History Characters / ShangChi

* DropTheHammer: She wields a [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuí_(Chinese_weapon) chuí]], a type of Chinese hammer used in combat.

To work around this, Marvel's version of Fu Manchu was renamed to Zheng Zu - this was initially positioned as a [[GivenNameReveal Real Name Reveal]], but was followed by a SoftReboot that made them distinctly different characters. As of July 2022, it's still unclear how this affects many of the pre-existing stories or characters.

Later, after his father's defeat and death, Shang-Chi became much more involved with the world of superheroes - joining ComicBook/TheAvengers and ComicBook/HeroesForHire, and mentoring heroes such as ComicBook/SpiderMan and ComicBook/{{Domino}} when they [[BoxingLessonsForSuperman needed martial arts training]].

* ContinuitySnarl: When Shang-Chi first introduced in the 1970s, Marvel held the adaptation rights for the Literature/FuManchu stories and Shang-Chi's father was Fu Manchu. When they lost the rights, he was no longer named - and then ''Secret Avengers'' reintroduced him under the name of Zheng Zu in 2010. The SoftReboot of subsequent series has developed Zheng Zu as a very different character, enabling Marvel to abandon the racist elements of Fu Manchu, and it's left unclear which elements of the original stories are still canon.

* DeathFakedForYou: Arranged this for his half-sister Zheng Zhilan when he was sent to assassinate her. On the other hand, it seems he didn't really stop to explain that to her - when they next meet, she assumes he's back to finish the job.

Daughter of Zheng Zu and another of Shang-Chi's half-siblings. Their father offered Kwai Far's hand in marriage to T'Challa, the Black Panther, to seal a [[AltarDiplomacy political alliance]]. Shang-Chi intervened, T'Challa politely declined - and Zheng Zu angrily disowned his daughter for failing to ensnare her groom.

* IHaveNoDaughter: Zheng Zu strikes Kwai Far - and promptly disowns her - as soon it's clear that T'Challa isn't going to marry her.

Falo survives and Esme reveals that he must be related to Zheng Zu, the "greatest supervillain ever". Falo seems very happy to hear that - he now has something to aspire to.

* DeathIsCheap: In 2014's ''Deadly Hands of Kung Fu'', she's killed by Razor Fist and then resurrected by Skull-Crusher's ThanatosGambit towards the end of the same storyline.

* ArtisticLicenceAwards: When he reappears in ''ComicBook/WisdomRudimentsOfWisdom'' and ''ComicBook/CaptainBritainAndMI13'', he's introduced as "Sir Clive Reston, KCBE". This doesn't exist as a [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever British honour]] - it's likely that it was supposed to be KBE, which would justify the "Sir". KBE does stand for '''K'''night Commander of the Order of the '''B'''ritish '''E'''mpire, but when it's abbreviated the C is omitted.

* ShoutOut: His father is said to be a British spy - the best ever enlisted - with "[[Franchise/JamesBond a licence to kill]]". His great-uncle was apparently a more intellectual fellow [[Franchise/SherlockHolmes who spoke of "elementary" problems and played the violin at odd hours]].

* TheBusCameBack: In 1992, a decade after his last appearance in ''Master of Kung Fu'', he returned to confront Shang-Chi and ComicBook/MoonKnight in a ''Marc Spector: Moon Knight'' story, in which he was seemingly destroyed. He came back again, rebuilt by supervillain Arcade, in 2005 - this time in ''ComicBook/TheThing''.

Initially introduced as one of the world's richest men, Velcro was an international drug dealer on a massive scale. He had ambitions beyond money, though - which is why he'd also assembled a private army and discreetly acquired nuclear missiles. Seriously injured at the end of his first clash with Shang-Chi, he loses much of his wealth and later returns as a cyborg.

* TheBusCameBack: There's a lengthy gap between his first two appearances in ''Master of Kung Fu'' - and then a 40 year gap before he returns in 2022's ''Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings''.

