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The Immortal Iron Fist (Collected Editions) #1-3
The Immortal Iron Fist: The Complete Collection, Vol. 1
Experience a brand-new kind of Iron Fist story, one steeped in legends and fables stretching back through the centuries! Orphaned as a child and raised in the lost city of K'un-Lun, Danny Rand returned to America as the mystical martial artist Iron Fist - but all his kung fu skills can't help him find his place in the modern world. After learning that the legacy of the Iron Fist holds more secrets than he ever dreamed, Danny is invited to fight in a tournament against the Immortal Weapons. At stake is the life of his friend, the legacy of his father and mentor...and the future of K'un-Lun! COLLECTING: Immortal Iron Fist 1-16, Annual 1; Immortal Iron Fist: Orson Randall and the Green Mist of Death 1; Immortal Iron Fist: The Origin of Danny Rand 1; Civil War: Choosing Sides 1
496 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
49 people are currently reading
964 people want to read
About the author
Ed Brubaker
1,798 books3,023 followersEd Brubaker (born November 17, 1966) is an Eisner Award-winning American cartoonist and writer. He was born at the National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Brubaker is best known for his work as a comic book writer on such titles as Batman, Daredevil, Captain America, Iron Fist, Catwoman, Gotham Central and Uncanny X-Men. In more recent years, he has focused solely on creator-owned titles for Image Comics, such as Fatale, Criminal, Velvet and Kill or Be Killed.
In 2016, Brubaker ventured into television, joining the writing staff of the HBO series Westworld.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 168 reviews
September 13, 2018
4.5 stars
Whoa! I loved this!
Honestly, I've never really given much thought to Danny Rand, so I'd also never given much thought to digging any deeper into his story. I knew that he was Luke Cage's buddy, and I knew that he karate chopped bad guys with his flamey hand-thing.
The End.
I have to say, when Jeff first suggested this one as a buddy read, I was kinda wondering if he was punking me...again. Then I looked at the credits for this sucker. Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja.
Let me say that again: Brubaker, Fraction, and Aja.
Can I get a Hells Yes!?
That is just about the BEST line-up you could ask for on any comic book. Sure, there are other great team-ups out there, but these guys are some of the consistently best at what they do in my opinion. At any rate, I was just sure this was going to be a great title.
And I was RIGHT! These guys killed it!
Like I said, I didn't know much about this character, but it really didn't matter. It was really easy to jump into this one with no prior knowledge, and just...GO.
In fact, it's almost an origin story (of sorts), because you get a ton of information on how he became the Iron Fist, who his family was, how he inherited his bjillions of $$$, plus all the mystic kung fu shit that goes along with him.
This is a long complex story, but in a nutshell?
HYDRA + Evil Villain From Danny's Past + Kung Fu Tournament In Another Dimension + SECRETS + Previous Iron Fist + Heroes For Hire = BADASS
The main storyline concludes around Issue #14, and you sort of enter an new chapter of Danny's life. He's tying up loose ends, and saying goodbye to old friends & partners...
And starting up new partnerships with old friends...
Is it me, or is there something familiar about some of the guys in that panel? Huh. *shrugs*
Anyway. Just when you think everything is about to come to a nice n tidy close, they hit you with the mother of all cliffhangers at the end.
GAH! *flails wildly*
Ok, I'm in for the next volume.
Highly recommended!
Buddy read with the Immortal Iron Skillet
Oh, I almost forgot! Another highlight was Danny's fight with the Cowgirl Hookers (<--Jeff's name for them, not mine). He stole the best image for his review, and bet me I couldn't find anything as awesome.
Suck it Jeff!
Whoa! I loved this!
Honestly, I've never really given much thought to Danny Rand, so I'd also never given much thought to digging any deeper into his story. I knew that he was Luke Cage's buddy, and I knew that he karate chopped bad guys with his flamey hand-thing.
The End.
I have to say, when Jeff first suggested this one as a buddy read, I was kinda wondering if he was punking me...again. Then I looked at the credits for this sucker. Ed Brubaker, Matt Fraction, and David Aja.
Let me say that again: Brubaker, Fraction, and Aja.
Can I get a Hells Yes!?
That is just about the BEST line-up you could ask for on any comic book. Sure, there are other great team-ups out there, but these guys are some of the consistently best at what they do in my opinion. At any rate, I was just sure this was going to be a great title.
And I was RIGHT! These guys killed it!
Like I said, I didn't know much about this character, but it really didn't matter. It was really easy to jump into this one with no prior knowledge, and just...GO.
In fact, it's almost an origin story (of sorts), because you get a ton of information on how he became the Iron Fist, who his family was, how he inherited his bjillions of $$$, plus all the mystic kung fu shit that goes along with him.
This is a long complex story, but in a nutshell?
HYDRA + Evil Villain From Danny's Past + Kung Fu Tournament In Another Dimension + SECRETS + Previous Iron Fist + Heroes For Hire = BADASS
The main storyline concludes around Issue #14, and you sort of enter an new chapter of Danny's life. He's tying up loose ends, and saying goodbye to old friends & partners...
And starting up new partnerships with old friends...
Is it me, or is there something familiar about some of the guys in that panel? Huh. *shrugs*
Anyway. Just when you think everything is about to come to a nice n tidy close, they hit you with the mother of all cliffhangers at the end.
