But it may also hint at a stronger connection to the comic book origins of the Ten Rings than the trailers have let on so far. The increased size of the rings in their MCU depiction may be intended in part to visually separate them from the Infinity Gauntlet in spirit. Though they don't quite display a single power each, Shang-Chi and the Mandarin are seen each bearing some of the rings, facing off with different spectrums of energy. Instead, they are functionally armbands that stack along the wearer's forearms, and which are seen extending, exuding energy, and flying around on their own. In the film, the Ten Rings appear to be actual physical rings - again a departure from previous uses of the term 'Ten Rings' as a terrorist group in the Iron Man franchise - but not ones that would fit on any human finger. The first story arc pits him against Spider-Man and other Marvel icons as Shang-Chi's takeover of the Five Weapons Society is misunderstood by his fellow heroes.
CRASH 3 RINGS OF POWER SERIES
Of course, staying true to his character, Shang-Chi does become the Supreme Commander of the Five Weapons Society but vows to transform it into a force for good - another comic book plot point that could hint at Shang-Chi's MCU direction.įollowing up on the events of that series he debuted in a new ongoing series in May. He recently starred in a five-issue limited series steeped in his family history, as he winds up taking control of his father Zheng Zu's evil Five Weapons Society and meets half-siblings he never knew he had - some of whom seem to be getting adapted into the MCU as part of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings themselves. More recently, Shang-Chi was been a core member of the new Agents of Atlas, who went head-to-head with Namor in Marvel's revival of the comic book event Atlantis Attacks.Īnd never one to miss a marketing opportunity, Marvel is engaged in somewhat of a Shang-Chi revival in anticipation of his MCU debut. He even made it to the core Avengers team before Secret Wars, which rebuilt the Marvel Universe. Shang-Chi also got a power upgrade, gaining the ability to create duplicates of himself and carrying various pieces of Stark-built tech. Marvel Comics)īrubaker took the opportunity not just to revise Shang-Chi's position as the greatest fighter in the Marvel Universe but his origins as well – substituting "Fu-Manchu" for Zheng Zu, an ancient immortal wizard.