* LoveInterestTraitor: When he was involved with Pavane, she was actually working for Mordillo - who was planning to assassinate Velcro.

A martial artist from Hong Kong, Cat's occasionally been a spy for the Chinese government and sometimes just acted as an independent criminal. His loyalties tend to bring him into conflict with [=MI6=] and Shang-Chi, with whom he's very evenly matched - but he's rarely an outright villain, there are always shades of grey, and he's sometimes joined forces with Shang-Chi for the greater good.

First introduced as a talented [=MI6=] trainee who drew comparisons with Shang-Chi, it was noted that Li also seemed ambitious and unnecessarily brutal in his combat training. Additionally, he seemed very loyal - the KGB had attempted to recruit him without success.

However, Nayland Smith and Fah Lo became suspicious and Shang-Chi was instructed to detain him. Li fought back and then fled, revealing his true loyalty - Fu Manchu had placed him in [=MI6=] as a mole.

* {{Expy}}: In his original appearances, he bears a very strong resemblance to the film version of Franchise/JamesBond villain Francisco Scaramanga from ''Film/TheManWithTheGoldenGun'', perhaps after a health dose of LSD. Like Scaramanga, Mordillo works from a tricked-out island, writes on his bullets, has a diminutive sidekick who serves as a major domo, and is out to steal a powerful solar energy device.

* PsychopathicManchild: Very much so. Clues and toys and murder, plus a childish nature - especially when dealing with Brynocki or Leiko. As he says at one point, he can ''be'' sane, though, playing the part well when he has to.
* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: The situation when he makes his first appearance - he's well known to [=MI6=] before he ever encounters Shang-Chi, but everyone believes he's already dead.

* SuperVillainLair: He has a whole island, including a castle, and most of it's filled with traps and whimsical killer robots.

->'''Winner:''' Mordillo was one of the greats. A true mad genius.

* BladeBelowTheShoulder: He's lost both hands and part of his forearms, which have been replaced with [[AbsurdlySharpBlade Absurdly Sharp Blades]].

* CollectiveIdentity: Downplayed, as anyone who encounters them will notice that they're two different people - they're not twins, and William and Douglas have different hands missing, but the brothers both use the Razor-Fist codename.

* DoesNotLikeShoes: He went barefoot everywhere in TheSeventies. Called out on this by a security guard at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City ("Hey, kid! Why Don't you get some shoes?"), he replied, "Why do you fear to touch the ground? Does the concrete not separate you from it enough?".

* BigBrotherMentor: Occasionally acts this way towards younger superheroes, including [[Characters/IronFist Sword Master]], [[Characters/AgentsOfAtlasNew Crescent]], [[Characters/IncredibleHulkSupportingCharacters Brawn]] and [[Characters/MarvelComicsKamalaKhan Ms. Marvel]]. Zig-zagged with his younger siblings, who either are already capable, have a contentious relationship with him or a combination of both.

* DressedLikeADominatrix: Initially fights dressed in high-heeled knee boots, bikini bottoms, and a crop top that shows a NavelDeepNeckline. And uses a whip. At one point Leiko directly calls her "the kinky lady".

* WhipItGood: Fights with a whip. In her first appearance it's cat o' nine tails, but it varies a bit later.

Daughter of Zheng Zu and older half-sister of Shang-Chi. After feuding with her father for control of his criminal organization, she eventually acknowledged that she was losing and surrendered to [=MI6=]. Perhaps unsurprisingly, she moved from prisoner to employee and swiftly ended up as one of the agency's directors. Eventually she left [=MI6=] again and reverted to villainy, running her own organisation after her father's death.

!!!'''Notable Aliases:''' Commander Hammer, Deadly Hammer

* InadequateInheritor: Became convinced Shang was this.

* RetiredBadass: Following her BattleInTheCenterOfTheMind with Shang-Chi, she's dropped into a more mundane lifestyle, working as a lumberjack in Canada.

* CoolPet: Acquires a chameleon once she arrives in London, saying it's a very appropriate pet for a spy.

