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.
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