GAH! *flails wildly*
Ok, I'm in for the next volume.
Highly recommended!
Buddy read with the Immortal Iron Skillet
Oh, I almost forgot! Another highlight was Danny's fight with the Cowgirl Hookers (<--Jeff's name for them, not mine). He stole the best image for his review, and bet me I couldn't find anything as awesome.
Suck it Jeff!
September 15, 2017
If you told me a few months ago that one of the best graphic novel collections I’d read this year would be an Iron Fist collection, I’d probably skoff. Outside of Heroes for Hire and that time he got whalloped into orbit by a super-enraged Hulk, he’s always been a Meh kind of hero - someone who you acknowledge (“Hey, it’s Iron Fist. He knows Kung Fu. And when he hits people his fists and/or his feet glow. Where’s Psylocke?”), but never bother to look into. Then he subs in for Daredevil when that hero was in prison, and then he was a fun part of Matt Fraction’s take on The Defenders, and then Ed Brubaker and Fraction created a book together about him!!!
So what do we have here?
What we have is a heady mixture of faux Asian Kung Fu legends, Heroes for Hire kicking Hydra ass (go Misty Knight), a Mortal Combat style tournament...
...some terrific pulpy fun highlighting the adventures of the previous Iron Fist, and Cowgirl hookers brandishing weapons.
Let me repeat that last one: Cowgirl hookers brandishing weapons.
Brubaker and Fraction (with David Aja on art) really sell the Iron Fist mythos (there’s a long line of them) with equal amounts of action and humor.
Bottom line: This volume (and it’s huge) has legs, so if you never picked up an Iron Fist comic, I’d suggest starting here.
This was a buddy read with The Shark of Fury’s Ultimate Mother.
Note: Goodreads ate most of the gifs I had posted here (including the Cowgirl Hooker gif), so apologies. So I actually had to go back and "write" a real review.
Yer lazy pal,
Jeff
Updated additional note: I found the Cowgirl Hooker gif and re-added it (life is good). Enjoy!
I remain yer lazy pal,
Jeff
So what do we have here?
What we have is a heady mixture of faux Asian Kung Fu legends, Heroes for Hire kicking Hydra ass (go Misty Knight), a Mortal Combat style tournament...
...some terrific pulpy fun highlighting the adventures of the previous Iron Fist, and Cowgirl hookers brandishing weapons.
Let me repeat that last one: Cowgirl hookers brandishing weapons.
Brubaker and Fraction (with David Aja on art) really sell the Iron Fist mythos (there’s a long line of them) with equal amounts of action and humor.
Bottom line: This volume (and it’s huge) has legs, so if you never picked up an Iron Fist comic, I’d suggest starting here.
This was a buddy read with The Shark of Fury’s Ultimate Mother.
Note: Goodreads ate most of the gifs I had posted here (including the Cowgirl Hooker gif), so apologies. So I actually had to go back and "write" a real review.
Yer lazy pal,
Jeff
Updated additional note: I found the Cowgirl Hooker gif and re-added it (life is good). Enjoy!
I remain yer lazy pal,
Jeff
September 15, 2017
In this book, everybody was kung-fu fighting. Those cats were fast as lightning. In fact it was a little bit frightening. But they fought with expert timing.
*ahem* Excuse me. I was humming that song the whole time I was reading this one.
Ed Brubaker is rapidly becoming one of my favorite writer of comics, and he helped re-boot a B-level Marvel super hero here. Danny Rand became Iron Fist in a Shangri La- type city call K’un Lun where he learned marital arts and slayed a dragon to gain his powers. However, as rich guy in New York, he’s got plenty of other problems with an evil corporation trying to take over his company, and Marvel’s civil war among the super-heroes is being fought which means that Iron Fist has to keep a low profile or get pinched by Tony Stark‘s federally sanctioned heroes.
Danny is shocked to learn that he isn’t the only Iron Fist. He finds that K’un Lun had a long line of protectors, including Orson Randall, the previous Iron Fist who turned his back on his duty after seeing too much death in World War I. Orson is still alive and kicking, and he’s trying to help Danny learn the Iron Fist legacy so he can return to K’un Lun and participate in a tournament as their champion.
The inclusion of generations of Iron Fists was a good idea. Particularly because they play Orson’s reign as a pulp adventurer like a Doc Savage, and the flashbacks to his time are fun. It’s refreshing to have a super-hero that isn’t overly grim or blood thirsty. This is a throwback to the ‘70s era comics where Iron Fist was introduced.
*ahem* Excuse me. I was humming that song the whole time I was reading this one.
Ed Brubaker is rapidly becoming one of my favorite writer of comics, and he helped re-boot a B-level Marvel super hero here. Danny Rand became Iron Fist in a Shangri La- type city call K’un Lun where he learned marital arts and slayed a dragon to gain his powers. However, as rich guy in New York, he’s got plenty of other problems with an evil corporation trying to take over his company, and Marvel’s civil war among the super-heroes is being fought which means that Iron Fist has to keep a low profile or get pinched by Tony Stark‘s federally sanctioned heroes.
