Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #69

 Hi everyone,

Today, I'm recapping the sixty-ninth issue of Marvel's monthly The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu comic book. The cover showed Shang evading the ball and chain attack from his old enemy, Skullcrusher. The story was called "Stairway to Rage!" The issue had a cover date of October 1978.

The tale began right where the last issue left off. Clive Reston, Melissa Greville, Leiko Wu, and Black Jack Tarr were about to depart on a boat to begin their journey home to London. Shang-Chi and Juliette were about to set sail in a second boat, heading toward her safehouse in Hong Kong. 

After reaching their destination, Juliette informed Shang that his nemesis, Skullcrusher, left her a message stating that he would be waiting for Shang-Chi at the Po Lin monastery just outside of Hong Kong. He claimed that he would be the new master of the monastery after his old foe passed his tests.

Shang had no wish to endure any tests, but still made the trek by himself to the monastery. Outside the front gate, he was met by several monks. They told Shang-Chi that they could not return to their monastery until it had been returned to them, adding that Skullcrusher had evicted them, but that he could not touch the true master's spirit that lived inside the dwelling. 

Shang-Chi then entered to face the three tests. The first test was a man armed with a cane. He proved to be no match for Shang. The second test awaited him at the top of a series of steps. A pair of men were playing music on pan flutes, before using those instruments as blowdart guns. The third test was at the top of the temple, in the form of a trio of scythe-wielding warriors.

None of his opponents was able to defeat Shang-Chi. The final enemy was none other than Skullcrusher himself. It was a pitched battle, but one that Shang emerged from victorious. Afterward, Juliette appeared to console the fallen foe. Shang-Chi then left the monastery and everything it contained. The monks were free to return to their longtime home.

I understand how the flashbacks involving Shang and Juliette could be seen as a bit confusing when compared to the overall storyline. Sometimes it could be difficult to understand their meaning. I don't think that I grasped their relevance until the story's end. I was a bit surprised to see Juliette's concern for an enemy, but I guess the heart wants what the heart wants. 

Well, that's it for this article. Next time, I'll recap the seventieth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Guest artist Pat Broderick teams up with writer Doug Moench on a new story. Shang and Black Jack Tarr travel to New York to return to part of Tarr's past. Unfortunately, it isn't a friendly reunion. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #68

 Good morning,

Today's topic is the sixty-eighth issue of The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover showed Shang squaring off against Shen Kuei, as a mysterious set of cat's eyes looked on. The story was called "Final Combats." The issue had a cover date of September 1978.

The tale began with Shang-Chi offering to join Kogar's cause for mutual profit. He stated that he'd grown tired of Juliette and could no longer protect her. As Leiko Wu, Melissa Greville, and Clive Reston watched from a safe distance, the warlord accepted Shang's proposal and instructed one of his guards to show his new employee to his quarters. Black Jack Tarr, in his guise as Black Jack Blue, was just as confused as the rest of his friends about Shang's change of heart.

Meanwhile, Pavane and Kuei were about to go through the hidden waterfall entrance of Kogar's base. Kogar knew that Shang-Chi and Black Jack had worked together before, but Tarr had no clue that his ally had been led into a trap and that he was about to be asked to slay his friend. Before Tarr could answer that request, Kuei jumped down to face Kogar.

Kogar was not surprised by the appearance of his former employee. He challenged Kuei to battle his best man, Shang-Chi. It was obvious from the look on Kuei's face that he and Shang knew each other. Shang-Chi did not want to fight, but Kogar's threat of harming Black Jack forced the issue. 

Each warrior fought bravely. During their struggle, they began to realize who the real villain was. At one point, Kogar claimed that Shang had put the crate that killed Kuei's brother in the back room of the Jade Peacock nightclub. Kuei knew that only Kogar would know that because he was responsible for the crate being placed there.