[[folder:Rufus 'Super Midnight' Carter]]
!!Rufus Carter
[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/69bc153e_f0e3_4312_a59f_5c237f9d7d3d.jpeg]]
!!!'''First Appearance:''' ''Master of Kung Fu'' #96 (October, 1980)
An American CIA agent and martial artist, initially based in London. After the CIA lied to both Carter and Shang-Chi about one of his missions, he quit to become an independent investigator.
----
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Delilah Wang]]
!!Delilah Wang
[[quoteright:300:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/delilah_wang_earth_616_from_shang_chi_vol_1_1_001.jpg]]
!!!'''First Appearance:''' ''Shang-Chi'' #1 (September, 2020)
----
[[/folder]]

* KnifeNut: She ''loves'' throwing her daggers.

* DressedLikeADominatrix: Initially fights dressed in high-heeled knee boots, bikini bottoms, and a crop top that shows AbsoluteCleavage. And uses a whip. At one point Leiko directly calls her "the kinky lady".

* {{Stripperific}}: Initially dresses for combat in high-heeled boots, an AbsoluteCleavage crop top, and a bikini bottom.

'''Remember''', this sheet is for characters and examples from the Prime Marvel Universe only. Please do not list characters or examples from adaptations (e.g. the Marvel Cinematic Universe) or alternate universes here.

'''WARNING:''' There are unmarked spoilers on these sheets for all but the most recent comics.

* SimpleStaff: Uses one of these as a deadly weapon, per his house.

[[quoteright:239:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/carlton_velcro_earth_616_from_master_of_kung_fu_vol_1_29_001.jpg]]

Initially introduced as one of the world's richest men, Velcro is an international drug dealer on a massive scale. He has ambitions beyond money, though - which is why he's also assembled a private army and discreetly acquired nuclear missiles.

* TheBusCameBack: There's a lengthy gap between his first two appearances.

When Shang-Chi was first introduced, Creator/MarvelComics owned the rights to adapt Sax Rohmer’s ''Literature/FuManchu'' novels. Several key characters came from the novels (including Shang-Chi's father, Fu Manchu himself) and some new characters created and owned by Marvel were given backgrounds closely tied to Fu Manchu.

To work around this, Marvel’s version of Fu Manchu was renamed to Zheng Zu - this was initially positioned as a [[GivenNameReveal Real Name Reveal]], but was followed by a SoftReboot that made them distinctly different characters. As of July 2022, it’s still unclear how this affects many of the pre-existing stories or characters.

* All other descriptions and tropes refer to Zheng Zu unless specifically discussing the SoftReboot’s impact.

For characters from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s adaptation of Shang-Chi, see [[Characters/ShangChiAndTheLegendOfTheTenRings here]].

[[caption-width-right:350:[[labelnote: Click here]]https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/shang_chi_vol_1_2_shang_chi_timeless_variant.jpg[[/labelnote]] to see his original appearance]]

->'''Shang-Chi:''' Well...just someone who's good with his hands.

When his younger sister Shi-Hua (aka “Sister Hammer") reappeared and pronounced herself Zheng-Zu's true successor, Shang-Chi was pulled back towards his father's legacy, discovering more of his father's history, meeting a powerful extended family and uncovering the true scale of his father's centuries-old secret society.

* BewareTheQuietOnes: Usually Shang-Chi is TheStoic; [[TheQuietOne he says few words]] and is generally very mellow. But piss him off enough and you'll find out first-hand why he's the Master of Kung Fu. Lampshaded a little bit in the ''ComicBook/ShangChi2020'' series, when Leiko Wu points out that he’s much chattier and less formal when speaking Chinese.
* BoxingLessonsForSuperman: He often provides these to other superheroes, including Comicbook/SwordMaster, ComicBook/{{Domino}} and ComicBook/SpiderMan.

