Shang-Chi [2021] #2 - Marvel Comics

SHANG-CHI No. 2, August 2021

Offering a thoroughly different perspective on this ongoing series’ titular character as he sets about changing his father’s cult-like organisation’s evil ways, Gene Luen Yang’s narrative for this second instalment to “Shang-Chi Verses The Marvel Universe” surely must have enthralled its audience with a great mixture of tongue-in-cheek humour, some serious super-hero antics and a disconcertingly dangerous sub-plot full of treacherous intrigue. In fact, possibly this twenty-page periodical’s sole disappointment is that Captain America doesn’t make his highly-publicised entrance at the Iron Eighty-Eight’s auction for a Cosmic Cube until the comic is already half-way over; “You called Cap here, didn’t you?! I knew you couldn’t be trusted!”

Minor quibble aside however, this book is debatably packed full of highlights, with the opening uncomfortableness of A.I.M., HYDRA, The Hand, the Inner Demons and The Five Weapons Society trying to be politely civilised with one another at the private sale being just the first. Shang-Chi’s lack of social etiquette whilst in the company of his former foes, such as when he almost drinks the poisoned complimentary champagne being offered, genuinely provides a few chuckles. Albeit not to the extent of M.O.D.O.K.’s major hissy fit with a fellow bidder who tries to high five the “mutagenic medical experimentation” and abruptly has his left arm blasted right off for the implied insult.

Steve Rogers’ aforementioned arrival also certainly produces the goods as he initially appears to be opposing the Supreme Commander’s central aim and momentarily has to take on the entire auction house’s occupants with his famous shield-arm. Perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, this precarious predicament is actually a ruse, so as to allow the Sentinel of Liberty to supposedly take the Cube into custody “for the sake of the Greater Good!” But that still doesn’t stop artist Dike Rulan from pencilling some pulse-pounding scenes of Lady Iron Fan taking on both the First Avenger and the Master of Kung Fu in a scintillating fight scene.

Lastly, this publication finishes upon a serious note as to the loyalty of Brother Sabre. It is clear straight from this book’s beginning that the bearded Takeshi has some very strong feelings for their shade-wearing female host, especially when it is revealed he has fussing over a necklace she gave him. Yet even so, the highly trained assassin’s decision to use the “wish-granting” power of the Cosmic Cube to fool Captain America into letting his beloved leader of the Iron Eighty-Eights escape is significantly unsettling.

The regular cover art of "SHANG-CHI" #2 by Leinil Frances Yu & Sunny Gho