Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2 - Marvel Comics

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU No. 2, August 2014

Still uncomfortable with the sudden, simple and seemingly ‘pointless’ murder of such a major supporting cast member as Leiko Wu in his first outing as this title's writer, I found myself utterly horrified at Mark Benson’s backstory to the Chinese-British MI-6 agent's dismemberment in this second issue of “Deadly Hands of Kung Fu”.

Shang Chi’s former love interest, though not always faithful to the martial artist, at least seemed torn when facing moral dilemmas, and felt guilty when her conscience indicated she had erred. In "No More Warnings" however, all that motivational depth built up during the Bronze Age of Comics has been erased with Leiko Wu apparently being nothing more than a basic thieving killing machine for Chao Sina a.k.a. Skull Crusher; a long-time opponent of Shang Chi. Indeed to add salt to the wound, she had even become the assassin’s lover, and had betrayed all of MI6’s secrets to the criminal gang leader upon joining his clan.

Upon hearing this nonsensical narrative, the son of Fu Manchu simply walks away commenting that such “ridiculous lies” are “vulgarities”. I quite agree and feel that Mike Benson just has absolutely no idea of the history to this comic’s characters or how to write for them.

Unfortunately the artwork of both Dave Johnson and Tan Eng Huat does little to help this edition either. The gaudy and garishly coloured cover by The Reverend, so impressive on the previous issue, would appear to be little more than a homage to the motion picture poster art of the Austin Powers film “Goldmember” and in my opinion that is not a good thing.

Huat’s rendition of Skull Crusher is also a severe disappointment. Instead of the mercenary’s infamous metal spheres attached to chains and powerful armoured physique, the Malaysian artist portrays Doug Moench and Jim Craig's co-creation as a small, somewhat timid-looking smartly dressed Chinese businessman. True, when they first meet, the man who had once sworn to end Shang-Chi's life, is depicted hurling a fist full of ninja stars in the Master of Kung Fu's general direction and then swiftly adopts a powerful Kung Fu stance as if in readiness for battle. But Benson's writing then quickly has him joyfully throwing a handful of loose change to a gaggle of young children and offering his former-nemesis "two chrysanthemum teas with wolfberry..."

Fortunately the issue’s climactic battle between Razorfist and Shang Chi is very competently drawn and also well-coloured by Jesus Aburtov. Indeed coupled with the surprise appearance of the Daughters of the Dragon, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing, both former supporting cast members in “Power-Man and Iron Fist”, and their subsequent battle with the Shadow Ghosts, the impressive artwork creates a great conclusion to this book.

Writer: Mike Benson, Pencils: Tan Eng Huat, Inks: Craig Yeung, and Colors: Jesus Aburtov

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1 - Marvel Comics

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU No. 1, July 2014

Admirers of the exploits of Shang Chi, Black Jack Tarr and Leiko Wu from the Doug Moench and Mike Zeck “Master Of Kung Fu” series by “Marvel Comics Group” have had little to get excited about since the son of Fu Manchu’s title was cancelled in the early Eighties with Issue One Hundred and Twenty Five. Somewhat recently however the Huan province-born martial artist has enjoyed something of a popularity revival with regular appearances in the New York City-based publisher’s 2006 "Heroes For Hire" book and the “Marvel NOW!” “Avengers” magazine.

Now though the former British secret agent would seem to have finally been awarded his own solo title once again. But unfortunately this first issue of “Deadly Hands of Kung Fu” does little to capture the creative atmosphere of its predecessor; and the reason why the original comic book was ranked sixth in the “Top Ten 1970’s Marvels” by the website Comics Bulletin.

To begin with it is extremely doubtful that many of the 19,315 fans who bought “The Place Of No Mind” are terribly pleased that this new edition’s Eisner Award-winning cover artist, Dave “The Reverend” Johnson is not responsible for drawing the actual comic itself. Instead that job would appear to have gone to Tan Eng Huat and sadly whilst the Malaysian illustrator is clearly a competent penciller, he is certainly no Paul Gulacy or Gene Day. Indeed as a result of the former “Doom Patrol” artist’s highly individual drawing style many readers probably had to go so far as to skim through this book until they spotted someone referring to Shang Chi by name, before they were certain the Chinese adventurer was actually the lead character… And let us not even talk about Huat’s ghastly looking rendition of Black Jack Tarr.

As far as this comic’s narrative is concerned Mike Benson regrettably does little more than provide an adequate read. Especially upsetting is the American television writer’s tasteless ‘gimmicky’ start, which depicts the death of long-time character Leiko Wu in such an abrupt and grisly manner, that the entire sequence seems to be nothing more than a massively cheap waste of such an important supporting cast member. Admittedly the “rising comic book” star’s early embroilment of (Director) Black Jack Tarr and the villainous Razor Fist so deep within the action-packed plot is very welcome. But overall not even the brief cameos of fan favourites Crossbones, Captain America and The Tigers can save this twenty-page initial instalment from being anything but a bitter disappointment.

Writer: Mike Benson, Pencils: Tan Eng Huat, Inks: Craig Yeung, and Colors: Jesus Aburtov