Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #55

 Hi everyone,

Today I'm writing about the fifty-fifth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover depicted the titular character breaking through a wooden wall. The story was called "The Ages of Death!" The issue had a cover date of August 1977.

The tale began at the Savoy Hotel in London, where Shang had been staying with Black Jack Tarr for the last three days. Tarr was about to go to breakfast with Sir Dennis Nayland Smith. Shang-Chi opted to stay behind, take a bath, and read the novel A Clockwork Orange. Shang was running the bathwater when he heard a noise. He went to investigate and found a pair of intruders had entered the hotel room.

Shang-Chi caught the men by surprise, who revealed that they had been sent by Han Sung to stop him from being killed. Shang had no interest in killing his friend, whom he had not seen since he was a teenager. The hired goons said that his father, Fu Manchu's men sought Sung's death after he had taken something important from the warlord. 

Shang thought back to a time when he and his former comrade and mentor Sung were engaged in a sparring session. Sung was impressed with his young pupil and later showed him a secret alcove. From their vantage point, they could see Shang's father consume some of his elixir vitae. It was a potion that could extend a person's life, and was something that Sung wished to have for himself one day. 

The assailants confessed to Shang-Chi that Sung was in London trying to locate his daughter, and that they were to meet him at the Lime House at nine that evening to collect the rest of their payment for the job. Shang tied up the crooks and called the local police, informing them that they were in the hotel room before heading for the club at the appointed time. 

Shang's arrival was not unnoticed. He waited for a while, remembering the second time he'd seen his father consume the potion in the presence of Ducharme. After a while, he asked the man behind the bar about Sung's whereabouts. The bartender claimed not to know anyone by that name, but Shang-Chi saw through the lie. A patron admitted that he knew Sung's daughter, and that she was down the street at another business before a fight broke out between Shang and other patrons who interrupted the customer before he could share more information.

The scuffle was brief. Afterward, Shang-Chi entered through the back area and found his aged friend Han Sung waiting for him. Manchu had told his son that Sung had been sent away, when in reality he'd been imprisoned and experimented upon. Sung was part of the project that resurrected Shaka Kharn (as shown in the recent Doug Moench/Paul Gulacy story arc). 

Sung had stolen some of the elixir vitae, but would not tell Shang where he'd kept it. He then ordered his men to attack his former protege. Another swift conflict ensued, but it gave Sung time to escape. Afterward, Shang-Chi arrived at a local Chinese import shop to find Sung's daughter standing behind the counter.

The young woman freely admitted her parentage before Sung descended the staircase with a pair of armed guards flanking him. He partook of the elixir, which had been concealed inside a ceremonial dagger in the store. He'd sent the elixir to London after knowing that Manchu was after the stolen liquid. 

Sung's soldiers attacked Shang while Sung himself ran out the back exit. Shang-Chi defeated both soldiers and caught up with his old mentor, who drank the liquid, not realizing that only Fu Manchu had built up a tolerance for the elixir vitae through regular consumption and increased dosage. Unfortunately, Sung was not so accustomed, and this time, the elixir brought only death.

As Sung plunged to the cold waters below, his daughter asserted that Shang had killed him. Shang-Chi quietly replied that his own fear of death was what had killed her father. Shang was saddened by the loss of someone whom he'd once trusted, but knew that he had gone down a path that ultimately claimed him in the end. 

For some readers, this was an introduction to Mike Zeck's artwork. I'd seen some of his Marvel Team-Up issues and knew that Zeck was excellent. After his run on this series, he would go on to pencil part of the first Secret Wars Limited Series and the monthly Captain America title, along with covers for the Punisher and G.I. Joe comic books. This was kind of a fill-in issue, but it was an interesting story of a one-and-done character who underestimated Shang-Chi's father.

Next time, I'll cover the fifty-sixth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Moench and Jim Craig return for the second part of the War-Yore storyline. We'll see what happened to Leiko Wu and another War-Yore personality. There will also be another new villain for Shang-Chi to face off against. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #54

 Good morning everyone,

I'm starting the day off by writing about the fifty-fourth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed three different kinds of opponents behind Shang. The tale was titled "The Story of War-Yore." The issue had a cover date of July 1977.

The issue began with Shang-Chi and Leiko Wu resting at Wu's apartment. Wu went out to shop for groceries and invited Shang to stay behind and listen to some of her records. Meanwhile, Black Jack Tarr had reserved a room at the Savoy hotel and was talking on the phone with Clive Reston about how bored he'd become. Reston decided to visit Tarr, but was suddenly attacked from behind before he could open his own door.

The assailant was dressed like a modern-day Robin Hood. The attacker used both arrows and an electrified sword in his battle with Reston. A few well-placed shots forced the intruder to escape, giving Reston enough time to reach his car and drive away. He soon lost the mystery man in a crowd, but had plenty to think about as he made his way to Tarr's hotel.

Several minutes later, Wu returned from her shopping trip. She asked Shang-Chi which of her albums he'd like the most. He chose a recent release by Fleetwood Mac. They spent some time talking about the lyrics and their feelings for one another. The couple then decided to see Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's secretary, Miss Greville, in the hospital (she had been shot during a conflict in issue #51).

At the same time, Reston was recounting his encounter with Tarr at his hotel room. The two friends tried to figure out who had sent the attacker. There were multiple possibilities to consider. Tarr suggested that whoever did so could be targeting all of them, including Smith, Wu, and Shang.

Wu and Shang-Chi reached Miss Greville's hospital near the Thames River moments after Smith did. Their uncomfortable reunion was brief and broken up by another unknown assailant. This one claimed to be Attila the Hun, and was dressed in a costume of the late warrior's era. Shang took on their opponent directly, and he fought well, stopping only when he found Wu unconscious, presumably after having been exposed to toxic gas emitted by one of the warrior's weapons.

Elsewhere, a pair of men waited anxiously for a companion to arrive. The third man was late and apologized for his tardiness, stating that he'd had a tough time locating their place. One of the men explained the necessity of using a surrogate to accomplish their tasks. That surrogate was a man named Eric Slaughter, code-named War-Yore.

Slaughter was a rather nondescript office worker until he was subjected to physical training and brainwashing under the Project Optimum Danger Operative. He soon became a skilled warrior, one who adopted the historical guises of several legendary figures. Another man pointed out what could happen if their soldier became unstable, to which the first replied that they would simply disavow any knowledge of anything.

Back at the hospital, Shang-Chi continued the fight with his new foe until he saw a projectile fired at an innocent bystander. He dove at the young man, and they leapt into the water, free from the projectile. By the time Shang returned, both the villain and Wu had disappeared. 

Shang went back to Wu's apartment. He broke down the door to find Tarr and Reston inside. Shang-Chi explained what had just happened. His friends thought it sounded just as bizarre as the attack on Reston earlier that evening. 

Artist Jim Craig continued where penciller Paul Gulacy left off. I was impressed by both men's work on this series. Doug Moench devised one of the first Marvel characters with multiple personalities, and it was a character that worked well in this storyline. It was a good start to the next chapter of the agents' lives after leaving MI-6.

Next time, I'll recap the fifty-fifth issue of Master of Kung Fu. This issue is a break in the storyline, but it features a Gulacy cover and art by Mike Zeck, who would go on to be the comic book's regular penciler for several years. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Review: Master of Kung Fu #53

 Hi everyone,

Today's focus is the fifty-third issue of Marvel's monthly The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu title. The cover showed Shang-Chi being opposed by a large warrior while patrons of the casino they were occupying fled in terror. The issue had a cover date of June 1977.

This issue was a reprint of Master of Kung Fu #20. I'm not going to re-summarize it. If you want to read my original recap, you can find it here: https://buckysblog1.blogspot.com/2025/10/retro-comic-recap-master-of-kung-fu-20.html. This was the only reprint during the title's original run. Reprints would happen from time to time when the bullpen crew ran into the "dreaded deadline doom."

That's all for me for now. Next time, I'll recap the fifty-fourth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Doug Moench and Jim Craig will resume the storyline from issue #51. We'll find out what happened to Shang-Chi and his friends after they decided to walk away from Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's employ. A new threat will emerge, spelling trouble for the titular character and his companions. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #52

 Hi everyone,

After taking a couple of days off to spend time with family and friends, I'm back blogging about retro comics. Today's focus is the fifty-second issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang squaring off against several opponents in Morocco. The cover blurb boasted the return of a popular guest star. The story was titled "A Night at the 1001 Nights." The issue had a cover date of May 1977.

The tale was a flashback that was spurred by Shang-Chi shortly after leaving MI-6 in the previous issue. He thought back to a time a year earlier in Morocco, when he heard a cry for help from his old friend, Rufus T. Hackstabber (the Groucho Marx parody character that was introduced in Giant-Size Master of Kung Fu #4). Hackstabber literally landed in the arms of his old pal, "Chang-Shee," moments before a trio of tall, muscular warriors entered the scene.

