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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 9, 2019 13:05:46 GMT -5
ps When Keenan Ivory Wayans was putting together I'm Gonna get You Sucka, he tried to recruit Jim Kelly for Kung Fu Joe (part was based on his films); but, he turned it down, leading to Steve James being cast. James basically played the part like Kelly. He did film a cameo for Undercover Brother, but it was cut. It can be seen in deleted footage, on the dvd.
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Post by kirby101 on Jul 9, 2019 14:41:16 GMT -5
McLaughlin was mainly an inker at Marvel. But his Judo Master from Charlton was a fun book. I have that issue!!! McLaughlin did a TON of inks at DC as well, including a LONG run on JLA, where I always felt he murdered Dick Dillin's pencils, and was one of the few inkers who almost managed to murder George Perez' pencils. I thought he did much better later on over Carmine Infantino, whose "layouts" had become faster, rougher, lighter, and more than ever in need of a real "finisher" to come in and over-power the work. He did this on Carmine's last run of THE FLASH, as well as DANGER TRAIL (which, funny enough, had Paul Gulacy covers-- that's like a reverse of having Gil Kane do all those covers over Gulacy's MOKF). I got the strong impression that Frank McLaughlin was scheduled to take over IRON FIST when he graduated to his own B&W magazine, as he drew both the IF episode of "The Master Plan Of Fu Manchu" and the main story intended for IRON FIST #1 which instead wound up as the all-IF issue of DEADLY HANDS. "The Crusty Bunkers" (Neal Adams' shop) inked the first one very nicely (I suspect Dick Giordano may have been in there somewhere) but Rudy Nebres did the later story, and changed to feel of the art immensely. Im afraid I've never been a big fan of Nebres' work, but that IF story was my first exposure to his "flowery" linework. Anyway, I rank McLaughlin up there with Larry Hama among my favorite IF artists. Way, WAY better than Gil Kane, Don Perlin, Arvell Jones, Pat Broderick or John Byrne. I wish we'd seen more of his IF.
I got the sense that McLaughin was a "go to guy" who could get a job done fast and on time. He did good work on Curt Swan and Sal Buscema.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 10, 2019 0:17:46 GMT -5
Master of Kung Fu #21"By that time, my lungs were aching for air..." Creative Team: Doug Moench-writer, Ron Wilson-pencils, Al Milgrom-inks, John Costanza Letters, Stan Goldberg-colors, Roy Thomas-edits Synopsis: Chi is climbing out of the water, pierside, after leaving Marston's yacht. On the ship, Marston's men urge him to escape, before the cops come out, after the casino guests have fled to shore. marston finally goes, swearing vengeance against Chi fir the death of Diana, who was killed by Korain, who was hired by Marston, who wanted to impress Fu Manchu. Got all that? Good, let's press on. Marston and flunkies climb down to a motorboat and head to shore. Chiwalks through Miami and comes to Marine Land. He goes inside, curious, and finds the captive dolphins, which makes him sad. A man has followed Chi and he aims a weapon. Chi ducks but the bullet hits a dolphin. Now Chi is mad. One flying kick to the head takes out the killer, then his back-up arrives. Chi fights the lot of them; but, the numbers are too great. he dives into a tank to escape a bullet and finds it occupied by a shark. Chi punches and chops the shark, stunning it and makes like lloyd Bridges and heads for the surface, for some air. he runs into the mob and gets bonked. Chi wakes up, tied to a tree, on a remote Key island. Marston works him over, with a tree limb; but, is interrupted by the Si-Fan, who start killing his men. He tries to buy them pff, only to be greeted by angry stares. A helicopter arrives and Fu steps out. His minions hold Marston, who said he was only trying to serve Fu's ends by killing Chi. Fu says he is lower than the viper he pulls out of his sleeve and he sicks it on Martson, killing him. He cuts Chi loose, who collapses; then he walks away, telling his son that he will die when it suits Fu Manchu and not before... So he's got that to look forward to. Thoughts: Interesting ending to things, with Fu rescuing his own son, just so he can be the one who kills him (or rather, his minions), rather than a gweilo. The Marine Land stuff is kind of goofy and sounds like Moench making a point about animals in captivity, being made to perform. The art on this one is below the standards of past issues. Wilson is also green, though Gulacy seems further along in his evolution. Wilson has some way to go. He will distinguish himself on Marvel-Two-in-One, where he drew one of the best Things, plus got to try his hand at just about every other Marvel characters. Later, he will plot and draw the Marvel Graphic Novel, Super Boxers, about a futuristic boxer who fights a genetically engineered and scientifically trained boxer, with power enhancing equipment, to jazz up the sport. The challenger will be from a lower social strata and will be a sort of Rocky character. It was actually pretty good, though hardly original. Some years later, an anime series, metal Fighter Miku, would explore a similar premise, as a young girl trains to be a pro wrestler, where they use power armor to enhance their abilities. each episode had her overcome a new challenger and develop new techniques, until she challenges the singles champion for the title.
