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.
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