Iron Fist has long been a highly ranked character in Marvel Comics, but has never managed to crack into the top tiers of popularity held by characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, Iron Man, and the X-Men in media and merchandising. Although he had his own short-lived television series, the character does not garner nearly as much attention as others and is not well-known outside of comic readers. Thanks to the upcoming film debut of his longtime ally Shang-Chi, Iron Fist's presence may soon be felt more by Marvel fans of multiple mediums and it would be well-deserved.
The first appearance of Iron Fist was in 1974 in the pages of Marvel Premiere #15. He was created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane. Thomas is the comics writer who co-created Wolverine, Vision, and Havok, and was also responsible for introducing Conan the Barbarian into Marvel comics. Kane did work on Green Lantern and Atom for DC. Iron Fist is the moniker of Danny Rand, a hero who was raised in the mystical city of K'un-L'un and trained in martial arts. He gained the power of the Iron Fist from fighting a dragon named Shou-Lao, who also gave Danny the iconic dragon-shaped tattoo on his chest. He is a master martial artist and he made his screen debut in 2017 on the Netflix show, Iron Fist. Additionally, he starred in The Defenders show from 2017 and appeared on Luke Cage in 2018.
Although the Netflix shows were relatively short-lived, there is a good chance that the character will make a big comeback. Since some big name heroes in recent films have been killed or are retiring, new spaces for heroes are opening up. One character that is scheduled to hit the big screen this year is Shang-Chi, the master martial artist from China whose father is the villainous Fu Manchu. Shang-Chi and Iron Fist are very different, but they have crossed paths many times and they share origins that involve forms of revenge. They have fought side by side, against one another, and they are both masters of martial arts. A team-up of these two heroes could provide an opportunity for Iron Fist to make a major and unexpected return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Iron Fist and Shang-Chi's First Meeting
Iron Fist first met Shang-Chi in Master of Kung Fu Annual #1 in 1976. In this issue Danny Rand seeks out Shang-Chi's help to locate his friend, Colleen Wing, a Japanese martial artist. This comic demonstrates the characters' similarities, such as how they both grew up in secluded areas where they were trained and are unfamiliar with many cityscapes. During their search, they are imprisoned and come to realize that they have led similar lives, seeking revenge or being used for evil before learning that they could be more. By the issue's end, Colleen has not been found, but Iron Fist and Shang-Chi part as friends, having bonded over their experience and similarities.
Not long after the previous issue, Iron Fist and Shang Chi crossed paths again in Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #29. In this comic, Iron Fist is still looking for Colleen, and Shang-Chi is hearing word that his evil father is involved in a plot. The two are led into tunnels from different areas and when their paths converge, they find out why they are really there. The answers they seek were ruses aimed at forcing the two to fight each other, or else there will be consequences for other people. Neither wants to fight the other, but they have no choice. They begin to orchestrate a pretend fight. The man demanding the fight knows they are faking and commands them to fight for real or the consequences will be enforced. The two fight, seeming to be evenly matched. Eventually, they come up with a plan without exchanging a word, and manage to end the fight and save the day without a winner to their match being named. Though there wasn't an answer to the question of who is better, it should be noted that they are evenly matched and have high esteem for each other. They can intuit plans together, without having to undergo any verbal planning.
Secret Wars and Heroes for Hire
During Secret Wars, an alternate K'un-L'un exists in which the emperor is chosen through a combat trial. Seeking revenge, Rand-Kai, an alternate version of Danny Rand, wants to fight Shang-Chi, believing that Shang-Chi killed his master. The Thirteen Chambers fight comes down to these two and Rand-Kai is ready. He calls Shang-Chi a murderer and when it finally seems like readers may find out who is stronger, a third party gets involved and poisons Shang-Chi. This exchange leads to a reveal of the broader truth and an understanding between the two martial artists. Shang-Chi goes on to become emperor of K’un-L’un and Rand-Kai supports him. While these are different iterations of the characters, a similar dynamic exists between them as when they initially met in the main Marvel Universe.
Additionally, both heroes have been a part of the Heroes for Hire team at different times. Iron Fist joined the team first, partnering with founder Luke Cage. The team was introduced in Power Man and Iron Fist #54 back in 1978. This team eventually gained its own series and has had multiple runs over the years. Iron Fist is a regular member of the team, but Shang-Chi has also appeared on it. In Heroes for Hire #18 from the 1997 run, Shang-Chi joins the team along with Wolverine to investigate a pirated talisman in Madripoor. Later, during the Heroes for Hire run from 2006, Shang-Chi works with Colleen Wing and Misty Knight, both friends of Iron Fist and many other popular Marvel heroes, during Civil War. He helps Colleen and Misty round-up criminals with super powers who refuse to sign the Superhuman Registration Act.
Shang-Chi Can Bring Iron Fist Back to the MCU
Iron Fist and Shang-Chi are two sides of the same coin. They complement each other well and have a long history of working together or being pitted against one another in ways that never pan out as expected. Both stand well on their own, but together they are even more intriguing and entertaining. The level of combat mastery that they bring to their fights is incredible and the way they sync up is amazing. With Shang-Chi getting his own film, it might be time to consider either giving Iron Fist one too OR...putting them together on a Heroes for Hire team.
Iron Fist should not be looked over outside of comics. The series he has been apart of, the teams he has been on, and the fact that he pairs off so well with an upcoming MCU hero, should all be enough to argue that Iron Fist deserves quite a bit more attention than he has received. His powers are very unlike any other heroes on the screen currently, and the mystical component as well as the hidden city where he received training, would share an aesthetic with Doctor Strange. The MCU could use more martial artists and what better way to connect all the Marvel entertainment properties more effectively in the future than by either creating a dangerous duo in Iron Fist and Shang-Chi, or pulling together the Heroes for Hire with these two as well as Luke Cage?