REVIEW: ‘Deadly Hands of Kung Fu: Gang War,’ Issue #1

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu: Gang War #1 is published by Marvel Comics, written by Greg Pak, art by Caio Majado, colors by Jim Campbell, and letters by Travis Lanham. This is part of the Gang War event. Chinatown has mostly been spared by the war, with Shang-Chi and the Five Weapons Society standing firm, but will others view them as a force for good or as just another crime family?

Many of the tie-ins of this crossover have largely been isolated, but this one elevates things to the next level. It is confined within itself, linking with Shang-Chi’s ongoing progression as the leader of a whole organization and wielding the Ten Rings. Figures enter the perimeter of the territory, but not for long. That is either achieved by force or by choice, depending on their intentions. Some of those encroaching have been on the fringes of the war so far. Others, like Spider-Man, are on the frontlines.

Throughout the story, questions and ethics are being raised. For Shang-Chi, the goal of the Five Weapons should be to protect the people around them, while the nefarious and bloodthirsty members of the organization may want to expand and take advantage of the war for personal gain. This is presented through an allegory of military tactics, using the notion of being surrounded. The issue fantastically develops a precarious balance that Shang-Chi reaches with both the heroes and the gangs of New York, leaving the potential for enemies on both sides. The threat can come from anywhere, but the real manifestation of it is a huge surprise. It dismantles that carefully poised house of cards and opens the floodgates to prepare them for disaster.

The characters and the dialogue are fantastic, placing Shang-Chi in a really awkward position. He is a very respected man within the superhero community, especially with Spider-Man. When he makes a promise, it is truly believed and genuinely said with a desire to keep it. The safety of his neighbors is the priority, not expansion. But that doesn’t make his fellow members of the Five Weapons Society entirely comfortable. They offer other options that they can take within the Gang War, including the possibility of taking the whole city. They are mere suggestions, not directives, demonstrating the old ways and their influence. Shang-Chi’s relationship with the group he is now in charge of is fascinating, as there is a huge emphasis on how loyal and devoted they are to him whilst maintaining that reminder of what they were and potentially still are.

The introduction of Spider-Man and how he is received is another sign of the uneasiness of Shang’s position. The dialogue makes repeated references to Sun Tzu, using his teachings to enforce and explain decisions. It’s a fine example of Spider-Man’s own intelligence that Pak even has him quote Art of War.

The art is superb. A crucial requirement for the art of a Shang-Chi comic is being able to depict fight scenes, which Majado does brilliantly. The ruthless and rapid ferocity that the world’s greatest martial artist possesses is fantastic. He leaps into action without fear, pairing his athleticism with the power of the Ten Rings. Personally, the rings have often been annoying in other books, as they seem to take away from the magnificent fighting style that Shang-Chi has been famous for.

But not in this iteration. They are used in conjunction with the martial arts instead of overtaking. He is one of the fastest and most effective fighters in comics. Individual fights are quick, with a single blow being able to end it. And the blurring depicts the intense speed that he embodies. The designs of the characters, especially those within the Five Weapons Society, are awesome, with intricate and terrific details whilst also allowing for space within their costumes. Spider-Man and his own unique movement are also captured well. He combines that same high velocity that his friend does.

The colors are excellent, using two opposing tones for much of the book. The cool, dark blue of the New York sky is contrasted with the orange glow that emanates from the burning city. There is also an abundance of red, as it is on the uniforms of Shang-Chi, Spider-Man, and many of the other characters involved in the issue. The lettering is very clear and easy to read, similar to the font that the X-Men-associated comics have used.

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu: Gang War #1 brings another player onto the board. Initially wanting to be isolated from the rest of the event, it is evident that circumstances do not want that to remain the case. But the exclusion of many of the outsiders allows for the exposition that is specific to Shang-Chi before unleashing all manner of external factors onto the tie-in. In doing so, what occurs in this comic looks like it will have lasting consequences on the future of the character and his standing within not only the superhero community but his own organization that recent series have sought to build. The notion of implications for what happens within this crossover is consistent with the majority of the tie-ins, giving the whole event more weight and edge.

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu: Gang War #1 is available where comics are sold.