Shang-Chi: Appreciation 2020

[Tien Long]

In-depth interviews with Gene Yuen Lang about the title. We get to read the motivations and perspectives behind Shang:

Part 1
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...ing-fu-manchu/

Part 2
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...iety-and-more/

[H-E-D]

It was a fun start.

[the illustrious mr. kenway]

In-depth interviews with Gene Yuen Lang about the title. We get to read the motivations and perspectives behind Shang:

Part 1
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...ing-fu-manchu/

Part 2
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...iety-and-more/

these are a good read.

[Ron POCCulture]

In-depth interviews with Gene Yuen Lang about the title. We get to read the motivations and perspectives behind Shang:

Part 1
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...ing-fu-manchu/

Part 2
https://pocculture.com/interview-par...iety-and-more/

THANK YOU for sharing my interview! I just posted an interview with Shang-Chi artist Philip Tan:

https://pocculture.com/interview-sha...is-new-series/

You can also find my NON-SPOILER review here:

https://pocculture.com/review-non-sp...hi-story-ever/

I'll also be interviewing artist Dike Ruan soon!

[Ron POCCulture]

these are a good read.

Really appreciate you reading it! Gene is the perfect writer for Shang-Chi!

[Tien Long]

THANK YOU for sharing my interview! I just posted an interview with Shang-Chi artist Philip Tan:

https://pocculture.com/interview-sha...is-new-series/

You can also find my NON-SPOILER review here:

https://pocculture.com/review-non-sp...hi-story-ever/

I'll also be interviewing artist Dike Ruan soon!

No problem Ron. The interviews you've done are well done and go in-depth. Any Shang-Chi fan want to get insight into the series should check the links out.

Indeed, one of the points that Gene mentions is Shang being Asian-American. I had to pause for a minute and grapple with that term. When defining Shang's identity, the term "Asian" seemed appropriate for me at least. He was born and raised in China. Though immigrating to America, he wasn't born there. Hence, I always called him Asian. However, the interview shows that Shang could be considered Asian-American. In the comics, he came to the country at 19, which is the age when individuals question identity and background. Shang began to incorporate more American mentalities and in so doing he's become "Asian-American." That's an intriguing idea. Is Shang an American? Could he be defined as one? Is he one? I think that's cool.

As for the other parts of the interview, Gene mentions that Shang's selling points back in the 70s was his "otherness." Here was this guy from China who spoke like a fortune cookie. He seemed so wise. Now, I've said before, part of me likes that. He's wise and thoughtful. The East Asian Studies major in me recognizes that presence of sagacity. But it still gives off that "other", "out there", "strange" vibe. Gene is intent on making Shang relatable, that he's human. We're beginning to see that.

It was a fun start.

Ha, alright, let's just put this out in the open: was this the greatest Shang-Chi story ever? Has this one issue in one day elevated Shang to the likes of the Avengers, Spider-Man, and the X-Men? No, it didn't. As a Shang fan, I gotta be honest. BUT, was it a start in the right direction? Are we seeing a compelling characterization of Shang-Chi? A redefining of his father? A strong supporting cast? Some cool art? Yeah, we are.

Crossing the deadly hands of Kung Fu that the best is yet to come.

[Tien Long]

Some other thoughts from the first issue:

- Man..................I miss pineapple buns .

- Zheng Zu is from THAT dynasty? I was hoping it'd be earlier to be honest.

- Shout out to the San Francisco Chinatown setting. Again, I'm more NYC Chinatown and Flushing, Queens, but respect to Gene's choice here.

[MichaelC]

- Zheng Zu is from THAT dynasty?

It's the dynasty founded by a Manchu, so it makes the most sense.

[Tien Long]

It's the dynasty founded by a Manchu, so it makes the most sense.

True, it does. But I was hoping for an older dynasty, mainly because it allows for more possibilities. With a longer history, there's more opportunities for Shang's father to have met other longer lived characters.

Still, I accept it. That dynasty was noted for its rebellions and uprisings.