Just then, Juliette arrived, offering to trade her crates for Shang-Chi's life. Her appearance led to a gun battle between Kogar's men and their opponents. Shang led Juliette to safety after Kuei fled. They soon rejoined Tarr, Wu, Greville, and Reston as they ran into a tunnel that led to the outside of the mountain. On the way, Reston and Tarr spilled the beans about the neutron bomb plans that were hidden in the microdots that were attached to the blocks of hashish in the crates.

Once they were outside, Shang-Chi leapt down to meet Kuei once more. This time, they united in tossing grenades at the boats that carried the crates. Kogar went to attack them, but was felled by conveniently placed shrapnel. Kuei thanked Shang for his assistance before going to find Pavane. The rest of the heroes decided to escape in two boats. Shang-Chi took Juliette in one vessel, while Greville, Tarr, Reston, and Wu took the other. 

This issue was dedicated to Milton Caniff. It was a nice resolution for the Kogar storyline, one that brought most of the supporting characters back together. I liked how Kuei realized that Shang was not responsible for his brother's death, and figured out that they were both on the same side. 

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll discuss the sixty-ninth issue of Master of Kung Fu. Even though the Kogar situation was resolved, that doesn't mean that there aren't any loose ends to tie up. We'll find out where Shang-Chi and Juliette went, and what happened to them afterward. There will also be the return of another character from this storyline. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #67

 Good afternoon,

Today's topic is the sixty-seventh issue of Marvel Comics' The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The Paul Gulacy-drawn cover showed Shang in what could be considered a Bruce Lee pose. The story was called "Dark Encounters." The issue had a cover date of August 1978.

The tale began with Shang-Chi and Juliette fending off invaders from another boat. The intruders worked for Juliette's former boss, Kogar. Shang fought the intruders and finally tossed a grenade at their boat, causing several of them to abandon ship. Afterward, Juliette insisted that they resume their course and return to her safe house, confident that it would be the last place their enemy would look for them. 

Meanwhile, at the Hong Kong MI-6 office, Clive Reston and Melissa Greville asked the associate they met with who the fake police were who tried to arrest them. The agent assumed that the posers were agents of Communist China, and admitted that he'd given Leiko Wu information to locate Kogar's secret base, a destination that his two guests now wanted to go to.

Speaking of Leiko, she'd just entered the pirate's lair. It was an impressive base of operations. Now all she had to do was figure out how and where to find the information she needed.

In the storeroom of Juliette's safe house, Pavane and Shen Kuei were going through the one crate they'd found. It contained twenty bricks of hashish. Each brick had a microdot fastened to it. There were thousands of microdots left to collect. They brought the crate to the boat that their colleague Skullcrusher had secured before Kuei left to communicate with his contact.

Minutes later, Juliette and Shang-Chi returned to the safe house. She decided to leave the crates onboard, thinking they'd be safest there. She asked Shang to dock the boat while she went inside to get them something to eat. 

By then, Kogar and the rest of his crew had returned to their base. Among them was Black Jack Tarr, who was going by the name Black Jack Blue after having earned the warrior's trust. However, Kogar didn't yet trust him with everything just yet. He ordered Blue to stay behind while he and another crewman went inside his personal chambers with the crate they'd retrieved (that Shang-Chi had tossed from Juliette's boat last issue). This was a good opportunity for Tarr to scope out his surroundings.

At the same time, Wu was fighting several of Kogar's guards as she made her way toward the main building. In London, her former employer, Sir Dennis Nayland Smith, and his friend Doctor Petrie were wondering how Tarr was doing. Smith was confident that Tarr's mission was proceeding as planned. 

Tarr was standing by a window, where he could listen in to Kogar's conversation. He ordered one of his workers to place one of the microdots on a projector. If Tarr had looked up, he would have seen Wu descending the stairs across from him. 

