Good morning, everyone,
Today's topic is the one hundred and ninth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang-Chi with ripped clothes in the foreground, with images of Zaran the weapons master, Dark Angel, an unknown gunman, several playing cards, and images of flags from Great Britain and the USSR in the background. The story was called "The Dark Angel's Kiss." The issue had a cover date of February 1982.
The tale began back at Stormhaven Castle in Scotland, the primary base for Sir Dennis Nayland Smith's Freelance Restorations Limited. Leiko Wu was setting up the tennis ball cannon in the courtyard for Shang's exercise session. Shang-Chi deftly blocked all two dozen tennis balls that were aimed at him.
Afterward, the couple noticed a moving van outside. Mandy Greville was preparing to move her school for the blind out of the castle, with her sister Melissa's assistance. Wu and Shang went to help them, before Leiko mentioned that Melissa and Clive Reston were no longer an item (which I thought had already been clarified previously).
Meanwhile, Zaran was engaged in his own practice session at his lodge. He had just finished when Shang-Chi's half-sister, Fah Lo Suee, arrived. She broke off their involvement and derided her former flame, leaving him in a burst of intoxicating mimosa gas. Her guards, who were waiting outside, gave Zaran a brief roughing up before leaving with their master in a car. Zaran stumbled and made his way back inside his domicile, swearing that this was all Dark Angel's fault, and that she must pay accordingly.
Back at Stormhaven, Melissa was saying her final goodbye with Reston. They both knew that their romance wasn't meant to last, especially now that Clive was enamored with Dark Angel. She turned down Smith's invitation to stay for the fox hunt the next day, noting that she and Mandy had to be in London to greet the movers.
After their car left, the group went inside. Reston reconnected with Angel, while Smith, Shang, Wu, and Black Jack Tarr talked about the loss of their friends and how hearts can change. At the same time, Zaran was busy talking on the phone with someone from the Soviet embassy who could help with his upcoming mission.
The next day, Smith, Angel, Reston, and Tarr were suited up and ready for the hunt. Shang-Chi and Leiko were occupied observing a small bird and her two baby chicks, before hearing the starting horn and jumping down from the tree they were in to join the riding party. Shang was more interested in watching the deer cross until he noticed a familiar face in the woods.
Before too long, the main party had spotted the fox and was in fast pursuit. Angel lagged behind until her horse was tripped up by a bola and she was knocked to the ground. Zaran and his newly acquired lackeys were about to do her in when Shang-Chi intervened. Reston, Tarr, and Wu rode on to assist their new comrade.
During the melee, Zaran fled on horseback, followed quickly by Shang into the local cemetery. The two jumped off their horses and engaged in hand-to-hand combat soon thereafter. Shang-Chi defeated his old opponent once more, moments before providing the fox and avenue to elude his followers.
Shang's friends joined him at the cemetery after the Russian lackeys had been apprehended. Zaran lay unconscious at Shang-Chi's feet and was brought back to the castle. As they departed, Shang-Chi wondered about the choices made by Zaran, as well as those of Melissa.
This issue wrapped up Melissa and Mandy Greville's involvement in this comic book series. I thought they had potential, but after Reston broke up with Melissa, her involvement was greatly reduced. I initially assumed that she might be their computer expert, but that didn't happen. Mandy's school for the blind never took off, either. It was rarely mentioned after the initial idea. She almost seemed kind of forgotten after being rescued from the cult in New York.
I'm more surprised by the unexplained disappearances of Lyman Leeks, Doctor Petrie, and Miss Haversham. I know that supporting characters in comic books often disappear without notice or explanation, but having three characters vanish at the same time was a bit odd to me. Zaran and Angel continued to be intriguing characters, and the fox hunt was an interesting background for the action sequences.
Well, that's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll discuss the one hundred and tenth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Someone from Angel's past resurfaces and encounters Shang-Chi, Leiko, and Tarr for the first time. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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