Shang-Chi: Appreciation 2020

[Ron POCCulture]

I did realize that later, that Fire/South's color is red, and Shang has always worn red, so that's at least consistent (and the Earth colors of purple or yellow would look... different).

I hadn't noticed it before, but the others are color-coded as well. Staff has a green tunic, and green's the color of wood. Sabre a white tunic (the color of metal), Dagger/Water's color is black, and Hammer/Earth is yellow. Cool little detail!

I like all the symbolism that's potentially in this book. Artist Philip Tan is a bit of a Chinese historian so you know he was able to provide input on those types of things to add to the authenticity of the story telling.

FYI - looks like issue #1 is going to a second printing so that bodes well for its sales numbers!

[Holt]

[Blind Wedjat]

Looks cool, but weirdly getting a Muay Thai vibe from the design.

[Ron POCCulture]

I dig it. For those who aren't aware, this is part of the Enter the Phoenix storyline that will be the next big Avengers event. Essentially a variety of heroes and villains in the 616 universe will battle for who deserves the Phoenix power.

Here is a great article with concept art for other heroes like Black Panther, Cap and Hulk:

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/javier...oenix-avengers

Part of me kind of wonders if this event leaves Shang-Chi with Phoenix powers or some semblance of it permanently...

[Tien Long]

Hmmm, maybe have to see more of it in comics to get a better grasp of it. I'm not too much of a fan of the headband. Also, I've read how all of the Phoenix designs were based off of the AvX miniseries. For me, that wasn't too long ago. The designs haven't acquired that retro feel. Plus, I wasn't too sold on them to begin with.

Still, Shang with the Phoenix? I'm intrigued. Any exposure for Shang is good exposure. What does he do with it?

Looks cool, but weirdly getting a Muay Thai vibe from the design.

Totally, getting that vibe as well. A little like Joe Higashi from Fatal Fury:


Or Karate-1 from Bionic Six:

[J. D. Guy]

I think Phoenix Shang-Chi looks legit, though! I like him!

Also, just happy to see someone rocking Phoenix powers that aren't just the more usual suspects (Steve Rogers isn't exactly groundbreaking, they already did Namor, and Wolverine is new, but feels old-hat; Shang and Black Panther are the ones that intrigue me the most, based on their designs and the potential prospects).

[Ron POCCulture]

The thing that makes me wonder if Shang-Chi will stay with Phoenix powers is that in the new comic, his "deadly hands" house is supposed to represent fire. I thought that was a bit of a strange connection. But if Gene already knows that the plan is for Shang-Chi to connect w/ the Phoenix Force, then suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

[Holt]

Martial artist Andy Cheng, who is known for being a member of #JackieChan's Stunt Team, has confirmed that he is involved with the stuntwork for #ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings

[HipHopAvenger]

I dig it. For those who aren't aware, this is part of the Enter the Phoenix storyline that will be the next big Avengers event. Essentially a variety of heroes and villains in the 616 universe will battle for who deserves the Phoenix power.

Here is a great article with concept art for other heroes like Black Panther, Cap and Hulk:

https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/javier...oenix-avengers

Part of me kind of wonders if this event leaves Shang-Chi with Phoenix powers or some semblance of it permanently...

speaking of powers does he still have the power to create clones of himself

[Tien Long]

The thing that makes me wonder if Shang-Chi will stay with Phoenix powers is that in the new comic, his "deadly hands" house is supposed to represent fire. I thought that was a bit of a strange connection. But if Gene already knows that the plan is for Shang-Chi to connect w/ the Phoenix Force, then suddenly it makes a lot more sense.

I think it's cool to see Shang with Phoenix powers. However, I've always been leery of Shang getting too many power upgrades. I'm fine with Stark tech here and there, but anything that detracts from the street level martial arts is distracting.

The mundane nature of Shang is what interests me. The skill, the technique, I'm interested in how those qualities can counter things like super-soldier serums, heart shaped herbs, or iron fists.

Martial artist Andy Cheng, who is known for being a member of #JackieChan's Stunt Team, has confirmed that he is involved with the stuntwork for #ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings

Ha, read my mind bro. First off for any martial arts movie aficionado, Scott Adkins' "The Art of Action" series has been fantastic. Knowing the personal stories of the actors and directors of the martial arts films has been really eye-opening. You never realize how much went into a straight to video or DVD movie until you hear one of these guys talk. I always think I'll just sneak in the first 15 minutes and end up listening to the whole hour! Seriously, check this out!

As for this interview, it was well done. It's awesome knowing that members of the JC Stunt Team are on this. We've gotten pieces here and there, but now an actual member confirms this. Just awesome!

[Holt]

From David Nakayama.

[Sutekh]

The mundane nature of Shang is what interests me. The skill, the technique, I'm interested in how those qualities can counter things like super-soldier serums, heart shaped herbs, or iron fists.

Agreed. I feel like Iron Fist already covers the mystical/super-powered martial arts angle, and would prefer that Shang remained a bit more grounded.

Karate Kid, over at DC, was one of my favorite Legionnaires, and whenever they'd flirt with a retcon that he had 'the power to detect weaknesses' or some such nonsense (always retconned back out later), I found it to be cheesy and unnecessary.

There's room for non-super-superheroes, like Black Widow, Hawkeye and the Punisher, so Shang could occupy the same niche (and none of those three examples are specifically hand to hand specialists, so he's even got a little sub-niche of his own).

[Ron POCCulture]

LOVE That Phoenix Shang-Chi cover by David Nakayama.

While I totally understand those who prefer a powerless Shang-Chi, my prediction is that Shang-Chi is going to have Phoenix powers after the Enter the Phoenix event. First, the whole idea of "Enter the Phoenix" clearly evokes Bruce Lee's "Enter the Dragon." The whole event is about heroes and villains from all over the Marvel Universe fighting to see who deserves the Phoenix Force. Shang-Chi being Marvel's greatest fighter seems like one of the heavy favorites to win a tournament like that where everyone is on an even playing field (because they'll all have the Phoenix Force during battle). Of course there's the connection between the idea of the Phoenix and Chinese culture as well. And they've already introduced the idea of "mysticism" in Shang-Chi #1. I think it's an obvious fit honestly.

[MichaelC]

Agreed. I feel like Iron Fist already covers the mystical/super-powered martial arts angle, and would prefer that Shang remained a bit more grounded.

Karate Kid, over at DC, was one of my favorite Legionnaires, and whenever they'd flirt with a retcon that he had 'the power to detect weaknesses' or some such nonsense (always retconned back out later), I found it to be cheesy and unnecessary.

There's room for non-super-superheroes, like Black Widow, Hawkeye and the Punisher, so Shang could occupy the same niche (and none of those three examples are specifically hand to hand specialists, so he's even got a little sub-niche of his own).

I think that ship has sailed. They clearly rolling Shang into the mystical corner of the superheroverse.

[Silvermoth]

I’m ok, there’s a lot of cool stuff in Chinese mythology to explore that just didn’t work with a blonde Caucasian