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Post by brutalis on Jul 10, 2019 7:47:26 GMT -5
MOKF #21 was my very 1st issue of the series that I had. Traded with a neighbor across the alley who lived behind my home. Goofy and yet different enough from other super hero stuff that I was instantly hooked. Then began a desperate search for any of the few back issues I could find. Luckily enough there was a magic/party shop about a half hour into town that also carried a wall of comics that the owner would buy used as trade in for store purchases. This is where I also found my 1st Captain Mar-Vell (issues 3 and 4) as well. It was just down the road from the grocery store my mom would shop at every 2 weeks so as she shopped I could get my dad to take us 3 boys over to the magic shop for cheap, silly stuff and grab a few comics.
Couldn't find either of the Marvel Special Edition issues but the store had issues #17, 18, 19 and 20 so I was quite happy to join the Kung Fu pajama craze. From here on in 12 year old me would seek out MOKF on the spinner racks. It was hit and miss so I would miss a few issues here and there for awhile until around issue 32 where the team of Moench and Gulacy helped the series improve immensely. Where it was a seldom found gem it was now appearing quite regularly on the racks. Not sure if that was distributor or sales driven but I was a happy lad!
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The Captain
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Post by The Captain on Jul 10, 2019 9:29:04 GMT -5
MOKF #21 is not a good story at all. Marston's motivation for wanting to kill Shang-Chi is specious at best, as though an international criminal mastermind like Fu Manchu would take notice of a two-bit Miami crime boss who whacked his kid, and then to throw on the personal vendetta against Shang-Chi for the death of Marston's girlfriend is unnecessary.
The Marine Land portion of the book is OK, as it serves to show that Shang-Chi values all life, human or otherwise, while others do not. Not sure if this is what Moench was planning, but this ties into the change in direction of the book a few issues later, when he phases out Fu Manchu and his minions as the main villain story after story and has Shang-Chi join up with Nayland Smith's organization to fight various threats (while Fu Manchu was an overarching thought in their heads at this time, he ceased to be their only focus). Having Shang-Chi encounter others, outside of his father's organization, who hold little regard for life as opposed to his desire to preserve life, is a smart move, intended or not.
As for the ending, I get that Fu Manchu wants to be the one to kill his son for betraying him, but does he really just walk around hiding a deadly venomous snake up his sleeve?
