Deadly Hands of Kung Fu Vol 1 4

Failure, Ducharme, is a reward granted only to those who do not anticipate it. It is true that I sought to punish my son. But I also sought Chow Loo's punishment. Therefore, by forcing a contest between the two, I had already assured that only I could emerge the victor.

—Fu Manchu

Appearing in "Circle of Serpent's Blood"

Featured Characters:

⏴ Shang-Chi ⏵

Supporting Characters:

Laurie (First appearance)
Johnny (First appearance)

Antagonists:

Si-Fan
- Chow Loo (First appearance; dies)
- Miyoko (First appearance)
- Fu Manchu
- Ducharme
- Two unnamed agents
Ghost Riders (First appearance)
- Rufus (First appearance)
- Piker (First appearance)
- Two unnamed members

Other Characters:

Sir Denis Nayland Smith (Behind the scenes)
Peko

Races and Species:

Realities:

Earth-616

Locations:

Earth
- North America
  - United States of America
    - New York
      - New York City
        Manhattan
        Fu Manchu's New York Fortress
    - California
      - Los Angeles County
        Los Angeles
        Unidentified Water Treatment Plant
- Honan, China, Asia (Mentioned)
  - Fu Manchu's Fortress (Mentioned)

Items:

Circle of Serpent's Blood (First appearance) (Amulet)

Synopsis for "Circle of Serpent's Blood"

In New York City Shang-Chi is attacked by one of his father's assassins. Defeating the assassin he reveals his name to be Chow Loo and that Fu Manchu intends to poison the water of Los Angeles. Seeing that Chow Loo wears the Circle of Serpent's Blood, an amulet given to the assassin by Fu Manchu he let's Chow Loo live knowing that he too was once offered the amulet but turned it down.

Chow flees to Fu Manchu's New York Fortress where he lies to his master by saying that Shang-Chi is dead. Fu Manchu however knows his assassin lies and confronts him on it and asks what he told to Shang-Chi after his failure. Upon doing so Fu Manchu orders Chow to be experimented on and sent to Los Angeles to confront Shang-Chi.

Shang-Chi hitch hikes to LA from New York with a couple named Johnny and Laurie. While traveling they are attacked by a motorcycle gang called the Ghost Riders in the middle of their camp for the night. Shang-Chi easily dispatches them and the three make it safely to LA. Where without speaking a goodbye Shang-Chi simply leaves a note saying "thank you".

Shang-Chi now in LA visits a water treatment plant where he is attacked by a wild humanoid beast covered in hair. Shang-Chi quickly puts together that this beast is more than what he appears and that it knows martial arts. To late he discovers that this beast is also a man when about to fall on the edge of a great height it begs for help. Attempting to save the creature Shang-Chi reaches out and grabs a necklace but its band snaps and the creature falls to its death. Looking at the amulet he realizes it is the Circle of Serpent's Blood and that he killed the man he vowed to allow to live. Angered by the situation Shang-Chi destroys the amulet and throws it off the precipice where Chow Loo fell to his death.

Back in New York, Fu Manchu celebrates his failure. That even though Chow Loo failed in killing his son he expected him to fail and that in doing so both his assassin was punished and that it was his son who carried it out should haunt Shang-Chi as a punishment more than the assassin could ever do to him.

Appearing in "The Dragon Has Entered: Part III"

A text article discussing real world events or people, or characters from a real world perspective, as such, no conventional appearances.

Synopsis for "The Dragon Has Entered: Part III"

An editorial summarizing the plot of Bruce Lee's last film, Enter the Dragon.

Appearing in "Kung Fu Revisited"

A text article discussing real world events or people, or characters from a real world perspective, as such, no conventional appearances.

Synopsis for "Kung Fu Revisited"

An editorial feature focusing on American actor David Carradine and his renowned character Kwai Chang Caine, from the television series, Kung Fu.

Appearing in "Night of the Death-Dream"

Featured Characters:

Sons of the Tiger

Antagonists:

Agents of the Silent Ones
- Lo Chin (Death)
- Lo Chin's Henchmen
  - Numerous unnamed henchmen (Death)

Other Characters:

Unidentified Airport
- Unnamed Nightwatchman
- Phil (Nightwatchman) (First appearance)
- Several unnamed mechanics
Bernie Klieg (Referenced) (Unnamed)
Master Kee (Mentioned)

Races and Species:

Humans
Silent Ones (Mentioned)

Realities:

Earth-616

Locations:

Earth
- United States of America
  - San Francisco, California (Mentioned)
  - Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts (Mentioned)

Items:

Amulets of Power

Vehicles:

Boeing 747 (First appearance; destruction)

Synopsis for "Night of the Death-Dream"

The Sons of the Tiger learn that a plane that is constantly in the air is landing to pick up the villainous Lo Chin. The Sons of the Tiger are lured aboard the plane where Lo Chin intends to eliminate them once and for all. He tells them of the Silent Ones' plan to enslave the youth of America with drugs.

Notes

Continuity Notes[]

Shang-Chi chronologically appeared last in the Kung Fu Special #1.
Denis Nayland Smith makes a behind-the-scenes appearance in this issue. He appeared last in the Kung Fu Special #1. He appears next in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #11.
Fu Manchu appeared last in the Kung Fu Special #1. He makes a behind-the-scenes appearance in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #5. His next full appearance is in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #7.
Final appearance of Lo Chin; dies in this issue.

Historical and Pop Culture Notes[]

This issue includes an article by John David Warner and Frank McLaughlin entitled, "Kung Fu - Revisisted". The feature focuses on American actor David Carradine and his renowned character Kwai Chang Caine, whom he played on the 1972-1975 television series, Kung Fu.

Links and References

References