Issue(s): Master of Kung Fu #55
Cover Date: Aug 77
Title: "The ages of Death!"
Credits:
Doug Moench - Script
Doug Moench & Archie Goodwin - Plot
Mike Zeck - Penciler
Jim Mooney - Inker

Review/plot:
The Master of Kung Fu seemed to have a little bit of a scheduling problem after the departure of Paul Gulacy. So issue #52 was a weird fill-in by Keith Pollard (that is scripted as if Fu Manchu was still alive), then #53 was a reprint. #54 begins a new arc with Jim Craig, but it's interrupted by this fill-in by Mike Zeck. In any event, Craig and Zeck will be alternating for a while and then Zeck becomes the regular artist on this series.

This story introduces Han Sung, a childhood friend of Shang-Chi's.

He's under the impression that Shang-Chi is still a member of Fu Manchu's Si Fan, so he sends some men to kill Shang-Chi.

The reason the Sung is on the run from the Si Fan is because he's stolen Fu Manchu's Elixer of Longevity. Shang-Chi catches up with Han Sung and tries to convince him that he shouldn't drink the potion, but Sung doesn't listen to him.

Unfortunately, the potion is toxic; Fu Manchu had built up a tolerance to it over the years. But Han Sung dies, leaving behind a daughter and some sons.

Quality Rating: C+

Historical Significance Rating: 1

Chronological Placement Considerations: This is a fill-in that interrupts the War-Yore story between Master of Kung Fu #54 and #56 and best takes place prior to that. Black Jack Tarr is living at the Savoy Hotel, as he is at the start of issue #54. Shang-Chi had been staying with him for three days prior to the start of this story; it's not said why he wasn't living with Leiko as he was shown to be in #54. It's possible this actually takes place after Leiko and Shang-Chi have a falling out in issue #58, but i think Tarr is out of his hotel and hanging out with Sir Denis at that point. Either before #54 or after #58 are probably plausible. Definitely takes place after Fu Manchu is thought dead in #51, although neither Shang-Chi or Han Sung really believe it.

References:

• The reason Han Sung wants the potion is because his life was drained from him by Fu Manchu as part of the process of creating Shaka Kharn, from Master of Kung Fu #48-51.

Crossover: N/A

Continuity Insert? N

My Reprint: N/A