Shang defended his friend from the attackers, who soon departed, but not before claiming that the cab driver would pay for his interference. Sir Dennis Nayland Smith had been sent to Morocco to investigate possible rumors of his father, Fu Manchu's, presence in the area. Shang-Chi wasn't sure if the warriors who'd just attacked them were some of his Si-Fan soldiers. On their drive, Hackstabber explained that he was in the country on vacation to visit his comrade, Quigley J. Warmflash, his cousin twice removed.

Warmflesh operated the Blue Carrot Night Club, which is where the heroes were headed. The cab broke through the front entrance of the club, just in time to prevent a pair of gunmen from robbing the establishment. We were then introduced to Warmflash in the flesh, who was an obvious parody of W.C. Fields. The proprietor explained that he was also in the business of procuring and selling rare artifacts, and that one of the items he'd acquired was something that the gunmen wanted. Warmflesh then introduced his stunningly beautiful daughter, who had sold the merchandise to a place called the 1001 Nights Curio Shop.

Shang-Chi and Hackstabber offered to help. Shang preferred to go on foot, having had enough of his friend's reckless driving for one day. The business appeared to be vacant when he first arrived, but after he took a few steps inside, he was greeted by his father's former employee, Tiger Claw (who also debuted in the last giant-sized issue of Master of Kung Fu). 

Once again, Hackstabber's cab burst onto the scene. This time, he crashed through the curio shop, just above Shang-Chi and his opponent. He and his passengers, Warmflesh and his daughter Dinah, were unharmed but soon joined the fray against Tiger Claw and his Si-Fan soldiers. 

Warmflesh found the bauble he was looking for while Shang engaged in battle with Tiger Claw. Shang won the grudge match moments before the elephant statue that Warmflesh had been holding fell to the floor and broke into several pieces. The statue was empty and proved to be unimportant. The mission seemed to be a waste of time, except that it brought Hackstabber closer to the gorgeous Dinah. 

After the seriousness of the last several issues, this issue had a much more comedic tone. I enjoyed Doug Moench and Keith Pollard's parodies of well-known comedic legends. Even though the story itself didn't achieve much, it was a good buffer between storylines. 

Well, that's all for now. Next up is the fifty-third issue of Master of Kung Fu, which revisits a classic Shang-Chi story. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #51

 Good morning,

Now it's time for me to discuss the fifty-first issue of The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover, drawn by Paul Gulacy, depicted the titular character and several of his opponents from the past. The story was called "Epilogue: Brass and Blackness (A Death Move!!)." The issue had a cover date of April 1977.

The tale began in outer space. We saw Clive Reston and Shang aboard the spacecraft that the evil Fu Manchu had just escaped from, after his plans to detonate the moon had failed. We then moved forward to the funeral for their associate, Larner, who had died after detonating explosions that destroyed Manchu's mountain headquarters. It was quite a somber occasion for all in attendance.

Afterward, Sir Dennis Nayland Smith caught up with Shang-Chi and informed him that there would be a meeting at his office at Whitechapel in an hour. Shang replied that he would be there, and that time itself seemed to be rather unimportant. As he walked alone in the rain, Shang-Chi thought back to the events that had recently transpired.

He'd been forced to shoot his own father to save his planet. He and Reston encountered more of Manchu's troops after their leader's shuttlecraft left, and fought them off valiantly. Afterward, they found themselves in another shuttle, one that would eventually land in the waters off of Asia's Eastern coast. Reston radioed headquarters and informed them of their location. They then learned the fates of their friends, including Larner's death.

Smith, Leiko Wu, Black Jack Tarr, and Reston united with Smith and his assistant Miss Greville at Whitechapel after the funeral. Greville returned Shang's Siamese cat to him, noting that it had survived the bombing of his flat (as shown in a previous issue). Doctor Petrie then entered the room. He'd been undergoing deprogramming after previously being coerced into working for Shang's father. 

Shang-Chi was reluctant to continue what he saw were more pointless battles, including those that took many years off of Smith's life. Smith admitted his obsession with Manchu moments before masked intruders smashed through the window and attacked the room's occupants. The battle with the gunmen was brief, but Greville was struck by one of the bullets.

Afterward, a call was made for an ambulance, while the heroes tried to determine the reason for the attack. Shang found that to be unimportant. He went on to call his friend both a good man and an enemy before picking up the feline. As he walked out of the room, Smith implored him not to turn his back on the past. Shang-Chi replied that he was simply turning his face to the future.

Leiko followed him out, and then Reston and Tarr both decided to leave the service, at least for the time being. Smith was then left all alone, wondering what would happen next. It was a question that some of his now former associates were probably pondering as well. 

Loyalty was a central theme of this issue. Shang and his fellow associates developed strong bonds during the missions that they worked on together, but it was time to question why they'd been dispatched on them in the first place. It was a good epilogue after an extremely intense storyline in the seven issues before this one. I liked Jim Craig's artwork here. He's one of those comic book illustrators who doesn't get enough credit, in my opinion. 

Well, that's all for now. I'm going to take a couple of days off to enjoy the holiday and work on a few other projects. When I return, I'll recap the fifty-first issue of Marvel's Master of Kung Fu. Shang-Chi will go on a solo mission and reconnect with an old friend and an old rival. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #50

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be recapping the fiftieth issue of Marvel's monthly title The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Clive Reston lying behind Shang, who was contemplating shooting his father, Fu Manchu. The story was named "Part VII (Fu Manchu): The Dreamslayer!" The issue had a cover date of March 1977.

The story's narration was pieced together from parts of Manchu's notebooks. He had recorded how he'd escaped the destruction of his city, hidden inside an Arctic mountain via rocketship. The craft was now about to dock with an even larger spacecraft that he'd had constructed. Manchu was still going to move forward with his plan to knock Earth's moon out of its orbit, so that his native China could rise to supremacy once more.

What he didn't know was that his son, Shang, and Reston had both stowed away aboard his rocket. They silently dispatched several of his guards and set out to find the evil leader. Back on Earth, Sir Dennis Nayland Smith was writing about their fallen friend Larner, just before an agent named Sarsfield entered the room. Sarsfield informed Smith that Ducharme was missing and presumed either dead or having returned to Manchu's side once more.

Smith was not surprised by this news. He figured that her defection was temporary at best, and that her brief time at MI-6 had helped him keep tabs on his old foe. His only hope was that the rest of his associates on the mission could accomplish the goal of finally defeating his rival of many decades.

We then saw Ducharme alongside Manchu as he partook of the elixir vitae, which prolonged their lives and that of Shaka Kharn, Manchu's recently revived ancestor. Kharn was about to enter a chamber that would use that formula to keep him alive, while Reston and Shang came across the vessel's control panel. Reston was about to sabotage it when Shang-Chi thought about seeing the mountain explode before the rocket took off, not knowing the fates of their friends on the ground.

Black Jack Tarr, Leiko Wu, and Fah Lo Suee were gathered on that same mountain, mourning the loss of their friend Larner. Larner had sacrificed himself so that the explosives he'd gathered would detonate and destroy Manchu's mountain base. Tarr said that Larner claimed to hate Wu, and observed that he'd either been the biggest liar he'd ever known, or was a bigger man than any of them could have ever guessed.

It wasn't long before Shang finally confronted his father. The son was not willing to accept the losses that Manchu's plan would create, even though his father stated that many of their native countrymen would undoubtedly survive. Their conversation soon drew the attention of both Kharn and Reston, who would enter the chamber and intervene.

Shang-Chi squared off against Kharn once more. This time, the villain had not been able to partake in ingesting more of the elixir vitae, and indeed seemed to age and decompose during their confrontation. He stabbed Reston before continuing the struggle with Shang's biological son. It was a battle that Kharn would not survive. The swift stroke of Shang's sword beheaded the ancient warrior, who was presumably finished once and forever.

Manchu was still determined to be the victor, no matter what. He could not turn away from his dream as easily as he turned his back on his son. The wounded Reston was still close by and tossed his pistol to Shang. Shang-Chi rarely used weapons and had never fired a gun before, but reluctantly fired at his father.

Fu Manchu fell back, knowing that his device was defeated. However, he still had an escape route. His section of the spacecraft separated, and we found out that it was actually a small shuttle craft. The shuttle took off, leaving Clive and Shang alone on the massive spacecraft. They'd seen the last of Fu Manchu, at least for a while, anyway.

I felt like this was a satisfying conclusion to the longest storyline in this title's history. It was also the last issue for penciller Paul Gulacy, who decided to devote more of his creative time to painting. He would eventually return to drawing comics and working with writer Doug Moench on other titles. Some of his drawings would be used on future Master of Kung Fu covers. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, a new artist will team up with Moench on the fifty-first issue of Master of Kung Fu. We'll find out what happened to Reston and Shang-Chi on Manchu's spacecraft. There will also be a proper sendoff for Larner, and the MI-6 team reunites to decide their next steps. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #49

 Good morning,

I'm starting this holiday by recapping the forty-ninth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang locked in battle with the "demon warrior" Shaka Kharn. The story was called Part VI (Sir Dennis Nayland Smith): The Affair of the Agent Who Died!" The issue had a cover date of February 1977.