Shortly thereafter, Reston and Greville arrived at the secret hideout. They opted to climb the mountain in search of a cave entrance, instead of looking for the waterfall entrance that Wu had already discovered. Meanwhile, as Tarr continued spying, he learned that the microdots contained plans for a destructive neutron bomb. 

Back at the safehouse. Shang-Chi and Juliette shared an intimate moment together. He later informed her that he had to go find Kogar alone. Little did he know that he was about to be reunited with his former MI-6 colleagues. Wu reunited with Tarr and Greville moments after seeing Tarr lurking around.

Shang entered the fray just as chaos was erupting around the base. Some of the fighting knocked out an internal generator, but a backup was soon up and running. By that time, Shang-Chi had been captured by a pair of Kogar's soldiers. In front of Kogar and Tarr, Shang stated that he'd grown weary of Juliette and now wished to join his cause for mutual benefit. 

This was another action-packed issue! I was surprised how willing Greville (who we first got to know after she'd been shot during an attack in London) was to join in. I thought she would be more passive. The Juliette love triangle still had yet to be resolved as well. Kogar was an interesting villain. He wasn't the type of guy who would usually work for another crime boss. 

Well, that's all for now. This storyline continues in the sixty-eighth issue of Master of Kung Fu. In that issue's recap, I'll talk about why Shang made the statement that he did at the end of this issue. We'll also see where Shen Kuei's loyalty lies. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #66

 Good morning,

Today I'll discuss the sixty-sixth issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover depicted Shang locked in combat with the warrior known as Kogar. The story was named "Two Rivers." The issue had a cover date of July 1978.

The action began at Juliette's safe house in Hong Kong, where she and Shang-Chi. Juliette's employer, Kogar, had just arrived with his crew to collect the crates that she hadn't delivered to their appointed destination. Among Kogar's crew was Shang's friend Black Jack Tarr, who was working under the guise of Black Jack Blue. 

Tarr accidentally let it slip that he knew Shang-Chi. This accident didn't go unnoticed by Kogar. He then noticed the unconscious Pavane, who was allied with his former associate Shen Kuei. Kogar asked Juliette and Shang what had happened to his cargo, but received no response. 

Kogar then asked Black Jack how he knew Shang-Chi. Tarr explained that they had both worked jobs as mercenaries together. He went on to say that Shang was a good man, to which Kogar replied that he had no issue with engaging in combat with the "good man." Shang-Chi didn't want to fight, but was prepared to defend Juliette. 

During the tussle, Kogar exchanged implements on the strange device on his left wrist. The cutting blade was soon replaced by an explosive drill bit. Shang-Chi evaded its bursts of power as he continued to fight. Minutes later, Shang-Chi and Juliette escaped after several members of her crew arrived to intervene. 

Juliette and Shang-Chi fled by boat and were soon followed by Kogar and his men. Their disappearances were noticed on land by Kuei and his lackey, the Skullcrusher. The duo reached the safehouse and found Pavane still lying on the floor unconscious. Kuei swore that whoever knocked her out would pay for that act.

While Shang-Chi and Juliette were trying to outdistance their foes, Clive Reston and Melissa Greville were still on the run from the phony Hong Kong police. The pair was on their way to the local MI-6 office.

Back at the safe house, Kuei located the crate that Shang was about to open (in the previous issue). Its contents appeared to be nothing more than bricks of hashish. However, Kuei explained to the now conscious Pavane that it was also far more than that.

When Juliette's boat reached a fork in the river, Shang-Chi threw one of the crates at the right fork, hoping to distract Kogar and his crew while they took the left fork. However, Kogar wasn't easily fooled. His boat went to recover the crate, while his subordinates' boat went down the left fork.

Juliette's boat eventually reached a quiet lagoon. There, Juliette stated that they should wait until they were sure they'd lost Kogar and his men before heading back to the safe house. thinking that would be the last place the villains would look for them. She then explained to Shang what had happened between her and Kuei since their last meeting. 