* CharacterizationMarchesOn: He was created as a BruceLeeClone in the 1970s and spoke exactly how you'd expect white writers in the 70s expected kung fu masters to talk. As time went on, much of this phased out and while loving nods to Bruce can still be seen here or there, Shang-Chi has since developed into a friendly HumbleHero who just so happens to be the Marvel Universe's greatest martial artist. Some of this can be attributed to his movie portraying him as a more down to earth NiceGuy.

* ExposedToTheElements: In an issue of ComicBook/HeroesForHire, the team has to travel through the South Pole on the way to the Savage Land for a job. Shang Chi is shown standing shirtless in the cold while Misty and Colleen are noticeably shivering despite wearing warm clothing. Shang Chi claims that his exposure to the cold [[CelibateHero was helping him take his mind off his growing attraction to Tarantula.]]

--> "You do not brush a reed to the ground if you want it to stay out of your path. You snap it."

* TookALevelInBadass: While Shang-Chi could always use his chi ala ''ComicBook/IronFist''-style, it was never as flashy as Marvel's other kung fu guy. Come ''Comicbook/TheAvengersJonathanHickman'', it's as flashy and arguably as powerful as an Iron Fist’s.

In the earlier Shang-Chi stories he was directly portrayed as Sax Rohmer's pulp villain Literature/FuManchu, but Marvel have since lost the adaptation rights to those books, so he’s now referred to solely as Zheng Zu. This has also allowed him to develop in very different directions, avoiding some of the racism associated with the original character.

* CameBackWrong: The Shadow Council tries to resurrect him using the 'Eyes of the Dragon', but he’s left as a horrific undead figure until they can sacrifice Shang-Chi to complete the resurrection. That doesn’t happen, as the Secret Avengers intervene.
* ContinuitySnarl: When Shang-Chi first introduced in the 1970s, Marvel held the adaptation rights for the Literature/FuManchu stories and Shang-Chi’s father was Fu Manchu. When they lost the rights, he was no longer named - and then ''Secret Avengers'' reintroduced him under the name of Zheng Zu in 2010. The SoftReboot of subsequent series has developed Zheng Zu as a very different character, enabling Marvel to abandon the racist elements of Fu Manchu, and it’s left unclear which elements of the original stories are still canon.

* FaceHeelTurn: A slow one. After his brother’s death he slid from heroism into a WellIntentionedExtremist, then eventually became a supervillain. Flashbacks suggest that the villainy only really dominated after 1900.
* FantasticRacism: Judging by Takeshi and Esme’s comments after his death, Zheng Zu was prejudiced against mutants.
* GivenNameReveal: The reveal of his name Zheng Zu was originally treated this way, with the implication that he was still Fu Manchu (but couldn’t be named as such for legal reasons). After the 2020 series this falls away in favour of a wider SoftReboot, though.

** He’s attempted to kill Shang-Chi on many occasions.
** He had an extended EnemyCivilWar with Shang-Chi’s elder half-sister Zheng Bao Yu when she tried to launch a coup within his organization. There were several attempts to kill her as part of this.

* SacrificialRevivalSpell: Via the "Eyes of the Dragon", which can save and empower the caster at the cost of a relative’s life. This comes up a couple of times:
** Zheng Zu attempts to use it to [[spoiler:save his brother Zheng Yi at the cost of his own life]], which fails when [[spoiler:Zheng Yi reverses its target, saving Zheng Zu with a TakeMeInstead]].
** The Shadow Council use it to resurrect Zheng Zu, but he’s caught in a CameBackWrong state and needs Shang-Chi’s death to return him to true life. The Avengers save Shang-Chi (and the Prince of Orphans kills Zheng Zu) before that can happen.

* TakeMeInstead: [[spoiler:Rejected Zheng Zu’s attempt to save him from Baron Harkness and the Mindless Ones, redirecting the spell to save and empower Zheng Zu instead]].

* SelfRestraint: [[spoiler:At the end of the 2021 series he willingly returns to jail, viewing it as the honorable option]].

* DefiantToTheEnd: He exits with a DyingSmirk, noting that Shang-Chi, not the murderous Sister Hammer, has been chosen as their father’s new successor.