Like the rest of the issues in this storyline, this issue's narration was done by its highlighted character. This time, it was Smith's turn to share the events that unfolded with readers. Smith was recuperating from recent injuries and writing in his journal as he continued the story, which resumed with Leiko Wu and Clive Reston reaching a rocket room after setting off intruder alarms, while Black Jack Tarr found himself face-to-face with Fu Manchu himself.

Tarr had been longing to end the evil ruler's existence for years, and announced his intentions to do so, even as Smith yelled at him through the one-way transmitter not to do so. However, that deed would not be accomplished that day. Manchu's hypnotic influence was enough to distract his foe and send him falling back into a pit, where a pair of larger-than-life scorpions lay in wait.

Meanwhile, Shang-Chi was about to enter into combat with Shaka Kharn, the recently resurrected ancestor of his father. Reston and Wu were admiring the rocket that Shang's father planned to use. Reston decided to stow aboard the craft, while Wu ventured further into the complex to find Shang. She also hoped to save Clive from his own stupidity.

Manchu knew that someone had entered the rocket room, but nonetheless ordered the project be continued. His treacherous son continued battling his ancestor, while Larner and his daughter, Fah Lo Suee, talked outside the mountain. Larner was gathering boxes of explosives to detonate the mountain with. They talked about how Shang-Chi had changed after falling in love with Wu, the woman that Larner blamed for the darkness in his own life.

During his conflict with Kharn, Shang fell off the causeway that they were both standing on and through the layer of ice below. He soon heard the familiar voice of Tarr, who warned him about the giant scorpions in the chamber. They fought off the creatures and quickly escaped.

Kharn reported to his master, claiming that his foe was dead. Manchu was satisfied with this and proceeded with the operation before more of his son's accomplices could interfere. Tarrr and Shang-Chi reunited with Wu momentarily. Tarr informed them of Manchu's plans and went with Leiko to find Larner, while Shang went off to join Reston. 

Suee warned Larner about the arrival of her father's forces while he was setting up the trigger. Minutes later, the rocket blasted off. Tarr yelled at Larner to blow up the mountain, adding that Reston and Shang were aboard the ship. Larner looked back at Wu and was reminded of his lost love, Jennifer. 

Larner paused momentarily, which was long enough for several of Fu's soldiers on skis to attack him. One of their bullets wounded him, while another cut the detonator cable. Larner fought back and was able to reconnect the cable just before he fell to the snow-packed ground. 

After the explosion, Wu, Tarr, and Suee ran to the side of their fallen comrade. While writing his version of the exploits, Smith expressed sincere remorse for Larner's sacrifice. He noted that he'd respected and admired many of his agents, but there had never been another pawn who had fallen more nobly. 

This issue had an ending I didn't expect. Larner was a relatively new supporting character, and I was sad to see him die. One reason for this was probably that he was rather similar to Clive Reston. It seemed like he redeemed himself and forgave Wu for the loss of his girlfriend in the end. 

Well, that's all for now. Next up is the landmark fiftieth issue of Master of Kung Fu. This issue wraps up the storyline, as we see Shang face off against both Shaka Kharn and his father. Will Fu Manchu's plan to blow up the moon succeed? Read my next blog article and find out (or read the comic book). Until then, have a great holiday weekend, and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #48

 Hi everyone,

Today, it's time for me to discuss the forty-eighth issue of Marvel's monthly comic The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed the titular character being attacked by more than a dozen villains in green outfits. The story was called "Part V (Black Jack Tarr): City on Top of the World." The issue had a cover date of January 1977. 

The tale began with Tarr scaling down the side of an Arctic mountain as he was fired upon from below. The next pages displayed Shang-Chi, Leiko Wu, Larner, and Clive Reston in action, as well as a glimpse of the detailed world Fu Manchu had built inside a mountain. Shang's father had devised the most technologically advanced city known to humans, one he would use to raise the glory of old China by destroying one world to rule another.

As Tarr descended, he eventually caught up with his teammates. They introduced him to Shang-Chi's half-sister, Fah Lo Suee, who explained their father's plans, which he'd shared with her fifty years ago, when she was a young child. A series of nuclear detonations on the moon's surface would move it out of orbit. The resulting tidal waves and floods would claim the lives of millions on Earth and pave the way for China to rise as a dominating superpower.

Sir Dennis Nayland Smith heard every word that Suee said about the master plan, even though the one-way transmitter Tarr had on his person prevented his response from being heard. He and Larner soon realized that they were by themselves, as Shang-Chi, Wu, and Reston had used the boat Shang had found to journey to the fortress his father had hidden in the mountain.

The small dragon-shaped coracle was soon noticed by Manchu's security forces, one of whom went to inform his leader. Tarr decided to venture on as well. None of them knew that the evil leader had amassed a significant number of Si-Fan warriors inside his new compound, all of whom were loyal to his cause. 

A throng of followers gathered as Manchu announced the introduction of the new Shaka Kharn, his biologically reproduced offspring. Moments later, he was informed of the intruders and sent his soldiers out to intercept them. Tarr rejoined his comrades, Shang, Wu, and Restion, moments before they found themselves embroiled in yet another battle with Manchu's legions. 

Tarr soon found a way down while Shang-Chi opted for a different path. The next several pages are filled with Manchu's son fighting off several of his father's warriors, until he at last comes across the revived Kharn. Shang knew the stories his father had told him about his ancestor, and was determined not to let this new foe get between him and Manchu, even though Kharn stated that he was his father's son and ancestor, and his biological son's death. 

I was continuously impressed by Paul Gulacy's artwork as I turned each page of this epic. He really did work very well with writer Doug Moench on this series, and his visual depictions are often quite stunning. The plot might have sounded a bit hokey today, but it was probably on par with other similar stories in the genre at the time. 

Well, that's all for now. Next issue's focus is on Smith, as this saga continues. We'll see Shang-Chi square off against his father's resurrected ancestor/offspring and see what other surprises the monarch has in store for his opponents. This issue will also mark the end of the line for a supporting character. Tune in next time to learn more. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #47

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be recapping the forty-seventh issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang in what appears to be a victorious pose over a pair of opponents that he'd defeated. The story was named "Part III (Leiko Wu): Phantom Sand." The issue had a cover date of December 1976. 

The tale began on board Fah Lo Suee's plane. We see several of her masked soldiers (including Shang-Chi and Leiko in disguise), as well as Suee and Griswold (aka the bomb manufacturer Tarrant). Wu and Shang were chosen by Suee to relieve the current pilots. Once they reached the cockpit, the heroes realized that they could then radio their comrades at MI-6. 

Leiko and Shang-Chi were stunned to learn that Sir Dennis Nayland Smith had been in a coma, but was now recovering. They transmitted their status, which was heard by Smith, Black Jack Tarr, Clive Reston, and Larner. They were confident that things would continue to go well, especially now that Doctor Petrie was undergoing hypnosis treatments to deprogram him.

Smith replied that he and Tarr were on the mend. He then ordered Larner and Reston to fly to the Arctic to reconnoiter with their teammates. Tarr would be on a later drop. Not long after, the plane arrived at its destination. As the plane landed on an icy runway, its passengers began to disembark. Almost everyone had left, until Suee and Griswold questioned the replacement pilots and learned their real identities. A fight swiftly ensued and eventually moved outside the aircraft. At one point, one of Suee's soldiers tossed a grenade at the fleeing Shang and Wu, which Wu tossed right back at them moments before it exploded.

Meanwhile, in a secret base, Fu Manchu was assembling the skeleton of his long-dead ancestor. He planned to use it to create a new host body, one that would serve him and only him. Manchu's work was interrupted by the report that an unidentified plane was near the base. He ordered his minion to shoot it down, and not long thereafter, Reston and Larner's ship crash-landed nearby.

Leiko and Shang-Chi continued on foot until they reached a cave. They set up camp for the night and began to talk. Those conversations gradually led to deepened feelings and passion for one another.

The next morning, Suee and her forces found the destroyed ship. Reston and Larner were captured, and Shang and Wu watched from the cave. What they didn't know was that Manchu was also observing the action from afar. He then called his own militia into action. In all the confusion, Larner and Reston were freed, and Shang and Wu proceeded further.

Manchu forces defeated Suee's soldiers, and several of them agreed to join their cause. At the same time, Suee agreed to cooperate with Wu, her half-brother, Reston, and Larner. Back at MI-6 headquarters in London, Tarr was talking with a technician named Sarsfield about the wireless microphone he would be wearing.

While Tarr's comrades were awaiting his arrival, Suee confessed to Larner that her father intended to move Earth's moon from its traditional orbit. People were getting into position inside the hollow mountain, while Ducharme was communicating with Manchu from England, informing him that the ruse that she was loyal to Smith's cause and not his was still working.

This was another fine chapter in the longest storyline of this book's run to date. Writer Doug Moench got some of his cues from Ian Fleming's James Bond series and other spy fiction of the time. I could also see a bit of Paul Gulacy's intent to make Larner look a bit like a young Marlon Brando, perhaps to set him apart from Clive Reston. I thoroughly enjoyed this and all subsequent chapters of this story. 

