Shang-Chi Best Comics (1971-1981)

The 1970s saw a dramatic rise in appreciation for the martial arts, due in a large part to Bruce Lee and the like. With inspiration from novelist Sax Rohmer, Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin crafted the charater of Shang-Chi, son of the then-named villain Fu Manchu, a master of the martial arts. When learning of his father's villainous ways, Shang-Chi breaks away from his father and vows to fight for good, joining Manchu's mortal enemy Sir Denis Nayland Smith at MI6.

Starting off, there's no getting around the amount of racism surrounding this series. The colorization of the character was already over the top and there was a fair amount of already outdated terminology, even for the time it was written. Even Shang-Chi often feels like a caricature himself instead of a real person with the way he speaks and thinks. Over time that would change but it was still cringe-worthy to read.

Despite that, the character was able to carve out his own corner of the Marvel Universe thanks in a large part to the work of Doug Moench who took over writing duties after Englehart left, crafting over 100 issues and making Shang-Chi's presence known. He may have faded into obscurity afterwards, popping back and forther for the next few decades, but thanks to his big screen debut, he's returned to stay.

Shang-Chi's creation and first years may have been beset with racist overtones, but the character's popularity ensured his survival in the years to come. So, here are the best comics from his debut years.

8. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 38-39: Cat

Sent on a mission by Nayland Smith to help an agent who’s cover is about to be blown, this story highlights Shang-Chi’s aversion to the MI6 spy world and its political grayness and dishonesty. Meeting the agent, Shang-Chi quickly learns that not all is as it appears to be, quickly drawn into more subterfuge and misdirection that only makes him more uncomfortable with this lifestyle. While certain plot choices here are a little cringe-worthy, Shang-Chi’s character remains true throughout despite him being forced into the spy world and the fight scenes are some of the best in the series as he finds a foe able to truly match him blow for blow. And through it all, a cat manages to wind its way through the tale, its meaning a mystery til the end.

7. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 27: Confrontation

The relationship between Shang-Chi and his father has been built up over the course of the series so far but here, as the title says, is the true confrontation between the two. After a dagger intended for Shang-Chi kills an innocent man instead, Shang-Chi tracks his father down, leading to some of the best fight sequences that John Buscema expertly handles as the hero takes down his father’s elite warriors. Then the two converse, the first true conversation they have had since Shang-Chi’s defection and Moench shines here as he fleshes out the father’s character, showing his sadness at his son’s betrayal and Shang-Chi’s sadness at his father’s strive towards power. Their dynamic is the heart of this series and this one issue highlights it clearly.

6. Special Marvel Edition Vol 1 16: Midnight Brings Dark Death

After Shang-Chi’s defection from his father’s side, his best friend M’Nai soon arrives to kill him. Here, Steve Englehart shows the consequences of Shang-Chi’s decisions as he is forced to confront the only friend he has ever had in a duel to the death while trying to convince him to join him. The fight sequence is top notch as Shang-Chi does his best to stay alive and not hurt his friend while M’Nai does his very best to kill Shang-Chi. Their friendship is told through flashback sequences and one can really see their relationship grow making this confrontation all the more powerful, especially its tragic ending.

5. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 90-91: Triumphs of the Flesh and Spirit

After Shang-Chi’s second major confrontation with his father, Moench decided to take the character in a new direction, setting him up in New York City. Almost immediately, Shang-Chi gets involved with different Chinese gangs that are making trouble, trying to broker peace between them. What works here is the evolution of Shang-Chi’s character, a man raised to fight who no longer has a reason and yet is continually forced into conflicts. While the writing of the gangs and their motivations could have been better, the action depicted by artist Mike Zeck is stand out as always and Moench continues to nail Shang-Chi’s character.

4. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 61-63, 65-68: China Seas Saga

After receiving a mysterious message that someone was trying to kill him over, Shang-Chi travels to Hong Kong to help an old friend from a previous mission. From there, he becomes embroiled in a gang war between old foe Shen Kuei and crime lord Kogar over mysterious crates while trying to save the life of MI6 agent Juliette. Pretty soon, allies Clive Reston, Black Jack Tarr, and Leiko Wu also become involved as the war heats up with Shang-Chi caught in the middle, fighting enemies from all sides. Moench does a solid job of upping the ante with each issue, managing to keep the pace going through out, and the action is as tight and fluid as ever, providing some of the best moments of the story.

3. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 83-89: Warriors of the Golden Dawn

While Shang-Chi has battled many foes over the many stories, his greatest will always be his father. After their last confrontation, Fu Manchu was believed to be dead but this is comic book world and he is officially brought back with a new plan. Starting off with some spy drama (that actually contains really humorous moments including a dead body in the trunk of a car), the story becomes a globe-trotting adventure as the heroes desperately try to uncover Manchu’s latest scheme while dealing with his new, united army of warriors. While said scheme felt rushed and didn’t make too much sense, what stands out is always the confrontation between father and son as they will always care for one another, despite the different paths they’re on, and their battle just reflects that. Shang-Chi must come to grips with the fact that he may have regained his father among the living, but still has lost him to his villainous ways, something Moench brings out very well.

2. Special Marvel Edition Vol 1 15: The Master of Kung Fu

The origin of Shang-Chi as the character is sent on a mission by his father to slay a man he is led to believe is an evil villain. Shang-Chi completes his mission, something the film adapts fantastically, but he soon learns that the man he killed was not evil, but an enemy of his father who is the actual villain. He fights his way back to his father’s fortress to confront him and learns the truth, promising that the next time the two meet, it will be as enemies. This is the story that launched a character who one day becomes a major cinematic figure and Marvel hero. And while this story and the series as a whole still has major racist themes attached, the core of the character shines through and is what still resonates with audiences today.

1. Master of Kung Fu Vol 1 44-51: The Dreamslayer Saga

This is the climax to many of Moench’s stories so far as Shang-Chi and his band of allies are caught in the civil war between Shang-Chi’s sister and father as they both play their final cards. From the snowy mountains to a space station orbiting the moon, the story escalates as Shang-Chi’s father unveils his master plan, showing how powerful and seemingly unstoppable he is. This story also introduces a clone of Shang-Chi, a new son for the father to replace the one who defied him, showing how twisted his love truly is. Moench shows he has a true understanding of the characters as he tells the tale from the perspective of a different character in each issue, allowing them each to drive the story forward and bringing a more personal touch to the overall conflict. But in the end, it was leading to the confrontation between Shang-Chi and his father, both still having love for each other but not allowing it to stop them from fighting. Packed full of action and emotional drama, this story is the standout of the series and the finale to all that has come before it while setting up the future storylines.

And that's it for Shang-Chi. After his run ended, he didn't have a major presence in the Marvel Universe until the 2000s where he saw a renaissmance of popularity and new stories.