Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #110

Good morning, 

Today's focus is the one hundred and tenth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed the titular character battling an unknown enemy, as the pair appear to be falling from a skyscraper. The story was called "Perilous Reign." The issue had a cover date of March 1982.

The tale began on a rainy day at Stormhaven Castle in Scotland, home of Freelance Restorations, Limited. Shang and Leiko Wu were involved in a practice session. However, Shang-Chi's mind seemed to be occupied with other matters at the moment.

Sir Dennis Nayland Smith commended Dark Angel on her recent defection from the KGB, as his associates, Black Jack Tarr and Clive Reston, listened. Smith wondered if her fears about the latest information were warranted. Angel assured the group that they were.

She went on to describe a man named Grigori Sovchenko, who grew up to become a martial arts master. He went on to be known as the Ghost Maker and rose in influence within Soviet Russia. Angel was convinced that the assassin would be attacking a military base in Sussex the following Tuesday. Smith decided to send Tarr to the base to investigate. Tarr asked Shang and Wu to accompany him.

The trio had no sooner arrived at the complex known as Dragonfly Spire when the troops on the ground were hit with sleep gas canisters. Shang, Leiko, and Tarr joined some of the soldiers as they made their way toward the control center inside. Unfortunately, the defenses that were deployed did little damage to the Ghost Maker's troops.

A lengthy firefight began, which wasn't even interrupted by the collision of a helicopter into the tower. Shang eventually faced the Ghost Maker in hand-to-hand combat outside the facility. The villain fled via jetpack, as Shang-Chi noticed that the stones on the nearby wall felt like they were burning.

Shang returned inside and was able to save Tarr from falling through a broken floor. Unfortunately, his nemesis kidnapped Leiko and flew away with her. Shang-Chi carried Tarr to a waiting helicopter. Once inside, Tarr noted that a canister of acid rain had been dropped, a weapon that the villain intended to use to rain on the queen's parade. 

I remember seeing the Ghost Maker in a Daredevil annual back in the mid-nineties, an issue that Shang-Chi also appeared in. His costume looked similar to some of the G.I. Joe Ninja Force action figure characters at the time. He was about evenly matched with Shang in terms of fighting skills, and I'm glad that he was still utilized after this title was cancelled. 

That's all I have for today. Tomorrow, I'll write about the one hundred and eleventh issue of Master of Kung Fu. We'll learn where the Ghost Maker took Leiko, and if he was able to carry out his intentions for Great Britain. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.