Danny is shocked to learn that he isn’t the only Iron Fist. He finds that K’un Lun had a long line of protectors, including Orson Randall, the previous Iron Fist who turned his back on his duty after seeing too much death in World War I. Orson is still alive and kicking, and he’s trying to help Danny learn the Iron Fist legacy so he can return to K’un Lun and participate in a tournament as their champion.
The inclusion of generations of Iron Fists was a good idea. Particularly because they play Orson’s reign as a pulp adventurer like a Doc Savage, and the flashbacks to his time are fun. It’s refreshing to have a super-hero that isn’t overly grim or blood thirsty. This is a throwback to the ‘70s era comics where Iron Fist was introduced.
April 17, 2021
Every now and then I delve into graphic novels, which I have enjoyed so much since my childhood. Really loved going back into the Marvel world in this case. Iron Fist is such a great character.
March 26, 2017
I don't remember when I read this the first time but I remember 2 guys in my comic book shop arguing which of Fraction's works were better: this one or Hawkeye. I couldn't choose then and I can't choose now. This collection is very, very different from Hawkeye. Hawkeye is very grounded and there's nothing really super about it. That works because that's who Clint Barton is and oddly enough, he's the perfect character for something like a Marvel Netflix series. Iron Fist is rooted in magic and mysticism. He fights a fucking dragon, for Thor's sake. So, why would Marvel try to take the magic out of his origin to make a Netflix show? It doesn't make any goddamn sense.
But, this isn't about my disappointment in that series. On to the actually story:
This book is kind of a jumbled mix of stories revolving around the legacy of the Iron Fist. The mantle has been passed down from living weapon to living weapon until 66 people in total have had the honor. I loved the stories about the past Iron Fists, especially Wu Ao-Shi the Pirate Queen. I appreciate books that make you feel the weight a character's history (Black Widow: the Name of the Rose, X-23, etc). I really love the relationships between the Heroes for Hire in this book. Also, this series ties with David F Walker's for my favorite portrayal of Danny Rand.
Basically, this tells a story of Danny trying to stop Xao and Hydra from destroying K'un L'un at the same time it tells us the story of Orson Randall and Wendell Rand. There's a story about a group of adventurers traversing the world and getting into trouble and then it follows Wendell disobeying Orson and following in his footsteps in K'un L'un. It tells the story of how Davos' vendetta against the Rand family began. I didn't expect to care the first time I picked this up because I was reading it for Danny but I wasn't bored by that history. I also really loved Danny getting to fight alongside his adoptive grandfather.
I wanted a lot more of the tournament, to be honest. I loved everyone's different fighting styles and bless Aja for the artwork. It was gritty when it needed to be and that, in combination with the colors of course, portrayed the action really well. This was a match made in heaven on that front. I really missed Aja's work when the art changed for some of the flashbacks to Orson's past.
The interludes with Misty, Colleen, and Luke trying to stop Hydra and save Hogarth were entertaining. Luke was really funny and I love how much Misty loves Colleen. Give me a series about them. Please! I know we're getting a new Heroes for Hire with Jessica, Luke, Danny and Matt but please, I want my Misty/Colleen team up. There aren't enough books about badass ladies teaming up.
So, this is on par with Walker's for my favorite Danny Rand and that last issue "Happy Birthday Danny" explains why. It's a peek at what makes Danny Rand an interesting character and it's also something the dreaded Netflix show got wrong. He's not mopey and childish, he's a very strong character. He uses his wealth to help the unfortunate, he loves his friends more than anything and he's extremely protective over everyone. He's always willing to give his life to save others. That's kind of the overarching theme in this collection: Orson wants Wendell not to chase his dream of becoming the Iron Fist because Iron Fist's always die. Danny knows that and never seemed to fear that until that very last issue. It's an interesting aspect of the legacy and I doubt we'll see that portrayed in the Netflix series.
Yeah, I know I sound super bitter but this, similar to Fraction's Hawkeye series, is just perfect for an adaptation and rather go this route, we were given convoluted, watered down adaptations of my favorite boys.
This remains one of the best books in my collection.
5 stars.
But, this isn't about my disappointment in that series. On to the actually story:
This book is kind of a jumbled mix of stories revolving around the legacy of the Iron Fist. The mantle has been passed down from living weapon to living weapon until 66 people in total have had the honor. I loved the stories about the past Iron Fists, especially Wu Ao-Shi the Pirate Queen. I appreciate books that make you feel the weight a character's history (Black Widow: the Name of the Rose, X-23, etc). I really love the relationships between the Heroes for Hire in this book. Also, this series ties with David F Walker's for my favorite portrayal of Danny Rand.
Basically, this tells a story of Danny trying to stop Xao and Hydra from destroying K'un L'un at the same time it tells us the story of Orson Randall and Wendell Rand. There's a story about a group of adventurers traversing the world and getting into trouble and then it follows Wendell disobeying Orson and following in his footsteps in K'un L'un. It tells the story of how Davos' vendetta against the Rand family began. I didn't expect to care the first time I picked this up because I was reading it for Danny but I wasn't bored by that history. I also really loved Danny getting to fight alongside his adoptive grandfather.
I wanted a lot more of the tournament, to be honest. I loved everyone's different fighting styles and bless Aja for the artwork. It was gritty when it needed to be and that, in combination with the colors of course, portrayed the action really well. This was a match made in heaven on that front. I really missed Aja's work when the art changed for some of the flashbacks to Orson's past.