I've never been a big fan of Ron Wilson's art, but I do acknowledge that he is still really green at this point, so I can't be overly critical of it. He does have problems with consistency here, as the shark grows and shrinks from panel to panel, while Shang-Chi goes from looking gigantic to looking like a Munchkin within the span of a couple of panels,
As well, in that panel above where the snake is "biting" Marston, it looks more like the snake is head-butting his chin than delivering a deadly bite.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 10, 2019 9:36:22 GMT -5
MOKF #21 is not a good story at all. Marston's motivation for wanting to kill Shang-Chi is specious at best, as though an international criminal mastermind like Fu Manchu would take notice of a two-bit Miami crime boss who whacked his kid, and then to throw on the personal vendetta against Shang-Chi for the death of Marston's girlfriend is unnecessary. The Marine Land portion of the book is OK, as it serves to show that Shang-Chi values all life, human or otherwise, while others do not. Not sure if this is what Moench was planning, but this ties into the change in direction of the book a few issues later, when he phases out Fu Manchu and his minions as the main villain story after story and has Shang-Chi join up with Nayland Smith's organization to fight various threats (while Fu Manchu was an overarching thought in their heads at this time, he ceased to be their only focus). Having Shang-Chi encounter others, outside of his father's organization, who hold little regard for life as opposed to his desire to preserve life, is a smart move, intended or not. As for the ending, I get that Fu Manchu wants to be the one to kill his son for betraying him, but does he really just walk around hiding a deadly venomous snake up his sleeve? I've never been a big fan of Ron Wilson's art, but I do acknowledge that he is still really green at this point, so I can't be overly critical of it. He does have problems with consistency here, as the shark grows and shrinks from panel to panel, while Shang-Chi goes from looking gigantic to looking like a Munchkin within the span of a couple of panels, As well, in that panel above where the snake is "biting" Marston, it looks more like the snake is head-butting his chin than delivering a deadly bite. Must be a Scottish viper. "Stitch this, jamie!"
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Post by profh0011 on Jul 10, 2019 20:45:55 GMT -5
I had fun doing multiple alternate versions of some of these covers.
I used the panel where the shark is circling Chi in the water.
MOKF #21 was slightly maddening, as the published cover actually depicts a scene from the beginning of THE PREVIOUS ISSUE.
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Post by BigPapaJoe on Jul 11, 2019 1:10:44 GMT -5
Fabulous thread codystarbuck. Thanks for starting it. I've always been interested in this character, but never really took the time to try and read through his stories. With Marvel Studios making a film in the near future, and this discussion for the original series now around, I'm going to catch up in the next week or so to be in sync with the commentary here. This feels like the perfect time, and I'm excited to explore Shang Chi's journey.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 11, 2019 13:13:54 GMT -5
Kung Fu Special #1This was a special annual, for Deadly Hands of Kung Fu, though the official title was Kung Fu Special. it features a team-up of Iron Fist, Shang-Chi and the Sons of the tiger, as they face Fu Manchu. Creative Team: Iron Fist chapter-Doug moench-writer, Frank McLaughlin and the Crusty Bunkers-art; Sons of the Tiger- Chris Claremont-writer, Herb Trimpe-art; Shang-Chi- Doug Moench-writer, Mike Vosburg & Dan Adkins-art Synopsis: Iron Fist- Danny Rand, in costume, finds a wounded Chinese man, part of a 6-man diplomatic team to the UN. they were attacked by costumed assassins and abducted. This one escaped, but is gravely injured. He urges Iron Fist to find the others, before it is too late. Then, the assassins shows up... IF beats the first and moves to the second, taking him out with a front kick to the face, then dislocates a thrid's shoulder. The first baddie runs off and IF follows, to see where the other abductees might be. He leads him to an import warehouse, where the assassin reports to his boss, Tsu-Gamo, a massive sumo wrestler. He is angered that the assassin failed an snaps his back with a bear hug. IF smashes through a window then unleashes the best drawn choppin' and sockin' on IF so far... Tsu-Gamo grabs him in a bear hug, but IF slaps his ears, then sweeps his legs and takes him down, administering what Moench calls a chop to the enck, but looks more like a chokehold, based on what McLaughlin draws. IF then goes to the metal door, behind which are the victims and used the Iron Fist to smash through. There, he finds 5 disguised dummies and an open window. He looks out and sees a departing helicopter and a not, saying "Thank you." Next follows an article about an actual open martial arts tournament, at the Manhattan Center (which was a crumbling mess, at the time). It gives a description of a typical