Juliette had stabbed herself with a knife, after which Kuei had rushed to her side to help his love. Knowing that Kuei was involved in illegal activities made her decision to work for Kogar a bit easier. That choice was aided by Kuei's replacing her with Pavane.

As Juliette reached her hand out to Shang-Chi to perhaps rekindle the spark from their initial meeting, Leiko Wu was being briefed at the Hong Kong MI-6 office about Kuei, Juliette, Pavane, and Kogar. She remembered her first fight with Pavane, back when she was employed by the late madman named Mordillo. The agent who'd shared those dossiers went on to explain Kogar's dealings and the facts that not having authority or territorial rights had prevented them from finding the criminal. He suggested that a single operative might be able to accomplish the task. 

Wu had left for the Black Rivers to explore the lead on her own by the time Reston and Greville arrived at the same MI-6 office in Hong Kong. Leiko reached the lagoon and was met with an unexpected surprise. Unfortunately, what she saw wouldn't be revealed until the next issue.

At dawn, Juliette and Shang woke up. Both Shang and Kuei were examining the crate cargo at different locations. Kuei admitted to Pavane that each block of hashish contained a microdot. Each microdot was a piece of a much larger puzzle. Pavane was determined to find the rest of the crates. Unbeknownst to them, part of Kogar's crew had floated silently next to Juliette's boat to claim their cargo for themselves.

This was another interesting James Bond kind of story. The microdots were clearly borrowed from other spy thrillers of the era, and it was nice to see how the different plot lines were slowly starting to weave together. This was Jim Craig's last issue of Master of Kung Fu, and I liked how he worked with Mike Zeck on embellishing Doug Moench's story.

Well, that's all for this morning. Next up is the sixty-seventh issue of Master of Kung Fu. We'll learn who recovered part of the cargo, and what they intend to do with the crates. We'll also see what Wu discovered, as former MI-6 operatives unite against Kogar...or do they? Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #65

 Good afternoon, loyal readers,

Welcome to my 450th blog article! Today's focus is the sixty-fifth issue of The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover, drawn by Ernie Chan, showed the titular character rushing to save Juliette from attacks by Pavane and her pet panther. The story was named "Black Knights." The issue had a cover date of June 1978.

The tale began where issue #63 left off. Pavane was attacking Shang-Chi with her whip as her associate Skullcrusher looked on. Shang threw a nearby sack at his attacker, knocking her out. He then assaulted Skullcrusher with one swift kick. Pavane ordered her panther to go before passing out. Skullcrusher threatened to crush Juliette's skull before retreating. Shang picked up both unconscious women and took them to Juliette's safe house.

Outside Hong Kong's Jade Peacock nightclub, Clive Reston and Melissa Greville found themselves under arrest by men who claimed to be part of the local police for damages incurred to the establishment. However, as they drove past the police station, it became obvious that their captors weren't who they said they were. Reston and Greville quickly fled the speeding car and escaped on foot, after having grown curious as to why their accusers knew so much about them so soon after they arrived in the country. 

At the Hong Kong MI-6 branch, Leiko Wu met with an agent. She brought papers certifying her work with Sir Dennis Nayland Smith and said that she was looking for her friend Shang-Chi. Wu asked for the latest information on Shen Kuei, also known as the Cat, and Juliette.

Meanwhile, Juliette was just coming around at her safe house. She admitted to Shang-Chi that a man named Kogar had hired her. He was the one who'd instructed her to leave the crate with an X marked on it. The explosives inside that crate killed Shen Kuei's brother at the Jade Peacock. Juliette was finally starting to see the double-crosses in her business arrangement. She also knew that Kogar would be after her, and confessed to Shang that she didn't know the contents of her cargo before passing out. After checking to see that Pavane was still tied up safely in the chair she sat on, Shang-Chi went back to the storeroom to inspect the containers' contents personally.

