Shang-Chi #4 (of 5)
(W) Gene Luen Yang (A) Dike Ruan, Philip Tan (CA) Bernard Chang
Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 30, 2020
SRP: $3.99
Shang-Chi is at death’s door!
• The Deadly Warrior is dying from a mortal wound, and it looks like there’s only one person who can save him…
•…his father? But he’s dead…right?
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
Ever: The Way Out (Abstract Studios) – Terry Moore shifts to graphic novels and while we love his serialized comics, a complete story has us excited. This one about prophecies and fallen angels has us very intrigued.
I Walk With Monsters #1 (Vault Comics) – A story about the monsters within as a woman runs into the man who took away her brother.
Kaiju Score #1 (AfterShock) – It’s the most dangerous heist ever attempted. Four desperate criminals are going all in on a once-in-a-lifetime chance to steal millions in art and turn their miserable lives around. The catch? They have to pull it off under the nose of a one thousand-ton Kaiju.
Nailbiter Returns #7 (Image Comics) – The series has been a blast as its had fun with horror tropes keeping readers on their toes and delivering laughs.
The Other History of the DC Universe #1 (DC Comics/DC Black Label) – The first issue is absolutely brilliant as the talented John Ridley explores the DC Universe through the viewpoint of its minority characters.
Paris 2119 (Magnetic Press) – Instantaneous teleportation has altered almost every facet of human civilization but that progress has a price. The sci-fi/cyberpunk story has us intrigued.
Power Pack #1 (Marvel) – The Power Pack is back! But, with a law restricting underage superheroes, will they be able to continue to save the day?
The Red #1 (Heavy Metal Virus) – A single government runs the world after a nuclear war and content deemed emotionally dangerous is prohibited. A group of musicians discovers they’re the key to overthrowing the totalitarian government.
Science Comics: Rocks & Minerals (First Second) – Fun for kids and adults, this series are great graphic novels to learn about their topics.
Shang-Chi #3 (Marvel) – The first two issues have been fantastic as the team has reworked a problematic character. It’s full of action and adding so much depth to the character’s history.
Undiscovered Country #10 (Image Comics) – The series has kept us guessing as to what will happen next. The fact we’re constantly surprised is a good thing.
Yasmeen #4 (Scout Comics) – One of the best comics to come out this year, it’s been heartbreaking every issue.
The Witcher: Fading Memories #1 (Dark Horse) – If you’re a fan of the show, check out the new series!
X-O Manowar #2 (Valiant) – The series has been an interesting look at modern superheroes so far as X-O Manowar attempts to figure out his place in the world. The second issue really focuses on what the impact of superheroes would be in a real-world setting.
Shang-Chi #3 (of 5)
(W) Gene Luen Yang (A) Dike Ruan (A/CA) Philip Tan
32 PGS./Rated T+
In Shops: Nov 25, 2020
SRP: $3.99
DEADLY FAMILY REUNION!
Shang-Chi gets to know the family he never knew he had…
But which of his siblings can he trust, and which are trying to kill him?
Plus, witness the horrifying origin of Shang-Chi’s father!
The new era of Shang-Chi is now underway! Written by award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang and drawn by artists Dike Ruan and Philip Tan, each issue has been packed with startling revelations and pulse-pounding action scenes, and Marvel is excited to announce that the second issue will be getting a second printing!
Shang-Chi’s brand-new series has debuted new core elements that will define the character’s mythology moving forward — including his long lost family! Among those introduced is Brother Sabre, who takes the spotlight on the second printing variant covers of Shang-Chi #2. A fiercely devoted member of the Five Weapons Society, Brother Sabre uses his trademark nine-ring sabre to defend his newfound brother from their power-hungry sibling, Sister Hammer!
Check out Shang-Chi’s powerful new ally in all his glory on Ben Su’s explosive second printing variant cover and on Dike Ruan’s second printing design variant, perfect additions to fans who collected Su and Ruan’s Shang-Chi #1 second printing covers. Pick them up at your local comic shop on December 30th!
The debut issue of Shang-Chi was fantastic. Feeling like a breath of fresh air, the first issue set a new path for the character-building off of his history but at the same time attempted to right the stereotypes and wrongs of the past. Shang-Chi #2 ups the action as Shang-Chi goes after those who attacked him in the first issue but it’s not all fighting, there’s a lot of heart as well.
Written by Gene Luen Yang, Shang-Chi #2 delivers more than the usual foot soldier then boss battle you might expect. Yang adds depth by focusing on the relationship between Shang-Chi and his younger sister Shi-Hua. We learn of their abusive upbringing and the type of child Shang-Chi was. While he might be cool, calm, and focused, now, as a child he was spoiled and troublesome. His actions put his sister in danger and as we learn lead to her current situation. It establishes not just how Shang-Chi has grown but also the friction that exists between the two. The rivalry is more than just a simple jockeying for power, there’s a somewhat relatable past that adds depth to the story.
And that’s part of the brilliance of what Yang has put together. While the series could easily be the expected “kung-fu” story of a bad guy trying to gain power, the focus on the family adds so much. While the world is fantastical, those with siblings can relate to a lot of it. We have gotten our other siblings in trouble. There is probably grudges, even a small one, over incidents from when we were kids. Even those without a sibling can relate to similar situations concerning friends. While the story is fantasy, the grudges are rooted in a reality many of us have experienced and can relate to.