martial arts tournament, with forms competition, sparring, demonstrations and presentations. They also interview the medic for the tournament. An article about Sax Rohmer follows, with mostly cursory information about ROhmer (Arthur Sarsfield Ward) and his books, movies based on them, the serial and tv series, plus the newer Christopher Lee films. It is illustrated with stills from The Mask of Fu Manchu, with Boris Karloff. Next is a n article on martial arts movies to see, mentioning the Shaw brothers and Hammer co-productions of Shatter and The Seven Golden Vampires. Yakuza, with Robert Mitchum, gets a shout out, as does Way of the Dragon, aka return of the Dragon, with Bruce Lee. Sons of the Tiger- the trio arrive in New York for a tournament and are immediately attacked by minions of the Silent ones. There is a lot of choppin' and a sockin', bippin' and a boppin' and the guys kick butt. Later, they hear a news piece about the disappearance of the Chinese delegates and a demand from the Chinese government for their safe return, vowing to hold the US responsible. Li Sun's amulet tingles at the sight of the speaker, indicating he is one of the Silent Ones. He wakes the others and they go investigate. Some thugs try to prevent them from going into the gallery, at the UN council chamber, but, a guard lets them through. They notice several in the galery acting funny and then the suspicious types attack, with glider wings! The go after the American delegates and the SOT pull off their clothes to reveal their fighting outfits and counter-attack. The "Chinese" agents grab the US delegates and one lets slip that they are Si-Fan. They escape in the confusion, as the trio trips over a blind beggar. Hmm... there was a blind beggar around during Iron Fist's fight. Next is a review of the film Chinese Mechanic, a kung fu rip-off of the Charles Bronson film (or, at least, the title). This is followed by an article on the real Shaolin Temple, vs the Kung Fu tv series. It points out that the Shaolin are buddhist minks, not warriors and not all study martial skills. Shang-Chi-Chi is walking near his father's HQ. He runs into the blind beggar, who gets around. he spots a limo leaving the building and hops a ride. It goes out to the waterfront and unloads hostages to a waiting submarine! Chi conks a robed hood and sneaks aboard. They rendezvous with a freighter, where Fu waits and offload the kidnapped delegates. Chi is still on the sub when it is sent away, before he can exit. Chi hides in a torpedo tube and, as luck would have it, a Coast Guard or police cruiser is spotted and they fire a torpedo, releasing Ch! He gets aboard the ship, as Fu explains about creating a war between China and America, and proceeds to kick Si-Fan bootie. Fu escapes and the cruiser turns out to be Nayland Smith and Tarr, who get the delegates off, before the ship blows. Back on the pier, they depart and Chi finds the blind beggar's clothes and a note from Pop. Thoughts: This would be a lot better with one writer and art team: preferably, Moench and McLaughlin and the Cristy Bunkers, from this cast. Ideally, Moench & Gulacy; but, you can't have everything. The McLaughlin/Crusty Bunker art blows away everything else, though Trimpe and Vosburg do fine jobs. They just lack the style and oomph that the other had. Als, McLaughlin is more schooled in the martial arts, so the fight choreography is better. The plot is typical James Bond, a third power is trying to orchestrate a war between two other nations. This time it is Fu. This is getting closer to the style that Moench & Gulacy will bring to Master of Kung Fu, once they get past all of the typical comic book stuff and Fu Manchu schemes. Not bringing the three features together in a finale is also disappoint, as you are led to believe that it is a team-up. Not bad; but not as epic as it aspires to be.
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Post by profh0011 on Jul 11, 2019 17:55:49 GMT -5
ps When Keenan Ivory Wayans was putting together I'm Gonna get You Sucka, he tried to recruit Jim Kelly for Kung Fu Joe (part was based on his films); but, he turned it down, leading to Steve James being cast. James basically played the part like Kelly. He did film a cameo for Undercover Brother, but it was cut. It can be seen in deleted footage, on the dvd. I LOVE that movie, and have since I saw it on a big screen.
It was pretty obvious that Bernie Casey was filling in for Richard Roundtree... and I suppose Antonio Fargas was filling in for Ron O'Neal. Then again, maybe it's better that they DIDN'T get certain actors actually playing parodies of their own characters who made them famous.
Among my favorite bits were...
"I thought you said you was trained for combat!" "I WAS! I just ain't never been IN it!"
...and...
"What the F***. I ain't KILLED anybody in a LONG time."
The scene where Steve James is surrounded by the police has become a favorite clip posted on Youtube... although, sadly, it's proven ALL TOO REAL in today's world.
Clarence Williams III's scene is also drop-dead hilarious.
"Articulate your needs!"
Although, it almost seems like Albert Popwell should have done that scene (recalling his role in "THE ENFORCER").
