Special Marvel Edition #16 feat. Shang Chi

(W) Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin (A) Jim Starlin, Al Milgrom; Marvel Comics 1971

Synopsis

Final issue of the series. Story continues in Master of Kung Fu. Cover art by Jim Starlin. Midnight Brings Dark Death! starring Master of Kung Fu, script by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin (co-plot), pencils by Jim Starlin (layouts, credited as “artist”), Al Milgrom (finished art, credited as “co-artist”), inks by Al Milgrom; Chi finds himself fighting against his father, and his father’s thugs and dacoits. 36 pgs. (Via Mycomicshop.com)

Notes

So this is wild. In the 90s, I remember Silver Surfer #16 featuring a villain called Midnight Sun. And unbeknownst to me this happens to be a Black character!

Of course you wouldn’t know because the character never shows his face.

Fast forward years later and my man Hershel Lewis (Black Comic Lords) hips me to the fact that this character’s first appearance was actually in Special Marvel Edition #16 featuring Shang-Chi, Master of Kung Fu.

Even in Shang-Chi, Midnight aka M’Nai, has his face covered due to a scar for most of the book.

Add this character to the list of shrouded Black superheroes/villains that are constantly introduced in the comic book industry.

Check out my video “We Wear the Mask” and learn all the creative ways Black characters are forced to hide their ethnicity so as to not affect the bottom line.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 1995, Shang-Chi would be one of the revival titles produced by Milestone Media, according to writer Dwayne McDuffie, the title would show Shang-Chi using firearms, inspired by gun fu style by Hong Kong filmmaker John Woo; however, according to McDuffie, the proposal was cancelled after the departure of editor-in-chief Tom DeFalco and the death of Mark Gruenwald the following year. (via CBR)