Well, that's all for now, but it doesn't mean that the action's over just yet. Next time, I'll recap the forty-eighth issue of Master of Kung Fu. That issue's focus will be on Black Jack Tarr as he enters the fray. We'll learn more about Manchu's plans and how much he accomplishes on the road toward his ultimate goal, as expressed by Suee in the paragraph above. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #46

 Hi everyone,

Today's topic is the forty-sixth issue of Marvel's monthly The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu comic book. The cover showed Shang being knocked off a wooden bridge on a mountain range by a powerful sumo warrior. The tale was titled "Part Two (Clive Reston): The Spider Spell!" The issue had a cover date of November 1976.

The story started with Reston alone in a room as a bright light shone on him from above, and an unseen person demanded to know about his whereabouts and threatened to withhold food and rest unless he did so. Clive was resistant to saying anything initially, but knew that he needed to rest. He asserted that he wasn't working for Shang-Chi's half-sister, Fah Lo Suee, and that he'd been battling with Shang and Leiko Wu in Tarrant's Switzerland residence.

Reston had gone after the boat that was departing and ripped off the mask, revealing that Tarrant was actually Griswold. Soon after that, he was knocked out by a large man whom Suee called Chankar. Suee determined that Reston had more value alive than dead and ordered the sumo warrior to take him to the cabin. Reston fought the warrior and leapt from the boat. 

The shot that Wu and Shang-Chi heard (last issue) had been fired after Reston had already escaped. He resurfaced later and caught up with them as they were about to drive up the mountain. They arrived in time to see several more masked gunmen and vehicles en route to the mountain top base. There was also a private airfield strip and perhaps a jet waiting to transport Suee to intercept Fu Manchu.

Shang was still a bit hesitant to go against his half-sister. He had also grown tired of Reston's self-pity, and the colleagues almost started a fight, until Leiko intervened. She knew that she'd had feelings for both men and admitted that her feelings might have been misplaced on both occasions. Wu shared that Ducharme had informed her of Manchu's intentions of acquiring power so great that it would enable him to rule the world. She didn't know exactly where the source of that ability was, just that it was close to an island in the Pacific.

On that particular island, a Si-Fan warrior informed his master, Fu Manchu, that Shock-Wave had failed in his mission and had been bested by Shang-Chi. His only concern was that his soldier no longer utter the name of the offspring that he no longer claimed to be his son in his presence. Manchu was focused on the giant oyster that divers had just retrieved from the bottom of the ocean floor. 

Manchu knew that his daughter Suee posed little threat to him and demanded that the pearl be opened. A powerful detonation left behind the skull of his former ancestor, the one who had first discovered the elixir vitae. That discovery was what had kept the evil dictator alive long after many of his contemporaries had passed on.

Back on the ridge, Shang decided that the suspension bridge was the best way to reach the base they'd been staring at. Wu accompanied him, while Reston opted to drive along the path. It wasn't long before he traveled on foot and was defeated by Chankar once more. The mighty sumo then delivered his foe to his leader, Suee. She opened a small bottle of mimosa, whose scent would put the hero under her control.

Suee then ordered her soldiers to head toward the suspension bridge to draw Wu's fire. She stressed the importance of keeping Wu alive. Griswold called her plans insane, suggesting that their foe probably knew little to nothing about her father's plans. It was still a risk that Suee was willing to take.

Shang-Chi and Leiko made it across the bridge before gunfire from below tore it apart. They were about to approach the helicopter when Chankar stood in front of them. Shang took on the sumo warrior, while Wu made her way to the base. 

We then moved to the present day, when Reston was still being interrogated. He claimed that he didn't know how the spider emblem had been placed on his chest. Reston could only remember being placed inside a room with dozens of deadly spiders to fend for himself.

Shang struck Chankar on the hand and hit a pressure point that injured his impressive opponent. Moments later, Chankar fell off the cliff, and Shang-Chi and Wu entered the complex. Inside, they found Reston and, in disguise, brought him before Suee.

Before that, we saw Reston explain that the threat of the spiders was soon over. Suee entered the room and asked him to kiss her, so that she could remember what Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's embrace was like. It was a gesture that Reston needed no persuading to comply with.

Outside the helicopter, the bound Reston sat before Suee. Suee's guards confirmed that no one else was in the building. Satisfied, she flew off after Reston demanded to join her. 

Back in the interrogation room, Reston swore that Suee was probably halfway to the Arctic, and that no one believed them when he said that Griswold was Tarrant or that he'd had no idea how the spider emblem had been put on his chest.

We then learned that his interrogators were Black Jack Tarr, Larner, and another MI-6 agent. They were sufficiently convinced that he'd been subjected to similar methods like those that had turned Petrie against his longtime friend, and that he was back to being himself again. Before leaving the room, Tarr suggested that Reston get some rest, as it would be a few hours before they'd leave for the Arctic to rejoin Leiko and Shang-Chi.

The interrogation panels were a bit choppy as they were interspersed with Reston's recounts of his adventure, but the psychological aspect of this Moench/Gulacy story was interesting. It's just too bad that Chankar didn't last very long. He could have been an ongoing thorn in Shang's side.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, Leiko Wu will be the focus of Master of Kung Fu #47. We'll learn more about her role in this mission. We'll also find out why Petrie betrayed his companions and just what Fu Manchu had in store for the skull of his late ancestor, to name just a very few details. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #45

 Hi everyone,

Today's focus is the forty-fifth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover depicted Shang battling a pair of Golden Dagger members while his half-sister, Fah Lo Suee, looked on in the background. The story was called Part One (Shang-Chi): The Death Seed!" The issue had a cover date of October 1976. 

The tale began in the Lausanne, Switzerland, home of a bomb manufacturer known as Tarrant. The proprietor wasn't there, but Shang-Chi and Clive Reston were face-to-face with Suee and Golden Dagger members Bolo and Kimba. Shang's sister ordered her companions to kill Reston and then her brother. A pitched battle began, as Suee observed each participant carefully.

Meanwhile, at Whitechapel Hospital in London, orderlies were scrambling to assist Sir Dennis Nayland Smith, who, his associate Doctor Petrie claimed had just been shot by Smith's nephew, Lancaster Sneed (aka Shock-Wave). After Smith was wheeled away, Petrie admitted to Sneed lying in his hospital bed that he was the one who'd shot their companion. He explained that he had to make it look like Sneed had pulled the trigger, and that their master had not yet arrived, but that he was sure to be pleased with their accomplishment. 

The conflict in Lausanne raged on. Reston and Kimba rolled down a flight of steps as they fought. After landing, Reston looked up to see his opponent preparing to toss his golden daggers at him.

In another London hospital, Black Jack Tarr told his visitor, Larner, that he should be out in a few days. He was feeling better and wanted to know how his companions were faring. Larner replied that he hadn't heard any updates, but that he expected some news when he met with Smith. He added that Smith might send him to Switzerland to check on the bomb manufacturer Tarrant, whom he'd informed Reston about (in the previous issue).

While Shang squared off against Bolo in Tarrant's stronghold, Leiko Wu was bound and gagged and being driven by several men in a truck. The vehicle was on its way to Lausanne. 

We then saw divers descending in deep waters until they reached a gigantic oyster. They then resurfaced to share the good news with their master, Fu Manchu. The ancient warlord was pleased with their progress.

Reston and Shang-Chi had just defeated the Golden Dagger soldiers when Suee held them at gunpoint. Moments later, a masked man entered the room. He was believed to be Tarrant, and Fah Lo Suee quickly reminded the latecomer that she was in charge of this operation. She went on to say that it was preferable to oppose Manchu, before revealing that his mole in MI-6 was none other than Doctor Petrie himself.

Back at Whitechapel, the doctor stood watch over the man he'd shot (last issue). He convinced the nurse on duty to take a rest. Petrie assured her that Smith would be in good hands.

Reston was resistant to believing Suee's news. She said that he may have already eliminated both Smith and Tarr. The news of Smith's incident had just been learned by his secretary, Miss Greville. Larner was by her when she got the call and demanded to know where their leader was.

At his base, Tarrant demanded that they leave at once. Suee wasn't going anywhere yet. She still wanted to know where Leiko was. Suee anticipated her arrival there at any moment, not knowing that she'd overtaken her captors and managed to escape the truck. Once she was free, Wu decided to check out the chalet and then the boat launch.

Larner arrived at Whitechapel just in time to prevent Petrie from stabbing his longtime comrade, Smith. He subdued the doctor and then advised the staff on duty to call for a full security detail and a psychologist. Larner wasn't about to believe that Petrie would willingly want to kill his good friend of many years.

By then, Suee was finally willing to leave, but not before she asked her half-brother if he would join her cause. Shang's answer was unchanged. Sueee then called for the death of Shang-Chi and Larner. Leiko showed up to interrupt those proceedings and soon left the house with her fellow associates. 

