Key Collector Comics
Shang-Chi
View Key Issues

Creation & Design

Shang-Chi was created during the martial arts craze of the 1970s, inspired by the popularity of kung fu films. His character was designed to be a master of martial arts and a skilled fighter.

Early Years

Shang-Chi was introduced as the son of the villain Fu Manchu, raised in isolation to become a weapon for his father's criminal empire. He eventually rebels against his father's teachings and seeks to fight for justice.

Character Development

Over the years, Shang-Chi has evolved from a character primarily defined by his martial arts prowess to a complex hero grappling with his heritage, identity, and the moral implications of his actions.

Cultural Reception

Shang-Chi has been well-received by audiences and critics alike, praised for his depth and the representation of Asian characters in comics.

Character Details

Real Name:
Shang-Chi
First Appearance:
Special Marvel Edition #15
Aliases:
Master of Kung Fu, The Hands of Shang-Chi
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
Avengers, Heroes for Hire, Secret Avengers
Abilities:
Master martial artist, Expert in hand-to-hand combat, Chi manipulation
Equipment:
Nunchaku, Various martial arts weapons
Weight:
160lbs
Height:
6' 10"
Eye Color:
brown
Hair Color:
black

Clicking on the eBay link and making a purchase may result in this site earning a commission from the eBay Partner Network.

Special Marvel Edition #15
Marvel ⋅ 1973
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Special Marvel Edition #15
 
Low
$120
Mid
$400
High
$1.2k

Key Facts

1st appearance of Shang-Chi, the Master of Kung-Fu

1st appearance of Sir Dennis Nayland-Smith

1st appearance of Fu Manchu, father of Shang-Chi, later renamed Han, then Zheng Zu

1st team appearance of Si-Fan, a secret society with allegiances to Fu Manchu

View more (1)

1st appearance of Shang-Chi's unnamed mother, an American - later retconned in Shang-Chi #4 (2021)

Special Marvel Edition #16
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Special Marvel Edition #16
 
Low
$30
Mid
$90
High
$300

Key Facts

2nd appearance of Shang-Chi

1st appearance of Midnight Sun, a highly trained martial artist and master of stealth

Title becomes Master of Kung-Fu

As of December 1, 2023 there exists only 18 copies in 9.8 on the census compared to 129 copies for Shang Chi's first appearance in Special Marvel Edition #15

Master of Kung Fu #17
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Master of Kung Fu #17
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

3rd appearance of Shang-Chi

1st appearance of Black Jack Tarr, an M6 agent

Title changes to Master of Kung-Fu, formerly Special Marvel Edition

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #1
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$18
High
$60

Key Facts

4th appearance and origin of Shang-Chi

1st team appearance of Sons of the Tiger: Bob Diamond, Black Tiger, Lin Sun

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Origin of Shang-Chi continued

1st appearance of Ducharme, a woman who has played double agent for MI6 and Fu Manchu

First reprint of Special Marvel Edition #15 (1974) - first appearance of Shang-Chi

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Special #1
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu Special #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

'Special Album Edition'

84-page martial arts special with photographs and painted representations of David Carradine, Christopher Lee, and Boris Karloff as Fu Manchu along with stories featuring Marvel characters

1st cover appearance of Shang-Chi and Iron Fist - characters do not interact in any of the interior stories

Giant-Size Spider-Man #2
Marvel ⋅ 1974
View Details
Giant-Size Spider-Man #2
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

First meeting of Spider-Man and Shang-Chi

First crossover of Shang-Chi outside of a Kung Fu series

Special Collector's Edition Featuring Savage Fists of Kung Fu #1
Marvel ⋅ 1975
View Details
Special Collector's Edition Featuring Savage Fists of Kung Fu #1
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

84-page oversized one-shot reprinting stories from:

Kung-Fu Special (1974)

Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1

Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu #2

Master of Kung-Fu Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 1976
View Details
Master of Kung-Fu Annual #1
 
Low
$8
Mid
$20
High
$75

Key Facts

First team-up of Shang-Chi and Iron Fist

1st appearance of Quan-St'ar, the first to slay Shou-Lao the dragon of K'un-Lun

Master of Kung Fu #125
Marvel ⋅ 1983
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Master of Kung Fu #125
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$18

Key Facts

Final issue

Marvel Knights #1
Marvel ⋅ 2000
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Marvel Knights #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$5

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Marvel Knights, unofficial name, led by Daredevil: Black Widow, Shang-Chi, Moon Knight and Dagger

Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #15
Marvel ⋅ 2002
View Details
Ultimate Marvel Team-Up #15
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st appearance of Shang-Chi of the Ultimate Universe

Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu #1
Max ⋅ 2002
View Details
Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st appearance of Moving Shadow, half-brother of Shang-Chi

Heroes for Hire #1
Marvel ⋅ 2006
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Heroes for Hire #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the new Heroes for Hire: Misty Knight, Colleen Wing, Humbug, Tarantula, Shang-Chi, Black Cat, Orka and Paladin

1st appearance of Tarantula, Maria Vasquez, a female version of the original Tarantula with blades on her boots and wrists