The interludes with Misty, Colleen, and Luke trying to stop Hydra and save Hogarth were entertaining. Luke was really funny and I love how much Misty loves Colleen. Give me a series about them. Please! I know we're getting a new Heroes for Hire with Jessica, Luke, Danny and Matt but please, I want my Misty/Colleen team up. There aren't enough books about badass ladies teaming up.
So, this is on par with Walker's for my favorite Danny Rand and that last issue "Happy Birthday Danny" explains why. It's a peek at what makes Danny Rand an interesting character and it's also something the dreaded Netflix show got wrong. He's not mopey and childish, he's a very strong character. He uses his wealth to help the unfortunate, he loves his friends more than anything and he's extremely protective over everyone. He's always willing to give his life to save others. That's kind of the overarching theme in this collection: Orson wants Wendell not to chase his dream of becoming the Iron Fist because Iron Fist's always die. Danny knows that and never seemed to fear that until that very last issue. It's an interesting aspect of the legacy and I doubt we'll see that portrayed in the Netflix series.
Yeah, I know I sound super bitter but this, similar to Fraction's Hawkeye series, is just perfect for an adaptation and rather go this route, we were given convoluted, watered down adaptations of my favorite boys.
This remains one of the best books in my collection.
5 stars.
October 17, 2019
So here I am, writing a 5 star review for an iron fist book. I know, I'm shocked too. Usually, I can't stand iron fist. He shows up to battering ram a situation and maybe act like a trust fund hippy and look completely out of place in his silly costume next to Luke cage. But here, in the extremely competent hands of Brubaker and Fraction iron fist has a place and a story. It's not a boring origin story but a tale of conflict and revolution on a large scale. And a bonus of great art from aja. Just goes to show that any character has potential when you assemble a strong creative team.
August 26, 2018
This collection is more proof that there are potentially great stories in any character, not just the popular ones. Now-superstar writers Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction teamed up here to reboot Iron Fist, a Marvel character that had long since fallen to the wayside since his introduction during the kung fu exploitation phase of the 70's. Danny Rand, an orphan raised in the mystical city of K'un-L'un and taught kung fu, earns the power of the Iron Fist after plunging his hands into the heart of Shou-Lao, an undying dragon.
Similar to what Geoff Johns did with Green Lantern and Aquaman, Brubaker and Fraction succeed here by developing a dense mythology surrounding the character. While Johns steered his work on Aquaman away from the more campy material he'd become known for, Brubaker and Fraction jump in headfirst and not only completely embrace it but use the pulpiness as a strength for the Iron Fist story! Our tale begins with Danny discovering not only that there is another person out with the power of the Iron Fist, but that he is just the latest in a long lineage of Iron Fists throughout the centuries. And soon Danny finds himself on mission to return to K'un L'un to represent the city in an epic inter-dimensional kung fu tournament against the other Immortal Weapons of the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, a tournament that occurs every 88 years when all seven cities align on the same dimensional plane. Oh, and there's also a possible revolution going on in K'un-L'un as well. Oh, and some wack-job wants to force open the portal to K'un L'un and drive a train through. Sounds crazy, right?! Yea, it's awesome.
The writers sink their teeth deep into the Shaolin martial arts mysticism here and the outcome is actually lots of fun, as we learn the history of the different warriors that have carried the Iron Fist mantle throughout time, as well as how Daniel's father Wendell became involved with K'un-L'un and how that led to where Danny is now. It's an entertaining story and proves that you shouldn't sell a character like Iron Fist short. I can't wait to read more about the Immortal Weapons!
Similar to what Geoff Johns did with Green Lantern and Aquaman, Brubaker and Fraction succeed here by developing a dense mythology surrounding the character. While Johns steered his work on Aquaman away from the more campy material he'd become known for, Brubaker and Fraction jump in headfirst and not only completely embrace it but use the pulpiness as a strength for the Iron Fist story! Our tale begins with Danny discovering not only that there is another person out with the power of the Iron Fist, but that he is just the latest in a long lineage of Iron Fists throughout the centuries. And soon Danny finds himself on mission to return to K'un L'un to represent the city in an epic inter-dimensional kung fu tournament against the other Immortal Weapons of the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven, a tournament that occurs every 88 years when all seven cities align on the same dimensional plane. Oh, and there's also a possible revolution going on in K'un-L'un as well. Oh, and some wack-job wants to force open the portal to K'un L'un and drive a train through. Sounds crazy, right?! Yea, it's awesome.
The writers sink their teeth deep into the Shaolin martial arts mysticism here and the outcome is actually lots of fun, as we learn the history of the different warriors that have carried the Iron Fist mantle throughout time, as well as how Daniel's father Wendell became involved with K'un-L'un and how that led to where Danny is now. It's an entertaining story and proves that you shouldn't sell a character like Iron Fist short. I can't wait to read more about the Immortal Weapons!
June 16, 2016
I'm not sure I've spent more than a moment or two thinking about Iron Fist before I started reading this. So I know know how much of what's in here is existing backstory and how much is reshaping. And I honestly don't really care. What's important here is that this is basically a good martial arts flick that ends on an interesting and potentially game changing cliffhanger. It's good work with a character who's been on the backburner for much of his history.