A pitched battle ensued as Reston, Shang, and Wu fought their way to the dock. Reston reached the boat and learned that the masked man onboard, who called himself Tarrant, was actually their Swiss host Griswold. He was struck from behind by a masked gunman before he could do more. Shang-Chi and Leiko raced after them, but the boat sped away before they got there. The loud echo of a gunshot from aboard the ship made them fear the worst as they stood on the shore. 

This was another fun, suspense-filled issue. Writer Doug Moench and artist Paul Gulacy are to be commended for their work on this storyline. Each issue in it focuses primarily on a specific character, but plenty of other supporting characters play important roles. This one fit in very well with many other action books of the era.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the forty-sixth issue of Master of Kung Fu. That one concentrates on Reston. We'll find out what happened to him on the boat and how he's involved in this affair. We'll also learn what Fu Manchu wanted to do with the giant oyster and be introduced to yet another powerful adversary. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #44

 Hi everyone,

Today's topic is the forty-fourth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang leaping into action, with a picture of Fu Manchu behind him. The cover blurb promised a conflict between father and son. This is misleading, as I'll explain in this article. The story was called "Prelude: Golden Daggers (A Death Run)." The issue had a cover date of September 1976. 

The tale began at the private estate of Sir Herbert Griswold in Switzerland, right after the battle in the previous issue. A pair of Griswold's men were moving the villain known as Shock-Wave to the boathouse. Inside the complex, Shang and Leiko Wu were talking with Ducharme, Fu Manchu's lover, who was revealed as the double agent.

Ducharme explained the necessity of leading both roles. She started by going back some forty years, adding that Manchu had provided her with the elixir vitae that extended life. Back before her involvement with either side, she was in love with a man named Pan Chen. One day, Chen informed her that he was a member of the Si-Fan cult of assassins. He was about to embark on a mission on behalf of Manchu to slay Doctor Petrie and Sir Dennis Nayland Smith. 

Needless to say, the mission was a failure. Chen was the only one in his group to survive the ordeal. Several days later, Ducharme received a message from Chen, asking her to join him. He knew that he would face the ultimate penalty from his master and was planning to leave the country and head for the United States. Unfortunately, the couple didn't get very far.

Fu Manchu intercepted them. He placed Chen in a pit filled with poisonous spiders. Manchu forced Ducharmed to watch her lover die a slow, painful death. She later escaped Manchu's residence, mainly because the warlord had no desire to keep her. She eventually made her way to Smith and begged him for his assistance.

Smith informed Ducharme that her life could be preserved only if Manchu wished to do so. To gain his trust, she was given confidential information by Smith that would make it seem like she was betraying him. Ducharme then returned to Manchu to share what she'd learned and was welcomed into the fold. She had a terrible existence and shared the atrocities she'd learned from Manchu with Smith over the years.

Wu added that Shang's father had finally discovered who Ducharme was truly loyal to and wanted her death. He'd sent the Golden Dagger sect after her. Their cover was Oriental Expediters, who had a rendezvous with Shock-Wave. The current objective was to protect Ducharme from harm by Manchu's men.

Back at MI-6 headquarters in London, Clive Reston was examining Larner's progress on examining the fragments of bombs that had been used in the assassination attempts of several of their agents. Larner advised Reston to book a flight to Lausanne, Switzerland, noting that the pieces he'd inspected were the work of a man named Tarrant who operated out of Lausanne. 

Meanwhile, at Griswold's Switzerland estate, he informed Shang, Wu, and Ducharme that he'd just received communication from Smith. Leiko and Shang-Chi were to depart immediately for Zurich, where they'd meet their contact who would take them to Lausanne. Ducharme would stay with him. When asked who the contact was, Griswold replied that it was a colleague of his named Clive Reston.

While Wu's lip twitched at the news, it was revealed that Doctor Petrie was listening in on their conversation. Moments later, Smith approached Petrie and asked him to join him on the journey to the hospital to visit Black Jack Tarr (who was injured after a bomb went off in his office). As the trio stood in Tarr's room talking about who the suspect was, neither Tarr nor Smith knew that the person responsible was in the room with them.

In Zurich, Reston met with Wu and Shang. He provided a motorcycle for Leiko, and he and Shang drove to their destination together. It wasn't long before their vehicles were attacked. Reston and Shang were surprised by a gun-toting driver who soon drove off the road during their battle. At the same time, more masked men were waiting to ambush Wu. She fought them off until the blast from a rocket launcher knocked her off her motorcycle, and she lay unconscious atop a pile of rocks.

Shang-Chi and Reston made their way to a house on a hill in Lausanne. They made their way inside and soon realized that it was a trap. More masked gunmen approached them, and another battle ensued. 

In London, Smith and Petrie entered another hospital room, this time at Whitechapel. Here lay Smith's nephew Lancaster Sneed, the villain known as Shock-Wave. Sneed revealed that his accomplice was Petrie. Angered by this, Petrie pulled out a handgun from his jacket and fired at Smith. He then placed the pistol in Sneed's right hand and cried out to the interns that Sneed had grabbed his weapon and shot his comrade.

At the house in Lausanne, Reston and Shang continued fighting off masked gunmen until a familiar voice made them pause. It belonged to Shang-Chi's half-sister, Fah Lo Suee, who was flanked by a pair of men armed with golden daggers. She told her brother that she'd been warned of the upcoming conflict between her and their father, and expressed concern that Shang had not heeded her warnings. Suee then stated that his spirit must now reach the early end of its growth and thus die. 

While this issue didn't feature the return of Fu Manchu directly, and only included him in flashback scenes, it was a good prelude for the issues leading up to the climactic milestone fiftieth issue. I was surprised by Petrie's betrayal and the fact that Ducharme was the mysterious double agent. Paul Gulacy's art just continued to impress, and I felt that it got better with every issue that he drew in this series.

Well, that's all for now. Next up is the forty-fifth issue of Master of Kung Fu. The conflicts from this over carry over, and we'll learn a bit more about Fah Lo Suee's plans, meet Tarrant, and finally see the actual return of Fu Manchu. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #43

 Hi everyone,

Today I'll be summarizing the forty-third issue of Marvel Comics' The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang battling the villain called Shock-Wave underwater as a trio of gunmen fired upon them. The story was named "A Flash of Purple Sparks." The issue had a cover date of August 1976. 

The tale began as Sir Dennis Nayland Smith was finally able to get a hold of his associate, Doctor Petrie, by phone. The doctor explained his absence over the previous two days was due to doctoring for kidney issues. He assured his old comrade that all was good and that he was on the road to recovery. What Smith didn't know was that Petrie was in Black Jack Tarr's office working with the villain Shock-Wave. After the call ended, another time bomb was placed in Tarr's desk.

Smith ended the call just as Tarr, Clive Reston, and his former associate, Larner, entered, having been brought inside by Smith's assistant, Miss Greville. Larner was still smarting from his previous release from the agency, but Smith started the meeting with the good news that Shang-Chi's burns had been treated at Charing Cross Hospital (suffered during his first battle with Shock-Wave in the previous issue) and that he'd been released earlier that morning. He was on his way to Switzerland at the moment to protect Leiko Wu and the counter-agent known only as Agent-O.

As the quartet spoke, the agent and Wu were engaged in a gun battle with Oriental Expediters warriors. The hilt of a golden dagger thrown by one of their opponents reaffirmed Wu's suspicion that they were in on it as well. She gathered her partner and headed toward the safe house. 

Smith told his comrades that the safe house in Switzerland was the private estate of their chief of Swiss operations. Larner was a bit surprised that he was trusted with that confidential information, after having been kept out of the loop for more than a year following his dismissal. He reminisced about his last mission for Smith and the loss of his girlfriend Jennie during that assignment when Tarr lashed out at him. Reston broke up the fight before Smith's temper flared and threatened to relieve his associates of their employment if they continued in such a manner.

The next order of business was the fact that Shang had been hospitalized because of burns, instead of cuts as originally reported. Smith suspected that it was because of his colleagues' swearing him to secrecy about Shock-Wave's involvement in the ordeal. Smith had reviewed the physician's report on Shang-Chi, and later admitted that the man known as Shock-Wave was his nephew.

Reston replied that they hadn't informed Smith of all that had transpired because of that relation, even though they were duty-bound to. After chastising Smith for not attending the mock funeral for his girlfriend's empty casket, he asked Smith why he'd requested him. Smith responded by saying that Larner was a demolitions expert, and that ninety percent of the agents they'd lost were due to explosives. As he said that, an incendiary device crashed through a window in Shang's apartment. It was only noticed by the Siamese cat that Shang-Chi had brought back with him (from the Cat affair in earlier issues) before destroying the flat. 

Smith wanted Larner to examine the bomb fragments to determine their origins. He also wanted to know who employed his rogue nephew. Smith then assigned Reston and Tarr to board a plane bound for Zurich to serve as Shang's backup in Switzerland. 

Meanwhile, Shang-Chi had just arrived via car at the safehouse, which was the estate of Sir Herbert Griswold. The lord of the manor was occupied with target practice at his archery range. After his last practice shot, he welcomed Shang and informed him that the people he'd come to protect had not arrived yet.

