Synopsis: The true origin of Shang-Chi and his family is concluded. Shang-Chi’s parents, Jiang Li and Zheng Zu, have fallen in love and built a nurturing family. But what terrible event rips Shang-Chi’s family apart forever? It’s not what you think! Plus: In the present, Shang-Chi continues to fight off an assassination attempt from all sides!
The Story
Having begun to tell Shang-Chi the story of how his father humiliated his Grandfather Xin in the last issue. Jiang Li is interrupted by the arrival of her father who has sworn to get vengeance on his Shang-Chi and the Five Weapons Society. Having found a lull in the battle. Jiang continues her story where we learn that a very young Shang was used by his late father as a means of humiliating his Grandfather Xin.
As the battle ends. Shang and his people enjoy a brief moment of respite only for Xin to pull off a last-minute plan that frees his people and allows him to kidnap his daughter Jiang Li.
The Artwork
Dike Ruan pulls off some fantastic artwork for this issue and draws a brilliant stand-off between Jiang Li’s father Xin and her husband Zheng Zu. The stand-off is brilliantly drawn and the facial expressions that we get from Jiang Li when she is caught in the middle are brilliant. The closing fight between Shang-Chi and Xin is also brilliantly drawn.
Overall
A fantastic issue to close out the story arc on. The backstory is handled fantastically by Gene Luen Yang who has done a great job of building this world over the last seven issues. The next arc is already set up and ready to go. And I for one can’t wait to read it. Hopefully, we get a little more Chinese mysticism thrown into the pot as that is an aspect of this comic that I have truly enjoyed.
- Covers9.8
- Story9.7
- Artwork10
- Lettering9.4
- Colours10