March 21, 2017
Nice! There's been a fair amount of buzz about this title, and I finally see why. Fraction's and Brubaker's intent was to reinvent Iron Fist to make him less obviously derivative of the 70's kung fu craze and bring him more fully into the modern era, to make him more of a standalone hero instead of being just Luke Cage's sidekick. As far as I can tell, they succeeded.
So it turns out that Danny Rand is not the first person to wield the Iron Fist power, merely the latest in a long line, many of whom died in battle. K'un Lun is one of seven celestial cities that appear on our plane at various times, and each has its own warrior. Yes, it all sounds like a horrible mashup of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Mortal Kombat, with maybe some elements of Highlander thrown in for good measure, but it works better than all that sounds. Yes, there are unabashedly pulpy aspects to the series, but Brubaker and Fraction keep the tone light and zingy enough to be fun, but not so much so that you mistake it for satire and stop taking things seriously.
I'll admit that I was somewhat predisposed to like this, having always had a soft spot for Iron Fist. It possibly stems from Chris Claremont's involvement with some of the character's early development. Since I first came into comics fandom in the 80's via the X-Men route, anything Claremont touched was gold as far as I was concerned. I also like the Heroes for Hire concept and read a fair amount of Power Man/Iron Fist over the years. I also tend to like Matt Fraction's work, and I'd even go so far as to say that this is my favorite series out of all the ones he's written that I've read--could be Ed Brubaker's influence; I'm not as familiar with his work. In any case, whatever my reasons, I liked this book a great deal. Highly recommended!
So it turns out that Danny Rand is not the first person to wield the Iron Fist power, merely the latest in a long line, many of whom died in battle. K'un Lun is one of seven celestial cities that appear on our plane at various times, and each has its own warrior. Yes, it all sounds like a horrible mashup of Buffy, the Vampire Slayer and Mortal Kombat, with maybe some elements of Highlander thrown in for good measure, but it works better than all that sounds. Yes, there are unabashedly pulpy aspects to the series, but Brubaker and Fraction keep the tone light and zingy enough to be fun, but not so much so that you mistake it for satire and stop taking things seriously.
I'll admit that I was somewhat predisposed to like this, having always had a soft spot for Iron Fist. It possibly stems from Chris Claremont's involvement with some of the character's early development. Since I first came into comics fandom in the 80's via the X-Men route, anything Claremont touched was gold as far as I was concerned. I also like the Heroes for Hire concept and read a fair amount of Power Man/Iron Fist over the years. I also tend to like Matt Fraction's work, and I'd even go so far as to say that this is my favorite series out of all the ones he's written that I've read--could be Ed Brubaker's influence; I'm not as familiar with his work. In any case, whatever my reasons, I liked this book a great deal. Highly recommended!
August 11, 2020
This was pretty dope!! This complete collection is massive. Damn near 500 pages of goodness. So much goes down in this book. We have Danny refusing a multi billion deal with this Xoa guy because Danny doesn’t like him. Then this guy decides to start buying up Rand stock trying to pull a hostile takeover. We have all the adventures of the previous Iron Fist, Orsen Randall, globetrotting with his band of misfits which includes Danny’s father, Wendal. Then we have the cool idea of the 6 other mystical cities like Kun’lun and how they all converge on each other once every 88 years. During said time the iron fist and the immortal weapons from the other cities battle in a tournament. Dope!! Then Xoa is trying to use technology to gain access to Kun’lun to destroy it. Plus a revolution within Kun’lun. Just so much awesomeness to be had here. Definitely recommend this one.
March 13, 2018
4.5*
This was nearly perfect. Such a cool story, great artwork and depth to the plot/characters. The team involved has to be one of the best ever formed. Theres alot of past info with previous Iron Fists, different clans, different weapons. Great action scenes. I can see where people had issues with the tv show. I feel like they didnt capture the real Danny Rand/Iron Fist. Whereas this novel gave us a realistic approach.
This was nearly perfect. Such a cool story, great artwork and depth to the plot/characters. The team involved has to be one of the best ever formed. Theres alot of past info with previous Iron Fists, different clans, different weapons. Great action scenes. I can see where people had issues with the tv show. I feel like they didnt capture the real Danny Rand/Iron Fist. Whereas this novel gave us a realistic approach.
April 26, 2014
Yawn...I should be more excited about this collection, but I'm not. I thought I was excited when I first saw it on the "new" shelf in my library, a chance to get back to Danny Rand and Iron Fist after all these years. I go way back to Marvel Premiere 18, and somewhere down in the basement is Iron Fist 14 with the first appearance of Sabretooth (just about the only comic I have left worth any money after my dirtbag cousin pilfered them all in the '80s).
But the return of the Steel Serpent and the Heavenly Tournament and even learning about the Iron Fist legacy, none of it really piqued my interest...poor plotting and not enough development, I guess. Even the Immortal Weapons don't get the full treatment they deserve and leave me feeling a tad disinterested. It just feels flat. Or maybe I'm just too damn hard to please anymore.
And at this point I'm bored to tears by Hydra. 'Nuff said.
