Warning! Spoilers for Shang-Chi #2 by Marvel Comics below.
Before Shang-Chi makes his debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the character will be fighting against a new villain and Captain America for the Cosmic Cube in his own ongoing series at Marvel Comics. On Monday, Marvel revealed Lady Iron Fan will debut in the upcoming Shang-Chi #2, where she will take on two heroes in an effort to obtain the powerful Cosmic Cube.
Gene Luen Yang and Dike Ruan's new run on the character has brought Shang-Chi back to the forefront of Marvel Comics. With Simu Liu portraying the character in the MCU, Marvel is capitalizing on the popularity of the longtime hero with his own ongoing series. Marvel has already teased Shang-Chi's upcoming fight against Captain America and now the stakes have been revealed: The duo is fighting for Marvel's Cosmic Cube, a reality-altering cosmic MacGuffin. But, a new name will be thrown into the ring as Lady Iron Fan will also be trying to acquire the cube.
Shang-Chi is currently the leader of the Five Weapons Society, a former villainous organization that he's trying to reform from the top. In previews for Shang-Chi #2 by Yang, Ruan, Triona Farrell, and Travis Lanham, the villain Lady Iron Fan will emerge, as teases suggest her own criminal organization rivals the likes of Hydra and AIM. She owns a hotel in Macau and will be hosting a massive supervillain gettogether. As that happens, Shang-Chi, Captain America, and Lady Iron Fan will try to obtain the Cosmic Cube when it becomes up for grabs. Check out the covers for the series by Leinil Francis Yu and Sunny Gho, as well as variants by Michael Cho and Peach Momoko.
Yang said in a press release that Lady Iron Fan is based on Princess Iron Fan from the iconic Chinese novel, Journey to the West. The new villain has psychic abilities that allow her to control sharp fan weapons.
Preview pages show Lady Iron Fan making a grand debut in her casino. The trio's fight over the Cosmic Cube is also shown.
Captain America and Shang-Chi both don't want the Cosmic Cube to fall into the wrong hands - so, while they might be fighting initially, it wouldn't be surprising if they teamed up against Lady Iron Fan. But, considering her powers and deep criminal organization, she won't be easy to take down. Lady Iron Fan will debut in Shang-Chi #2 which is out in comic book stores on June 30th, 2021.