Simu Liu arguably has become a more recognized name since he portrayed Shang-Chi in the Marvel film “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.” Now the actor is attending larger conventions like the ACE Experience/Awesome Con in June, but has the convention listing restrictions to what he will and won’t sign.
I can see someone not wanting to sign something that the didn’t work on because they feel that isn’t something they should take credit for. I’ve seen creators not sign covers, but open the book to pages they worked on and signed those, but that isn’t the case here. He won’t sign certain comics because they’re “offensive.” The comics that launched the character, created a fanbase, and gave the actor the character to portray in the film.
The convention posted this statement about Simu Liu’s appearance: “Simu Liu will not sign any Master of Kung Fu comics or other comics deemed offensive. All autographs from Simu will be signed in English only.”
The part about signing in English only seems fair and valid, but what comics are “offensive?”
“The Master of Kung-Fu” comic introduced the character and ran for 125 issues back in the 1970’s-1980’s, which of course was a different time. Shortly after the title was changed to “The Hands of Shang-Chi: Master of Kung Fu“ and that is where most of the characters appearances were.
The problem is that there needs to be a clear list of what can be signed or a concise list of what won’t be signed. If it’s just those comics, that should be an easy list to make.
Simu Liu is getting $150 a pop for a photo or an autograph.
Ultimately it is his choice what he signs or doesn’t sign, but since the “during a pandemic” success of “Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings” Simu Liu has seemingly got more and more, let’s say “difficult” but again it’s his choice and his loss of money.
If you are planning to attend the convention and you would like the actor to sign something, make sure it meets his guidelines first. Hopefully Liu and the convention will define “offensive” a bit better so people have a clear understanding of what the actor finds acceptable.
Source: Bleeding Cool, CBR, a friend J.
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