The art is split between Dike Ruan and Philip Tan. One handles the flashbacks while one handles the present. Sebastian Cheng handles the colors and Travis Lanham does lettering. Though the art is split, it flows well between the two. The switch isn’t jarring and not too noticeable. There’s also some beautiful art. It’s hard to say exactly what without spoiling it by the visuals and colors pop on the page with an almost magical element about them. There’s also an interesting use of panels as the “quieter” and “calmer” moments are broken up with standard block styles and the action leans more towards angled panels and spreads. There’s also a clear influence with classic manga visual tropes without leaning in to them too much and overdoing it. It has those elements but is still very much “Marvel” in the presentation.
Shang-Chi #2 is another win for the team updating what could easily fall into stereotypes. The action is solid but it’s the more human moments that really stand out in the issue. This is an issue, and series, that realizes that the main character at the center is what’s interesting, not just action sequences. Shang-Chi matures the character and series and shows that with a little work, classic characters can feel new and fresh while still honoring what has come before.
Story: Gene Luen Yang Art: Dike Ruan, Philip Tan
Color: Sebastian Cheng Letterer: Travis Lanham
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Wednesdays (and now Tuesdays) are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
Each week our contributors choose what they can’t wait to read this week or just sounds interesting. In other words, this is what we’re looking forward to and think you should be taking a look at!
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this week.
The Department of Truth #2 (Image Comics) – The conspiracy thriller continues and with it feeling like every crazy idea is being accepted as reality today, the series feels like it straddles between satire and reality.
Giga #1 (Vault Comics) – This is what happens when the mechs stop fighting. The series has already sold out of its first printing and will be a hot item this week at comic shops.
Legacy of Mandrake the Magician #1 (Red 5 Comics) – The classic character gets an update and we’re excited to check it out.
Nailbiter Returns #6 (Image Comics) – The series has been an amazing sendup of horror films and the last issue shifted things a bit in its tone and focus. We’re excited to check out more and see where this adventure takes us next.
Power Rangers: Sins of the Future (BOOM! Studios) – A brand new graphic novel set after the events of Power Rangers: Time Force. Based on the traffic we’re getting, this one might be under the radar and under-ordered.
Shang-Chi #2 (Marvel) – The first issue was fantastic with a solid mix of action and down to Earth moments. It’s a great re-introduction of the character with a focus on updating him for modern times but not losing so much of what makes the character great.
Strange Academy #4 (Marvel) – Such a fun series. If you want kids learning to control their magical powers at a school, this is one to check out!
Sympathy for No Devils #1 (AfterShock) – Murder, mystery, monsters, and magic. A brutal murder of the world’s largest Colossal and it needs to be solved. We’re intrigued by the series as it sounds like magic meets cops mystery.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Last Ronin #1 (IDW Publishing) – One of the most anticipated comics of the year, it’s already sold out and has over 130,000 copies ordered! One turtle remains and he’s on a mission of revenge.
Undiscovered Country #9 (Image Comics) – Anything can happen with this series that has kept us on our toes with every issue. It’s an America cut off from the world and now divided into numerous strange territories, each a commentary on today’s reality.
Victoria and Nora: A Gotham Love Story (DC Comics) – A new graphic novel about a young Victor Fries meeting Nora Kumar. It’s a tragic tale about living life to the fullest and what it truly means to love…and to let go. These graphic novels from DC have been amazing so far and this one has us really excited to read it.
Shang-Chi #2 (of 5)
(W) Gene Luen Yang (A) Dike Ruan (A/CA) Philip Tan
Rated T+
In Shops: Oct 28, 2020
SRP: $3.99
THE HITS KEEP ON COMING!
Shang-Chi may have finally met his match in the form of this strange new assailant, Sister Hammer – BUT WHO IS SHE REALLY? Find out in this shocking reunion!
After Shang-Chi returned last month in a brand-new series written by award-winning writer Gene Luen Yang and drawn by artists Dike Ruan and Philip Tan, Marvel has announced that the debut issue of this new era will get a second printing!
The action-packed Shang-Chi #1 introduced readers to the mysterious Five Weapons Society, a group of elite warriors who hold devastating truths about Shang-Chi’s past and future, including Shang-Chi’s newest enemy, Sister Hammer! Fans can check out Shang-Chi’s long lost sister on Benjamin Su’s eye-catching second printing variant cover and on series artist Dike Ruan’s second printing sketch variant, on sale November 4th!
It’s one of two new comic book days today! What are you all excited for? What do you plan on getting? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Sequart Organization – You Humans Love Your Symbolism, Chapter 3: Reincarnation in House of X #2 – An interesting look at the game-changing X storyline.
The Beat – A Year of Free Comics: Can you see dead people in S.I.D.? – Free comics!
Reviews
The Beat – The Autumnal #1
Talking Comics – Killadelphia #8
The Beat – Moriarty the Patriot
Comic Attack – Shang-Chi #1
It was new comic book day yesterday! What’d you all get? What’d you like? What’d you dislike? Sound off in the comments below! While you think about that, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
The Comichron – Diamond charts resume with Venom, Thor, Maestro leading its August 2020 comics sales – These will be the reports to watch.
Kotaku – Peter Parker Looks Very Different In Spider-Man Remastered On PS5 – Interesting move…
Review
Talking Comics – Shang-Chi #1
