Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #79

 Good afternoon,

Today I'll be writing about the seventy-ninth issue of Marvel's monthly comic The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang ready to defend a battered and bruised Leiko Wu, who was sitting behind him. The tale was titled To Sleep...This Side of Death." The issue had a cover date of August 1979. 

The story started with Wwu and Shang-Chi driving toward Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's family castle in Scotland. As Leiko drove, Shang brought up the adventures from recent issues, including their encounters with Zaran, the weapons master, and his near-breakdown beforehand. The first battle with Zaran left Wu with a concussion after crashing her previous vehicle. She admitted that the accident forced her to finally rest, unlike her love, who hadn't even been sidelined for illness since he was little. 

As they neared the castle, Zaran spoke to the captives Smith, Black Jack Tarr, Melissa Greville, and Clive Reston. They had been captured by rogue MI-6 agent Sarsfield, who now lay dead after being killed by Zaran (in the last issue). Zaran noted that his new employer viewed all those in attendance at the table, living and dead, to be his enemies. 

Tarr had almost freed himself from his bonds and needed a diversion to finish the job. He asked Zaran who his new boss was. The villain laughed at Tarr's supposed naivete. Fortunately, Wu's knock on the front door was the diversion Tarr needed. He freed himself and punched Zaran down onto the dining table before them all. 

Unfortunately, the sight of Zaran seemed to weaken both Leiko and Shang-Chi. Wu started feeling the effects of her recent concussion, while Shang seemed to be in a state of shock, which could be partially attributed to his fatigue and lack of recent sleep. Zaran took advantage of his foe's condition and attacked. Only reflexes helped Shang-Chi prevent himself or his love from being seriously injured.

The smell of his own blood during the attack was enough to rouse Shang from his stupor. He gained a sudden surge of adrenaline and fought mercilessly until Zaran tossed an explosive knife up at the ceiling. Shang instinctively dove to protect Smith from being injured by the falling plaster. The villain had escaped again, but at least Shang-Chi and his friends were safe.

Afterward, Greville and Wu made sure that Shang got some much-needed rest. Smith, Tarr, and Reston talked about making the castle their new base of operations. Smith also located the tape reel, and began to play it. However, instead of hearing Shockwave, the voice of the person who had recorded over that conversation was Shang-Chi's half-sister, Fah Lo Suee. She was the one that Shang had noticed talking with Zaran outside his cabin before he burst in (to attack last issue). Shang-Chi still felt feverish, but no one in the assemblage thought that her message foreshadowed anything good. 

Longtime Master of Kung Fu readers like myself undoubtedly enjoyed the return of Shang's half sister. After all, if she was back, could Fu Manchu be far behind? After first reading this issue, I wondered just what she had in store for the remaining members of MI-6, as well as her plans for Shang and his friends who had long since left the agency. 

Well, that's all for this issue. Next time, I'll recap the eightieth issue of Master of Kung Fu. The group will convene in their new base to determine their next steps. We'll also see the debut of a few new characters, some good and others not so good. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.