* DeathFakedForYou: Her half-brother Takeshi arranges this when their father sends him to assassinate Zheng Zhilan. It seems he didn’t really stop to explain this first, though.
* FakeDefector: While at first she seemed to have betrayed her siblings to their enemies, it’s all part of the plan. Eventually, with Esme's assistance, she reveals her true allegiance and leads them into an ambush.

Shang-Chi and Shi-Hua’s maternal grandfather. Leader of the Qilin Riders, one of the mortal peoples of the dimension known as Ta Lo, and sworn to defend the "Treasures of the Gods".

* MasterArcher: One of the two gifts of his people. He’s certainly a lethally effective archer, but this still borders on InformedAbility.

Shang-Chi and Shi-Hua’s mother, the daughter of Chieftain Xin. Like her father, she grew up in the dimension of Ta Lo, not on Earth, but she left her people after meeting her future husband Zheng Zu.

As of March 2022 she hasn’t actually reappeared in ''Shang-Chi'' since the SoftReboot, so it’s unclear how much of her original background as "Fah Lo Suee" has been amended to reflect Zheng Zu's very different history.

* ArchnemesisDad: It’s not just Shang-Chi who keeps feuding with Zheng Zu. In fact, in a flashback during her first appearance, she warns a very young Shang-Chi that he may have to pick a side when he grows up.

* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: Much like her half-brother, her martial arts skills are pretty much superhuman. She’s good enough to hold off the Asgardian Valkyrie and Elsa Bloodstone simultaneously, at least for a while.

* DatingCatwoman: She has romantic history with Sir Denis Nayland Smith (A MayflyDecemberRomance when he was much younger). It didn’t end amicably.

* GivenNameReveal: She gets one in ''ComicBook/FearlessDefenders'', not long after Zheng Zu’s name is revealed. As with her father, it’s mostly there to detach her from the Sax Rohmer stories and associated licensing issues.
* HypnoticEyes: Making eye contact with her is a really bad idea. At one point she also boosts this ability with the ancient gems known as the ‘ruby eyes'.
* LongLived: She’s considerably older than Shang-Chi and, in her first appearance, Nayland Smith notes that she hasn’t aged a day in the forty years since he last saw her.

Shang-Chi’s adopted African brother. M’Nai was the sole survivor of a British attack on a village of Zheng Zu's followers. Seeing the anger and rage in baby M’Nai’s face, Zheng Zu adopted him. The child’s face was badly scarred, so he wore a mask for most of his life. M’Nai and Shang-Chi grew up and trained together, becoming best friends.

M’Nai eventually received superpowers from the Kree, subsequently changing his moniker from "Midnight" to "Midnight Sun".

Although he's appeared in other Marvel comics since the SoftReboot, as of February 2022 he hasn’t yet reappeared in ''Shang-Chi'', so it’s unclear how much of his original background has been amended.

* CapeSnag: In his first appearance he’s killed when he falls from a crane, his cape snags on the hook and the sudden stop breaks his neck. Then again, it was a long drop and the alternative was probably fatal as well. And it’s a temporary death anyway.
* EmpoweredBadassNormal: He’s pretty dangerous before he gains powers. Afterwards he's capable of duelling the Silver Surfer…
* TheFaceless: His face is scarred and he’s always masked. Even as a child, he fought Shang-Chi (before they became friends) rather than show his face. Once he's resurrected by the Kree, he's ''still'' horribly scarred, but this time due to their scientists' modifications.
* FormerlyFriendlyFamily: As Shang-Chi’s adoptive brother, he’s the first of his siblings to appear. And although they’re good friends, he’s still loyal to Zheng Zu, whereas Shang-Chi’s betrayed him. So they’re going to have to fight.

* ScarsAreForever: He was scarred as a baby, a victim of the attack that killed his parents. He [[TheFaceless hid his face beneath a mask]] for the rest of his life. When he’s resurrected by the Kree, using a cloned body, he acquires a ''different'' set of horrible facial scars.