As for Kogar, he was in his base, telling Black Jack Tarr (who went by the alias of Black Jack Blue) that the crates in question should have already arrived. Kogar was just saying that they should learn what happened to them when a member of Juliette's crew who'd abandoned ship (in issue #63) arrived. He told his leader of the fight onboard Juliette's ship and that his associates were ordered to find their friends at the camp.

Shang was about to open one of the crates when he heard the sound of breaking wood coming from the house. He ran to see what the commotion was and found Juliette lying unconscious on the floor. Pavane had escaped. 

In the meantime, Skullcrusher ran into his master, Shen Kuei. Kuei was displeased by his lackey's failure and lashed out at him. He then ordered Skullcrusher to return to the house with him. Together, they would take care of Shang-Chi.

Shang wandered outside the house and was soon attacked from above by Pavane's whip. He was reluctant to fight a woman, but Pavane gave him no choice. Shang-Chi eventually used his opponent's weapon against her, as he pulled her whip, bringing both of them tumbling to the ground outside the house. 

While their struggle continued, Kogar, Tarr, and several of his other employees ventured out by boat to search for their missing crates. Shang knocked out Pavane's faithful panther before the villainess crashed through a house window. Shang-Chi followed her inside and gave a swift punch, knocking out his foe. 

Shang then went to Juliette's. She was still weak, but had recovered enough to inform her ally of the impending danger. She had no sooner stated that Kogar was on his way when he and Tarr arrived. Tarr's presence informed Shang-Chi that Smith was also after the crates, which made him wonder just what was so important about them. 

This issue just kept deepening the mysteries. I wondered who this Kogar character was, and how he'd gotten to know Juliette. I also began to question if Kuei would ever believe the truth behind his brother's death. It did seem like most of the supporting characters were going to reunite eventually in this storyline, and this issue kept things moving toward that path. 

Well, that's all I have for now. Next time, I'll discuss the sixty-sixth issue. Doug Moench, Mike Zeck, and Jim Craig will return for Craig's final issue. We'll see Shang-Chi face off against the mysterious Kogar and what dangers he poses. The contents of the crates will also be revealed. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #64

 Hi everyone,

Today's topic is the 64th issue of Marvel's monthly color comic book The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The Paul Gulacy-drawn cover showed Shang holding nunchuks while posed on a staircase, with what appears to be a fallen enemy behind and to his left. The tale was titled "Deadly Lesson: Like Father, Like Son...?" The issue had a cover date of May 1978. 

The story began on what seems to be a typical New York street during the daytime. Shang-Chi is thinking about his father, Fu Manchu's influence on him, when he bumps into a stranger. The mystery man moves to attack, then calls his name and swiftly runs away. Shang recognizes the man as Shoh Teng, someone he used to know in his youth.

Shang-Chi tries to follow Teng, who has by then darted into traffic before making his way to a staircase leading to the underground subway. Teng jumps the ticket carousel and hops into the next train car. Shang was close behind and managed to leap onto the back of the train just before it departed.

As Shang held on to the train car handle, he was reminded of a time thirteen years past, when he and Teng were sparring before their instructor, Cho Lin. Teng was a bit defensive when Shang-Chi offered a bit of constructive criticism regarding his technique. Moments later, Shang defeated his opponent and offered him a hand. They were about to continue their exercises when Manchu interrupted. 

Fu Manchu chided Lin for allowing his students to show pity and weakness in battle. Shang-Chi countered by saying that it was a mock exercise, one whose purpose was to show style regardless of the outcome. He added that Teng was his friend, to which his father replied that he himself was his son's only friend. Manchu told his son that style was never more important than winning before sending Shang-Chi off to go meditate alone. 

The obedient son did so, never knowing what fate Manchu would decree for Lin or Teng. He was alone in his chambers for quite some time until Teng reappeared. His friend led him to a hallway, where a trapdoor opened beneath him. Shang-Chi fell into another room, where a trio of strangers intended to kidnap Manchu's son and hold him for ransom. 

