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brendalovesbooks's review
3.0
This was okay. I read it because I like the movie so much, but this was really nothing like it.
achilleanshelves's review
4.0
This was a lot of fun and a great introduction to the character! The artwork and action in this were so great.
neon_capricorn's review
4.0
I liked this revival of Shang-Chi. I did not, admittedly, know much about the character, and this felt like a good starting point. The writing is pretty solid, but the negative for me was the art, as it looks too sketchy and not polished enough for my tastes.
saramarie08's review
4.0
Read more graphic novel reviews at The Graphic Library.
Shang-Chi is holding down a normal job in a Chinese bakery in San Francisco’s Chinatown when remnants of his past life break in and demand he be pulled back into the cult of his father. Sister Hammer, Shi-Hua, recently killed the Supreme Commander of the Five Weapons Society, but rather than put her in charge, the flame of their father’s spirit alights on the Fist. Enraged that her father’s spirit would pick her brother, Shang-Chi (especially after Shang-Chi practically murdered their father), Shi-Hua sets a plan in motion to kill her brother and finally become the rightful Supreme Commander. But, two others oppose her usurpation. Brother Sabre and Sister Dagger seek out Shang-Chi and help him regain the strength and will to take his rightful place as leader of the Five Weapons. Shang-Chi is sent down his path to confronting his destiny and the family he thought he left behind.
Shang-Chi is an interesting super hero story in that it is steeped in ancient Chinese folklore with a dash of history as it relates to how the Five Weapons Society’s crusade to protect China from colonizing forces. Gene Luen Yang is know for crafting engaging stories, and this has promise to be one of them. Like many volume ones in a new run, the primary focus of this volume is setting up the world that we are dropped into at the beginning of issue 1, so there isn’t as much room to flex the creative storytelling muscles Yang has. However, the foundation laid with Shang-Chi’s journey and conflict with his family promises to be a fulfilling story. With the announcement of Shang-Chi joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is a good bet to have on your shelves for interested students.
Dike Ruan’s illustrations are colorful and enjoyable, but Philip Tan’s flashback art isn’t my favorite. Everything is very efphemeral, especially in facial details where there are lots of shading lines with less definitive facial features.
Sara’s Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
Shang-Chi is holding down a normal job in a Chinese bakery in San Francisco’s Chinatown when remnants of his past life break in and demand he be pulled back into the cult of his father. Sister Hammer, Shi-Hua, recently killed the Supreme Commander of the Five Weapons Society, but rather than put her in charge, the flame of their father’s spirit alights on the Fist. Enraged that her father’s spirit would pick her brother, Shang-Chi (especially after Shang-Chi practically murdered their father), Shi-Hua sets a plan in motion to kill her brother and finally become the rightful Supreme Commander. But, two others oppose her usurpation. Brother Sabre and Sister Dagger seek out Shang-Chi and help him regain the strength and will to take his rightful place as leader of the Five Weapons. Shang-Chi is sent down his path to confronting his destiny and the family he thought he left behind.
Shang-Chi is an interesting super hero story in that it is steeped in ancient Chinese folklore with a dash of history as it relates to how the Five Weapons Society’s crusade to protect China from colonizing forces. Gene Luen Yang is know for crafting engaging stories, and this has promise to be one of them. Like many volume ones in a new run, the primary focus of this volume is setting up the world that we are dropped into at the beginning of issue 1, so there isn’t as much room to flex the creative storytelling muscles Yang has. However, the foundation laid with Shang-Chi’s journey and conflict with his family promises to be a fulfilling story. With the announcement of Shang-Chi joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe, this is a good bet to have on your shelves for interested students.
Dike Ruan’s illustrations are colorful and enjoyable, but Philip Tan’s flashback art isn’t my favorite. Everything is very efphemeral, especially in facial details where there are lots of shading lines with less definitive facial features.
Sara’s Rating: 8/10
Suitability Level: Grades 7-12
calistareads's review
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
I loved the Marvel film of Shang-Chi and at the time I was looking for the comic to reference. Our library had nothing. Luckily, I checked back in and now they have this series written by Gene Luen Yang who wrote 'America Born Chinese'. I like his work.
I think this is a great story. It gives some history of China. It goes into the Boxer rebellion. Gene has a great book on that. There are other bits of history he references in the Qing dynasty. I appreciate that. Then, we meet Shang-Chi in Chinatown, San Francisco, I think. Chinatown. They speak Cantonese there. I like getting to know his life there.
Then, he's pulled into martial arts world by his sister and the book turns into a thriller, all action. There are zombie vampires and tombs of the ancients. I feel it's a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading more.
I think this is a great story. It gives some history of China. It goes into the Boxer rebellion. Gene has a great book on that. There are other bits of history he references in the Qing dynasty. I appreciate that. Then, we meet Shang-Chi in Chinatown, San Francisco, I think. Chinatown. They speak Cantonese there. I like getting to know his life there.
Then, he's pulled into martial arts world by his sister and the book turns into a thriller, all action. There are zombie vampires and tombs of the ancients. I feel it's a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading more.
bites_of_books's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Having really enjoyed the MCU movie of Shang-Chi I was looking forward to getting to know more about his story from the comics. This volume certainly gave me a lot of what I was looking for and even a couple more characters who I really enjoyed.
We follow Shang-Chi as he's working at a bakery, trying to have a nice and normal life. However, seemingly out of nowhere, his sister sends for him to try and kill him. I liked to see the sibling relationship evolve as we went along but some parts did seem a bit rushed. At times the comic would refer to a previous installment so maybe that's what I was missing.
Overall, this was a fun ride full of cool characters, amazing art, and one I hope to continue in the next two installments.
We follow Shang-Chi as he's working at a bakery, trying to have a nice and normal life. However, seemingly out of nowhere, his sister sends for him to try and kill him. I liked to see the sibling relationship evolve as we went along but some parts did seem a bit rushed. At times the comic would refer to a previous installment so maybe that's what I was missing.
Overall, this was a fun ride full of cool characters, amazing art, and one I hope to continue in the next two installments.
hazzel's review
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
jhstack's review
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0