The Immortal Iron Fist is back, and his first task is to save the man he replaced, Danny Rand. The Chi of Shou-Lao the Undying, the source of The Iron Fist's power, was thought to be stored away after Danny retired from the superhero business. But, when demons descend on New York, a new Iron Fist appears to help Danny take them down. While the identity of the new Iron Fist remains a mystery to fans, his story is set to be told with Rand still playing a big role.
In an unlettered preview for Iron Fist #1, by Alyssa Wong and Michael YG, the newly-retired Danny Rand finds himself being attacked by demons, only for a mysterious, new Iron Fist to show up and save him. While Danny is able to hold his own for a while, managing to keep former Heroes for Hire colleague Luke Cage on the phone while he pulls off some slick ninja moves, he eventually finds himself overwhelmed by the pack of demons. To his surprise, Iron Fist emerges from the smoke and devastation to help Danny fight his way through the horde. Dressed to impress with a brand new costume that pays homage to the original Iron Fist look, this mysterious new Iron Fist teams up with his predecessor to take on a demonic new threat.
What makes this iteration of Iron Fist special isn't just his co-existence with Danny Rand; the yet-unnamed hero will be the first modern Asian Iron Fist. The preview for Iron Fist #1 from Comicbook.com was released alongside an IGN interview with Alyssa Wong, and she said this is "something that a lot of people have wanted to see for a long time, myself included, and it feels special to be entrusted with that opportunity." Specifics about this new Iron Fist are scarce, but Wong said this story is going to build on the history of the Iron Fist legacy, not erase it.
Danny Rand holding the mantle of Iron Fist for nearly 50 years in Marvel Comics has brought on heightened criticism in recent years, as Marvel, and major comics as a whole, have embraced diversity across their rosters of heroes. Wong acknowledged this is something she kept in mind with this five-part Iron Fist series, saying, "There’s a lot of very fair critique, and it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot as I work on this new story. What does it mean to deal with a complicated legacy as you try to move forward? How do you draw on the elements that speak to you while acknowledging a complex and necessarily imperfect past?" Wong asking these questions is a good sign that the upcoming story of Iron Fist will indeed be faithful to fans of Danny and those who want to see more representation in Marvel's heroes.
The preview for Iron Fist #1 promises more of the great action and chaotic magical threats that fans of the hero are accustomed to, and having Iron Fist's new and old team-up makes for a new, exciting dynamic for both characters. The tease of Rand's longtime partner, Luke Cage, makes for even more exciting team-ups. Danny Rand may be done being Marvel's Living Weapon, but it's exciting to see he will still be a part of the Iron Fist's modern legacy, as Iron Fist #1 hits shelves in February 2022.
Source: Comicbook.com