Shang defeated the two gunmen, but was knocked down by the third man. This opponent had a good grasp of the martial arts and countered every move Shang-Chi made. Shang fought well, but soon drifted off into unconsciousness after the stranger's final blow.

Meanwhile, Teng bowed before his master, Fu Manchu. He said that he'd done his part. The monarch smiled, noting that it was his turn. When Shang-Chi awoke, he found himself chained to a wall. His foe smiled at his captive moments before Manchu burst through the doors. The two were soon locked in combat. It would prove to be a struggle, and only one warrior would survive.

Afterward, Manchu released his son. Shang was shocked that his father killed his opponent, stating that his captor could have informed them who he worked for. His father replied that their common enemy wanted to trick him into giving him unearned trust. He added that Shang-Chi had been betrayed by a friend, and reinforced his point that he was his son's only friend. 

Manchu told Shang that he'd taken care of Teng, whom he hadn't seen until just then. When the train stopped, the two former friends squared off. Shang-Chi wanted to know why Teng reappeared, while Teng announced that his old companion wanted justice after all those years. Teng was out for blood and forced Shang-Chi into a fight that he didn't want.

During the skirmish, Teng admitted that Manchu had told him that this would only end by Shang killing him for his "betrayal," adding that it was his father who set up the kidnapping attempt in the first place, to deceive his son into trusting only him. Shang had no intention of killing anyone and walked away, hoping that they could at least be friends once more.

Teng hurled a dagger at Shang-Chi. Even with his back turned, Shang could hear the blade whip through the air. He turned and caught it, just before Teng pledged his allegiance to Manchu and threw himself at the electrified train rail, dying almost instantly. 

Shang realized that the dagger was a ceremonial knife used by the Si-Fan. It indicated that Teng was not as innocent as he claimed to be. To Shang-Chi, it was another game of death and deceit. He thought about his father's staged kidnapping during his youth, which only added to his dislike of Manchu. Shang-Chi learned to survive, and in doing so, knew that he could only trust himself. This was a fact which he knew could make life both long and lonely. 

I thought that this was another interesting solo story. Mike Zeck and Doug Moench created a good story that introduced another of Shang's former friends from his childhood, and it taught a valuable life lesson. My only complaint was that it was scheduled in the middle of another intriguing multi-part storyline.

Well, that's all for now. Next time, I'll recap the sixty-fifth issue of Master of Kung Fu. That issue continues the Hong Kong story. We'll see more of Shang's encounter with Skullcrusher and Pavane, and find out what happens to Black Jack Tarr, Kogar, Shen Kuei, and Juliette. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another. 

Retro Comic Recap: Master of Kung Fu #63

 Good morning,

Today's topic is the sixty-third issue of Marvel's The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu. The cover, drawn by comic book legends Gil Kane and Terry Austin, showed the titular character facing an unknown opponent, with his old enemies, Skullcrusher and Pavane, flanking him on either side. The story was called "Hiding Cats." The issue had a cover date of April 1978.

The tale picked up from the previous issue, when Shang had just found Juliette on a boat leaving Hong Kong harbor. Juliette (last seen in issue #39) admitted to Shang-Chi that she and Shen Kuei no longer had what they once shared. She stated that she thought her former lover was working for the Red Chinese. She wasn't sure just what he was doing, but was confident that it was nothing good.

She explained that was why she posed as a smuggler. Jade took the last shipment that arrived at the Jade Peacock and was told by someone she thought she could trust to leave a designated crate behind. She had no idea of the crate's explosive contents or that it would be used to hurt anyone. Shang then asked her why the crate had exploded. Juliette replied that part of the answer to that question could be found in the hijacked crates that were now aboard her boat, but that wasn't all.