But the return of the Steel Serpent and the Heavenly Tournament and even learning about the Iron Fist legacy, none of it really piqued my interest...poor plotting and not enough development, I guess. Even the Immortal Weapons don't get the full treatment they deserve and leave me feeling a tad disinterested. It just feels flat. Or maybe I'm just too damn hard to please anymore.
And at this point I'm bored to tears by Hydra. 'Nuff said.
June 24, 2014
Meh. I've never read any other Immortal Iron Fist. I think this collection was all I'll ever need/want from this character/story. It had it's moments, but overall I was not impressed. The whole time I was reading it I realized I wouldn't be all that sad or disappointed if the book was lost and I was never able to finish it. Worth checking out from the local library, though.
December 15, 2015
Jumbled and boring this story did nothing for me. Eager to learn more about iron fist before his show I grabbed this collection. By the creator of an amazing run on Hawkeye I was so ready. This shit was confusing and boring with some decent fight scenes thrown in. My advice is to get on sale or borrow.
December 7, 2015
Bravo!
June 27, 2017
This book has the best authors and artists Marvel has to offer, and it still manages to be pretty racist. The parts of the storyline NOT relying on Asian mythology are good, but there's very little of that. Maybe it's time to retire this character.
November 29, 2014
There were plenty of things that bothered me throughout this book, so it actually gets like 3.5 stars.
I felt like Matt Fraction (and, presumably, Ed Brubaker) was pulling off a miracle by making this book so much better than I expected it to be. Character histories are rewritten for the better. Tropes and cliches are turned on their head (as well as sometimes just played out in annoying and yet well-written ways).
By the time I finished this collection (volume 1 of 2 Complete Collections which have been released), I was very impressed with the many threads the writers had drawn out slowly and tied together neatly. They pass the book off to the next creative team (Duane Swierczynski, Jason Aaron, Cullen Bunn, Rick Spears, and David Lapham) with such grace, it feels like they've just been handed a cleverly handmade present of the junk-turned-to-art variety.
I felt like Matt Fraction (and, presumably, Ed Brubaker) was pulling off a miracle by making this book so much better than I expected it to be. Character histories are rewritten for the better. Tropes and cliches are turned on their head (as well as sometimes just played out in annoying and yet well-written ways).
By the time I finished this collection (volume 1 of 2 Complete Collections which have been released), I was very impressed with the many threads the writers had drawn out slowly and tied together neatly. They pass the book off to the next creative team (Duane Swierczynski, Jason Aaron, Cullen Bunn, Rick Spears, and David Lapham) with such grace, it feels like they've just been handed a cleverly handmade present of the junk-turned-to-art variety.
April 1, 2018
2.5* I have been reading comics for many years now. Sadly, I was never a fan of Danny Rand. I thought Brubaker might have changed this fact. Nope. Great art and fine writing, just not my thing.
October 19, 2017
The Immortal Iron Fist is both a superhero and story that is difficult not to love. Between these covers the history and tradition of the Iron Fist is laid bare, and Danny Rand is forced to not only face the previous holder of the Iron Fist title, but also the champion's of the other Seven Cities of Heaven and what it means to hold the chi of Shou-Lao within him.
This story was unique in many senses. In tracing back the history of the people who have been Iron Fist it warps history and pulls into the canon many different heros, gods, and demi-gods. It strings together what responsibility comes with the mantle of the Immortal Iron Fist and how comfortable one is with their death - so long as it is a good one. Destiny and fate are called into question, the Heroes For Hire make some wonderful appearances, and all-together it proves to be a quick, and very, very solid read.
Just beware the cliff-hanger... You'll want to have the next volume ready when you finish so you can jump right in.
This story was unique in many senses. In tracing back the history of the people who have been Iron Fist it warps history and pulls into the canon many different heros, gods, and demi-gods. It strings together what responsibility comes with the mantle of the Immortal Iron Fist and how comfortable one is with their death - so long as it is a good one. Destiny and fate are called into question, the Heroes For Hire make some wonderful appearances, and all-together it proves to be a quick, and very, very solid read.
Just beware the cliff-hanger... You'll want to have the next volume ready when you finish so you can jump right in.
February 26, 2019
The first volume of a new era of the Immortal Iron Fist. I have always meant to check out Iron Fist, the cancellation of the Netflix series spurred me into reading this.
This book acts as a good jumping on point for anyone interested in the world of Iron Fist. It introduces the character of Danny Rand aka Iron Fist, his origin and his relationships with other Marvel characters well. Especially his friendship with fellow hero Luke Cage.
The story itself follows Danny reconnecting with the role of Iron Fist and the tournament of the Seven Heavenly Cities. There is plenty of backstory and flashbacks, which while interesting do sometimes affect the overall pacing. Just when things are getting interesting with Danny we are typically thrown into the past to discover another Iron Fist legacy.
There are hints to other Marvel events, specifically that this takes place after the Civil War event.
I would recommend this book to those interested in the character of Iron Fist. Those put off by the character due to the Netflix show, fear not. The character is more interesting and humours with plenty of time spent with the mysteries of K'un-Lun.
This book acts as a good jumping on point for anyone interested in the world of Iron Fist. It introduces the character of Danny Rand aka Iron Fist, his origin and his relationships with other Marvel characters well. Especially his friendship with fellow hero Luke Cage.
