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Shang-Chi

Shang-Chi
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Creation & Design

Shang-Chi was created during the martial arts craze of the 1970s, inspired by the popularity of kung fu films. His character was designed to be a master of martial arts and a skilled fighter.

Early Years

Shang-Chi was introduced as the son of the villain Fu Manchu, raised in isolation to become a weapon for his father's criminal empire. He eventually rebels against his father's teachings and seeks to fight for justice.

Character Development

Over the years, Shang-Chi has evolved from a character primarily defined by his martial arts prowess to a complex hero grappling with his heritage, identity, and the moral implications of his actions.

Cultural Reception

Shang-Chi has been well-received by audiences and critics alike, praised for his depth and the representation of Asian characters in comics.

Character Details

Real Name:
Shang-Chi
Aliases:
Master of Kung Fu, The Hands of Shang-Chi
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Avengers, Heroes for Hire, Secret Avengers
Abilities:
Master martial artist, Expert in hand-to-hand combat, Chi manipulation
Equipment:
Nunchaku, Various martial arts weapons
Weight:
160lbs
Height:
5' 10"
Eye Color:
brown
Hair Color:
black
Marvel Dec 1973

Special Marvel Edition #15

Special Marvel Edition #15
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1st appearance of Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu
1st appearance of Sir Dennis Nayland-Smith
1st appearance of Fu Manchu, father of Shang-Chi, later renamed Han, then Zheng Zu
1st team appearance of Si-Fan, a secret society with allegiances to Fu Manchu
1st appearance of Shang-Chi's unnamed mother, an American - later retconned in Shang-Chi #4 (2021)
Marvel Jan 1974

Special Marvel Edition #16

Special Marvel Edition #16
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2nd appearance of Shang-Chi
1st appearance of Midnight Sun, a highly trained martial artist and master of stealth
Title becomes Master of Kung-Fu
As of December 1, 2023 there exists only 18 copies in 9.8 on the census compared to 129 copies for Shang Chi's first appearance in Special Marvel Edition #15
Marvel Apr 1974

Master of Kung Fu #17

Master of Kung Fu #17
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$4
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$12
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$45
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3rd appearance of Shang-Chi
1st appearance of Black Jack Tarr, an M6 agent
Title changes to Master of Kung-Fu, formerly Special Marvel Edition
Marvel Jun 1974

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Special #1

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Special #1
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'Special Album Edition'
84-page martial arts special with photographs and painted representations of David Carradine, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu along with stories featuring Marvel characters
1st cover appearance of Shang-Chi and Iron Fist - characters do not interact in any of the interior stories
Marvel Jun 1974

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
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$4
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Origin of Shang-Chi continued
1st appearance of Ducharme, a woman who has played double agent for MI6 and Fu Manchu
First reprint of Special Marvel Edition #15 (1974) - first appearance of Shang-Chi
Marvel Oct 2006 Vol 2

Heroes for Hire #1

Heroes for Hire #1
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$1
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$2
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$3
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1st team appearance of the new Heroes for Hire: Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Humbug, Tarantula, Shang-Chi, Black Cat, Orka and Paladin
1st appearance of Tarantula, Maria Vasquez, a female version of the original Tarantula with blades on her boots and wrists
Marvel Dec 2011

Secret Avengers #18

Secret Avengers #18
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Captain America refers to Shang-Chi as an Avenger
In Secret Avengers #6, Captain America recruits Shang-Chi for a mission
In Secret Avengers #10, Captain America refers to Black Widow, Moon Knight and Shang-Chi as Avengers but much more direct in this issue which Shang-Chi recognizes
Marvel May 2015 Vol 2

Master of Kung-Fu #1

Master of Kung-Fu #1
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Four-issue limited series that occurs on the alternate reality planet of Battleworld
1st appearance of Zheng Zu, Emperor of the 10 Rings Citadel and the father of Shang-Chi
There are elements of the Shang-Chi movie that are introduced here such as the 10 Rings being an organization and an update of Fu Manchu's origin, a tournament and a martial arts school
1st appearance of Laughing Skull (Taskmaster), Typhus (Typhoid Mary), Red Sai (Elektra) and Nightwind
Introduction of the Thirteen Chambers, a tournament of master martial artists
Marvel Jan 2018 Vol 3

Master of Kung Fu #126

1:25
Master of Kung Fu #126
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$4
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$40
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Variant cover art by Mike Mayhew
Written by CM Punk
One-shot Legacy Numbering that began with Special Marvel Edition #1 (1971)
Marvel Sep 2021 Vol 2

Shang-Chi #4

Shang-Chi #4
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$1
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$2
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$4
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1st appearance and origin of Jiang Li, Shang Chi's mother in what appears to be a retcon to the original introduction of an American version of the character from Special Marvel Edition #15 (1974)

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