Shang-Chi detected a change in his former ally. She confessed that Shen Kuei had taken a new lover before announcing that they could take the packages to her safe house downriver. Shang was advised not to fret over the crewmen he'd defeated. Juliette remarked that nothing could change their deaths and that more lives would be at risk if they didn't reach the safe house before dusk.

At Kuei's headquarters, the man also known as the Cat was berating his employee, the Skullcrusher, for his recent failures. His first mistake was going to London to try and kill Shang-Chi. Skullcrusher's second mistake, according to Kue,i was failing to slay Shang, who Kuei thought had killed his brother. He demanded that Shang-Chi be killed as a result of his brother's death.

Kuei remembered his first encounter with the "Britisher" and realized that he himself could not kill him. He decided to give Skullcrusher another chance at completing the job. Kuei added that he would send a companion and instructed Skullcrusher to wait for her. 

At the Hong Kong airport, Clive Reston and Melissa Greville were gathering their luggage from the baggage claim area. Reston hailed a cab that would take them to their hotel before going to investigate the Jade Peacock. Meanwhile, Melissa's employer, Sir Dennis Nayland Smith, was discussing her disappearance with Doctor Petrie. The two men expressed concern about the recent rise in smuggling by Communist China. 

Smith went on to say that MI-5 had developed a list of rather unsavory characters and that Black Jack Tarr had gone to Hong Kong undercover to check things out. The two men were pondering his fate, as we saw Tarr in disguise approach a couple of rough-looking blokes and asked them if they knew a man named Kogar. Tarr said that he had some experience in imports before being ushered into the boat below him. He was then blindfolded and knocked unconscious before the trio embarked on their voyage. 

Back in London, Leiko realized there wasn't anything left in the city for her anymore. She exited her apartment after telling the Siamese cat that her friend Linda would stop by daily to look in on it. At the same time, Kuei was talking with a new female companion, one who he'd hoped might help him forget Juliette.

Before long, Juliette's boat arrived at her safe house. She instructed her crew members to go to the camp and tell its inhabitants to meet her at the house as soon as possible. When asked by Shang-Chi who the camp residents were, she merely replied that they were friends like him. 

Tarr was later awoken by water splashing on his face. He looked up and found himself inside a cave that hid a miniature city. What he didn't know then was that Kogar and his associate were not far away. Tarr took the initiative to knock out his associates and commandeered his boat. He soon arrived at a dock where the tall warrior known as Kogar and his diminutive by comparison colleague Sklar were waiting for their new employee.

Juliette and Shang finally reached her safe house. She moored the boat and opened her residence while Shang started out to unload the ship's cargo. However, when he went to the storehouse door, he found his enemy, Skullcrusher, standing in front of him.

By the time Greville and Reston arrived at the Jade Peacock, they found the club had been locked and boarded up. They assumed that Shang-Chi might have been involved in this. They were just beginning to investigate when a quartet of officers informed them that they were under arrest by the Hong Kong police.

Back at Juliette's safe house, the brawl between Skullcrusher and Shang began. During the conflict, Shang-Chi noticed Juliette above him. He ran to catch her before she fell. Fortunately, his friend landed on top of a pile of sacks that had been stacked up. Shang-Chi then saw the reason why Juliette had fallen, namely, his rival, Pavane, and her faithful jaguar. 

This was another fun, suspense-filled issue. Doug Moench and Jim Craig had readers on the edge of their seats after every page had been turned. I wasn't a big fan of Skullcrusher, finding his ball and chain weapon similar to those that were used by Marvel super villains, the Absorbing Man and Thunderball from the Wrecking Crew, but I was happy to see the return of Pavane. The love triangles were rather interesting, too.

Well, that's all for now. Next up is the sixty-fourth issue of Master of Kung Fu. This issue doesn't continue this storyline, but it is a new tale drawn by Mike Zeck with a cover illustrated by Paul Gulacy. In this issue, another person from Shang-Chi's past returns to influence the present. Until then, have a great week and don't forget to be kind to one another.