Shang-Chi’s many mistakes come back to haunt him when his own men betray him to his worst enemies – and he has no one to blame but himself.
Warning: contains spoilers for Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #1!
Marvel’s Shang-Chi may lead a massive, world-spanning organization – but that doesn’t mean he effectively listens to his underlings, and now he’s paid the ultimate price for his poor leadership. Shang-Chi embarks on an all-new adventure in Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #1, and this time he’s armed with a set of weapons (the Ten Rings) taken directly from the MCU. Unfortunately, even the famous Ten Rings can’t save him from being betrayed by his own soldiers.
In current comics continuity, Shang-Chi has recently attempted to walk the line between his family and his friends, with poor results. After taking control of his father’s criminal empire, the Five Weapons Society, Shang-Chi decided to reform the organization as a force for good. Unfortunately, the organization is mistrusted by the Avengers – and Shang-Chi’s attempts to lead it rather than dismantle it draw the ire of Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and the entire Fantastic Four. Showing mercy to his fellow Avengers only served to anger his family, and Shang-Chi accidentally alienated all acquaintances after an auspicious adventure.
In Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #1, written by Gene Luen Yang with art by Marcus To, Shang-Chi’s compound is attacked by Hydra, AIM, the Hand, the Inner Demons and the Red Dot Collective. They’ve managed to gain access to the vault in which Shang-Chi stores the powerful Ten Rings – something no group should be able to do without help. Eventually, said help reveals himself as a foot soldier in Shang-Chi’s Five Weapons Organization, who holds Master Ling at gunpoint. “I’ve dedicated my entire life to the society!” he angrily shouts. “Then you stroll in here and turn it away from Master Zheng Zhu’s vision!”
The fact that a simple soldier was able to grant multiple terrorists access to the vault of the Ten Rings perfectly shows Shang-Chi’s failings as a leader. While a capable fighter, he has acted against the interests of a highly traditional family and angered many who have dedicated their lives to the Five Weapons Society. If he cannot control his own soldiers, he almost certainly cannot control the other members of his headstrong family or the Avengers who may wish to work with him in the future.
Thanks to the power of the Ten Rings, Shang-Chi defeats all enemies present – including the traitor – and falls to the ground, exhausted from the fight. Should the Avengers find Shang-Chi without his men, he would be easily defeated. The past year has seen Shang-Chi lose many allies, and now he’s lost those whom he took for granted: his own footsoldiers of the Five Weapons Society.
