath and exceptional fighter, he would relish trying to claim a victory over the undisputed Master of Kung Fu. Another character who I think would make an excellent adversary for Shang is Daken, since both are vastly different yet similar on various levels. Both have less than stellar relationships with their fathers and spurn what their fathers represent. However, whereas Shang spurns the thought of ruling an empire, Daken yearns to carve one out for himself. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see Daken try to psychologically manipulate someone as focused and centered as Shang.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts on Shang Chi. What about yours?

Also love your ideas. I had quite a few of the same myself.

[Aelle3]

Hey all, greetings from China! In the same vein as the Iron Fist and Black Panther appreciation threads, I thought I'd get the ball rolling and discuss everyone's favorite master of Kung Fu, Shang-Chi. Granted, every couple of months, one of these threads on Shang crops up, but personally I just had to make this thread. Indeed, this is one of those times that I REALLY wish I was a successful comic book writer, because Shang is a character who've I've been wanting to write about for the past several months. Anyway, a couple of my thoughts:

- In a way, I'm pretty glad that Shang has started to make more frequent appearances recently. Unfortunately, as I'm in China, I don't have access to alot of American comics. Still, I read reports here and there, and I'm glad to see that Shang is playing a prominent role in the Shadowland mini-series and will play a vital part in an upcoming issues of Secret Avengers. At the same time, I can't say I'm too happy with Shang's attire. As I look at the pages of Shadowland and the cover of the SA title, I have to roll my eyes at Shang's 70s/non-Chinese costume. As we've said before in the past, one of the things that has to change is Shang's costume. Iron Fist was able to get a needed and welcome costume change. Shang should as well!

- As an East Asian Studies scholar, who has studied Chinese history, religion, philosophy, and martial arts, Shang speaks to me. I like that dynamic he has with his father and the Confucian overtones are very prominent. Though his father is irrehensibly evil, Shang cannot outright hate him. He's come close, but in the back of his mind, he feels a ton of regret in that he cannot be the dutiful son. At the same time, I think Shang has difficulty controlling his violent urges. During the most recent H4H series, Shang had moments when he did just lose it, the most telling is when he snapped the neck of Humbug. I think a writer could tap into that inner tension. Although he is very calm and pacific, everytime he heads back into the world, he engages in violence and destruction. Everytime he does that, he proves his father right.

- I think there's alot of potential for a Shang series. Yes, he is a master of Kung Fu, but in the old series he was also a member of MI-6. I could envision some issues with him "walking the earth," like Caine from "Kung Fu," and engaging in some straight up martial arts action, while at the same time he could do espionage and spy missions. I could definitely see Ed Brubaker writing a Shang series.

- I think that there could be several new editions to Shang's rogue gallery. Guys like the Cat and Zaran the Weapons Master are pretty cool, but there have been a ton of new characters who could easily become Shang villians. One who comes to mind is Mr. X. A cold-blooded psychopath and exceptional fighter, he would relish trying to claim a victory over the undisputed Master of Kung Fu. Another character who I think would make an excellent adversary for Shang is Daken, since both are vastly different yet similar on various levels. Both have less than stellar relationships with their fathers and spurn what their fathers represent. However, whereas Shang spurns the thought of ruling an empire, Daken yearns to carve one out for himself. Furthermore, it would be interesting to see Daken try to psychologically manipulate someone as focused and centered as Shang.

Anyway, those are some of my thoughts on Shang Chi. What about yours?

Really cool ideas. I would love to see a shang chi ongoing by ed bru and david aja. He would fit really nicely with the tone of iron fist, daredevil and captain america.

[Tien Long]

Bruce Lee is Shang Chi. Paul Gulacy based Shang on Bruce in the 70s.

Indeed. The character who Bruce Lee played in "Enter the Dragon" is exactly what I was thinking about when I originally posted that Shang could play dual roles. Just like Bruce's character, Shang could play the profound warrior monk OR the cool spy. While I think people tend to think of Shang as the former, he could play the latter pretty well. I can imagine him undercover as a suave, debonaire 007 agent at a fancy night club or party. For those who have the original series, has Shang been depicted like this before? If so, I think this is still worth exploring.

Captain america or Iron Fist enemies can easily become Shang Chi's enemies.

Been wanting to see Shang go up against Batroc for a while now. Kung Fu vs. Savate, FTW!!!!!

Also love your ideas. I had quite a few of the same myself

Glad you approve. Hope to hear yours as well. Anyway, here are some more of mine:

- I would really like to know what Shang's thoughts when he sees other fighters. As the contemplative martial artist that he is, he has to have made tons of unique descriptions for most of the fighters in the Marvel Universe. For him, fighting styles would be as individual as fingerprints. How would he describe the fighting style of Captain America? Wolverine? Taskmaster? Black Panther? Daredevil? For me, I think he'd find Iron Fist's style to be the most fascinating because, though it looks similar to alot of earth martial arts, ultimately it isn't of this world. It is of the extra-dimensional city of K'un L'un. Shang would probably delight in something like that.

