Synopsis: Shang-Chi is at death’s door! The Deadly Warrior is dying from a mortal wound, and it looks like there’s only one person who can save him…his father? But he’s dead…right?
The Story
Picking the story up from the last issue. Shang-Chi along with Brother Sabre and Sister Dagger go in search of their father’s tomb. But on arrival, they find the tomb is guarded by a fierce dragon, which steals Sister Dagger’s candy. The dragon seems to take great pleasure in taunting the trio. However, Brother Sabre and Sister Dagger agree to hold the Dragon off to allow their brother his visit with the spirit of their father. During his visit. Shang-Chi learns the family’s secret and discovers that he must find a balance within his familial ties. Which is a key to him healing his wounds and ultimately defeating Sister Hammer.
The Artwork
Illustrated by Dike Ruan and Philip Tan. This penultimate issue is packed with some fantastic imagery. In particular, I loved the sequence in which our heroic trio takes on the monster that is guarding their father’s tomb. Furthermore, the sequence in which Shang-Chi meets the spirit of his uncle is really well-drawn. I loved how his uncle transforms from a spirit state into a solid body after he eats the offerings that are left for him.
Overall. The artwork in this issue is pretty epic.
Overall
The last three issues have built to this moment, which sets things up beautifully for the final issue, which should be on sale later this month. I have really enjoyed how writer Gene Luen Yang has mixed the martial arts action with mythology. And as someone that lives in the UK that is relatively uneducated about what the British did in regards to selling Opium to China as a means of trying to pacify and take control of the country. The way the writer ties all of that into the backstory for this book is brilliantly executed. It’s a real high point for the book.
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- Covers9.3
- Story9.8
- Artwork10
- Lettering9.5
- Colours10
