Shang-Chi: Appreciation 2020

[Hypestyle]

has Art Adams ever drawn an actual Shang Chi arc? That could be good.

[Tien Long]

has Art Adams ever drawn an actual Shang Chi arc? That could be good.

Ha, probably not. Would be cool though.

As it turns out, the aforementioned cover will be a variant for the first issue of the miniseries.

[Mr.Majestic]

At the end of the day, Shang is still just a peak level human. Put those who have distance attacks or can fly against him and Shang would be beaten.

Well same deal with Wolverine. Any flying blaster would light him up.

I recently completed the anime series Kengan Ashura on Netflix (definitely check it out because it's a great watch). It's about the Japanese underworld of corporate espionage and mixed martial arts tournaments.

Thanks for the recommendation. Any other ones? I'm not a huge Manga mark but I loved Hajime no Ippo and Grappler Baki.

>>Edit add: WTF? There's a new Grappler Baki OVA?

[Blind Wedjat]

New video showing a Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings set.

[Hypestyle]

New video showing a Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings set.

hey nice. at least it's getting some mainstream buzz from local news down there.

[Tien Long]

New video showing a Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings set.

hey nice. at least it's getting some mainstream buzz from local news down there.

Ha, yes, thanks for updating everyone on Shang-Chi related events. Been busy this week and so haven't been able to mention these things. The Shang-Chi film has been getting a buzz. It's slow, but there. I think that Simu Liu has been attracting attention because of his openness and outspokeness on social media, which is a good thing. He hosted an AMA on his IG feed a couple of weeks ago. His IG stories show him to be down to Earth. At the same time, he is calling attention to a number of socially active causes, whether it's BLM or Jeph Loeb's recent statements on Asians in Daredevil. He's getting people to listen. Ultimately, it's my hope that this translates into people who will watch the Shang-Chi movie. I certainly hope that this builds up Shang-Chi to become the sleeper hit of 2021.

[Holt]

[Tien Long]

Nice. Getting Ron Lim on this for a variant. I gotta say, there's definitely a change between this and Ron's work decades ago with Silver Surfer and Infinity War. Still, he captures that dynamic quality of Shang. A beautiful sidekick!

[Tien Long]

Alright folks, here it is, Shang-Chi #1 is tentatively set for September 30th! Will it be awesome? Will it be so-so? All we can do is keep the deadly hands of Kung-Fu crossed!

https://twitter.com/Newsarama/status...90146703233025

[Beetle]

InHyuk Lee’s Shang-Chi #1 variant cover

[Tien Long]

InHyuk Lee’s Shang-Chi #1 variant cover

Oooohhhh, this one I REALLY like. I like the bangs. Also, notice the pants, gloves, and jacket. You can see the texture of the silk plus the ornate and traditional designs. Love the dragon motifs. Now, this feels like a master of Kung Fu!

[Tien Long]

Interesting article over at Bleeding Cool discussion the possibility of Shang-Chi or the Mandarin could have appeared earlier in the MCU. The original article is from here:

https://bleedingcool.com/movies/marv...vengers-movie/

It discusses the dealings that Chris Fenton had while bringing American films into Chinese markets. Fenton was president of the Chinese-based DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group, General Manager of DMG North America (owners of Valiant Comics), and Senior Advisor to IDW Media Holdings. Here Chris discusses a conversation he had with former Chief Operating Officer of Marvel Studios:

"There was some good news from Connors," I started. "Assuming we pony up more money, they did offer us the opportunity to create a teaser at the end of Avengers for the China market. That would give us a chance to tease a potential character, either The Mandarin or Shang-Chi. It's our decision as to which."

The development team in Beijing felt Shang-Chi was the safer role to promote since he was a "good guy" and a hero, while The Mandarin was clearly a nemesis to Iron Man. Strictly thinking about how the "Ministry of Propaganda," which reports directly to the Politburo, would view it, you always wanted the Chinese character to be a good guy or a hero, not a villain. Remember to them, China is good, and the West is bad. The Politburo wanted white-knight messaging. The country was spreading its wings globally, and it wanted to be viewed as a friend to the world, not an agitator or adversary encroaching on long-established borders through an Imperialistic strategy. But American hubris, and often ignorance, commonly led to studios putting the Chinese in an antagonist role. Additionally, Hollywood didn't want to waste the part of a hero on a Chinese actor. But a villain role? No big deal. And simply putting Chinese people in a film was mistakenly thought of as the guaranteed price for admission to China's lucrative market. So, studios did it.

::Groan:: . Well, there you go. Either the CCP wants to have a heroic Chinese character as a means of propaganda or racist Hollywood putting Chinese characters as the villain. Rock and a hard place here folks.

As for the Avengers end scene itself with the Mandarin, well, that was eventually scrapped, due to the Chinese government and old, problematic characterizations of the Mandarin:

A Marvel antagonist like The Mandarin was risky. It posed a high-stakes gamble, not just for us, but also for Disney and Marvel. If it backfired, it could prohibit a release of the film in China. Even worse, it could prevent both studios from gaining any traction in China for other films coming later. Worst case, a temporary blackballing… For us, the wrong use of a character like The Mandarin could shut DMG down forever.