- Ok, true confession time. One of the main reasons why I want Daken as Shang's adversary is because I really hate Daken. I mean, hate him with an utter passion. Alot of people find Daken's cerebral and manipulative nature, his walking between the fine line of good and bad to be SOOOO interesting (At least that's the impression every time I read a Marjorie Liu interview on the character). Personally, no matter how you dress him up, no matter how many complex questions he raises, Daken's still a @$%*%. The icing on the cake for me was when he spit on an image of the Buddha . Got a little miffed seeing that. I'm betting Shang would be as equally repulsed. Here's hoping I live to see the day that Shang dim mak's the holy crap out of Daken .

[marvell2100]

Shang is great! I have nearly all of his regular series plus his appearances in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu. I hope they find a way to get him a regular going again(Moench/Gulacy or Moench/Zeck).

[marvell2100]

I think Daken would be a good villain for Shang. Maybe Taskmaster and whatever's left of the hand after Shadowland(Black Tarantula, White Tiger).

[Onyenkwere]

Maaaaaan, I been a Shang Chi fan since forever. Read most of the original joints that came out in da 70's and peeped a lot've Mike Zeck's stuff in the 80's.

Glad to see Shang Chi back in the MU but why they gotta make him lame compared to Daredevil in Shadowland?

[HaroldAllnut]

My favorite incarnation of Shang Chi up to this point has been Brian Michael Bendis' rendition of him over in Ultimate Spider-Man.

[marvell2100]

Maaaaaan, I been a Shang Chi fan since forever. Read most of the original joints that came out in da 70's and peeped a lot've Mike Zeck's stuff in the 80's.

Glad to see Shang Chi back in the MU but why they gotta make him lame compared to Daredevil in Shadowland?

They explained that Matt is being possessed thereby making his skills greater than what they normally are.

[TonyStark1012]

I've been wanting to read the MAX Shang-Chi mini. Anyone read it? Opinions?

[Vic Vega]

I've been wanting to read the MAX Shang-Chi mini. Anyone read it? Opinions?

It's pretty good.

Shang comes out of retirement/retreat at MI6's request to stop a maniac from destroying London.

Doug Moench's Shang is as much James Bond as he is Kwei Chang Caine. He kicks ass wearing modern gear (for most of the story he's rocking a leather trench) but refuses to use guns ever(to the dismay of his agent allies).

Prior to the Max series, there was also a series in Marvel Comics Presents that you might want to check out, also written by Moench. It also features Shen Kuei-The Cat, Shang's anti-heroic rival.

This is why to me its kind of weird to see Shang's current portrayal in Shadowland. He mostly stopped wearing the red pajamas ages ago.

[Tien Long]

It's pretty good.

Shang comes out of retirement/retreat at MI6's request to stop a maniac from destroying London.

Doug Moench's Shang is as much James Bond as he is Kwei Chang Caine. He kicks ass wearing modern gear (for most of the story he's rocking a leather trench) but refuses to use guns ever(to the dismay of his agent allies).

That's the impression I got as I well. The MAX Shang series was very much in the same vein as a James Bond/70s action movie. At the same time, there were alot of subplots as well, such as the love triangle between Shang Chi, Leiko Wu, and Clive Reston. Furthermore, we do get very powerful scenes between Shang and his father and the fight scenes are pretty cool. I think this is the first time we see Shang Chi go bullet time. While I didn't appreciate the series at first b/c of Gulacy's art, after a second reading a couple of months ago, I've come to see it in a different light. Also, as a MAX series, there's quite a bit of cussing and a little bit of nudity .

Prior to the Max series, there was also a series in Marvel Comics Presents that you might want to check out, also written by Moench. It also features Shen Kuei-The Cat, Shang's anti-heroic rival.

For me, I got hooked on Shang-Chi during Chuck Dixon's run on the "Marvel Knights" which came out about a decade ago. Issue #4 is one of my favorites, since it was my first introduction to Zaran the Weapons Master, one of Shang's classic enemies. I don't want to spoil anything, but I think some people thought the issue was a little ridiculous for the fact that Zaran was depicted as an over-the-top badass in the classic Chuck Dixon manner. However, I love it b/c well, it shows Zaran as being an over-the-top badass in the classic Chuck Dixon manner! The fight b/w Shang and Zaran in Marvel Knights #6 is one of my favorite issues ever.

This is why to me its kind of weird to see Shang's current portrayal in Shadowland. He mostly stopped wearing the red pajamas ages ago.

That's the perenial question, isn't it? What costume should Shang have? As I think alot of us feel, that 70s costume is just WAAAYY outdated. In the past I've said that he should wear something a bit more traditionally Chinese a la Jet Li from Once Upon A Time In China. Still, would that convey the Shang's former espionage roots? Should he have something like Iron Fist's costume? Should he even have a set costume at all?