Warning: contains spoilers forAvengers Assemble#1!
Marvel is setting the stage for oneMCUstar to be the next leader of theAvengers. For Shang-Chi, his journey from cult hero to MCU icon has been a long one, but now it has culminated with a spot alongside Earth’s Mightiest Heroes. InAvengers Assemble#1,Shang-Chi joins Captain America’s new Avengers Emergency Response Squad, and quickly makes a case to be the team’s leader.
Avengers Assemble#1 was writtenby Steve Orlando and drawn by Cory Smith. Shang-Chi arrives at the Avengers Mansion, joined by Photon and the Wasp. No sooner than they arrive, trouble rears its head. Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull, has returned, and Captain America needs Avengers on the ground. As the four head into battle,Shang-Chi yells the trademark “Avengers Assemble!”Yet Shang-Chi proves his worthiness when he uses his powers to neutralize Sin’s emotional powers, which had overpowered his teammates.
Shang-Chi’s Comic Book Origin, Explained
Shang-Chi’s Origin Has Been Revamped Over the Years
In the early 1970s, inspired by the success of films such asEnter the Dragon, a martial arts craze swept through America, and comics got in on the act. Both DC and Marvel unveiled “masters” of various forms of martial arts, such as Richard Dragon, Iron Fist and Shang-Chi. Created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, and debuting in 1973’sSpecial Marvel Edition#15, Shang-Chi would go on to headline his own title, which ran until 1983. While the martial arts fad faded, Shang-Chi stuck around, thanks in part to the superb work of Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy.
While Shang-Chi’s origin has been subjected to several retcons due to licensing issues since 1973, some parts remain consistent. In every telling of the story, Shang-Chi was raised to be a living weapon, killing and sowing chaos on behalf of his evil father. While Shang-Chi’s father has changed, going from the racist caricature Fu Manchu to the immortal crime lord Zheng Zhu, this part has remained consistent, and was included in the character’s MCU outing. Shang-Chi, upon learning the truth about his father, vowed to bring him down.
Shang-Chi Is Very Much a Part of the Marvel Universe
Shang-Chi’s MCU Movie Significantly Raised His Profile
Shang-Chi’s quest to destroy his father’s criminal empire has brought him into contact with the heroes of the Marvel Universe many times. One of the most notable occurred in 2010’sSecret Avengers#6-10, in the story arc “Eyes of the Dragon.” The story, written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Mike Deodato, updated Shang-Chi’s origin, dispensing with some of the problematic elements that had bogged the character down since his creation. Shang-Chi also had to reckon with his original purpose in life: to be a living weapon. During the adventure, Captain America assured him he could be much more.
In the years since “Eyes of the Dragon,”Shang-Chi’s status in the Marvel Universehas risen considerably, spurred in part by his leap to the MCU. Famously part of the original deal leading to the MCU’s formation, Shang-Chi’s feature film introduced him to a new generation of fans, as well as a series of new books, written by Gene Luen Yang and featuring art by Dike Ruan and Marcus To. These titles established a new place for Shang-Chi, who took over as the leader of his father’s old group, the Five Weapons Society.
Shang-Chi Has Only Grown in Power and Stature
His New Role in the Avengers Continues His Ascent to the Big Time
Shang-Chi was already the best martial artist on Earth, and the Ten Rings, along with the resources provided by the Five Weapons Society, have elevated him to Marvel’s upper echelon.
Shang-Chi has also gained a massive power upgrade, in the form of the Ten Rings. These Rings are objects of vast power, and Shang-Chi uses them throughoutAvengers Assemble#1 to brilliant effect. The Ten Rings quickly transport him and his fellow Avengers to Sin’s location, and they play an instrumental role in stopping the Nazi villain. Shang-Chi was already the best martial artist on Earth, and the Ten Rings, along with the resources provided by the Five Weapons Society, have elevated him to Marvel’s upper echelon.
Shang-Chi’s new role in the Avengers could continue the character’s ascent. As a member, Shang-Chi will gain a level of exposure he never had before. For most of his career, Shang-Chi has worked on the fringes of the Marvel Universe, despite meeting its heroes many times. With his father defeated, seemingly for good, the time has come for Shang-Chi to go above ground, and take his rightful placebeside Captain America and the Avengers.Shang-Chi effortlessly proves he belongs among them inAvengers Assemble#1.
Avengers Assemble#1 Makes the Case for Shang-Chi Leading the Team
Yet throughout the issue, Shang-Chi also proves he has what it takes to lead the Avengers. When Sin’s powers begin proving too much for the rest of the team, Shang-Chi takes charge, using his intellect to figure out a solution and his powers to implement it. Shang-Chi invoking the classic “AvengersAssemble” is well-earned in this issue, and hopefully foreshadows a stint for thisMCUicon as leader of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