The story itself follows Danny reconnecting with the role of Iron Fist and the tournament of the Seven Heavenly Cities. There is plenty of backstory and flashbacks, which while interesting do sometimes affect the overall pacing. Just when things are getting interesting with Danny we are typically thrown into the past to discover another Iron Fist legacy.
There are hints to other Marvel events, specifically that this takes place after the Civil War event.
I would recommend this book to those interested in the character of Iron Fist. Those put off by the character due to the Netflix show, fear not. The character is more interesting and humours with plenty of time spent with the mysteries of K'un-Lun.
November 29, 2018
I was starting to wonder if I was beginning to hate Matt Fraction. But he and Ed Brubaker really have a strong link here. Matt's humor and world building works well with Ed's noir sensibility. I found myself truly involved with the characters that Danny Rand surrounded himself with. Plus the action really kicked ass. They framed them to be very pictorial and grand to remind us of how cool kung fu is. I also really admired there attempt to really show how Danny would take care of the rand corporation. Which reminded me of how few of those we find in Batman stories. One of the coolest and fun superhero stories I ever got to read. Only downside was some of the side stories that world build the iron fist history. Some were good, others not so much. The first couple were very good. But when the story focuses on Danny, man was it cool. And it all leads us to an ending I will never forget.
October 19, 2025
I appreciate the brevity as much as the brilliance here - for all the hype I heard around this title when it came out I expected an Alan Moore style dense epic, but this is still a fast paced thriller, filled with crisp Fraction dialogue and gritty Aja artwork. Yet it also is substantial in ways marvel usually isn’t - complex timelines, interlacing of artists, themes and motifs - this a quick, complete package. Last issue is a stunner.
October 26, 2025
(Zero spoiler review) 1.5/5
How can I briefly describe the disdain I have for this title, then expunge it from my sub conscious as quickly as possible...
This is neither what I wanted from an Immortal Iron Fist story, nor an Ed Brubaker title.
The gritty and atmospheric art of David Aja (ala Alex Maleev on Daredevil) was the sole highlight of this book, although I have never witnessed so many artist changes, including multiple artists per issue, which led to some of the most catastrophic tonal whiplash I have ever experienced, and had me terminally apoplectic seeing such cartoonish slop continually rear its head. I wanted to voluntarily dose them with soap just to try and cleanse them.
Ed Brubaker's efforts here were horrific. Pissing all over so much of the mythos of the character and taking him down some absurdly fantastical and perplexing avenues. The man has written some great stuff in the past, but this is dire. Avoid at all costs. 1.5/5
OmniBen.
How can I briefly describe the disdain I have for this title, then expunge it from my sub conscious as quickly as possible...
This is neither what I wanted from an Immortal Iron Fist story, nor an Ed Brubaker title.
The gritty and atmospheric art of David Aja (ala Alex Maleev on Daredevil) was the sole highlight of this book, although I have never witnessed so many artist changes, including multiple artists per issue, which led to some of the most catastrophic tonal whiplash I have ever experienced, and had me terminally apoplectic seeing such cartoonish slop continually rear its head. I wanted to voluntarily dose them with soap just to try and cleanse them.
Ed Brubaker's efforts here were horrific. Pissing all over so much of the mythos of the character and taking him down some absurdly fantastical and perplexing avenues. The man has written some great stuff in the past, but this is dire. Avoid at all costs. 1.5/5
OmniBen.
January 13, 2019
Art was great, but wish there wasn't so many flash backs.
October 20, 2017
Finally i’ve finished this book after two months.
This was the first Iron Fist comic book I’ve read and I can say I liked the character. The writers are Brubaker and Fraction and if I can say ‘i liked it’, it is mainly because of these great writers’ works are always awesome. And did i mention Aja?
Still, the book was too long for me to read continuously and I admit I’ve got bored sometimes. But, it is a good start for who want to know the Iron Fist character.
This was the first Iron Fist comic book I’ve read and I can say I liked the character. The writers are Brubaker and Fraction and if I can say ‘i liked it’, it is mainly because of these great writers’ works are always awesome. And did i mention Aja?
Still, the book was too long for me to read continuously and I admit I’ve got bored sometimes. But, it is a good start for who want to know the Iron Fist character.
May 3, 2015
I was afraid that this would be terrible, between the hokey-ness of martial arts comic heroes and possibly stereotypical portrayals of "exotic 'Asia'." (The "Asia" is also in quotes because Kun'Lun is an idea of a magical Asian-influenced monk fighter city.) I gave it the benefit of the doubt, though, and started reading it because I thought, "It can't be terrible, if Brubaker, Fraction, Aja, and Hollingsworth' are working on it." I was rewarded by a fun series that, in addition to incorporating all the cheesy things that I like about superhero comics and martial arts movies (and cheesy shows like "Kung Fu the Legend Continues), including, but not limited to a tournament fight with capital-lettered words announcing special combos, the characters are given depth, and various ideas about strength, purpose, power throughout history, etc. are explored.
I think that this volume does a great job of exposition to Iron Fist, with the only problem being that it jumps around quite a bit, literally through several generations and incarnations of Iron Fist.
