REVIEW: Team Up in Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #1
In Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #1 by Gene Luen Yang, Dike Ruan, Tríona Farrell, and Travis Lanham, with a main cover by Leinil Francis Yu & Sunny Gho, Shang-Chi has just become the head of the Five Weapons Society, which as we quickly learn through exposition was the criminal organization that had been headed by his late father.
Shang-Chi vs The Marvel Universe #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
In fact, this first issue of Shang-Chi vs The Marvel Universe is just a great introduction to the character!
Getting to Know You
While I have read a lot of Marvel Comics (believe it, Marvel Blog True Believers), I am not so familiar with the character of Shang-Chi. And to be honest, this is part of why I am so excited about the upcoming Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings: it will give me a chance to become better acquainted with this superhero, who I suspect is heading straight to the top of the new Avengers roster!
Kaboom! Photo: Marvel Comics
One of my favorite things about Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #1 is that it serves as a great introduction for the character.
Meet Shang-Chi. Photo: M Cho
In this first issue, not only do we learn about Shang-Chi and where he finds himself at this point in his own personal narrative, but we also get to know Esme, his sister, who serves the Five Weapons Society (and is not shy about telling Shang-Chi when she disagrees with him).
Photo: Marvel Comics
Spider-Man!
Plus, this issue features a guest-starring turn by Peter Parker, A.K.A. Spider-Man!
Esme and Spider-Bot. Photo: Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics has a long tradition of including guest stars when they are introducing (or in this case, re-introducing) a character. For example, Spidey appeared in the first issue of Howard the Duck!
Photo: Marvel Comics
Now he’s coming by to visit Shang-Chi, and as the title suggests, they end up coming to blows! This isn’t too surprising: if there’s one thing Marvel superheroes often do when they first meet one another, it’s throwing down before realizing they’re on the same side (see also: act one of The Avengers (2012), available for streaming on Disney+ right now).
Shang-Chi vs The Marvel Universe #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
However, while two heroes fighting one another is not unusual, the question becomes, “Why have they come to blows?” This issue provides you with an intriguing answer to that question!
Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #1. Photo: Marvel Comics
More Action Coming Soon
At the end of Shang-Chi vs The Marvel Universe #1, we are promised that next month, Shang-Chi will be going head-to-head with none other than Captain America himself!
Shang-Chi vs The Marvel Universe #2, Peach Momoko Variant Cover. Photo: Marvel
I can’t wait to see it go down, so I’ll be heading back to my local comic shop when Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2 arrives next month. How about you, Marvel Blog True Believers?
