Shang-Chi [2021] #7 - Marvel Comics

SHANG-CHI No. 7, March 2022

Whilst Gene Luen Yang’s narrative for this opening chapter to his “Family Of Origin” storyline is arguably something of a sedentary affair, it’s explanation as to just “who was Shang-Chi’s mother” probably still kept the vast majority of its readers thoroughly enthralled. In fact the tale of the woman’s youth within the dimension of Ta Lo and her subsequent meeting with Zheng Zu also provides a disconcertingly grisly backstory to the Master of Kung Fu’s grandfather Chieftain Xin – who seemingly has a penchant for his daughter bringing him the head of any outsiders she happens to harbour.

Of course that isn’t to say that this twenty page periodical doesn’t contain a modicum of pulse-pounding action, as it certainly does once Zheng Zhilan despicably betrays her brother to the likes of Lady Iron Fan, and stealthily grants the criminal access to the ordinarily impregnable headquarters of the Five Weapons Society. However, these fleeting moments of violence are rather crowbarred in amidst this comic’s central narrative, and only really come to the fore at the book’s cliff-hanger of a conclusion, when Shang-Chi spies the villainous Red Dot lurking in his House’s shadows.

Up until this moment, the American cartoonist is apparently much more interested in penning an engaging love story, and one in which the usually murderously maniacal Zheng Zu is surprisingly portrayed as a caring, family man – at least until a massive Hydra invasion force materialises from the fast-darkening skies. In addition, the Harvey Award-winner appears to be keen to ‘paint’ Chieftain Xin as the new ‘big baddie’ of this ongoing series, masterfully manipulating Commander Hand’s sister and emboldening Shang-Chi’s enemies to successful siege the Chi-Meister’s very home; “Son, I told you that my mind is finally clear! Clear enough to defend myself! And clear enough to detect his presence. Observing us from above!”

Nobly supporting Yang in this entertaining endeavour is Dike Ruan, who somehow manages to illustrate the panels depicting Jiang Li’s affair with Zu with a genuine air of romance. The Chinese artist seems particularly good at pencilling a parent’s pride on Zheng’s face, as the crime lord merrily carries his infant daughter on his shoulders, and touchingly smiles at the sight of his son running through some lavish gardens just ahead of them.

The regular cover art of "SHANG-CHI" #7 by Leinil Frances Yu & Sunny Gho