Just like all other MCU superheroes, Shang-Chi (as well as the other heroes and villains of his first solo film) began with their counterparts in the comics. As is inevitable with film adaptations, the MCU kept many aspects of their lives and personalities intact, but it altered many others.RELATED: Things About Black Widow The MCU Changed From The ComicsThose who haven't read Shang-Chi's comic book adventures might be surprised to learn how different he is in the comics. From his alliances with other iconic MCU superheroes to his complicated family background to his relationship with his father, there are a lot of things the MCU changed about Shang-Chi. Here's what fans should know about this character's comic origins.

8 Death Dealer Isn't A MI-6 Agent

Death Dealer stands against Shang-Chi

The Death-Dealer is one of the opponents Shang-Chi and his sister take on, during their journey home and then to Ta Lo. Just like Shang-Chi, in the comics, Death Dealer works as an MI-6 agent for a time. However, he turns out to be a double agent who secretly works for Shang-Chi's father. He later dies, only for his son to replace him in the position.

The film shows the Death-Dealer working for Shang-Chi's father, but there's no mention of him ever working for the MI-6. Perhaps if his son appears on the scene, it's possible he could follow this career path.

7 Shang-Chi Doesn't Work With The Avengers (Yet)

Shang-Chi and Captain Marvel fight side by side

Some superheroes use their powers to fight evil right from the start, and later join the Avengers. In the film, Shang-Chi keeps his skills under wraps, though, and stays far away from superheroes. That's not the case in the comics, where he works alongside the Avengers. Specifically, Shang-Chi joined the team the Secret Avengers, and went on multiple missions with them.

It could very well be something like this will yet happen in the MCU. The post-credit scene hints at the fact that from now on, Shang-Chi will be dealing with the superheroes much more often.

6 Shang-Chi's Father Is Different

Mandarin talks to Shang-Chi

A lot of MCU characters have difficult relationships with their parents (such as Tony Stark or Gamora), and Shang-Chi is no exception. In the film, he leaves his dad to live on his own because he wants a different life for himself.

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His actions are similar in the comics, but his father's characterization is a bit different. For one, Shang-Chi's father is a villain called Fu Manchu, not Mandarin. Shang-Chi initially believed his father was a good man, and was surprised when he learned the truth. Fu-Manchu died when he tried to kill his son and, was later revived as a zombie and killed again.

5 He Didn't Train Other Heroes

Tom Holland as Spider-Man without his mask in Spider-Man: Far From Home

Shang-Chi has been living in America for well over a decade before he returns back home. However, he lived in San Francisco, not in New York, where a lot of other superheroes make their residence. That stopped him from training other superheroes like he did in the comics. In the film, Shang-Chi took great care to stay hidden.

Still he could yet end up training his fellow superheroes in the future. For example, in the comics, he trained Spider-Man after Peter Parker had lost his spider sense. Considering young Spider-Man is currently lacking a mentor in the MCU, Shang-Chi could take on this position in the future.

4 He Doesn't Make Copies Of Himself

Shang-Chi fights the Ten Rings in a bus

Shang-Chi's ability to make copies of himself is a power that would have come in handy, but he doesn't use it in the film. In the comics, after being exposed to one of Ex Nihilo's Origin Bombs, Shang-Chi could replicate himself. Unfortunately, he lacks this ability in the MCU.

It's unfortunate that this power didn't make an appearance, as it would have been a great help in his fight against his father — or anytime Shang-Chi is outnumbered in the film.

3 He Doesn't Look Like Bruce Lee

Bruce Lee holds a fighting pose in Enter the Dragon

Unsurprisingly, actors who play superheroes don't often look exactly the same way like their characters do in the comics. After all, the highly stylized comic-book art isn't meant to look realistic.

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When Shang-Chi first appeared in the comics in 1973, he was modeled after none other than Bruce Lee. Actor Simu Liu, on the other hand, who plays Shang-Chi, looks very different from this acting icon, starting with his hairstyle, for example.

2 The Audience Knows His Mother

Shang-Chi's mother trains him as a child

The loss of Shang-Chi's mother, as well her origin story, make up one of the major plot points in the film. She possessed extraordinary powers, but gave them up and left her village behind to be with the man she loved. She gave birth to Shang-Chi and his sister Xialing, but was later killed. Her death motivated Shang-Chi's father to attack Ta Lo and free the Dweller.

Overall, it's a different take on Shang-Chi's family life than in the comics. In the source material, his mother is unknown, and all the attention is focused on his villainous father instead.

1 He Lives In California

Xialing, Shang-Chi and Katy defend Ta Lo in Shang-Chi

Unsurprisingly, most Marvel heroes live and work in the United States, as Marvel is an American company. There are only a few notable exceptions, such as Captain Britain — and Shang-Chi. In the film, Shang-Chi leaves his home at 14, and goes to live in San Francisco where he changes his name to Shaun.

His path is very different in the comics, though. Shang-Chi does work with many American superheroes, but he spends most of his time in his home, a small village in Yang Yin in China. Even when he temporarily leaves his home, Shang-Chi always returns there in the comics sooner or later.

NEXT: Shang-Chi And The Legend Of Ten Rings: Things Only Marvel Comic Fans Know About The Mandarin