Shang-Chi first appeared in Special Marvel Edition #15, published by Marvel in 1973. That places it in the Bronze Age.
Why this issue matters
Created by Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin at the height of the 1970s martial arts craze, the Master of Kung Fu headlined a long-running, critically admired series and decades later became the first Asian-led film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Key facts
Special Marvel Edition #15
- Character: Shang-Chi
- Publisher: Marvel
- Cover year: 1973
- Era: Bronze Age
Before you buy or sell one
- Check it is a first print, not a facsimile or reprint. Newsstand and direct editions are priced differently too.
- Condition decides most of the value. Whether grading is worth it depends on the copy.
Other first appearances from 1973
- Thanos Invincible Iron Man #55, 1973
- Blade Tomb of Dracula #10, 1973
- Drax Invincible Iron Man #55, 1973
More Marvel firsts from the Bronze Age
- Phoenix X-Men #101, 1976
- Black Cat Amazing Spider-Man #194, 1979
- Emma Frost Uncanny X-Men #129, 1980
- Mystique Ms. Marvel #16, 1978
- Wolverine Incredible Hulk #181, 1974
- Wolverine (cameo) Incredible Hulk #180, 1974
- Storm, Colossus, Nightcrawler Giant-Size X-Men #1, 1975
- Punisher Amazing Spider-Man #129, 1974
Got a copy?
I buy key issues and whole collections across the UK, and I will tell you honestly whether what you have is the real first or a later printing. Send me photos of the cover and the indicia and I will come back with a straight answer, and a proper valuation if you want one.