Good afternoon,
It's time for me to discuss the seventy-third issue of The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang-Chi and Leiko Wu surrounded by one-eyed, furry, club-wielding monsters. The tale was titled "Prisoners of the Crown." The issue had a cover date of February 1979.
The story began with Wu and Shang parachuting down onto the unique island that was once owned by the late criminal mastermind known as Mordillo. Mordillo's solar chute had burned the island (back in issue #35), but it was still very much capable of sustaining life. Wu assumed that the plants on the island may have mutated due to the radiation to which they had been exposed.
Just after the pair's arrival, a trio of giant snails approached, each with its own soldier mounted on top. Leiko and Shang-Chi attempted to flee, but a small volcano erupted behind them. Instead of spewing lava, this volcano exposed a talking, purple, and green dragon, which blew flames from its nostrils at the new intruders.
It didn't take long for the heroes to realize that they were fighting robots. Shang was able to use the dragon head to attack the robot snails and their riders. Moments later, he ended the conflict by tearing the metal dragon head from its base.
Afterward, Shang-Chi and Wu discussed who could have been behind their attackers. Wu thought back to her phone conversation with Black Jack Tarr (which began last issue). We then learned that after being confronted by Mordillo's artificial associate Brynocki, the villain's ax contained a powerful gas that overtook their friend. By the time Shang and Wu arrived at his hotel, Tarr had disappeared.
What they didn't know was that Tarr was lying unconscious in a craft piloted by Shockwave and Brynocki that was heading to that same island. Shockwave wanted to force their prisoner to tell them confidential MI-6 secrets, so that he could add names to their list of people to kill. Brynocki wasn't as pleased with him as he was with his old boss, Mordillo, but nevertheless agreed to his plans.
While their plane landed on the opposite side of the island, Wu and Shang met another automated entity. This one was a motorized caterpillar, like something out of Alice in Wonderland. It offered them a ride to their destination across the island, and they warily agreed.
Meanwhile, back in London, Clive Reston, Melissa Greville, and Sir Dennis Nayland Smith were driving toward a castle that had belonged to Smith's family for generations. The former MI-6 leader hoped that it would be the least obvious location. Little did the trio know as they entered the manor that they were being watched.
At the strange island, Shockwave and Brynocki reached the secret headquarters, which was housed inside of a giant skull. Uttering the magic words open sesame granted them entrance, and they soon faded from view with their captive Tarr. Minutes later, Shang-Chi and Leiko's transport arrived in front of the same skull.
The couple stood in front of the creepy skull and affirmed their love for one another. Back in Britain, another couple (Reston and Greville) stopped to chat. Reston gave Greville a handgun, which they both hoped she'd never have to use.
Moments later, a pair of one-eyed giants exited the skull, brandishing clubs that they swung at the island's intruders. They were strong, but not very agile. As Greville unpacked upstairs, a pair of masked men entered from a portrait opening behind her. She turned the gun on them, but quickly tossed it aside, knowing that she could never shoot someone in cold blood.
Wu and Shang managed to get their opponents to knock each other out, just as Shockwave was trying to revive Tarr to interrogate him. The villains then opted for another plan after seeing how their foes had defeated more of their machines. Shang-Chi and Leiko stood in front of the giant skull once more and observed the top halves beginning to open.
As that happened, Reston entered Greville's quarters, only to find her missing. At the same time, Brynocki and Shockwave were piloting another odd-looking craft. This one resembled a giant dragonfly, one that was about to bear down on their opponents, with a few strange island residents behind them fleeing for their lives.
I always enjoy a good Brynocki story, whether it's in the pages of this title or elsewhere. Doug Moench and Mike Zeck's vivid imaginations were on full display during this epic. My only question was who the four masked men were back in Britain and what their mission was.
Well, that's all for now. Next week, I'll resume this series by recapping the seventy-fourth issue of Master of Kung Fu. This storyline continues, as we'll find out just what that giant green dragonfly is capable of, and how Tarr gets involved in the conflict. We'll also learn more about the mysterious men in white masks and why they were after Smith and company. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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