Before departing, Reston and Tarr went to Tarr's office to pick up a few things. They had no sooner entered when the bomb underneath Tarr's desk went off. Tarr was at the desk and appeared to have taken the brunt of the blast.

In Switzerland, Griswold sat with Shang, joined by Griswold's bodyguards and his loyal dogs. Griswold had just finished saying that he feared that Shang's fellow associates were dead when he was struck by a sniper's bullet. The bodyguards soon located the assassin and several other Oriental Expediters gunmen who were posted on a ridge not far away. 

We then saw that Shock-Wave held Wu and the counteragent helpless to react. As the gun battle ensued, Shang made his way to Shock-Wave and his two prisoners. The villain sensed that someone was behind him and used an electro-blast attack. He then left his captives to pursue whoever had crept up on them. 

Shang-Chi soon attacked Shock-Wave from above. He'd learned from their earlier meeting to strike at the parts of his suit that were not metal, as the metal portions were capable of emitting strong electricity blasts. Shang soon forced his opponent back through the hedge maze and into a pool of water. Shock-Wave struggled to surface, but eventually sank in defeat.

The Oriental Expediters gunmen were scared off and left the prisoners where they were. Shang soon saw that his friend Griswold had survived the attack on his life. Griswold commented that he was wearing bulletproof armor. He saw Shock-Wave (real name: Lancaster Sneed) in the pool and ordered his guards to send him back to MI-6 in London. 

Griswold and Shang continued talking when a voice from behind cried out Shang's name strongly. That voice belonged to Leiko Wu. One of Griswold's men said that they'd found Shock-Wave's captives behind the hedges. Wu was once again in Shang's arms. He wasn't sure if he was in love with her yet, but that was a topic that could be discussed later.

Her companion was then revealed as Ducharme, the lover of Shang's father, Fu Manchu. Shang was stunned to see that his father's long-time companion was one of Smith's agents. She reported that her name was her sole possession after all of those years. Ducharme added that she'd received some information regarding the plans for the death of Tarr.

This was another well-executed story by Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy. Shock-Wave was an interesting foe that would appear from time to time in this magazine. It appears that Shang must have a healing factor that's almost as impressive as Wolverine's, as his wounds healed incredibly quickly. Then again, maybe time passes faster in comic books than in real life. Anyway, it was still an enjoyable sojourn with Shang and his friends.

Well, that's all I have for the time being. My next blog article will recap the forty-fourth issue of Master of Kung Fu. This storyline has ended, but another mini-epic is about to begin. We'll see Smith's reunion with his disgraced nephew and learn more about Ducharme's knowledge. We'll also find out what happened to Tarr and see the return of a popular character. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu Annual #1

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'll be discussing Marvel's first and only Master of Kung Fu annual. The cover depicted Shang-Chi battling side by side with Iron Fist against a handful of thugs, while a seemingly powerful man appears to be conjuring behind them all. The tale was titled "The Fortress of S'ahra Sharn!"

The story started in Shang's London apartment, which had been provided to him by Sir Dennis Nayland Smith. His peaceful meditation was interrupted by a knock on his door. He went to open it, and a man named Daniel Rand stepped inside after introducing himself. Rand explained that he went to Scotland Yard with an issue and was then referred to Whitechapel, MI-6 headquarters. Once there, he talked to Smith, who referred him to Shang-Chi.

Rand added that Smith had told him about his friend's recent reluctance to follow orders. Shang replied that he had grown weary of the games of death and deceit, but has helped Smith in affairs where honor dictated or when innocent lives were in jeopardy. Rand explained that his friend Colleen Wing had been kidnapped before asking Shang-Chi if he'd heard of K'un Lun or Iron Fist. 

Shang replied that Leiko Wu and Smith had provided him with some information. As he answered, Rand removed his civilian clothing and admitted that he was Iron Fist, as he put on his costume. Shang-Chi replied that he knew already, by the way that Rand carried himself. He noted that any true master of the martial arts could recognize another master once their eyes met. Shang agreed to help Iron Fist on his mission, and the pair left Shang's apartment. On their way out, Shang-Chi asked his new friend why he wore a mask. Rand replied that he was still figuring that part out.

Meanwhile, at a London fish and chips restaurant, a server and his customer were spooked by the appearance of another man right out of thin air. They ran for help, bumping into a bobby (British police officer). The officer approached the stranger, who dispatched him with an energy blast. Undeterred, the powerful being moved on. 

Outside Scotland Yard, Shang-Chi and Iron Fist were walking and talking. Neither of them knew much about the city, and conversed about the seclusion they'd experienced in Honan, China, and K'un Lun, respectively. Rand was just wondering where Shang's father Fu Manchu obtained the elixir vitae that enabled him to keep his youth when a horde of villains charged at them. 

Neither hero knew where their opponents came from, noticing that their appearances and fighting styles didn't match anyone that they'd ever opposed before. However, they soon proved to be rather infeffectual, as they were quickly defeated by Shang and Iron Fist. After the battle, their vanquished foes faded away. The intruder we'd seen earlier at the fish and chips shop then entered the scene. He stated that they'd just fought assassins who had been dispatched from S'ahra Starn to stop him from joining them in a mutual conflict. He then introduced himself as Quan St'ar, a fellow native of K'un Lun. 

Quan explained that his intentions were noble and that he'd never try to kill anyone, even as we saw the dead police officer that he'd attacked earlier in the evening. When Rand asked him how he was able to traverse from K'un Lun now when it wouldn't appear in this dimension for another nine years, Quan replied that he was one of a select few known as a magician who could bridge the dimensional gap. He went on to say that S'ahra Starn was a mirrored opposite of K'un Lun. Instead of peace and tranquility, natives from his village sought darkness and evil. His words intrigued Iron Fist and Shang-Chi, and they both decided to join their new comrade in his mission.

Chapter 2 of this story was called "The Evil Which Is S'ahra Sharn." It began with Quan, Shang and Iron Fist neared the portal and crossed the gateway from Earth to S'ahra Sharn. They arrived in the middle of the town. There, Quan told his companions to head to a local tavern and find a man named Shai-Tahn, who would give them more information, including where he'd be located in the future. 

The duo was a bit wary, but headed toward the tavern anyway. As they did so, Quan stood back with several of his compatriots watching them. Quan was confident that the price they'd paid was worth it to bring Iron Fist to his doom.

Inside  the tavern, the arrival of strangers was noticed immediately. Another fight began, this time with Shang and Iron Fist warding off those who didn't like their presence in the estabishment. The skirmish stopped when a man riding what appeared to be a horse with a twisted horn above its eyes. Entered. He ordered the soldiers behind him to stop the fracas and kill any who dared to resist. 

After only Iron Fist and Shang-Chi were left standing, the mounted warrior called for their arrest. Shang said that they'd arrived to find a man named Shai-Tahn. The warrior then introduced himself as Shai-Tahn and called for their arrest. A knife placed by one of his officers against an innocent woman's throat was enough to convince the heroes to surrender. They were then led away by Shai and his men. Afterward, Quan entered the tavern and spoke to the woman, who was named Cybelle. He said that she'd earned her release, but she didn't seem very happy about it. 

Five days later, Shang-Chi and Iron Fist were in the same prison they'd been in since their capture. They began to talk about their predicament, when a third voice could be heard from above them. That voice belonged to Quan St'ar. He explained that forces were massing to invade K'un Lun and that he would be supervising and leading that army. He and his future queen Cybelle then left the stars of this book alone.

Iron Fist lashed out in anger with his namesake power, before a rope fell at them from the doorway that Quan and Cybelle had just viewed them from. They weren't about to look a gift horse in the mouth, and quickly made their escape. Once outside the castle, Cybelle stepped forward with a tray of food for the former prisoners. As they ate, Shang and Rand learned that Cybelle was a spy who was part of a growing resistance movement agenst Quan and his army.

The trio took up individual mounts and rode off. As they did so, Cybelle informed her new comrades about Quan St'ar's background. She started by saying that he was a native of K'un Lun and had originally been favored by the personage in jade known as Yu-Ti. In his last day there, one of their dragons went wild and went after Yu-Ti. Quan leapt to his rescue and slew the beast. When he presented the monster's heart to his master, he was stunned to see his master's revulsion.

Yu-Ti valued the life of the dragon above that of Quan, and banished his former protege from the city forever. The august personage in jade would later take the dragon heart to a cave where it turned molten and subsequently saved the dragon's life. This was the same dragon that Iron Fist would later challenge and defeat, therefore gaining his power. 

Quan eventually made his way to S'tara Sharn. His magical tricks were enough to impress the general populace, and he gained followers in the process. Cybelle asserted that Quan was consumed with personal hatred and vengeance and that he desired to rule his former city. He planned to stride into K'un Lun as its conquereror with the skull of Iron Fist at his feet.

Before long, the three resistance fighters arrived outside the front entrance of the very castle whose dungeon Rand and Shang had just escaped from not long ago. Cybelle informed her colleagues that the globe of eternity which fueld Quan's sorcerous abilities had to be destroyed if they had any chance of victory. 

