Iron Fist: The Living Weapon, written and drawn by Kaare Andrews is the newest title from Marvel this week. I’ve never read anything featuring Iron Fist and I’ve never heard of Andrews before, but that allows me to walk in with a fresh and unbiased perspective. I am more than curious to see what this creator can bring to the table. Is it good?
Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 (Marvel Comics)
Meet Danny Rand, AKA Iron Fist. He’s been a bit depressed lately. Nothing seems to make him feel like he’s alive anymore. Nothing. However, being attacked by ninjas might be just the kick in the ass he needs…
He’s also suffering from the condition that makes his face look like it’s in the constant state of dumbfoundedness.
For a brand new number one issue, this issue does one thing very right. It’s a good introduction to the character of Iron Fist for anyone whose had no experience with him, like me. You get backstory, you get where his current mindset ishis desires (or lack of them) and what shaped him into being the person he is in the present. Danny feels really well fleshed out and complex, but there are two things that didn’t sit with me: one, he comes across as your stereotypical melodramatic brooder that one could easily get tired of quickly if he doesn’t lighten up. Two, he’s rather boring as a character in the story. He has an interesting backstory and his skills are impressive, but as an individual he feels boring at this point.
Besides being a decent introduction to the character, the comic didn’t really hook or grab my attention. The inner narration is a bit grating at points with its perpetual melodramatic and somber mood, and how it often tells too much instead of just showing. The story itself doesn’t kick in until the second half of the comic and even then, it doesn’t really standout or get interesting until the final few pages. There’s no real supporting cast or other characters to latch onto as well. The ending has been done before plenty of times and it doesn’t really makes you all that interested in finding out more (though if you haven’t seen this type of ending before, than maybe it’ll work).
I’m getting Frank Miller flashbacks all of a sudden…
Andrews’ writing isn’t too bad. The flow and storytelling are alright, the dialogue is fine but fairly forgettable, the scenes transition nicely without any abruptness to them, and there was a tiny bit of humor sprinkled in there (even if it felt out of place in the dark and moody context of the story). It’s all just fine, but there’s no “oomph” as of yet.
The artwork may be the strongest thing the comic has going for it. It’s really not my cup of tea, but it does have some interesting visuals that could definitely appeal to the right audience. There are dark and moody colors, nice depictions of the action (regardless of how static it feels), solid layouts and depictions of characters, and an amusing visual style for the flashback scenes where the pages looked folded and worn like an old adventure map.
You my good sir need to get yourself a blog.
Is It Good?
Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 is a rather lackluster start for this new series. While its main character is certainly fleshed and has an interesting backstory, he himself feels rather boring and the story here barely exists, with only vague direction of where it is going. Hopefully it can pick itself up and head somewhere exciting in the coming issues.
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