"From a strictly 'which character is more interesting' standpoint, The Mandarin is more riveting because he is super intelligent, he is a skilled martial artist and he possesses the ten rings from an alien spaceship which allows him to teleport, among other special powers," Alan Chu, our Beijing-based development VP, explained, sharing a dissenting point of view. "He grew up with a major chip on his shoulder and is able to harness all that into who he is today. There are more layers and depth with this character."

Such an assessment would foreshadow problems ahead, unbeknownst to us. Marvel not only had final cut and approvals, but they were also looking to make the most globally entertaining and profitable film possible. Thinking first about China was not their priority. A super-complex, yet flawed character full of surprises? Now that was a
different story. "That makes a lot of sense, but it also scares me," I responded.

"Scares SARFT also," Alan mentioned, referring to the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, the bureaucratic layer that took orders from the Ministry of Propaganda. Below SARFT was China Film Group. They oversaw, regulated, and controlled all the distribution of films in China, once SARFT approved it. "Their reaction to The Mandarin is very negative."

"By the way, let's pass on The Avengers teaser opportunity. Agree?"

"Yes, Dan said that also. Too expensive and not enough time."

"Okay. I'll let Marvel know."

"The Mandarin scares the **** out of us."

"Why?" Tim Connors asked.

"He is way too controversial for Chinese censors."

"Why is that?"

"Because The Mandarin looks and acts like the stereotypically derogatory Chinese man. Not only does he have a long spiny beard that he's constantly straightening with his fingers, but he also regularly speaks in uber-'Chinglish,' constantly saying Chinese-cliché types of proverbs," I explained.

"Come on. Seriously?"

"Yeah. I'm serious. Additionally, his character's main motivation is to kill Iron Man!"

"You don't know that for sure."

"That's what scares me more," I responded. "So that leads me to ask…if you wanted us to tease The Mandarin in the end crawl of The Avengers, does that mean Marvel is definitely using him in Iron Man 3?"

"I don't know."

"Ask yourself this, then. If Marvel does use him, could he be a Red Dawn kind of antagonist that gets us all banned from China?"

"Don't be so dramatic," Tim responded. "Besides, creative won't tell me anything, and the script hasn't been completed yet anyway."

"I wish I wasn't being dramatic."

"Don't freak out yet. Let's see." There was a tell in his voice. I heard it.

The Mandarin was going to be in Iron Man 3.

Seems like having a Chinese Mandarin was problematic for Marvel since they suspected the Chinese government wouldn't have liked that old depiction of the Mandarin. Probably why they made that turn with Ben Kingsley's Mandarin. Still, if that's the case, I wonder how Marvel found a way to use the Mandarin for the Shang-Chi film. Does having a Chinese hero offset a Chinese villain? Could they say how modern depictions of the Mandarin was more nuanced and modern? Interesting ideas here.

[la.forsaken]

Seems like having a Chinese Mandarin was problematic for Marvel since they suspected the Chinese government wouldn't have liked that old depiction of the Mandarin. Probably why they made that turn with Ben Kingsley's Mandarin. Still, if that's the case, I wonder how Marvel found a way to use the Mandarin for the Shang-Chi film. Does having a Chinese hero offset a Chinese villain? Could they say how modern depictions of the Mandarin was more nuanced and modern? Interesting ideas here.

If it were up to me, Shangchi in making the Mandarin, should take cues from Black Panthers - Killmonger. A Villain fighting for a Righteous Cause, Except going about it in the wrong way.
Also they should disavow that 10-rings splinter in Ironman 1,Whom where shown to kill random innocent civilians.

[Hypestyle]

I hope that Shang gets to lead a team in the near future. Or is that happening somewhere?

[Tien Long]

If it were up to me, Shangchi in making the Mandarin, should take cues from Black Panthers - Killmonger. A Villain fighting for a Righteous Cause, Except going about it in the wrong way.
Also they should disavow that 10-rings splinter in Ironman 1,Whom where shown to kill random innocent civilians.

That's my hope too, bro, that the Mandarin isn't just some one-dimensional bad guy, but a nuanced, complex character. Shang's father had some of those elements in the comics already. Who knows, maybe the Mandarin comes out of this movie as the fan favorite!

I hope that Shang gets to lead a team in the near future. Or is that happening somewhere?

Haven't heard Shang being the leader of the team. Still, would Shang be a good leader? Hmmm, initially, I was against the idea. I thought it would corrupt him in a way. I like my Shang to be the sagacious and wise. But it would be cool to see Shang in a position of leadership, because I don't think he'd be the one barking orders. Rather, he'd be the one listening to all of his teammates or advisors give their opinions, and then he'd make the final call. The art of leading without leading, y'know?

However, I'm really leaning towards Marvel making Shang become the inheritor of his father's empire. He's this wise, calm, and detached guy who now is the head of a bunch of assassins, tough guys, and mercenaries. That could be dicey. I'm afraid what might happen to Shang. But hey, maybe the art of leading without leading could work here.