Warning! Spoilers for Shang-Chi #12 by Marvel Comics
The Ten Rings are about to be reintroduced into the Marvel Comics Universe, as the new version of the weapon is being teased as potentially rivaling the power of the Infinity Stones. In a brand new teaser for Shang-Chi #12, the hero will be forced to confront his dark side and unleash the Ten Rings as he takes on his grandfather and protects his family from his greatest enemies.
The Ten Rings are one of Marvel's oldest weapons, as they first appeared in Tales of Suspense #50 by Stan Lee and Don Heck. The origin of the Ten Rings in the comics is somewhat complicated, as they are derived from alien technology (Space Dragons to be exact) with each ring representing the soul of powerful cosmic warriors. Each ring has its own specific powers, including matter manipulation, elemental projection, and numerous offensive and defensive capabilities. The Ten Rings are often wielded by The Mandarin, who wore the rings on his forearm during his live-action debut in Shang-Chi and the Legends of the Ten Rings. Now, the Ten Rings are returning in a big way.
This week, Marvel Comics revealed the Ten Rings are about to be unleashed in the Marvel Universe as the powerful weapon will return in Shang-Chi #12 by Gene Luen Yang and Marco To. According to the solicit for the issue, a new weapon "that could rival the might of the Infinity Stones" will return as Shang-Chi battles his grandfather and the forces of Ta Lo with the power he was "destined to wield." Furthermore, the Ten Rings are said to have devastating consequences as he will confront his dark side to unleash the great weapon's full power. Check out the cover of Shang-Chi #12 by Leinil Francis Yu below.
Shang-Chi using the Ten Rings won't just lead to conflict with his own lineage, but Marvel teases using the new weapon will complicate his already fractured relationship with the Avengers. After the recent ordeal with the Cosmic Cube, the superteam already doesn't trust Shang-Chi. Now, with a weapon rivaling the Infinity Stones, their distrust and worry will likely increase.
Gene Luen Yang, Marcus To, and Dike Ruan have done a brilliant job reworking Shang-Chi for a modern audience following his success in the MCU. Reintroducing the Ten Rings as a weapon that rivals the Infinity Stones as the hero confronts his dark side sounds like a promising, must-read arc that will be full of exciting twists and turns. Shang-Chi #12 by Marvel Comics arrives in comic book stores in May.