I enjoyed Aja's pencils, as usual, including his trademark style of breaking up the page into 9-16 equal-sized panels but using multiple panels for one image, as well as the movement, tumbling, and falling of Iron Fist that is also discernible in the Fraction/Aja run of Hawkeye (especially since Danny Rand and Clint Barton pretty much look the same with the 10 o'clock shadow, blonde hair, and svelt(er than many linebacker superheros) build.
I think that this volume does a great job of exposition to Iron Fist, with the only problem being that it jumps around quite a bit, literally through several generations and incarnations of Iron Fist.
I enjoyed Aja's pencils, as usual, including his trademark style of breaking up the page into 9-16 equal-sized panels but using multiple panels for one image, as well as the movement, tumbling, and falling of Iron Fist that is also discernible in the Fraction/Aja run of Hawkeye (especially since Danny Rand and Clint Barton pretty much look the same with the 10 o'clock shadow, blonde hair, and svelt(er than many linebacker superheros) build.
July 26, 2019
I really wanted to love this, but I just found myself uninterested with it. I love the art style, and segments were extremely compelling, but the overall narrative jumps between time periods, characters, and even focus, making the overall delivery jarring and a little hard to follow.
The narrative also gets bogged down in a lot of the mystical side of Iron Fist, but doesn't do a great job entrenching it in context that I as the reader cared about. For example, at the center of the story is this martial arts tournament between the immortal weapons, we are told vaguely that this decides the hierarchy of the various divine cities. Somehow this then decides how frequently the cities appear in the mortal realm... This disconnect means a central conflict is just sort of there.
In addition, we know that the last Iron Fist refused to fight, but somehow this doesn't spoil the divine city's standings...
Beyond the vagueness of this fight there are three sub-plots, one is Hydra doing Hydra things, another is an exploration of past Iron Fists, and the final is a dive into the political intrigue in Ku'Lun, this means the plot jumps a TON, and isn't entrenched too much into itself.
I'm saddened that I didn't love this, as there is a lot here I should like, Kung Fu, Mystical mumbo jumbo, and a fire dragon, but it all just ended up feeling like a mish mash of junk.
The narrative also gets bogged down in a lot of the mystical side of Iron Fist, but doesn't do a great job entrenching it in context that I as the reader cared about. For example, at the center of the story is this martial arts tournament between the immortal weapons, we are told vaguely that this decides the hierarchy of the various divine cities. Somehow this then decides how frequently the cities appear in the mortal realm... This disconnect means a central conflict is just sort of there.
In addition, we know that the last Iron Fist refused to fight, but somehow this doesn't spoil the divine city's standings...
Beyond the vagueness of this fight there are three sub-plots, one is Hydra doing Hydra things, another is an exploration of past Iron Fists, and the final is a dive into the political intrigue in Ku'Lun, this means the plot jumps a TON, and isn't entrenched too much into itself.
I'm saddened that I didn't love this, as there is a lot here I should like, Kung Fu, Mystical mumbo jumbo, and a fire dragon, but it all just ended up feeling like a mish mash of junk.
July 3, 2020
Lo primero que se nota en la portada, es un nuevo y flamante diseño del traje de Danny Rand. Pero eso es el cambio más pequeño comparado con todo el trasfondo y la construcción mundial que todos los colaboradores manifestaron en este trabajo.
En pocas palabras:
El libreto, es impecable, es una historia que se ve que se planeó de principio a fin, al menos en los puntos importantes y no en los detalles. comics sea cual cuerpo humano, el libreto como esqueleto, está bien construido a través de los distintos escritores que pasan por él.
Ahora, si seguimos con la metáfora del cuerpo, la carne es el dibujo y el dibujo quedó excelente. no sólo como ilustraciones aisladas, sino con la intensidad con las que David Aja crea las secuencias de combate y hasta las conversaciones. es un comic hecho por gente que ama los comics y que los respeta a su nivel más básico.
En pocas palabras:
El libreto, es impecable, es una historia que se ve que se planeó de principio a fin, al menos en los puntos importantes y no en los detalles. comics sea cual cuerpo humano, el libreto como esqueleto, está bien construido a través de los distintos escritores que pasan por él.
Ahora, si seguimos con la metáfora del cuerpo, la carne es el dibujo y el dibujo quedó excelente. no sólo como ilustraciones aisladas, sino con la intensidad con las que David Aja crea las secuencias de combate y hasta las conversaciones. es un comic hecho por gente que ama los comics y que los respeta a su nivel más básico.
December 4, 2016
A worthwhile collection for Iron Fist fans (or comics focused on martial arts and related mysticism). I like what Brubaker does with Danny Rand's origin, as he gives some meaningful depth to the seven Legendary Cities of Heaven, populating them with colourful characters. On the weak side, I think there's far too much focus on the previous Iron Fists (the stand alone issues for his predecessors are quite tedious) and there's precious little character development overall (for Danny or the other characters who appear). Once Duane Swierczyniski took over the reigns there's a sense of repetition and a lack of forward momentum. Still, I think the collection is worth checking out (it's available from Marvel Unlimited for those who don't want to shell out for a print copy).
November 27, 2016
This is going to sound a little weird but when i first started reading this the thing i liked most about it was it didnt read like a superhero comic.However halfway through it i realized that every story line told in this volume was basically the same.So overall it was good and worth reading but definitely was not great.
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