Advance Review: Shang-Chi #2 (LEGACY #128)

Shang-Chi #2 continues the ostensible ‘Versus the Marvel Universe’ story which thankfully doesn’t force the concept too hard. This book is much more of a Shang-Chi team-up book with small appearances by other heroes in each issue. Thankfully the writer Gene Luen Yang does not allow this to distract from genuine character development for Shang-Chi, which is greatly needed given how little most fans know him.

Shang-Chi differentiates himself from other heroes by being more confident, more headstrong, and more reckless than most Marvel heroes. He feels like Marvel’s version of Green Arrow with no fear of battle, enemies and conflict. Here he spends much of the issue, along with his second in command Takeshi, in familiar banter with Marvel villains as they gather to bid on a Cosmic Cube being auctioned by the Iron-88 Triad.

As the newest gang leader on the block, with the position inherited from his father, Shang-Chi spends the issue pretending to be a willing participant in camaraderie with some of the villains he has fought with in the past. Takeshi is no minor sidekick, he knows the other villains well and is quick to use those connections to ease those angry to see Shang-Chi among them as the new leader of the Five Weapons Society.

The art reflects the slick criminal society filled with Hydra, A.I.M., MODOK and the Hand perfectly. Dike Ruan is a revelation here and truly understands how to maximize action, comedy and drama with placement of the characters within each panel. Seeing all of them interact and react to Shang-Chi is comedy gold.

Of course it all goes wrong when Shang-Chi is outbid and he calls in the contingency plan of Captain America himself. Cap comes crashing in and grabs the Cube. Shang-Chi pretends to battle Cap but in fact is in on the plan. Unfortunately, Takeshi was not in on the plan and takes this fact as an opening to betray Shang-Chi and secretly claim the Cosmic Cube for himself.

While the battle between Shang-Chi and Captain America is fast, the battle with the villains and especially Lady Iron Fan is well executed classic action fun. The entire issue is a well made heist plot and the pure love the creative team has for this character and this madcap story is palpable. Although Shang-Chi isn’t battling the Marvel Universe, he is reconnecting with it, and through this filter with fans old and new.

Writing: 4.5 of 5 stars
Art: 4.3 of 5 stars
Colors: 4.3 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.4 of 5 stars

Writer: Gene Luen Yang
Art: Dike Ruen
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.