- Shang-Chi is a character from the Marvel Universe who also appeared in the Action Force weekly series.
Shang-Chi, also known as the Master of Kung Fu is a top martial artist who trained Quick Kick. He wages a long war against his father, Fu Manchu.
Fiction[]
Action Force (British) Comics Continuity[]
Shang-Chi's name means "the rising and advancing of a spirit". He was raised by his father, the immortal and evil Fu Manchu. But Shang-Chi knew nothing of this and believed his father was a noble man dedicated to world peace. But then Shang-Chi was ordered to kill an old man called Petrie. He obeyed without question but then met Sir Denis Nayland Smith who told him the truth. Nayland Smith and Petrie had spent forty years fighting Fu Manchu but were growing old whilst their foe remained ageless and so begged Shang-Chi for help. He agreed and joined them. There were others too - Black Jack Tarr an ex soldier and Clive Reston, a smooth talker. Petrie was later found alive - Shang-Chi only killed a replicant. He realised the only thing he could trust was his training.[1]
Shang-Chi later trained Quick Kick in key martial arts, including the importance of will power and a single purpose and that there are no limits. Quick Kick saw many other great martial artists including Iron Fist, Batroc and Elektra but in his opinion Shang-Chi is the best.[2]
Notes[]
- Shang-Chi is one of the few characters from the Marvel Universe to have appeared in an Action Force or G.I. Joe story. Normally the two are treated as completely separate continuities.
- Shang-Chi's appearance in "Meditations in Red" served to introduce the character in preparation for a reprint of his adventures from Master of Kung Fu volume 1 #29 to #31 in Action Force issue #18 to issue #29.
- Although a Marvel creation himself, much of his background and supporting cast, including Fu Manchu, Sir Denis Nayland Smith and Petrie, originated in the Fu Manchu novels by Sax Rohmer. The comic rights to the novels were purchased by Marvel in the 1970s.