Master of Kung Fu #1: Comic Book Review

Master of Kung Fu #1
Written by Haden Blackman
Art by Dalibor Talajic
Published by Marvel, $3.99

In ancient times the realm of K'Un'Lun was torn by the strife of warring fighting schools. The land was laid waste until there were only two fighters left: the masters of the ten rings and the iron fist. Realizing that the land and the people were dying, the two warriors started the tradition that every 13 years in the 13 chambers, the ruler or K'Un'Lun must face a challenger to his rule and defend his throne thru one on one combat. If the challenger wins, they become the new emperor. The current ruler, Zheng Zu, was crowned 100 years ago (no explanation as to WHY he is so long-lived). In a few days time, the doors to the 13 chambers will open. Will anyone be strong enough to wrest the empire from his hands?

It's probably not going to be his son, Shang-Chi, wanted for murder, and living in the ghetto underworld as a drunken bum. After he gets into a scrap with some of Zu's police force, his identiy is revealed to the world. It's time to fight or die.

I've been aware of Shang-Chi thru the years, though I never really bought his comics. They always seemed to have gorgeous art, but I hardly ever saw copies of the book at my local store. So I came to this title with relatively little knowledge of its backstory. It was kinda cool that the Morlocks from the X-men comics show up as aspiring rebels against the emperor and look to play a big part in the plot. I'm also thinking Iron Fist will show up at some point as well.

I liked the art in this first issue but I also DIDN'T like the art. Dalibor Talajic seems to concentrate more on posing his fight scenes instead of giving them fluidity and the illusion of motion. It's almost as if he WANTED to do a shonen jump type cinematic comic style....but didn't really know how to pull it off. Also, the fact that he seems allergic to motion lines doesn't help either. I'll probably buy another issue or two to see if the art gets better.

Haden Blackman's writing was pretty weak. The opening setup of two fighters reminds me a little too much of Naruto and Sasuke from the Naruto manga. Also, Shang-Chi's intro drunken fight seems ripped off from old Jackie Chan Drunken Master films. And lest I forget, throw in a little Afro Samurai as well. Master of Kung Fu doesn't have the feel of an epic book. Instead, it's going to tell forgettable tales taken from superior sources.

I might give the second issue a shot if it's a slow release week, but I did not have a very positive reaction to #1

My Grade: C-