Shang-Chi's Journey from Comics to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Start Date
19-7-2022 2:15 PM
End Date
19-7-2022 3:15 PM
Description
When Shang-Chi was introduced as a Marvel character in 1973, he came with quite a bit of baggage. Marvel took the unusual step of licensing characters created by others to accompany their new character. In Shang-Chi's case, Marvel licensed characters created by British novelist Sax Rohmer and made popular in Hollywood films. Shang-Chi was created as the son of Fu Manchu to fight alongside British agents led by Sir Denis Nyland who was intent on foiling Manchu's evil plots. Rohmer's Fu Manchu, as portrayed by Boris Karloff, went on to Hollywood infamy. Indeed, Fu Manchu became one of the most hurtful anti-Asian stereotypes in Hollywood history. Given Shang-Chi's history, the character seems an unlikely figure to be a breakout star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a landmark figure in Asian representation. My presentation will trace Shang-Chi's transformation from the son of Fu Manchu to an MCU star.
Shang-Chi's Journey from Comics to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
When Shang-Chi was introduced as a Marvel character in 1973, he came with quite a bit of baggage. Marvel took the unusual step of licensing characters created by others to accompany their new character. In Shang-Chi's case, Marvel licensed characters created by British novelist Sax Rohmer and made popular in Hollywood films. Shang-Chi was created as the son of Fu Manchu to fight alongside British agents led by Sir Denis Nyland who was intent on foiling Manchu's evil plots. Rohmer's Fu Manchu, as portrayed by Boris Karloff, went on to Hollywood infamy. Indeed, Fu Manchu became one of the most hurtful anti-Asian stereotypes in Hollywood history. Given Shang-Chi's history, the character seems an unlikely figure to be a breakout star in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) and a landmark figure in Asian representation. My presentation will trace Shang-Chi's transformation from the son of Fu Manchu to an MCU star.
