Wednesday, July 28, 2021

WHAT IF? "Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, had Remained Loyal to Fu Manchu?" Conclusion

When Last We Left our Antagonist and His Son...

...on an alternate Earth, Shang-Chi, who has not turned against his father, Fu Manchu, as he did in the Marvel Universe, is now questioning the wisdom of his pater's plans...which are being revealed to Fu's long-time nemesis, Sir Denis Nayland-Smith and his team...
While this never-reprinted tale from Marvel's What If? V1#17 (1977) was open-ended, there was never a sequel, as was done for several of the alternate-universe tales presented in the title!
Exactly why this particular story, of all the Shang-Chi tales, has never been republished, is unknown.
Considering that the character's saga (including all the other stories that mention or feature Fu Manchu) has been completely reprinted...except for this one...we're at a loss to explain why!
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Tuesday, July 27, 2021

WHAT IF? "Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, had Remained Loyal to Fu Manchu?" Part 2

On an alternate Earth where Shang-Chi has not turned against his father, Fu Manchu, the Master of Kung Fu is leading a team of Si-Fan dacoits to exhume dead bodies for experiments by Fu.
However, a team of special agents has just been alerted about the grave-robbing...
What secrets will be revealed?
Would you believe...
KUNG FU ZOMBIES???
Find Out

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Monday, July 26, 2021

WHAT IF? "Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu, had Remained Loyal to Fu Manchu?" Part 1

He's the newest Marvel Cinematic Universe hero...

...but Shang-Chi has an almost 50-year history...which has been altered and revised numerous times over the years.
This is the never-reprinted first alteration to his history.
The stage is set!
The band is engaged!
We'll see if our protagonists can perform the Dance of Death...
Written by Master of Kung Fu's primary scripter, Doug Moench, and illustrated by non-regulars penciler Rick Hoberg and inkers Bill Wray and Dave Stevens (Yes, that Dave Stevens), Marvel's What If? #16 (1977) continued the book's mission of presenting possible alternate versions of popular characters and storylines, some of which have since been incorporated into whatever the mainstream Marvel Universe now is!
Notes: As we mentioned earlier, this story has never been reprinted, perhaps the only Shang-Chi tale to be unseen since it's initial publication!
Before you ask, Fu Manchu is not Shang-Chi's father in the upcoming movie.
Here's some background about the famous character and why he was chosen to be the father of Marvel's brand-new martial arts master in 1973!
Here's a partial explanation as to why Fu isn't Shang's poppa in the new movie,t hough it leaves out two points...payment for use of the character to the estate of his creator, Sax Rohmer, and the problem of getting approval from the estate for how the character is portrayed!
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