When it comes to comic book releases, Marvel tends to follow Hydra’s mantra: Cancel one series, two more will take its place. In the slow week, with only six scoring books being released, the current Shang-Chi series comes to an end (for now) while Captain America and Moon Knight get new titles. Donny Cates’ crossover event between his two big books, Hulk and Thor kicks off in Banner of War Alpha.
Book the Week – Shang-Chi #12 (Review score: 51 Points; 9 Characters). Shang-Chi’s current series ends on a high note by showing the world that his version of the Five Weapons Society is a force for good, despite his early altercations with the Avengers and other Marvel heroes. The series served as a realignment of the character’s background to veer closer to the MCU version, including the rescue of his mother, defying his father and coming into possession of the Ten Rings. It also introduced a stable of support characters in his sometimes supportive siblings and his antagonistic grandfather.
Hero of the Week – Captain America/Sam Wilson (Review score: 15 Points/1 Appearance; 15.0 Pts/App). Sam Wilson takes flight in his new Captain America series, joined by his sidekick, Joaquín Torres aka Falcon. Misty Knight, Wilson’s current love interest, sets him out on a quest concerning a train of smuggled super soldier serum. He is a Character Development short of hitting for the cycle in his premiere issue.
Antagonist of the Week – Chieftain Xin (Review score: 8 Points/1 Appearance; 8.0 Pts/App). Chieftain Xin’s mission to destroy Zheng Zu’s legacy fizzles out when Shang-Chi overpowers him to claim the Ten Rings for his own. When at the mercy of a fully powered Shang-Chi, his life is spared when Shang’s family helps him overcome the Ring’s corrupting nature. Xin ends the series back in Ta Lo, stripped of his position and now a prisoner of the Jade Emperor.
Top Characters (by review score). Captain America/Sam Wilson (15); Moon Knight (14); Falcon/Joaquín Torres, Shang-Chi (12); Spider-Man/Peter Parker (11); Jiang Li, Thor (9); Chieftain Xin, Sister Dagger (8)
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Key: TU – Team-Up; LT – Lead Team; SC – Save Civilian; CD – Character Development; DA – Defeat Antagonist.
< Week 18 | Week 20 >
| Captain America: Symbol of Truth #1 (31) |
| Captain America (SW) – Appendage Offensive, Durability, Ensnare, Flight, Melee, Precision, Projectile, Shield, Shield Defensive, Shield Offensive, TU (Misty Knight), LT, SC, DA (Mercenaries) Falcon (JT) – Appendage, Appendage Offensive, Claws Offensive, Computer, Creature, Flight, Melee, Sense, Strength, SC, DA (Mercenaries) Misty Knight – TU (Captain America), LT Antagonist(s) Crossbones |
| Hulk Vs. Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1 (24) |
| Hulk – Computer, Durability, Melee, Personality, Strength Lady Sif – Teleport Odin – Lightning, Projectile, Speed, Telepathy, LT Thor – Blunt, Durability, Elements, Ensnare, Lightning, Strength, Weapon, LT Uatu |
| King Conan #4 (6) |
| Conan – Blade, Creature, Melee, Strength, Weapon |
| Moon Knight: Black, White & Blood #1 (27) |
| Deadpool Moon Knight – Business, Durability, Melee, Projectile, Sense, Suit, Swing, Tech, Vehicle, Weapon, TU (Spider-Man), SC, DA (Redblade) Spider-Man (PP) – Crawl, Ensnare, Influence, Melee, Sense, Strength, Swing, TU (Moon Knight), DA (Biola’s partner) Antagonist(s) Bulldozer – Durability |
| Shang-Chi #12 (51) |
| Brother Sabre – Blade, Creature, Influence, Weapon, SC Iron Man Jiang Li – Blade, Creature, Durability, Influence, Projectile, Weapon, LT, CD (Becomes the new Chieftain of the Qilin Riders) Shang-Chi – Artifact, Creature, Ensnare, Melee, Projectile, Strength, Weapon, Will Power, LT, SC, DA (Chieftain Xin) Sister Dagger – Creature, Influence, Precision, Projectile, Weapon, LT, SC Sister Staff – Creature, Energy, Ensnare, Influence Spider-Man (PP) Antagonist(s) Chieftain Xin – Artifact, Creature, Magic, Melee, Projectile, Strength, Weapon Zheng Zu |
| X-Men #11 (27) |
| Captain Marvel Cyclops – Agility, Energy Offensive, Melee, Precision Iron Man Marvel Girl – Telekinesis, Telekinesis Offensive Polaris – Magnetics Rocket Raccoon – TU (X-Men) Rogue Sunfire Synch – Claws, Sense, Telepathy, DA (Bornan) Wolverine (LK) – Claws, Stealth Antagonist(s) Doctor Stasis Mojo – Business |
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