Free Comic Book Day 2011: The Amazing Spider-Man #2011
Marvel ⋅ 2011
View Details
Free Comic Book Day 2011: The Amazing Spider-Man #2011
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Shang-Chi teaches Spider-Man martial arts

Secret Avengers #18
Marvel ⋅ 2011
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (2)
Secret Avengers #18
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Captain America refers to Shang-Chi as an Avenger

In Secret Avengers #6, Captain America recruits Shang-Chi for a mission

In Secret Avengers #10, Captain America refers to Black Widow, Moon Knight and Shang-Chi as Avengers but much more direct in this issue which Shang-Chi recognizes

Secret Avengers #18
1:20 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2011
View Details
Secret Avengers #18
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Variant cover art by David Aja featuring Shang-Chi

Avengers World #3
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2014
View Details
Avengers World #3
 
Low
$15
Mid
$50
High
$150

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Agustin Alession

Copies ordered by retailers: 40,000

Master of Kung-Fu #1
Marvel ⋅ 2015
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Master of Kung-Fu #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

Four-issue limited series that occurs on the alternate reality planet of Battleworld

1st appearance of Zheng Zu, Emperor of the 10 Rings Citadel and the father of Shang-Chi

There are elements of the Shang-Chi movie that are introduced here such as the 10 Rings being an organization and an update of Fu Manchu's origin, a tournament and a martial arts school

1st appearance of Laughing Skull (Taskmaster), Typhus (Typhoid Mary), Red Sai (Elektra) and Nightwind

View more (1)

Introduction of the Thirteen Chambers, a tournament of master martial artists

Master of Kung-Fu #1
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015
View Details
Master of Kung-Fu #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$3
High
$8

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Jackson "Butch" Guice

Totally Awesome Hulk #15
Marvel ⋅ 2017
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (3)
Totally Awesome Hulk #15
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

1st unofficial team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Kamala Khan, Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Amadeus Cho

Totally Awesome Hulk #16
Marvel ⋅ 2017
View Details
Totally Awesome Hulk #16
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$3

Key Facts

1st official team appearance of The Protectors: Silk, Ms Marvel (Khan), Shang-Chi, Agent Jake Oh, Jimmy Woo and Hulk (Cho)

Master of Kung Fu #126
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
View Details
Master of Kung Fu #126
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Mike Mayhew

Written by CM Punk

One-shot Legacy Numbering that began with Special Marvel Edition #1 (1971)

Sword Master #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019
View Details
Sword Master #1
 
Low
$5
Mid
$15
High
$50

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Haining

Shang-Chi #1
Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (20)
Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

1st team appearance of the Five Weapons Society: Sister Hammer, Brother Staff, Brother Sabre, Sister Dagger

Shang-Chi #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details
Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$20

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Jen Bartel

Shang-Chi #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details
Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Art Adams

Shang-Chi #1
Non-Key
1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details
Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Variant virgin cover art by InHyuk Lee

Shang-Chi #2
Non-Key
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
View Details
Shang-Chi #2
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Alex Ross featuring Shang-Chi

Legend of Shang-Chi #1
Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (1)
Legend of Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

Someone has been stealing artifacts of WMD potential. It’s up to Shang-Chi to find this person and stop them. But is he prepared to go toe-to-toe with Lady Deathstrike?!

Shang-Chi #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #1
 
Low
$4
Mid
$12
High
$40

Key Facts

Variant cover art by J. Scott Campbell

Shang-Chi #2
Non-Key
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #2
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Shang-Chi #3
Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (4)
Shang-Chi #3
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

1st appearance of Zhilan, the sister of Shang-Chi and a mutant warrior gifted with the ability to transform music into solid energy

Shang-Chi #3
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #3
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Marvel's Voices: Identity #1
Non-Key
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Marvel's Voices: Identity #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by InHyuk Lee

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month edition

Marvel's Voices: Identity #1
Non-Key
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Marvel's Voices: Identity #1
 
Low
$1
Mid
$5
High
$15

Key Facts

Non-Key Issue. No additional information is available.

Shang-Chi #4
Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details  ⋅  View Variants (4)
Shang-Chi #4
 
Low
$1
Mid
$2
High
$4

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Jiang Li, Shang Chi's mother in what appears to be a retcon to the original introduction of an American version of the character from Special Marvel Edition #15 (1974)

Shang-Chi #4
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #4
 
Low
$5
Mid
$18
High
$60

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Shang-Chi #5
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #5
 
Low
$2
Mid
$8
High
$25

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Shang-Chi #6
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2021
View Details
Shang-Chi #6
 
Low
$3
Mid
$9
High
$30

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Michael Cho

Adjust Your Filters To See More Comics!

By default Key Collector searches for Standard Cover Key Issues.

Adjust the "Variants" and/or "Non-Key Issues" search filters above for additional content:

  • Variant Covers ([[totalVariants]])
  • Non-Key Issues ([[totalNonKeys]])

At Key Collector, our primary focus is on unearthing those rare Standard Cover Key Issues for you. However, the world of comic collectibles is vast and varied. We want to make sure you have the tools to explore it all!