Cybelle led the attack against her former allies. She, Shang-Chi and Iron Fist fought on as they ventured deeper into the castle. Shang and Iron Fist soon entered Quan's quarters, where he stood before the large globe of eternity. While Rand countered Quan's mystic bolts with the power of the iron fist, Shang crept behind them to approach the globe. 

Shang-Chi pinpointed a pressure point and broke the globe with a single, powerful punch. Spirits of evil were released from the globe after it shattered, and Shang was careful to evade them. The globe's destruction was enough to weaken Quan's powers, and he was swiftly knocked out by Iron Fist's punch. Both the villain and his essence soon dissipated.

Not long after the battle, Cybelle took her place as rule of S'hara Starn. She asked Shang and Iron Fist if they wished to remain there. Each of them politely declined, and her court sorceror returned them to where they came. Moments later, Shang-Chi and Iron Fist were back on the same London street. Rand still hadn't found his friend Colleen, but he decided to search for her on his own, and the heroes went their separate ways. Before departing, they wished each other luck, having a feeling that they would need it.

This was a well crafted tale by writer Doug Moench and penciller Keith Pollard. It was a fun team up by stars of the popular black and white magazine Deadly Hands of Kung Fu. My only criticism is that they didn't fulfill the initial objective of finding Colleen Wing. It would have been nice to see more of the supporting casts for both Shang and Rand as well. 

Well, that's all the time I have for now. Next time, I'll return to the monthly mag by recapping the forty-third issue of Master of Kung Fu. We'll learn what Shock-Wave's plans were for Doctor Petrie and Shang and the rest of his associates. We'll also catch up with Leiko Wu and discover the identity of the counter agent known as Agent-O. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #42

 Hi everyone,

Today, it's time for me to write about the forty-second issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang being attacked by a masked man known as Shockwave while reaching out for a ticking time bomb. The story was called "The Clock of Shattered Time." The issue had a cover date of July 1976. 

The tale began in the office of Sir Dennis Nayland Smith. His receptionist let Shang-Chi in. Smith was less than happy with his associate. He noted that Shang had turned down the last two missions in a row: the Shen Kuei affair and the current crisis involving the worldwide murders of multiple agents. Shang-Chi reminded Smith that he was not one of his agents and that he'd grown tired of the games of deceit and death.

However, Shang was willing to go with Black Jack Tarr to check out the Oriental Expediters' clue, because Tarr had convinced him that more deaths might be prevented by investigating it. Smith appreciated his answer and strict moral code, and asked him to cooperate fully and obey completely. That was something Shang-Chi simply could not do. 

Smith left to follow Shang-Chi mere moments before his office exploded. Remnants of a time bomb soon landed at the duo's feet. Both Smith's assistant, Miss Greville, and Smith himself were amazed by what had just happened and the fortune that no one was seriously hurt. A few moments later, an agent named Caldwell presented Smith with an important communique that he could decipher.

As he was preparing to leave the building, Shang ran into Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston. They asked him to join them behind closed doors in another office. There, Larner sat eating a hamburger as he waited for them. He talked about the recent attack on his apartment (in issue #40) and a former MI6 agent named Lancaster Sneed. 

Sneed was caught in a shrapnel burst during a mission in South Africa and had half of his face blown off. He opted for rebuilding himself with metal plates instead of plastic surgery, and liked the results. Sneed was eventually dismissed from the service after being declared mentally unfit. He then went off to pursue martial arts training, and later used that knowledge during his employment at a traveling carnival, where he assumed the moniker Shock-Wave. 

Shang-Chi asked how this concerned him. Larner went on to say that after botching a mission, he was approached by Sneed to join his cause. Shang still didn't understand how this was related until Larner explained that Sneed had told him that his front was the same Oriental Expediters Limited that Shang-Chi and Tarr were planning to investigate. Larner had not relayed this information to Smith because they couldn't. Shang-Chi thanked Larner for the information and went to join Tarr to pursue the lead.

A short car ride later, Shang and Tarr arrived at Oriental Expediters' storefront. From the outside, it appeared to be a typical warehouse. However, danger lurked on the inside. A quartet of masked men quickly attacked our heroes, who wasted little time in defeating them. 

Afterward, Shang-Chi made his way up into the ventilation shaft. He crawled along the passageways until he heard a conversation from a window below him. He peered down to see two men talking in an office. Shang soon dropped down onto the table where the men stood, and asked why they sought the death of himself and Tarr. 

A man named Skolnik called for Shock-Wave, who arrived from an adjoining room. His electroshock attacks proved to be more powerful than the efforts of most of Shang-Chi's opponents. He fled the room, knowing his opponent would soon follow him.

Meanwhile, back at headquarters, Smith and Greville convened. The secretary was unable to reach Doctor Petrie. Smith asked her to summon Larner and Reston and meet him by the car.

Back at Oriental Expediters, Tarr arrived in time to interrupt another ferocious attack by Shock-Wave. The villain got away, and he and Shang made it outside just as Smith and his companion's vehicle arrived. Smith informed Shang-Chi that Leiko Wu had sent a message from Switzerland, stating that her contact, Agent-O, had been exposed as a counteragent. He asked Shang to protect both Wu and Agent-O. 

Shang could barely muster a reply before collapsing in pain. Smith then changed his mind and ordered his young warrior to be sent to the hospital. Tarr was surprised by his friend's injuries, noting that he'd never been seriously hurt before by any previous foe. Both he and Smith knew that this didn't bode well for them, especially with the slew of agents being slain across the globe. 

In the epilogue, a British policeman noticed Tarr's office door was ajar. He opened it to find Doctor Petrie standing there as if he were in a trance. Before he could do more, the bobby was hit from behind by Shock-Wave. He seemed to be working in tandem with the doctor, who now held another active bomb in his hands. 

I think that some readers may have been confused by the panels depicting Shang squaring off against Shock-Wave before their actual initial confrontation. To me, it seemed to be a bit of foreshadowing. Shock-Wave might even have been sparring against a Shang-Chi look-alike to prepare him for their first encounter. Whatever the case or reasoning, it was still an enjoyable issue from Moench, Gulacy, and company. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the first and only Master of Kung Fu annual. Shang-Chi will join forces with fellow Deadly Hands of Kung Fu star Iron Fist in a trippy tale that marks the duo's first meeting in a color Marvel comic. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #41

 Hi everyone,

Today's focus is the forty-first issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover is essentially a Shang pin-up, as he fends off throwing stars and a spear thrown at him by people who were not shown. The story was titled "Slain in Secrecy, and by Illusion!" The issue had a cover date of June 1976. 

The tale picked up where the last issue left off at Larner's apartment. Clive Reston, Larner, and Black Jack Tarr had agreed to follow up on the Oriental Expediters' lead from the business card that was in the jacket pocket of one of their attackers. Shang opted to stay behind for a time. 

He started to meditate and thought back to a time in his father's Honan, China retreat when he was sparring with his rival and classmate Midnight (who was last seen in Special Marvel Edition #16). Their instructor, Cho Lin, chided Shang for having been bested by his opponent. Shang-Chi rose to his feet and resumed the attack with fervor, but was not able to advance another step before being defeated once more. 

The sparring session was interrupted by the arrival of the priest Kwan-Shu. He delivered word from Shang's father, Fu Manchu. Manchu believed that Midnight (also known as M'Nai) had stolen a quantity of drink from the cellar. He wanted Midnight to be brought to his personal chambers for punishment. That task would become Shang-Chi's responsibility. He was advised to use force if his friend resisted. 

Shang initially refused that his sparring partner was capable of such a thing. However, he still felt bound by duty to obey his father's commands. He began by making his way to M'Nai's quarters. His comrade was nowhere to be found, but he'd left a note stating that he'd been falsely accused of wrongdoing, and that he was not about to accept punishment for someone else's misdeeds. The note was unsigned, but it didn't need to be. The message also asked Shang-Chi not to find him, or else their spirits would no longer be as one. 

Afterward, Shang continued on until he heard a familiar voice in the shadows. The voice had warned Shang-Chi not to pursue him, which belonged to his brother Midnight. They engaged in a close-matched personal battle. Shang asked his comrade if he feared weakness, to which M'Nai replied that he feared injustice. 

After fighting to a standstill, the two decided to investigate the wine room. To their surprise, they learned that Kwan-Shu was the thief, as they watched him consume several cups of wine from a nearby vat. However, when they shared that revelation with Cho Lin, they were dismissed as liars, and Cho Lin ordered them to their chambers until called for. 

Shang-Chi remembered how his father never said a single word to him about that particular incident, even tho Cho Lin said that he would. He wondered if he had never known about it, or if it was a test, one that Shang had passed in a greater and unexpected sense. Shang-Chi realized that Larner's words were true. A traitor could be anyone, even someone who was least suspected. If someone didn't want to believe the truth, then nothing would probably change their mind. As Cho Lin observed, comforting ignorance of placid illusion is always chosen over the disruption of a harsh and unwanted truth. 

