Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #3 Review

Written by: Gene Luen Yang
Art by: Marcus To
Colors by: Erick Arciniega
Letters by: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover art by: Dike Ruan, Matthew Wilson
Cover price: $3.99
Release date: September 28, 2022

Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #3 chases after the MI-6 agents who stole the Ten Rings. When an agent from MI-13 uses a spell to encase the rings in a stone, accidentally releasing the Wyrm of Desolation, only the true owner can free the rings and stop the Wyrm.

Is It Good?

Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #3 does exactly what it sets out to do – tell an action-packed adventure story. If you’re interested in the Shang-Chi character, and you’re up for martial arts hijinks with a bit of magic thrown in for good measure, this comic will live up to your expectations.

The plot by Yang isn’t terribly complicated. Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #3 is effectively part two in the latest attempt by an organization to steal the Ten Rings. This time, the organization is MI-6. Shang-Chi knows where the thieves are headed and arrives just in time to find a fairy from MI-13 who has unwittingly unleashed part of the Wyrm of Desolation during a ritual to encase the rings in stone. Shang-Chi pulls the rings from the stone (naturally) and saves the day. The plot is an interesting mix of martial arts, Eastern mysticism, and European legendry, so that’s something you don’t see every day.

The down points of the issue are the predictability of the outcome and the lack of satisfaction in the ending. You knew Shang-Chi was going to pull the ring from the stone. That doesn’t mean his act wasn’t well done, but there was no surprise, twist, or side effect to the pulling. Consequently, Shang-Chi simply walks away with the rings with barely more than a brief comment expressing disappointment in his former friends. There’s no consequence to the theft, Shang-Chi’s former friends are left standing in MI-6 without much to say, and everyone walks away as if nothing had happened. Shang-Chi doesn’t even bother with a finger of doom warning not to try it again. It’s a technically proper conclusion but a wholly unsatisfying one.

To and Arciniega’s art is excellent. The mystical elements involving the rings are eye-catching, the action is fast-paced and energetic, and the overall visuals are engaging.

About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.

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Final Thoughts:

Shang-Chi and the Ten Rings #3 delivers the goods with great art, exciting action, and eye-catching mysticism, paving the way for more trials for Shang-Chi to prove his worth as the owner of the Ten Rings. That said, the ending falls a little flat in the satisfaction department.