Today's topic is the ninety-seventh issue of The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang in a defensive pose, flanked on each side by Sir Dennis Nayland Smith and Leiko Wu, respectively. The story was called "Lost Art." The issue had a cover date of February 1981.
The tale began with a picture of Shang at the top and bottom of the yin-yang symbol. We then saw Shang-Chi close the blinds and sit on the floor as he began to meditate. Shang's thoughts went back to the villains he had encountered (in recent issues). The narrative extended beyond the traditional comic strip panels to the bottom of several pages in this issue.
A pacifist by nature, Shang-Chi abhorred violence, but kept being drawn into situations where violence was required. That included his recent spats with his fellow associate Clive Reston and his biological father, the evil warlord Fu Manchu. He figured that the reasons for his increased anger were that he had become westernized.
His pondering was interrupted by the entrance of Leiko. She was saddened after discovering a dove in the yard that had been killed by Shang's Siamese cat. Shang-Chi consoled her and took the blame for her recent infidelity with her former love, Reston. The couple then moved on to the exercise room.
After their workout, Wu and Shang rejoined their comrades, Reston and Black Jack Tarr. Tarr said that two of them had to go to London to interview a potential new client for Freelance Restorations, while the other two would stay behind and assist Smith at the evening's display of his art collection. Wu took a coin from her pocket. She called heads, and the call was in her favor. She later revealed to Shang-Chi that she'd used a two-headed coin that Tarr had given her for a birthday.
Later that evening, Shang greeted the catering crew before guests arrived. The guest of honor was Major Pendleton Asquith, who had suggested the event idea to Smith. At dinner, Doctor Petrie mentioned that there had been several art thefts in the area recently.
Following dinner, Smith presented his latest acquisition, namely, a surrealist painting that drew both praise and in-depth analysis. The group then reconvened in the dining room for the dessert train, which was an unexpected surprise, as several men adorning alien masks popped out of the train cars and held the guests and hosts at gunpoint.
After the group had been led into an adjoining room, Shang-Chi and Leiko were able to overpower the guards and fight the remaining thieves, while making sure that Smith and his guests were free from harm. They eventually realized that the intruders had stolen the catering van and that their leader was the man posing as Asquith. Asquith had tried to steal several of Smith's paintings, including the surrealist work of art that had just been introduced to the crowd earlier that evening.
Once everything had been resolved, Smith made a quick call to the catering company. He explained what had happened. Smith added that the dessert train was unexpected, but still a masterpiece in and of itself.
This felt like a bit of a filler issue, perhaps a bridge before the build-up to the series's 100th issue. It was still an enjoyable read. I appreciated how the narrative expanded beyond the typical word balloons and text boxes within the traditional panels. We got more of Shang-Chi's perspective, and it showed his growth as a character. I just wish that the supporting characters like Tarr, Reston, or Miss Greville would have had more involvement in this yarn.
That's all for this article. Next time, I'll recap the ninety-eighth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Melissa Greville's sister Mandy has recruited her first client. It's up to Shang-Chi to deliver her to Stormhaven. However, that's not to say that he won't have some resistance along the way. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.
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