Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1 Review

Interesting Tid-Bit: Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15.  Shang-Chi is an amalgamation of Sax Rohmer’s pulp novel villain Dr. Fu Manchu and the Kung Fu television program.  He has no special superpowers, but he exhibits extraordinary skills in the martial arts and is a master of Wushu (a general name for the various Chinese styles) both empty handed and with weapons, including the staff, nunchaku and double-edged sword.

 

Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1

Part 1: Deadlier Than the Male

Writer: Antony Johnston

Penciler: Sebastian Fiumara

Inker: John Lucas

Colorist: Dan Brown

PLOT:

The issue begins with Shang-Chi having a dream about being a spider and attacking people unprovoked, cocooning them in silk, and hiding them.  He awakens, wondering why he has had this same dream all week.  What’s more, these dreams usually involve friends or allies. 

When next we see Shang-Chi, he is speaking with Madame Web, asking her for an opinion on the dreams.  As they both look down upon a battle between heroes and spider-powered Spider-Man imposters, she explains that she is not sure of the meaning of the dreams, but that there are much bigger problems.  Shang-Chi sees Peter Parker ‘risking his life’ and he hops down into the action.  We are then presented with a wonderful double-page splash. 

As Shang-Chi continues to fight, he talks a little about himself and his role as a ‘Master of Kung Fu.’  Shang-Chi meets up with Iron Fist (*swoon*) and they both find out that they have been having the same recurring dream.  Shang-Chi narrates that the spider-powers with which he has been imbued are seductive and push him to be better.  And yet, nothing can truly beat Kung Fu. 

Bride of Nine Spiders pops in, taking down some Spider-Man imposters and beckons Iron Fist to follow her.  Shang-Chi follows their trail—with some reservations—and is just in time to see Bride of Nine Spiders attack and knock-out Iron Fist.  Shang-Chi tries to intervene but finds that he is no match for Bride of Nine Spiders.  Poor Shang-Chi…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVIEW:

Sometimes I find that tie-ins are difficult to review because you expect there to be a lot of meat, but sometimes you are only left with scraps.  With that said, I’m hoping that there is much more to come in this tie-in, and that this is only to whet our appetites.  Obviously, if you need to know what has happened to get us to the point where everyone in NYC has spider-powers, you need to be reading Spider-Island in Amazing Spider-Man.

Overall, the issue was entertaining.  There was a lot of action, and I really liked seeing some minor characters getting to shine.  It is such a small detail, but I also enjoy when the name of the move is placed below a panel of someone getting hit.

It was really nice getting to know Shang-Chi, though you do not really get to learn too much about him, only what he is willing to say about himself.  I think that it is really believable that someone not used to having powers feels somewhat intoxicated with these new-found powers.  You can tell that Shang-Chi is a strong character because he continues to rely on his Chi and skill, rather than being completely seduced by his spider-powers.

I like the team-up between Iron Fist and Shang-Chi, and the thought that something sinister lies beneath these strange dreams is somewhat intriguing. 

Now for the cons.  It seems a little strange that Madame Web is of no use to Shang-Chi and cannot answer any of his questions.  Of the answers she gives him, they are all (shocking) not helpful.  Looks like Shang-Chi is on his own.  We then have a very forced panel of Peter Parker.  There is a second panel later in the issue that is quite similar.  I suppose I can understand the writers wanting to connect to the main story, but I think it would also be sufficient to just keep the focus on the characters involved in this tie-in.

I find it odd that Shang-Chi takes so long to intervene in the fight between Iron Fist and Bride of Nine Spiders.  He was obviously tailing them pretty closely, and then he just decides to sit back and watch as they fight.  Does he think it is just a friendly spar until Rand goes down?!  I also do not agree that Bride of Nine Spiders would be able to defeat Shang-Chi.  Not only is he ‘The Master of Kung Fu,’ but he is also endowed with the equivalent of Spider-Man’s powers.  Since Shang-Chi mentioned earlier in the issue that it seems Iron Fist and Bride of Nine Spiders do NOT have spider-powers, it seems more likely that he would have defeated her.

As a final pro comment, I would like to say that the art is great!  It is clear, beautiful, and action-packed. 

As with most first issues these days, more questions pop-up than are answered.  I am hopeful that the next two issues will have more action, Iron Fist, and story development.  As long as Johnston stays true to the heart of the characters with which he is dealing, this should be a good tie-in.

 

RATING: 3.5 out of 5 Webheads