REVIEW: Who to Trust in Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2?
In Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2 by Gene Luen Yang, Dike Ruan, Tríona Farrell, and Travis Lanham, with a cover by Leinil Francis Yu and Sunny Gho, the story goes deeper into the exploration of the dynamics of Shang-Chi’s family, including how the Five Weapons Society will fit into this Brave New Marvel Universe. And did someone say “M.O.D.O.K. Guest Spot,” Marvel Blog True Believers?
Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2. Photo: Marvel Comics
Five Weapons Expectations
Just as in the previous issue of the series, Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2 spends a fair amount of time exploring how Shang-Chi relates to his siblings, with his brother, Takeshi, playing a large supporting role over the course of this sophomore issue (Esme can’t come along for this adventure because the casino is 21 and over).
Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2. Photo: Marvel Comics
Personally, I think all this groundwork is setting up Shang-Chi for the role that he will play in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. With plenty of resources and Tony Stark sidelined (for now), Shang-Chi could bankroll a lot of Avengers activities, although his money does come from a morally questionable source! Does that sound an awful lot like the role that Tony Stark has played in the MCU so far? We think so too, Marvel Blog True Believers!
The society has a reputation, so don’t arrive by drop line, it ruins their image. Photo: Marvel Comics
Mental Organism Designed Only for Kibitzing
As far as Shang-Chi #2 goes, I enjoyed the story a lot, because it sends our hero to an auction being attended by the biggest super villain organizations in the Marvel Universe, Advanced Idea Mechanics.
Photo: Marvel Comics
And, the biggest supervillain social event of the century gives Shang-Chi a chance to interact with one of my favorite supervillains of all, M.O.D.O.K.!
Photo: Marvel Comics
M.O.D.O.K. is thinking of Shang-Chi as a friend and ally in this comic, and that means that the interactions between the two characters are hilarious. I would like to see more of this… maybe Shang-Chi can guest star in Marvel’s M.O.D.O.K. season two!
Hold up, does Captain America die in this issue? Photo: Marvel Comics
And hey, at Marvel Blog, we like to think that Sam Richardson‘s Garfield “Gary” Garoldson, one of M.O.D.O.K.’s loyal henchmen who is constantly optimistic, has already crossed over into the Marvel Comics universe.
This sounds like something Gary would say… hopefully, he brought his hubby along this time… Photo: Marvel Comics
Shang-Chi #2
Have you had a chance to pick up a copy of Shang-Chi vs. The Marvel Universe #2 at your local comic shop? Did you get the Peach Momoko Variant? Let us know what you think in the comments, Marvel Blog True Believers!