* TykeBomb: Like most of Zheng Zu’s other children, he was taught to fight from a very early age.
* VillainEpisode: Gets a short solo story in an ''ComicBook/IronMan'' annual, a flashback tale in which he’s sent to Singapore during the UsefulNotes/VietnamWar to recruit supervillain Half-Face for Zheng Zu’s cause.

* TheHedonist: Downplayed, but when he tells his father that he doesn’t believe in an afterlife, he adds that he's more interested in excellent wine, beautiful women and [[BloodKnight the chance to kill so many people]].

* ActionGirl: Very much so. She’s a field agent for spy agency [=MI6=] and seems equally comfortable with guns and hand-to-hand combat.

* EloquentInMyNativeTongue: Leiko’s a British woman with Chinese heritage and English is her first language. In the 2020 ''Shang-Chi'' series, Shang-Chi asks her to stick to English because her Chinese is 'YouNoTakeCandle' levels of awful.

* NakedFirstImpression: She meets Shang-Chi when [=MI5=] arrange a London flat for him. When he and Reston first visit it, she’s already soaking in the bath.
* SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute: Downplayed, but as an attractive Asian ActionGirl working for Nayland-Smith and [=MI5=], she’s initially pretty similar to Sandy Chen, a character who was teased as a love interest but killed off after her initial story. Shang-Chi even thinks "''she reminds me of... '''Sandy'''...''" on the first page of Leiko's introduction.

Shang-Chi’s brawny ally and a member of [=MI6=]. Often assists Sir Denis Nayland Smith.

Leiko Wu’s ex-husband. Also a member of [=MI6=].

* ArtisticLicenceAwards: When he reappears in ''ComicBook/WisdomRudimentsOfWisdom'' and ''ComicBook/CaptainBritainAndMI13'', he’s introduced as “Sir Clive Reston, KCBE”. This doesn't exist as a [[UsefulNotes/KnightFever British honour]] - it's likely that it was supposed to be KBE, which would justify the “Sir”. KBE does stand for '''K'''night Commander of the Order of the '''B'''ritish '''E'''mpire, but when it’s abbreviated the C is omitted.

Fu Manchu’s longtime nemesis and a member of [=MI6=]. Often gives Shang-Chi missions to put an end to Fu Manchu’s plans.

Sir Denis is the hero of some of the original Sax Rohmer ''Fu Manchu'' novels and Marvel have now lost the comic adaptation rights to the character. As of February 2022, he hasn’t been renamed or replaced following the SoftReboot, so specifically remains an adversary of Fu Manchu rather than Zheng Zu.

* AgeLift: He’s considerably older than he was in the original books, as the comics are a sequel set decades later.

* ContinuitySnarl: He’s one of the characters from the original Sax Rohmer ''Literature/FuManchu'' novels and hasn’t been seen in the comics since Marvel lost the rights to those stories. The subsequent SoftReboot transformed Fu Manchu into Zheng Zu, but Sir Denis hasn’t been seen since and as of Feb 2022 it’s unclear how and if he still fits into canon.
* DatingCatwoman: He has romantic history with Fu Manchu’s daughter Fah Lo Suee (a MayflyDecemberRomance when Nayland Smith was much younger). It didn’t end amicably and when they meet again forty years later, he states that she’s irredeemable. Of course, that's before she pulls a FaceHeelTurn, joins [=MI6=] and tells him she wishes they'd been able to age gracefully together.
* DemotedToExtra: Downplayed, but he’s the hero of most of the original novels. Whereas Shang-Chi is the star of the comics and Sir Denis is just supporting cast.
* DisabledInTheAdaptation: When first introduced in ''Special Marvel Edition'' he’s a wheelchair user who can't stand; at some point after the last of the Rohmer novels, one of Fu Manchu’s servants mangled his legs. [[ThrowingOffTheDisability He gets better]].