This issue felt like a bit of a fill-in, with the guest artists, and a reflection back to Shang's earlier days. It was good to see Midnight again, and this was a bit of a morality tale. Regular readers of this site know that I'm a big Sal Buscema fan, and I always enjoy seeing his artwork in comics. I enjoyed this story, which served as a bridge between Gulacy issues.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll write about the forty-second issue of Master of Kung Fu. Paul Gulacy returns to craft another excellent tale with Doug Moench. We'll learn more about Oriental Expediters and see a new threat and a new villain for Shang and company. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #40

 Hi everyone,

Today I'm writing about the fortieth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover depicted Shang battling a man who held four knives in one hand. The story was called "The Murder Agency." The issue had a cover date of May 1976.

By now, Shang had returned to London and went to Whitechapel, the MI-6 headquarters. He stormed into Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's office and expressed his outright anger at being sent on a mission that almost ended in a man's death. He explained that Juliette was last seen in the arms of her lover Shen Kuei, and that he'd destroyed the documents that were recovered, noting that the paperwork belonged to the Chinese government. 

Smith countered that the papers did belong to the British government and contained information about the biggest threat to the country and perhaps the world. He asserted that Doctor Petrie could vouch for that. By this time, Shang was so tired of the deceit and deception that he no longer cared what he was told. He quit the service right there and then.

Afterward, Black Jack Tarr approached Shang-Chi. He told him about the agents who were being murdered, and asked for his assistance in tracking down the mole who was responsible for their murders. He was able to persuade his comrade to join him on the trek to Leiko Wu's flat, where Sir Denis was supposed to provide them with additional information.

When they arrived, Tarr and Shang-Chi found Leiko being held captive by four gunmen. Naturally, they intervened to save their friend. Three of the intruders fled. Tarr went after them, while Shang stayed with Wu. He asked Leiko what the gunmen were after. She replied that they wanted information. Wu was about to rendezvous with their mole to learn more. It was a dangerous mission, with very little chance of success, but she was determined to proceed with it. She also shared that she'd met with Clive Reston and told him that she and Shang-Chi were in love.

Shang was taken aback by those words, probably because they'd just met rather recently. Wu obviously thought that her feelings were not the same as his, and gently excused herself to head for the airport. Before departing, she told Shang-Chi to have Tarr re-enlist Larner, saying that Tarr would know what she meant by that. She apologized and left quickly. Shang stood alone with his thoughts in the empty apartment for several moments. 

Tarr returned a few minutes later, stating that the gunmen had escaped. Shang told him that Leiko had left and gave him her instructions about Larner. He noted that Larner was removed from the service a year ago, but made the trek to his residence with Shang-Chi. A short drive later, they arrived at Larner's apartment. 

The man known as Larner was busy imbibing in liquid courage when Shang-Chi and Tarr entered. He was hesitant to agree, because he'd been branded a traitor, and felt that Leiko let his love Jennie die on a previous mission. Tarr refuted the claim, stating that Larner was drunk.

Larner went on to add more details about what had happened after Jennie's death. He said that he and Leiko escaped from an attack on a gunrunning boat via a speedboat. Unfortunately, Leiko had been hit in the shoulder by a bullet and fell from the boat. Larner left her behind, which he felt was why he was considered to be a bad risk and a traitor.

Tarr literally tried to slap some sense into Larner and said that they eventually rescued Leiko. Larner had been dumped, but now they needed him back. Clive Reston then entered the apartment and explained the high-risk mission that Wu had just embarked upon. 

Reston added that Wu now loved Shang, just moments before the conversation was broken up by the sounds of gunfire from outside the building. A grenade was then tossed into the room, and it went off seconds later. Several armed strangers entered and engaged in a fight with the British agents. Larner still had enough firepower to hold some of them off, while Shang-Chi exited out the back. He caught up with an opponent who brandished a knife. Shang bested him in combat and tried to save him from falling to his death, but was only able to grab part of his jacket before his foe's hold gave way and he dropped to the street below. 

Inside one of the jacket pockets, Tarr found a business card for a company named Oriental Expediters, with an address in Soho, London. It was presumed to be a front, but the quartet decided to pursue it anyway, not knowing the full dangers that they might face. Shang was not happy with the possibility of more deceit, but it seemed that he couldn't escape it at that point.

This was another enjoyable issue. Larner was a good character, although he did look very similar to Reston. Casual fans might not have been able to distinguish the two, but regular readers knew their differences well enough. This was the start of Shang-Chi and Leiko's relationship, which would continue to evolve over the years of the title's run.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the forty-first issue of Master of Kung Fu. Sal Buscema and Mike Esposito join writer Doug Moench in creating an adventure from Shang's past. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #39

 Hi everyone,

It's time for me to discuss the thirty-ninth issue of Marvel Comics' The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang facing off against Shen Kuei, the mysterious man who was also known as Cat. The story was called "Fight Without Pity." The issue had a cover date of April 1976.

Back at the Jade Peacock, things were at a standstill. Shang told Kuei that Juliette did not betray him and that she had not disclosed his location. Kuei brushed that off as a lie, even when Juliette asserted that Shang-Chi was telling the truth. Shang said that he was not sent to assassinate Kuei. His mission was to protect Juliette from murder by Kuei's hand. Kuei replied that he would not love a woman whose love for him was just deceit and guile.

Kuei then assumed a defensive stance after asking Shang-Chi to defend Juliette from him. A low sound indicated the presence of others in the building, who we soon learned were gangsters. Three of them entered their room, with their pistols drawn. Before anything could happen, Shang-Chi burst through a window, escaping with Juliette in his arms.

The gangsters were willing to stop them, but Kuei insisted that they stop firing. He knew that they fled because he would kill them. Kuei knew what Shang and Juliette's destination was. He would go there and then kill them.

Meanwhile, Juliette and Shang-Chi discussed their plans. Shang wanted to go to the harbor to retrieve the documents and then go to the air terminal to return Juliette to London. However, she still wanted to remain in Hong Kong and professed her love for Kuei, even though she knew that her lover might kill her. She thought that he would calm down if she could just convince the Cat that she hadn't betrayed him. Shang-Chi respected her decision and was about to go off on his own, until a Siamese cat walking by Shang's feet was enough to change her mind and go with him. 

Back in London, Leiko Wu was busy practicing her tai chi. Her exercises were interrupted by Clive Reston. He confessed to picking her lock. Wu asserted that what they'd once had was now over. Reston knew that and wanted to talk about the present. He mentioned her affair with Brentor/Mordillo and her new affection for Shang-Chi. He didn't want his naive, innocent friend to be hurt by Leiko like he'd been. Leiko reminded him to keep out of her affairs, stating that Shang could take care of himself. She struck at him brusquely and immediately regretted it. The scene ended with the two former lovers embracing.

At the Hong Kong harbor, Shang swam to the boat where the documents were located. He defeated a guard and made his way to an interior cabin. He then asked the man at the desk for the papers that were stolen from the British government. The man replied that he had the papers, but that he'd already transmitted them via a secure channel and a scrambled system. His people knew the documents' contents, but he added that they did not steal them and that the documents were developed by their own intelligence sources. Shang-Chi was surprised to hear that the papers were not stolen from Smith, but rather that he'd tried to steal them from the Chinese government. He then took the documents topside and shredded them before letting them scatter into the sea.

Shang grew tired of the game and swam back to the docks, where Juliette was waiting. She asked him if he'd found the papers. He replied that they were not his to take. Before Juliette could ask Shang-Chi why he said that, Shen Kuei arrived behind them. He wanted vengeance on the British agent, and another battle began.

Kuei and Shang made their way across the harbor, engaging in both hand-to-hand combat and using weapons such as nunchuks and spears before being drawn to a halt by Juliette once they were on the shoreline. She stood on the dock above them with a dagger in one hand. She asked her love to believe her words. In his hesitation, she drove the dagger into her chest. Kuei ran to her side, not knowing whether or not she could be saved.

Shen Kuei knew that her fate was not Shang-Chi's fault, and that the blame may have been his. He tossed the knife at Shang's feet, which he could use to slay his foe if he so chose. Shang-Chi stood silently as Kuei carried his lover away in his arms. Juliette took one last look at Shang before they departed. 

Instead of reaching for the blade, Shang put his hand down to pet the Siamese cat who had returned. He took the animal with him on the plane trip back to London. He questioned the meaning of his battle with Kuei and the mission, and knew that he wanted more answers than Sir Dennis Nayland Smith had given him thus far. 

This was another great art issue, and I felt that it was a somewhat satisfying conclusion to this two-part story. My one regret was that Juliette seemed so willing to end it all so quickly. She could have been a great ally for Shang and his colleagues. Shen Kuei was an interesting character, and the underlying subterfuge and seeming pointlessness of Shang's mission were worth delving into. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the fortieth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Shang will confront Smith about the Hong Kong mission and embark on another sojourn with Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston. We'll also meet another new character and learn what Leiko's up to. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.