As an aside, I was rather surprised some years back to learn that not one but two Marvel characters were based on Jim Brown-- LUKE CAGE, and BLADE. (What a difference being clean-shaven-- or NOT-- can make sometimes.) I love figuring out or finding out who artists based characters on when they were first created.
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Post by berkley on Jul 11, 2019 18:01:25 GMT -5
ps When Keenan Ivory Wayans was putting together I'm Gonna get You Sucka, he tried to recruit Jim Kelly for Kung Fu Joe (part was based on his films); but, he turned it down, leading to Steve James being cast. James basically played the part like Kelly. He did film a cameo for Undercover Brother, but it was cut. It can be seen in deleted footage, on the dvd. ... As an aside, I was rather surprised some years back to learn that not one but two Marvel characters were based on Jim Brown-- LUKE CAGE, and BLADE. (What a difference being clean-shaven-- or NOT-- can make sometimes.) I love figuring out or finding out who artists based characters on when they were first created.
Interesting - I can definitely see Luke Cage, as he appeared in the 70s, having been based on Jim Brown, but I never would have guessed that Gene Colan based Blade on him. Then again, I can't remember ever having seen Jim Brown with a beard, so my knowledge of him is pretty limited.
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Post by profh0011 on Jul 11, 2019 18:06:02 GMT -5
Mike Vosburg wound up doing 7 MOKF episodes in all. His style on these is not that differrent or jarring from "early" Gulacy, though I'd call it "Gulacy-LITE".
Frank McLaughlin did 2 IF stories, his style a good fit with Larry Hama. I'd say the one in the SPECIAL looked better than his later one.
Early-on SONS OF THE TIGER unfortunately suffered from a problem all too common among series created by Editorial-- NO steady creative team. 2 stories with Dick Giordano were foloowed by 1 apiece with Don Perlin and Herb Trimpe, looking completely out of place. Then newcomer George Perez took his shot and decided to stick around to make his mark. HE DID. Sadly, after he left, the series fell apart artistically even more than it was doing before he arrived! Keith Giffen, Gil Kane, Jim sherman, Ron Wilson, Joe Staton... it's always a shame to see that kind of thing happen, to any series.
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Post by profh0011 on Jul 11, 2019 18:09:20 GMT -5
THIS is the pic that convinced me. NEVER thought about Jim Brown for Luke Cage, of course I'd mostly seen him with a moustache.
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 11, 2019 23:53:47 GMT -5
ps When Keenan Ivory Wayans was putting together I'm Gonna get You Sucka, he tried to recruit Jim Kelly for Kung Fu Joe (part was based on his films); but, he turned it down, leading to Steve James being cast. James basically played the part like Kelly. He did film a cameo for Undercover Brother, but it was cut. It can be seen in deleted footage, on the dvd. I LOVE that movie, and have since I saw it on a big screen.
It was pretty obvious that Bernie Casey was filling in for Richard Roundtree... and I suppose Antonio Fargas was filling in for Ron O'Neal. Then again, maybe it's better that they DIDN'T get certain actors actually playing parodies of their own characters who made them famous.
Among my favorite bits were...
"I thought you said you was trained for combat!" "I WAS! I just ain't never been IN it!"
...and...
"What the F***. I ain't KILLED anybody in a LONG time."
The scene where Steve James is surrounded by the police has become a favorite clip posted on Youtube... although, sadly, it's proven ALL TOO REAL in today's world.
Clarence Williams III's scene is also drop-dead hilarious.
"Articulate your needs!"
Although, it almost seems like Albert Popwell should have done that scene (recalling his role in "THE ENFORCER").
As an aside, I was rather surprised some years back to learn that not one but two Marvel characters were based on Jim Brown-- LUKE CAGE, and BLADE. (What a difference being clean-shaven-- or NOT-- can make sometimes.) I love figuring out or finding out who artists based characters on when they were first created.