[Tien Long]

Hey all. Just wanted to post some of the reviews for issue #1 around the interview. They've mostly been positive!:

https://comicbook.com/marvel/news/sh...n-yang-marvel/
https://blacknerdproblems.com/shang-...ial-arts-film/
https://www.polygon.com/comics/2020/...gene-luen-yang
https://www.superpoweredfancast.com/shang-chi-1-review/
https://pocculture.com/review-non-sp...hi-story-ever/

However, CBR's review attracts me the most because of it's criticisms. The other reviews had criticisms as well, but CBR's articulated what I was thinking:

https://www.cbr.com/review-shang-chi-1/

Let's admit it, the issue had some clumsy moments. It stumbled in some parts. For me, the parts involving Sister Hammer were the weakest points. Her opening dialogue with Brother Staff or ending speech was a little too clunky in exposition and a little "See Spot Run" simple in execution. I had reservations about Philip Tan's art from the first previews. I appreciated aspects of it while reading, but it was slightly jarring in a way. Still, I reread the issue with the full page capacity on Comixology and it was better to comprehend. All in all, part of me was hoping for Brubaker/Aja The Immortal Iron Fist #1 level of quality with this issue. And it didn't live up to that.

BUT, I still appreciated this issue. I still think it was strong points. Reread it again last night and I just loved the issues talking moments. The bakery scene was this (no pun intended) slice of life moment and added layers (again no pun intended) to both Shang and the supporting cast. It reminded me of visiting the bakeries on NYC Chinatown, Flushing, or even the bakeries in Hong Kong. Seeing Shang talk with Grandma Wang, Delilah, and Leiko, I'm getting his personality. I see a guy who's unlucky with love but jokes about it. I see a guy who has a slight conversation on Chinese culture and representation. And, I also see a guy who's confident.

Confident enough to become the next leader of Zheng Zu's organization? Future issues will tell.

Anyway, still have hopes for this series.

[Snoop Dogg]

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...ssue-2-preview

[Snoop Dogg]

this art got me crying in the club rn its so good

[Bruce Wayne]

True, it does. But I was hoping for an older dynasty, mainly because it allows for more possibilities. With a longer history, there's more opportunities for Shang's father to have met other longer lived characters.

Still, I accept it. That dynasty was noted for its rebellions and uprisings.

Less that in my opinion and more the fact that Yang is fascinated by the various religious movements that were around in 19th century China (the epitome of that being the Taipings and Boxer). IIRC he has a decent working knowledge of that and the early Republican Era. And he has done a comic about the Boxers and drawn comparisons between them and various violent fundamentalist movements in the modern day.

[Tien Long]

https://www.marvel.com/articles/comi...ssue-2-preview

Thanks for preview. Feeling a little so-so with the Tan work. That punch looks a little awkward to me. But it conveys the idea. Is Shang getting into trouble? Is that Sister Hammer with him?

As for the Ruan art, looks cool as well. It plays into that spy aspect of Shang. Cracking the mace is cool and that low kick is great as well. Favorite part though is the skydiving. See Shang flying through the air? See that smile he has? That's confidence. And it feels so good to see a confident Asian man in an American comic book.

Less that in my opinion and more the fact that Yang is fascinated by the various religious movements that were around in 19th century China (the epitome of that being the Taipings and Boxer). IIRC he has a decent working knowledge of that and the early Republican Era. And he has done a comic about the Boxers and drawn comparisons between them and various violent fundamentalist movements in the modern day.

Oh yeah absolutely. I wasn't clear before, but yes, when I referred to the rebellion I was referring to the Taiping Rebellion which Gene touched upon in Saints and Sinners. But you're right, the Qing dynasty had its share of religious fundamentalists who felt under attack by either the government or foreign powers. And it makes sense that Shang's father would arise at that time. Did Zheng Zu turn to a cult because of the Western Imperalists? Did the other members of the 5 Weapons Society try and stop him? Hopefully that will be revealed.

[Blind Wedjat]

I really liked the first issue. I thought Shang's code switching was a very interesting character detail.