Shou-Lao Explained
Shou-Lao (alternatively spelled Shao-Lao) is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. Appearing primarily in association with Iron Fist, he is the source of power for him and other holders of the name.
Publication history
Shou-Lao first appeared in Marvel Premiere #16 (July 1974) and was created by Len Wein, Roy Thomas, and Larry Hama.
Fictional character biography
Shou-Lao is a Chinese dragon who was previously killed by K'un-L'un citizen Quan-St'ar and had its heart removed. Enraged at this, Yu-Ti banishes Quan-St'ar, resurrects Shou-Lao, and places it in a sacred cavern. Following this, Shou-Lao is repeatedly killed and resurrected as part of a trial undergone by holders of the Iron Fist mantle to gain his power.[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]
During the Avengers vs. X-Men storyline, Shou-Lao helps the Avengers battle the X-Men in K'un-L'un.[6]
During the event, Lin Lie is instructed to kill Shou-Lao, but refuses, and instead gains his power by having him give it willingly.[7]
Powers and abilities
As a dragon, Shou-Lao possesses superhuman physical abilities and the ability to fly and breathe fire. Additionally, he does not age and possesses resistance to disease and the ability to camouflage himself.
In other media
Television
- Shou-Lao appears in Ultimate Spider-Man, voiced by Mark Hamill via Nightmare.[8] This version lacks wings.
- Shou-Lao makes a non-speaking cameo appearance in a flashback in the Iron Fist episode "Dragon Plays with Fire". Finn Jones, who portrays Iron Fist, stated that Shou-Lao could not be shown onscreen due to budgetary constraints and would appear in future seasons, though this never came to pass.[9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Additionally, The Defenders reveals that the bones of Shou-Lao's species contain a substance with resurrective properties, which is used by the Hand.
Video games
Shou-Lao appears in Lego Marvel Super Heroes 2.[14]
Notes and References
- Master of Kung Fu Annual #1. Marvel Comics.
- Avengers Vol. 8 #13. Marvel Comics.
- Marvel Premiere #16. Marvel Comics.
- Marvel Team-Up #64. Marvel Comics.
- Web site: Dodge . John . September 7, 2021 . Shang-Chi's Great Protector Isn't Marvel's Only Dragon . September 26, 2024 . Comic Book Resources . en.
- Avengers vs. X-Men #10. Marvel Comics.
- Web site: Brooks . Nicholas . February 2, 2023 . Marvel's New Iron Fist May Face Danny Rand's Greatest Challenge - Thanks To Judgment Day . September 26, 2024 . Comic Book Resources . en.
- Web site: Shao Lao Voice - Ultimate Spider-Man (TV Show) . September 26, 2024 . Behind The Voice Actors. A green check mark indicates that a role has been confirmed using a screenshot (or collage of screenshots) of a title's list of voice actors and their respective characters found in its credits or other reliable sources of information.
- Web site: Sobon . Nicole . February 26, 2017 . Iron Fist: Dragon Shou-Lao Confirmed For Netflix Series . September 26, 2024 . Comic Book Resources . en.
- Web site: Melrose . Kevin . March 13, 2017 . Iron Fist: Sorry, But the Dragon Shou-Lao Won't Appear On Screen . September 26, 2024 . Comic Book Resources . en.
- Web site: 25 February 2017 . New Image from Iron Fist, Shou-Lao Confirmed to Appear . MCU Exchange.
- Web site: Peters . Megan . March 12, 2017 . Iron Fist: Shou-Lao Will Not Appear on Screen . comicbook.com.
- Web site: Leston . Ryan . March 11, 2017 . Marvel's Iron Fist won't feature his epic dragon-fight with Shou-Lao (EXCLUSIVE) . Yahoo.
- Web site: Kooistra . Darik . November 14, 2017 . K'un-Lun Konundrum - LEGO Marvel Super Heroes 2 Guide . September 26, 2024 . IGN . en.
