Traveling back a million years, Marvel Legacy tells the story of the inaugural Avengers team, which includes the very first Iron Fist. Recently, Netflix adapted the kung fu comic into a streaming series, so many viewers are already familiar with the super-heroics of Danny Rand. With The Defenders just around the corner and a second season of Iron Fist on the way, Legacy is the perfect vehicle to expand on the comic's curious mythos.
Inspired by the martial arts craze of the 1970s, Rand and his chi-focusing superpowers garnered a loyal fan base over the last four decades. He first honed his abilities in the legendary city of K'un-Lun, which is based on China's Kunlun Mountains and storied realms like Shangri-La. Legacy #1 promises to add yet another fascinating layer to Rand and his mystical lineage.
A soft reboot of the publisher's line, Marvel Legacy arrives just after the Generations event, which teams classic characters with their namesakes. The upcoming book also acts as a primer for the future, packing millions of years into a 50-page standalone story and reinventing Marvel's comic book history. Scripter Jason Aaron (The Mighty Thor) and artist Esad Ribic (Secret Wars) will tackle the myth-building endeavor, which pits Marvel’s first wave of superheroes against an immense evil located under the Earth. To protect the cosmos, prehistoric versions of Black Panther, Ghost Rider, Agamotto (the first Sorcerer Supreme), Phoenix, Starbrand, and All-father Odin must band together with the original Iron Fist.
[vn_gallery name="Marvel Legacy #1 Character Promos" id="1029366"]
Mike Deodato Jr.'s stunning artwork furnished fans with their first look at Danny Rand's distant ancestor. While her outfit doesn’t look much like future Iron Fists, she does display the proper green and yellow motif, as established by Danny's first appearance in Marvel Premiere #15 (1974). Hopefully, the one-shot will also clear up the mystery behind the first Iron Fist's esoteric ancestral line. Since the true breadth of the ancient order was never revealed, in theory, K'un-Lun and its champions could have originated million of years ago.
In all likelihood, Legacy# will also set in motion some interesting story arcs for Rand in the present day as well. His own book will return to its classic numbering (#73) and team Danny with Sabretooth (who first debuted in Iron Fist #14 himself). In addition, the Immortal Iron Fists web comic is underway, which highlights Rand's efforts to train a teenager in the ways of his ancient order.
With so many Iron Fists in the fire, the truth behind the legend has only begun to unfold. It will be fascinating to watch it unfold in Marvel Legacy #1. Fans probably haven't heard the last from the first defender of K'un-Lun either.
Next: Marvel Unleashes Web-Exclusive Iron Fist Comic at SDCC
Marvel Legacy #1 arrives on September 27, 2017.