I remember when I first heard about this book, I was promised one thing and one thing only:  BIG KUNG-FU ACTION!!  And I remember thinking that it was about damn time that someone wrote a good kung fu book.  But then, about issue number 8, this series shifted from good kung-fu action to political intrigue and a story of mystery.  Bwah?

I’m happy to report that this issue rocked and took the series to where it needed to be all along.  This issue was $3.99, but it was 48 pages of all out ass kicking.  In this issue, we see all the pieces of plot lines coming together to converge on one giant fight scene between the Army of Thunder, the Seven Immortals, and Hydra.  Kung-fu is everywhere in this issue, from the first page to the last, and it’s simply wonderful.  Bascially, this was just a really fun issue to read and enjoy, and it felt almost cathartic after slogging through the slow paced back half of this story arc.

In no way am I slamming talents like Brubaker and Fraction, but I’m looking forward to them taking a leave from the book as it will give the book a chance to get back to the kung-fu.  I think Brubaker’s story telling style coupled with his sense of intrigue is perfect for Captain America, but for this book, it just made it draggy.  And while I don’t have much exposure to much of Fraction’s other works, it’s apparent that when plotting this book, these boys lost their way.  Take for example, the tournament that’s referred to in this issue.  Danny refers many times to his respect of his fellow combatants and how they fought in the tournament, but I think the fact that it was never really fought or concluded in any way seems to have been forgotten.  It’s one thing to say, “Hey, this interrupted our tournament.”  It’s another thing to write it as if the whole thing took place.  Hopefully, the new writers can bring that edge back to the book.  I read this because I want high adventure kung-fu;  it’s the niche this book could fill.

It’s hard to talk about the art in this book because there were so many artists that drew it, but I felt that each one brought their “A” game.  Sure, there were minor things here and there that looked a little off, but in comparison to the other post-Aja issues, this one was pretty good.

My hope is that this issue will convince people to check out the next team coming onto the book, whenver it may be.  I think this issue showcases just how great this book could be and what sort of things it could bring to the Marvel U.