Warning: Contains spoilers for Avengers Assemble #1!
Marvel is setting the stage for one MCU Star to be the next leader of the Avengers. For Shang-Chi, his journey from cult hero to MCU icon has been a long one, but now it has culminated with a place alongside Earth’s mightiest heroes. in Avengers Assemble #1, Shang-Chi joins Captain America’s new Avengers Emergency Response Squad, and quickly makes a case to be the team’s leader.
Avengers Assemble #1 was written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Cory Smith. Shang-Chi arrives at the Avengers mansion, joined by Photon and the Wasp. No sooner than they arrive, trouble arises. Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull, has returned, and Captain America needs Avengers on Earth. Like the four heads in battle, Shang-Chi calls the trademark “Avengers Assemble!” Yet Shang-Chi proves his worth when he uses his powers to neutralize Sin’s emotional powers, which has overpowered his teammates.
Although the Avengers overpower Sin, she still escapes.
Shang-Chi’s comic book origin, explained
The origin of Shang-Chi has been revamped over the years
In the early 1970s, inspired by the success of films such as Enter the dragonA martial arts craze swept through America, and comics got in on the act. Both DC and Marvel unveiled “masters” of various forms of martial arts, such as Richard Dragon, Iron Fist and Shang-Chi. Created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin, and debuting in the 1973s Special Marvel Edition #15, Shang-Chi would go on to copy his own title, which ran until 1983. While the martial arts fad faded, Shang-Chi stuck around, thanks in part to the superb work of Doug Moench and Paul Gulacy.
While the origin of Shang-Chi has been subject to several rewrites due to licensing issues since 1973, some parts remain consistent. In each telling of the story, Shang-Chi has risen to be a living weapon, killing and sowing chaos on behalf of his evil father. While Shang-Chi’s father changed, from the racist caricature Fu Manchu to the immortal crime lord Zheng Zhu, the part remained consistent and was included in the character’s MCU outing. Shang-Chi, when he learned the truth about his father, vowed to bring him down.
Shang-Chi is very much a part of the Marvel Universe
Shang-Chi’s MCU movie raised his profile significantly
Shang-Chi’s quest to destroy his father’s criminal empire has brought him many times into contact with the heroes of the Marvel Universe. One of the most notable occurred in the 2010s Secret Avengers #6-10, in the story arc “Eyes of the Dragon.” The story, written by Ed Brubaker and drawn by Mike Deodato, updates Shang-Chi’s origins, dispensing with some of the problematic elements that have plagued the character since his creation. Shang-Chi also had to reckon with his original purpose in life: to be a living weapon. During the adventure, Captain America assures him that he can be much more.
In the years since “Eyes of the Dragon,” Shang-Chi’s status in the Marvel Universe has risen significantly, thanks in part to his jump to the MCU. A famous part of the original deal leading up to the formation of the MCU, Shang-Chi’s feature film introduced him to a new generation of fans, as well as a series of new books, written by Gene Luen Yang and featuring Art by Dike Ruan and Marcus To. These titles established a new place for Shang-Chi, who took over as the leader of his father’s old group, the Five Weapons Society.
Shang-Chi only grew in power and stature
His new role in The Avengers continues his ascent to the big time Shang-Chi was already the best martial artist on Earth, and the Ten Rings, along with the resources provided by the Five Weapons Society, elevated him to Marvel’s upper echelon.
Shang-Chi also gained a massive power upgrade, in the form of the Ten Rings. The rings are objects of vast power, and Shang-Chi uses them excessively Avengers Assemble #1 to brilliant effect. The ten rings quickly transport him and his fellow Avengers to Zin’s location, and they play an instrumental role in stopping the Nazi villain. Shang-Chi was already the best martial artist on Earth, and the Ten Rings, along with the resources provided by the Five Weapons Society, elevated him to Marvel’s upper echelon.
Shang-Chi’s new role in The Avengers could continue the character’s ascent. As a member, Shang-Chi will get a level of exposure he never had before. For most of his career, Shang-Chi has worked on the fringes of the Marvel Universe, despite meeting his heroes many times. With his father defeated, seemingly for good, the time has come for Shang-Chi to walk above ground and take his rightful place alongside Captain America and the Avengers. Shang-Chi effortlessly proves that he belongs among them Avengers Assemble #1.
Will Shang-Chi lead the Avengers?
Avengers Assemble #1 makes the case for Shang-Chi leading the team
But beyond this issue, Shang-Chi also proves that he has what it takes to lead the Avengers. When Sin’s powers begin to prove too much for the rest of the team, Shang-Chi takes charge, using his intelligence to find a solution and his powers to implement it. Shang-Chi Invoking the Classic “Avengers Assemble” is well-earned in this issue, and hopefully foreshadows a stint for it MCU Icon as the leader of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
Avengers Assemble #1 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!