Shang-Chi is exceeding Marvel's wildest dreams by shattering records in its post-pandemic release. The master of Kung fu is entering the inner circle of top-tier MCU characters, causing many fans to look into his back issues. Classic Shang-Chi fans knew that the MCU would have to make massive alterations when adapting the character for the big screen.
On the other hand, new fans may be shocked at how vastly the tone and characters of the comic depart from the cinematic version. Some characters faired the transition from page to screen better than others, but only a few remained the same.
8 The Movie Provided Death Dealer With Far More Nuance
In the case of the Death Dealer, the character's appearances and depth on the page are so sparse, the movie's alterations may have provided him with more nuance than the comic could. Although his design and battle proficiency remain largely untouched, the Death Dealer's allegiance is slightly different in the comics.
The Death Dealer works for Shang-Chi's father, but the Ten Rings organization does not exist in the comics. Instead, Death Dealer is an underling in Fu Manchu's vicious criminal empire- not Wenwu's Ten Rings.
7 Ying Na's Inclusion Might Confuse Fans
For fans of '80s Kung fu cinema, having Michelle Yeoh in Shang-Chi: and the Legend of the Ten Rings was an exceptional treat. Fans of the Shang-Chi might be confused about the character's inclusion. Shang-Chi's immediate and extended family does provide a wealth of narrative pathways in the comic, but an aunt that guards a mystical, hidden village is not one of them.
Moreover, the MCU invented the village of Ta Lo and Shang-Chi's new fighting style learned in the town exclusively for the movie.
6 Razor Fist And Shang-Chi Develop A Begrudging Alliance
Sharing a lengthy, twisted rivalry with Shang-Chi across several iterations and issues, Razor Fist is a classic enemy for the master of Kung fu. However, the identity of the character has shifted throughout their heated rivalry. In the movie, Razor Fist and Shang-Chi develop a begrudging alliance (becoming something of an antihero) to combat the mighty "dweller in darkness."
A similar scenario would be improbable in the comics, as one of the three men to call themself Razor Fist murdered Shang-Chi's love interest, Leiko Wu.
5 Trevor Slatterly Has No Relation To Any Comic Character
Possibly the oddest addition to the cast, Ben Kingsley's Trevor Slatterly, has no relation to any character from the comic. As is customary with all MCU films, there is a mandated amount of quips per minute. In an attempt to service the comedic mandates of the movie, Shang-Chi: and the Legend of the Ten Rings embedded Trevor.
Aside from his function as a gag machine, Trevor helped Marvel tidy up the Ten Rings plot hole they created back in Iron Man and Iron Man 3.
4 Xu Xialing Is The Result Of The MCU Fusing Several Characters
In yet another puzzling move, Marvel chose to condense Shang-Chi's family tree by fusing several characters to form Xu Xialing- the master of Kung fu's sister. In the comics, Zheng Bao Yu is the closest character that compares to Xu Xialing.
Instead of a fight club, Bao Yu runs a criminal empire. Much like Razor Fist, Xu Xialing shifts to an antihero by the end of Shang-Chi: and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Zheng Bao Yu from the comics never changes her villainous demeanor.
3 Wenwu Was Given A Redemption Arc
Wenwu was the most critical change that the MCU made to Shang-Chi's legacy. Based on the classic and controversial Fu Manchu, Wenwu takes the character in new and refreshing directions. Comic fans may not be too thrilled to see Shang-Chi's villainous father have a redemption arc in the film, but giving Chinese Americans a more textured character is of paramount importance.
One of the biggest changes from the comic is Wenwu's loving relationship with Shang-Chi's mother. Shang-Chi's mother is essentially a concubine in the comics.
2 Katy Is A Film-Only Invention
MCU fans are probably shocked to discover that Katy is a wholly original invention for the film with how seamlessly she paired with Shang-Chi. The comic book variant of Shang-Chi comes with a different amount of gravity and emotional heft than the film's levity.
As a result, a plucky, quip-slinging character like Katy (who has no powers and zero proficiency in martial arts) would be in constant mortal peril. Choosing to make Shang-Chi sillier and more modern, the MCU gave him a comedic sidekick.
1 Shang-Chi Is Much More Familiar With Western Culture In The Film
Shang-Chi at once suffers the most drastic changes in the movie and, oddly enough, the least. On the page, Shang-Chi is a stoic, philosophical warrior who knows little about western culture and works with MI6.
In the movie, the character is intimately familiar with western culture and has a mundane valet job. Fans of the comic book will surely recognize Shang-Chi's trademark heroism and bravery. Still, every other trait could be considered a massive revision to the master of Kung fu and his espionage-laden mythos.
0 Comments