Well bernie Casey is there because he was in several Blaxploitation films, including Cleopatra Jones, Hit Man, Dr Black, Mr Hyde;and Cornbread, Earl and Me. Antonio Fargas did a ton of them, plus Starsky & Hutch: Foxy Brown, Shaft, Across 110th Street, Cleopatra Jones, and Cornbread, Earl and Me. Isaac Hayes had done Truck Turner and the theme to Shaft. Steve James was in the American Ninja series (ugh....) and Delta Force (meh....), as well as some 70s Bruceploitation films from Hong Kong, Land That Time Forgot (he was one of the Sto-lu prehistoric men) and some bigger films, liek To Live and Die in LA. Loved Clarence Williams III as the former militant, married to Eve Plumb (Jan Brady), with two blond white kids, who recite militant history papers. Best line in the film-"What's up with the singer?" "She's the director's sister!" and Keenan Wayans kind of hides his face, as Kim butchers "When the Saints Go Marching In.."
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Post by codystarbuck on Jul 12, 2019 1:26:39 GMT -5
Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #4Kwai Chang Shang-Chi! Creative Teams: Shang-Chi- Doug Moench-writer, Mike Vosburg-pencils, Al Milgrom-inks; Sons of the Tiger- Gerry Conway-writer, Don Perlin-pencils, Dan Adkins-inks; Tony Isabella-edits. Marv is listed as consulting editor, as he was running the magazine line. Synopsis: Shang-Chi is walikin', yes, indeed, he's talkin'..........when a Si-Fan assassin tries to kill him with a knife. he misses and runs away and Chi stalks him and goes all WAAAAAAAWWWW! HEEYA! HO! on his posterior. For all of his vaunted martial arts skill, he uses some boxing blocks and punches and a pro wrestling dropkick. What's next, Shang-Chi vs Jack Brisco? (by the way, Brisco was a legit NCAA champion, before turning pro and becoming the NWA World Hwt Champion, when that meant something, as far as skill and ability to draw a crowd) The assassin is Chow Loo and he gives up the 411 that Fu fears that Chi will interfere with his plan to poison the LA water system. he also has an amulet bestowed upon him by Fu, which signifies elite status. Chi lets him live and walks away. Chow Loo reports back to Fu, where he is greeted by a new honey, Miyoko, while Ducharme makes like Slave Girl Leia, at Fu's side (and looks baked, again). Fu tells her to amuse herself and keep quiet. Sound slike he would like the misogynists trolls who infest the internet. Fu's funky monkey is also there. Chow Loo starts to claim that Chis dead and Fu immediately dismisses this as a lie and knows CL talked and demands to know what lie he told Chi. He says that he told him about poisoning LA and Fu says that is where CL is headed, after Fu conducts some experiments. Chi hitchhikes and gets picked up to some hippies, headed, conveniently, for LA, despite missing the whole Haight-Ashbury thing (which was Frisco, anyway). They pass a road sign that reads @741 miles to LA. Do they really post signs for those kinds of distances? I don't think so! They camp for the night, pass around some herbage and 'shrooms (well, doobage, anyway) and Chi begs off and we learn (internal monologue) that it isn't mar jane that he objects to; but, smoking. This being comics, bikers show up and try to rape the woman and Chi turns up to bust some heads (an groins and kidneys). He slashes the bikers tires and then he and the hippies leave. They eventually make it to LA. While the hippies get out to take a peak, Chi slips off and leaves a thank you note. he then heads for the LA River Basin and runs into Chow Loo, who has been turned into a man-ape hybrid. he gets tossed around, yet still is able to fight back, ignoring the fact that a gorilla's strength is way above man's. he dumps him over the side of a dam, killing him, leaving a hunk of hair and the amulet. Chi crushes the amulet and tosses the pieces aside. Fu rationalizes that he has punished his son by making him kill Chow Loo. Right. You know, if Fu really wanted to kill Chi, he could have done it with sheer numbers, at any time, in NYC. We get letters, including one from one Ralph Macchio; but, it is the future writer/editor, not the future Karate Kid.; and, one from Rog-2000 and the CPL Gang. They plug their fanzine, complete with Paul Gulacy Shang-Chi illio. Don McGregor's look at Enter the Dragon continues, with stills from bruce's appearance in the James garner film, Marlowe, as well as ETD. McGregor mentions Marlowe and Lee's episode of Longstreet, where he teaches blind James Franciscus to defend himself (and ends up much like one Matt Murdock, minus radar sense). The article mentions the nunchaku scene and then makes