Just over a year ago, the Iron Fist, Danny Rand, was killed in the 50th anniversary issue, but now he’s back, and he’s undead! Jason Loo started the story last year, and now he’s back to carry it forward in The Undead Iron Fist, a four-issue series launching this week. It’s a brand-new take on the Iron Fist, and as the issue reveals, everything we know about the mystical powers may be a lie!
The Undead Iron Fist #1 opens at Danny Rand’s grave, where Luke Cage shows his respects. He feels a bit guilty for not visiting him more, but soon we learn that the grave has been dug up. The story then shifts to two plots, one with Iron Fist fighting demons that have entered people’s bodies, and the other focused on Danny Rand climbing an impossibly tall mountain. This allows Loo to explore Rand’s underworld exploits while revealing what has become of the Iron Fist in the real world.
It also allows for plenty of fight scenes, with artist Fran Galán doing a great job with the various fight moves, excitingly displayed with full names via captions. It’s a staple of Iron Fist comics, and it works well. What also works well is the visuals that convey the demons that inhabit bodies that only Iron Fist can see. They’re differently designed from each other, with a creative mix of weird and scary. Throw into the mix Miles Morales, and Galán gets to stretch his fight comic choreography in a variety of ways. A scene stealer is a montage of Iron Fist fighting demons on a fire escape, rendered in silhouettes.
Time to beat up some old ladies.
Credit: Marvel
Galán also does a good job with the new Iron Fist costume, complete with a detailed metal arm. The length of the mask down the face adds movement to the right scenes, and it also gives an uncouth and wild feel. If he’s a zombie, that makes sense.
The Danny Rand climbing scenes have a mythical quality, though the stakes seem low since he can’t die. It’s nice to get some Danny in the issue, but it lacks the impact of the scenes taking place in the real world.
As far as the bigger picture, it’s intriguing to see Loo tinkering with Iron Fist lore. There’s only a promise of answers here, but considering the cliffhanger, the legacy of Iron Fist is up for major revelations. Iron Fist purists might be nervous, but it’s too early to tell how much is being rewritten.
The Undead Iron Fist #1 is a stylish, action-packed relaunch that dares to tinker with Iron Fist’s legacy while delivering visually creative fight sequences. Jason Loo and Fran Galán lean into the undead premise without losing the kung fu flair, resulting in a first issue that’s both familiar and daringly different.
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