Dr. Petrie is a Sax Rohmer character, the narrator of some of the original ''Literature/FuManchu'' novels, and Marvel have now lost the comic adaptation rights to the character. As of February 2022, he hasn’t been renamed or replaced following the SoftReboot, so specifically remains an adversary of Fu Manchu rather than Zheng Zu.

* AgeLift: He’s considerably older than he was in the original books, as the comics are a sequel set decades later.

* ContinuitySnarl: He’s one of the characters from the original Sax Rohmer ''Literature/FuManchu'' novels and hasn’t been seen in the comics since Marvel lost the rights to those stories. The subsequent SoftReboot transformed Fu Manchu into Zheng Zu, but Petrie hasn’t been seen since and as of Feb 2022 it’s unclear how and if he still fits into canon.

* DeathByOriginStory: Initially played straight, eventually averted. Shang-Chi’s guilt over his murder of Dr Petrie helps to fuel his initial HeelFaceTurn and rebellion against his father. It's later revealed that Shang-Chi was fooled by an [[ActuallyADoombot extremely realistic robot]] and Petrie’s still alive.
* DemotedToExtra: He’s the narrator and one of the recurring heroes of some of the original novels, essentially playing TheWatson to Sir Denis. Whereas Shang-Chi is the star of the comics and here he’s just supporting cast. After his [[{{Deprogram}} Deprogramming]] he very rarely appears.

* ContinuitySnarl: A downplayed example. Her uncle Shan Greville, who connected her to the other characters via Nayland Smith, is one of the characters from the original Sax Rohmer ''Literature/FuManchu'' novels and Melissa, who's not directly taken from the books, hasn’t been seen in the comics since Marvel lost the rights to those stories. It’s unclear how and if she still fits into canon.

A martial artist from Hong Kong, Cat’s occasionally been a spy for the Chinese government and sometimes just acted as an independent criminal. His loyalties tend to bring him into conflict with [=MI6=] and Shang-Chi, with whom he’s very evenly matched - but he’s rarely an outright villain, there are always shades of grey, and he’s sometimes joined forces with Shang-Chi for the greater good.

* LoveInterestTraitor: When he first appears, he’s living in Hong Kong and in a relationship with a woman called Juliette, not realising that she's one of Nayland-Smith's agents.
* TheRival: To Shang-Chi. They’re very evenly matched in terms of skill, they've had relationships with some of the same women and even their names are similar.
* SignificantNameOverlap: It is mentioned in Shen Kuei’s debut that his name and Shang-Chi’s name are pronounced the same way.

* ImpossiblyCoolWeapon: His triple bladed swords. At one point Shang-Chi gets hold of one and finds it very awkward to use (although that's partly because he doesn’t want to kill his opponent).
* KilledOffForReal: While fighting Shang-Chi in a burning building he finds that his costume is MadeOfIncendium. He's stayed dead and hasn’t been resurrected in almost 40 years.

* CombatTentacles: They’re actually prehensile vines and branches, but they work the same way in combat.

* SignatureHeadgear: There’s a flower in her hair. It looks exactly the same as the ones she sprouted on her transformed arm, so whether it’s worn in her hair or actually ''growing from her head'' is unclear.
* WouldHurtAChild: Deployed a bioweapon that transforms humans into plants in a Beijing school.

* BerserkButton: Mordillo flies into a rage when addressed as “Simon” after his infiltration ends, insisting that Bretnor was merely a cover identity.

* ProfessionalKiller: He's a famous hired assassin. According to [=MI6=], he mostly works for the communists, but that's purely because the western powers can’t afford him.

* ReportsOfMyDeathWereGreatlyExaggerated: The situation when he makes his first appearance - he’s well known to [=MI6=] before he ever encounters Shang-Chi, but everyone believes he's already dead.

* DressedLikeADominatrix: Initially fights dressed in high-heeled knee boots, bikini bottoms, and a crop top that shows AbsoluteCleavage. And uses a whip. At one point Leiko directly calls her “the kinky lady".