them sound far deadlier than they are. They are basically a flail, which can do some damage; but, their reach is rather limited and most that are sold in martial arts mags are not solid, heavy wood. They are actually an Okinawan weapon, derived from farming tools. It was not a particularly effective weapon, due to short range and vulnerability to knives, swords and axes. John Warner writes about the Kung Fu tv series, with illustrations of David Carradine and others, from stills... An ad advertises Iron Fist Magazine #1.... ...which would not be published. Not 100% sure, at this point; but, I believe the material would be used in Deadly Hands, instead. Sons of the Tiger-The trio attacks a guard at an airport gate and sneaks into a hangar. A Boeing 747 lands, with Lo Chin. He talks about the plane being a flying command center for the Silent Ones and claims it is refueled in the air (which can be done; but, where are they hiding a tanker, as everything would be tracked on radar and have to be registered with the FAA or find themselves facing interceptors). That fact makes him ask why the plane is being refueled by the SOT, on the ground? And it's time to cue up the Carl Douglas .45... However, those cat's weren't fast as lightning, though they are a bit frightening. They jump on the departing plane, which is taking off with a rear door still open. They face gun barrels and get pulled inside and chained, to face Lo Chin, who sits on A throne (not THE throne). They learn that Master kee died because he uncovered a plot by the Silent Ones to hook America on drugs, which Right Wingers thought was a Commie plot (even though the CIA had a hand in some drug running, from Vietnam to the Contras). The SOT bust loose, rub amulets and start fighting and the goons fire weapons, on a pressurized aircraft (explosive decompression isn't quite what you see in the movies; but, there is a danger of sudden loss of cabin pressure and oxygen levels). They bash their way into the cockpit, where the pilot has a gun, but gets kicked through the cockpit windows and the 747 crashes into the airport. The SOT parachuted away, in a feat that even Republic would groan about. Next issue promises more MOK, the SOT in a tournament (with Roper, Williams and Lee?), Samurais in Cinema, and "Which is Better: Kung Fu vs Karate? The answer is Muy Thai, which can whoop both their hides, real good! Actually, the answer is whichever fighter is successful in making the opponent fight his game or gets lucky. Style vs style has never produced a definitive answer, other than whichever is the smarter and more technically sound fighter, with crosstraining being a big bonus. However, at this point in time, most martial arts styles ignored grappling and fared poorly against grapplers, when the UFC was introduced, until fighters started cross training. Bruce Lee saw the wisdom of that in the 60s and incorporated grappling techniques into Jeet Kun Do, after working out with Gen LeBell. The opening fight in Enter the Dragon features Bruce and Sammo Hung engaging in a quasi MMA fight, which ends with a grappling submission, as Bruce gets Sammo in a modified crucifix (arms pinned out from the body, while the weight of the body is placed on the back of the neck, creating a painful neck crank). Besides, everyone knows Miyagi-do is superior! Thoughts: The Shang-Chi story feels about 5 years out of date and the reveal of Chow Loo, at the end, is a bit underwhelming. Vosburg doesn't make the ape hybrid look that scary and his whole piece lacks atmosphere. His ladies are a different story and Miyoko, Ducharme and the hippie chick all have some nice curves. Vosburg would improve, over time, but seemed more at home with supernatural stories and he did develop the atmosphere bit. Sons of the Tiger continues to be pretty underwhelming, visually, apart from involvement from people at Continuity Associates and their flunkies and friends. Story needs a ton of work, as it is every cliche under the sun. It's no wonder they gave way to White Tiger. Still, I am waiting for the tournament where the Sons of the Tiger face the Daughters of the Dragon, the nephews of the ninja, siblings o the samurai, husbands of the Hwarang, and cousins of the Cobra Kai. The articles still tend to be a lot of cursory stuff that shows little actual knowledge and are more in keeping with essays. Little is revealed about the Kung Fu series you couldn't glean from watching the pilot movie and the same for Enter the Dragon. Black Belt this ain't. Unfortunately, from a narrative standpoint, it is the kid brother to Master of Kung Fu.
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