MARCO SPEAKS SPIDEY: SHANG-CHI #1 REVIEW

I literally jumped for joy when Marvel released the recent Shang-Chi trailer, and I instantly shared it with family and friends. Being a Spider-Man fan since birth, I know the rich history Shang-Chi has with our favorite neighborhood web-spinning wall-crawler. And now, Shang-Chi is finally breaking into the mainstream, with a very nice-looking movie, if I should say so myself. If the trailer is any indication, we’re in store for a whole lot of martial arts fun and action, both in media and in the pages of Marvel comic books. And this new series is a perfect place for new and old fans alike to get a taste of things to come. And Marvel knew what they were doing when they made the first issue revolve around Spider-Man. Not only are you spotlighting a very important figure in Shang-Chi’s past, but you are also using the most popular character in the company as a gateway to this new, refreshing series.

OFFICIAL MARVEL COMICS DESCRIPTION:

Shang-Chi #1

STORIES BY: Gene Luen Yang

ART BY: Dike Ruan

COVER BY: Leinil Francis Yu, Benjamin Su, J. Scott Campbell, Jung-Geun Yoon, Michael Cho, Superlog

SHANG-CHI VS. THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!

Shang-Chi and his family are back! And this time, they’re colliding head-to-head with the Marvel Universe’s biggest heroes! Shang-Chi has finally taken his place as the leader of the Five Weapons Society. But using an evil secret organization as a force for good won’t be easy. And it’s about to get a lot harder when Shang-Chi’s fellow super heroes, like the Amazing Spider-Man, start to see him as the bad guy! Gene Luen Yang and Dike Ruan return to bring you the next chapter of this Marvel legend!

EVERYBODY WAS KUNG-FU FIGHTING!

PROS:

• This may be overly simplistic but the very biggest PRO for this first issue of Shang-Chi is obviously the fact that it is starring Spider-Man. From the very first page, you know that this is going to be a Spidey adventure. From the recognition that Shang-Chi has for the tracer, all the way to their recollection of their martial arts lessons together, you are assured that this creative team is well aware of the ties that bind these two superheroes.
• The tension that Shang-Chi has to endure by initially hiding his dark secret from his dear friend, Spider-Man, was interesting to witness. You truly feel his discomfort in the fact that he is now leading the formerly criminal organization and legacy that his family left behind for him. Yes, he is trying to fix their mistakes, correct the sins of the past, and make his group a force of good… but it might take some time to convince friends like Spider-Man of the cause. The question will always remain… whose side is he on?
• It was epic how the mission first started out as a hunt for the drug ring, but it turned out to be a larger, deeper, darker monster story. The villains were able to transform Spider-Man into a violent beast for a short time, and that was just a glimpse of the capabilities behind this dark, new threat. And there is where we get a first look at why this storyline is headed towards the Shang-Chi versus the Marvel Universe direction. It is going to be fascinating to see Captain America in the next issue, and maybe another monster-form…?
• As with all stories, things turn sentimental when family is brought up, and it was emotional hearing Spider-Man talking about the impact his family had on his life and career… and where he’d be without them… with a perfect reference to professional wrestling. Now Shang-Chi has to figure out a balance between his new position as leader, his status with his sister, and his role as a superhero.

CONS:

• It looks like Spider-Man only gets one issue for now, as Captain America is up next. Sad.

FINAL GRADE: A

One of the strongest and most attractive aspects of Spider-Man’s long history has always been his relationships with the rest of the Marvel cast. And truly, his friendship and bond with Shang-Chi is something that will never grow old… ever. Looking forward to many more martial arts adventures with this dynamic duo. What do you guys and gals think?