Shang-Chi doesn’t have the power of the Ten Rings and is in the middle of the Gang War of New York. Find out if he can protect Chinatown in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2 by Marvel Comics!

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #2

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Caio Majado
Colorist: Jim Campbell
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Darren Shan
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: January 31st, 2024 

Previously in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu: Shang-Chi was trying to reform the Fire Weapons Society, but some men are loyal to the memory of his father, not Shang’s ideals. During the gang war, traditionalists plotted against Shang-Chi and cast a spell prohibiting Shang-Chi’s access to the Ten Rings. With the Gang War, he must rely on his father’s training and deception to keep Chinatown safe from the other superpowered villains.

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2 starts with Delilah, Shang-Chi’s girlfriend, meeting with him. Shang-Chi discusses some of what is happening, but because Delilah is a lawyer, it is difficult to know how much to say. However, when he realizes they are being watched, he asks Delilah to shoot him to ensure Delilah isn’t a target. Meanwhile, Shang-Chi challenges Diamondback, Mr. Negative, and Lady Yulan to a duel. The attempt is to challenge each of them to one-on-one combat, and whoever loses will leave Chinatown. All three show up at the duel, but they are regular men in disguise. Instead, the three gangs decide to attack each other, viewing their position as weak due to being in a fight with Shang-Chi.

We learn that Shang-Chi intended to pit his enemies against each other through deception. He predicted that they would try to attack each other instead of him if he staged this duel, an action that would have made his father proud. However, he now has the attention of Luke Cage and his team.

I am interested in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2 because I understand what the Art of War is in passing. I’ve read the book several times, and it is constantly referred to within the text. While I can’t guarantee it is applied accurately, the concept here is fascinating. Shang-Chi is depowered without the Ten Rings, and watching him navigate that works well. While I’m not enjoying all aspects of the event, Shang-Chi is taking the street-level concepts well. He is thinking about how to stop problems and keep his people safe. He is handling relationships both with his organization and his girlfriend. Greg Pak has done a great job taking what is given and making it his own. But this idea that Luke Cage is coming after him seems a little silly, but I don’t have the context of the whole story.

The art of the story is decent, but I think the colors really stand out. When Delilah takes out her numbing/stun gun thing, the weapon effects look brilliant on the page. The sunset and lighting are unique, elevating the linework to a new level. Good work here.

I’m having a hard time keeping up with the Gang War. It has some unique ideas, but I don’t know if those ideas work for my sensibilities. However, I think this particular title is exciting and worth reading. The writing was good enough to figure out the context of what is happening in other books without reading them. I give 4 out of 5 stars to Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2.

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Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2

80%

80%

Worth a Read

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #2 shows how Shang-Chi can solve problems while respecting Chinese philosophy.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  7
• Coloring

  9
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