Shang-Chi
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
Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.
Special Marvel Edition #15
Marvel
•
1973
•
Vol. 1
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)
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)
Special Marvel Edition #16
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Master of Kung Fu #17
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #1
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
4th appearance and origin of Shang-Chi
1st team appearance of Sons of the Tiger: Bob Diamond, Black Tiger, Lin Sun
4th appearance and origin of Shang-Chi
1st team appearance of Sons of the Tiger: Bob Diamond, Black Tiger, Lin Sun
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Special #1
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
'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
'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
Giant-Size Spider-Man #2
Marvel
•
1974
•
Vol. 1
First meeting of Spider-Man and Shang-Chi
First crossover of Shang-Chi outside of a Kung Fu series
First meeting of Spider-Man and Shang-Chi
First crossover of Shang-Chi outside of a Kung Fu series
Special Collector's Edition Featuring Savage Fists of Kung Fu #1
Marvel
•
1975
•
Vol. 1
84-page oversized one-shot reprinting stories from:
Kung-Fu Special (1974)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
84-page oversized one-shot reprinting stories from:
Kung-Fu Special (1974)
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
Master of Kung-Fu Annual #1
Marvel
•
1976
•
Vol. 1
First team-up of Shang-Chi and Iron Fist
1st appearance of Quan-St'ar, the first to slay Shou-Lao the dragon of K'un-Lun
First team-up of Shang-Chi and Iron Fist
1st appearance of Quan-St'ar, the first to slay Shou-Lao the dragon of K'un-Lun
Master of Kung Fu #125
Marvel
•
1983
•
Vol. 1
Final issue
Marvel Knights #1
Marvel
•
2000
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Marvel Knights, unofficial name, led by Daredevil: Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Moon Knight and Dagger
1st team appearance of the Marvel Knights, unofficial name, led by Daredevil: Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Moon Knight and Dagger
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #15
Marvel
•
2002
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Shang-Chi of the Ultimate Universe
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu #1
Max
•
2002
•
Vol. 1
1st appearance of Moving Shadow, half-brother of Shang-Chi
Heroes for Hire #1
Marvel
•
2006
•
Vol. 2
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
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
Free Comic Book Day 2011: The Amazing Spider-Man
Marvel
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
Shang-Chi teaches Spider-Man martial arts
Secret Avengers #18
Marvel
•
2011
•
Vol. 1
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
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
Variant cover art by David Aja featuring Shang-Chi
Variant cover art by Agustin Alession
Copies ordered by retailers: 40,000
Variant cover art by Agustin Alession
Copies ordered by retailers: 40,000
Master of Kung-Fu #1
Marvel
•
2015
•
Vol. 2
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
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
Variant cover art by Jackson "Butch" Guice
Totally Awesome Hulk #15
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
1st unofficial team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Kamala Khan, Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Amadeus Cho
1st unofficial team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Kamala Khan, Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Amadeus Cho
Totally Awesome Hulk #16
Marvel
•
2017
•
Vol. 1
1st official team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Ms Marvel (Khan), Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Hulk (Cho)
1st official team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Ms Marvel (Khan), Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Hulk (Cho)
Variant cover art by Mike Mayhew
Written by CM Punk
One-shot Legacy Numbering that began with Special Marvel Edition #1 (1971)
Variant cover art by Mike Mayhew
Written by CM Punk
One-shot Legacy Numbering that began with Special Marvel Edition #1 (1971)
Variant cover art by Haining
Shang-Chi #1
Marvel
•
2020
•
Vol. 1
1st team appearance of the Five Weapons Society: Sister Hammer, Brother Staff, Brother Sabre, Sister Dagger
1st team appearance of the Five Weapons Society: Sister Hammer, Brother Staff, Brother Sabre, Sister Dagger
Variant cover art by Jen Bartel
Variant cover art by Art Adams
Variant virgin cover art by InHyuk Lee
Variant cover art by Alex Ross featuring Shang-Chi
Legend of Shang-Chi #1
Marvel
•
2021
•
Vol. 1
Someone has been stealing artifacts of WMD potential. It’s up to Shang-Chi to find this person and stop them. But is he prepared to go toe-to-toe with Lady Deathstrike?!
Someone has been stealing artifacts of WMD potential. It’s up to Shang-Chi to find this person and stop them. But is he prepared to go toe-to-toe with Lady Deathstrike?!
Variant cover art by J. Scott Campbell
Variant cover art by Michael Cho
Shang-Chi #3
Marvel
•
2021
•
Vol. 2
1st appearance of Zhilan, the sister of Shang-Chi and a mutant warrior gifted with the ability to transform music into solid energy
1st appearance of Zhilan, the sister of Shang-Chi and a mutant warrior gifted with the ability to transform music into solid energy
Variant cover art by Michael Cho
Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month edition
Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month edition
Shang-Chi #4
Marvel
•
2021
•
Vol. 2
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)
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)
Variant cover art by Michael Cho
Variant cover art by Michael Cho
Variant cover art by Michael Cho
Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!
By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.
Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:
- Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
- Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])
At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!