* LoveInterestTraitor: An example where both characters were villains. While seeing Carlton Velcro she was actually working for Mordillo, who’d been hired to kill him and was using Pavane to set up an assassination attempt.

* BackFromTheDead: In Razor-Fist's first story, his BadBoss Carlton Velcro has guards shoot both Razor-Fist and Shang-Chi while they’re duelling, seemingly killing Razor-Fist. He was believed to be KilledOffForReal for many decades, with two LegacyCharacter successors using the codename, until a Razor-Fist reappeared in ''ComicBook/{{Domino|MarvelComics}}'' Vol 3 #4, shortly after the death of the third Razor-Fist. A subsequent appearance in ''ComicBook/ShangChiAndTheTenRings'' had Shang-Chi refer back to their first fight, seemingly acknowledging him as the ''original'' Razor-Fist (without showing any surprise at his survival and return), but as of July 2022 it's still a little ambiguous.

* HonorAmongThieves: A sincere believer in this, according to his last words. He’s appalled that despite his loyalty, Velcro [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness sees him as entirely expendable]].

Although he's generally referred to as "Razor-Fist II" in [[AllInTheManual reference material]], Velcro always referred to William as "Razor-Fist Three”

* AbsurdlySharpBlade: As with his predecessor. He’s seen slicing through wooden posts and the hulls of wooden junks with minimal effort.

* RoguesGalleryTransplant: Of all the antagonists from the original ''Master of Kung Fu'' series, Razor-Fist is probably the BreakoutVillain in terms of appearances in other Marvel comics. He's fought Wolverine, Deadpool, Spider-Man, Elektra, Hawkeye and others.

* {{Cyborg}}: As are the rest of the Red Dot Collective

* CurbStompBattle: From Zheng Zu's henchman Maru, when Zheng Bao Yu first presents Zaran to her father. He’s effortlessly disarmed and then beaten with the haft of his own weapon. But Zheng Zu acknowledges his potential, so Maru's then assigned to train him.

* LoveMakesYouEvil: Played with. He was initially a villain, but also [[UnholyMatrimony in a relationship with Shang-Chi’s half-sister Zheng Bao Yu]], which came to an abrupt end a little while after they made a nominal HeelFaceTurn. His reaction to being dumped (and, when he angrily confronted her, drugged) was to try to kill her new [=MI6=] allies.

* UnholyMatrimony: When he first appeared, he was in a relationship with Shang-Chi's older half-sister Zheng Bao Yu, which came to an [[YouHaveOutlivedYourUsefulness abrupt end]] when she prioritised her new [=MI6=] career. It's fair to say that Zaran [[LoveMakesyouEvil didn’t handle the break-up well]].

* CharlesAtlasSuperpower: See the BadassNormal entry above.

* BackFromTheDead: In his first story, Razor-Fist's BadBoss Carlton Velcro has his guards to shoot him and Shang-Chi them while they’re dueling, resulting in Razor-Fist's apparent demise. He was believed to have been KilledOffForReal for many decades until he mysteriously reappeared in ''ComicBook/{{Domino|MarvelComics}}'' Vol 3 #4, shortly after the death of the third Razor-Fist.

* KilledOffForReal: Ends up getting thrown underneath a moving trolley while fighting Deadpool.

* ActuallyADoombot: The Razor-Fist who appears in "The Phoenix Gambit", some time after his death, is actually a genuine Doombot, built by ComicBook/DoctorDoom himself.
* AllInTheManual: His real name is only revealed in the ''New Avengers: Most Wanted Files'' data book, published thirty years after the character was killed off.

* KilledOffForReal: In his first story. His BadBoss Carlton Velcro decides that the easiest way to stop Shang-Chi is for his guards to shoot both of them while they’re duelling. Predictably, this kills Razor-Fist but Shang-Chi escapes.

* AllThereInTheManual: As with his predecessor, his real name isn't confirmed until long after his death.

* KilledOffForReal: As with his predecessor, BadBoss Carlton Velcro shoots him while trying to kill Shang-Chi.