Advance Review: Shang-Chi #1

Gene Luen Yang is an incredibly skilled and unique voice in comics and Shang-Chi vs the Marvel Universe allows us to see those skills in all its glory. There is a massive unique humor, complex moral quandaries, and interesting relationships. Shang-Chi #1 is a fluid, kinetic ride which sets off a sort of ‘Shang-Chi Team-up’ comic where our hero ostensibly faces off against other heroes in the Marvel Universe. But this isn’t in the vein of ‘Deadpool Kills the Marvel Universe’. Instead it’s a more genuine series where Shang-Chi must work to reform the criminal empire he inherited from his father placing him in adventures where he must reluctantly face-off with his superhero friends.

Shang-Chi’s sister Esme interrupts his dinner date to ask for his help in taking down a drug ring that was working with his father’s organization the Five Weapons Society. Since Shang-Chi took over, he and his siblings are working together to change the organization together.

Esme is a fantastic character, not quite willing to give up her murderous and direct ways of managing conflicts, but deferential to Shang-Chi as her new leader. As they work to threaten a gang member for information, Spider-Man arrives and offers to join them. Esme is disgusted by his ‘snot-webbing’ which Spidey is hilariously bothered by.

The art by Dike Ruan throughout is unique and carries the flavor of an action film in its movement, variation in frames, expressiveness and a simple, spare nature. It might have been better with a more focused inker but it suits this comic well. The color work by Triona Farrell is done very well, balancing light and dark to reflect the line that Shang-Chi is walking between heroic and criminal worlds.

As our heroes track down the drug ring there is a nice balance between the characters. Shang-Chi has a respect and deference towards Spider-Man that’s quite rare to see. This is contrasted by a complete lack of respect for people or rules on the part of Esme. The parasitic drugs are revealed by a frontman named King Wild Man to make the user violent and monstrous. When Spider-Man is transformed by the drug this sets up the match between our heroes as Shang-Chi and Esme work quickly to stop Spidey and bring him back to his senses. Shang-Chi must work through his shame and step up as a leader, confiscating the drug merchandise to undo the damage of his organization. The issue ends with a shadowy figure offering help to King Wild Man.

This issue is a solid entry, building a unique relationship between Shang-Chi and Spidey as well as highlighting the insane antics of Esme. Using the larger Marvel Universe as an entry to Shang-Chi’s character is a smart move as this book will likely be seen by many new reader unfamiliar with his character and past.

Gene Leun Yung is a skilled creator who has found a perfect setup for our hero to show not only his skills but also his ability to face adversity and adversaries of all types. We’re left truly excited about the future of his character, beginning with a matchup against Cap next issue.

Writing: 4.6 of 5 stars
Art: 4.4 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.0 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.3 of 5 stars

Writing: Gene Leun Yang
Art: Dike Ruan
Colors: Triona Farrell
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.