Retro Comic Revisited: Marvel Comics Presents #6

Good afternoon,

I figured that now was about as good a time as any to write about the Master of Kung Fu story that appeared in the sixth issue of Marvel Comics Presents. The story was called "Crossing Lines VI: Shoals." The issue had a cover date of early November 1988.

The tale began at a Japanese warehouse, where Shang-Chi was posing as an arms dealer. His associate, Shen Kuei, took out one of the buyers, who took his delivery, made payment, and left with his cargo quickly. Afterward, Shang made a phone call to his colleague, Black Jack Tarr.

Tarr wasn't happy with the results of the conversation, but Clive Reston reminded him how Shang-Chi had been affected by his visit to a heroin ward under the recommendation of Sir Dennis Nayland Smith. Shang had morals, which the two men did find honorable. 

Later, Kuei and Shang-Chi watched as their crate was dropped off by a plane. It was then picked up by their buyer, who loaded it onto a ship. The unexpected crate soon exploded, severely damaging the vessel. Shang and Kuei were able to slip by afterward undetected. 

The duo was on their way to meet with Hashioka, their contact who had been involved in the whole affair. They went to a Yakuza nightclub in Tokyo to meet him. After completing their transaction, Kuei and Shang-Chi rejoined Tarr and Reston, who had more information on Argus, the drugrunner who had kidnapped Leiko Wu. 

They learned more about the villain's motives and knew that he had been a key player in the arms deals. Argus was also linked with the terrorist organization that they were trying to stop, and that Leiko was a pawn in their games of deceit and death. 

I like the fact that the twice-monthly Marvel Comics Presents allowed creators to showcase works that probably wouldn't appear in other titles. However, the eight-page limit restricts just how much can be shared in a single issue. This issue felt like it went by rather fast. I wanted to know more about Hashioka and Argus, but I guessed that I'd have to wait for the remaining chapters to see how everything played out, including what would happen to Leiko. 

You can go ahead and read the other stories in this issue about Wolverine, Man-Thing, and the Hulk (in his Joe Fixit persona) until I write about the seventh chapter in this storyline. In the next issue, we'll see Shang's first meeting with Argus and learn more about the chemical weapon that the villain was preparing. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.