Hi everyone,
Today's topic is the 64th issue of Marvel's monthly color comic book The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The Paul Gulacy-drawn cover showed Shang holding nunchuks while posed on a staircase, with what appears to be a fallen enemy behind and to his left. The tale was titled "Deadly Lesson: Like Father, Like Son...?" The issue had a cover date of May 1978.
The story began on what seems to be a typical New York street during the daytime. Shang-Chi is thinking about his father, Fu Manchu's influence on him, when he bumps into a stranger. The mystery man moves to attack, then calls his name and swiftly runs away. Shang recognizes the man as Shoh Teng, someone he used to know in his youth.
Shang-Chi tries to follow Teng, who has by then darted into traffic before making his way to a staircase leading to the underground subway. Teng jumps the ticket carousel and hops into the next train car. Shang was close behind and managed to leap onto the back of the train just before it departed.
As Shang held on to the train car handle, he was reminded of a time thirteen years past, when he and Teng were sparring before their instructor, Cho Lin. Teng was a bit defensive when Shang-Chi offered a bit of constructive criticism regarding his technique. Moments later, Shang defeated his opponent and offered him a hand. They were about to continue their exercises when Manchu interrupted.
Fu Manchu chided Lin for allowing his students to show pity and weakness in battle. Shang-Chi countered by saying that it was a mock exercise, one whose purpose was to show style regardless of the outcome. He added that Teng was his friend, to which his father replied that he himself was his son's only friend. Manchu told his son that style was never more important than winning before sending Shang-Chi off to go meditate alone.
The obedient son did so, never knowing what fate Manchu would decree for Lin or Teng. He was alone in his chambers for quite some time until Teng reappeared. His friend led him to a hallway, where a trapdoor opened beneath him. Shang-Chi fell into another room, where a trio of strangers intended to kidnap Manchu's son and hold him for ransom.
Shang defeated the two gunmen, but was knocked down by the third man. This opponent had a good grasp of the martial arts and countered every move Shang-Chi made. Shang fought well, but soon drifted off into unconsciousness after the stranger's final blow.
Meanwhile, Teng bowed before his master, Fu Manchu. He said that he'd done his part. The monarch smiled, noting that it was his turn. When Shang-Chi awoke, he found himself chained to a wall. His foe smiled at his captive moments before Manchu burst through the doors. The two were soon locked in combat. It would prove to be a struggle, and only one warrior would survive.
Afterward, Manchu released his son. Shang was shocked that his father killed his opponent, stating that his captor could have informed them who he worked for. His father replied that their common enemy wanted to trick him into giving him unearned trust. He added that Shang-Chi had been betrayed by a friend, and reinforced his point that he was his son's only friend.
Manchu told Shang that he'd taken care of Teng, whom he hadn't seen until just then. When the train stopped, the two former friends squared off. Shang-Chi wanted to know why Teng reappeared, while Teng announced that his old companion wanted justice after all those years. Teng was out for blood and forced Shang-Chi into a fight that he didn't want.
During the skirmish, Teng admitted that Manchu had told him that this would only end by Shang killing him for his "betrayal," adding that it was his father who set up the kidnapping attempt in the first place, to deceive his son into trusting only him. Shang had no intention of killing anyone and walked away, hoping that they could at least be friends once more.
Teng hurled a dagger at Shang-Chi. Even with his back turned, Shang could hear the blade whip through the air. He turned and caught it, just before Teng pledged his allegiance to Manchu and threw himself at the electrified train rail, dying almost instantly.
Shang realized that the dagger was a ceremonial knife used by the Si-Fan. It indicated that Teng was not as innocent as he claimed to be. To Shang-Chi, it was another game of death and deceit. He thought about his father's staged kidnapping during his youth, which only added to his dislike of Manchu. Shang-Chi learned to survive, and in doing so, knew that he could only trust himself. This was a fact which he knew could make life both long and lonely.
I thought that this was another interesting solo story. Mike Zeck and Doug Moench created a good story that introduced another of Shang's former friends from his childhood, and it taught a valuable life lesson. My only complaint was that it was scheduled in the middle of another intriguing multi-part storyline.
Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the sixty-fifth issue of Master of Kung Fu. That issue continues the Hong Kong story. We'll see more of Shang's encounter with Skullcrusher and Pavane, and find out what happens to Black Jack Tarr, Kogar, Shen Kuei, and Juliette. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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