The Last Iron Fist Story is not a retcon, but it does completely change everything you thought you knew about Danny Rand.
It introduces, on page one, the idea that there have been other Iron Fists in the past.
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It transforms the character concept, which was just a white version of the Saturday afternoon kung fu movies broadcast during the ’70s, into a noirish, pulpy, smart hero.
And it does all that in the first few pages.
This first story in this celebrated revamp flashes back to the Iron Fists through history, including Orson Randall, who was Iron Fist during World War I and the one who came before Danny Rand. Most of the Fists aren’t worth tagging because they have but a few appearances, but Randall will become important to the series.
When we first meet him, he’s attacked by the Crane Daughters…
…They’re martial artists with a tie to the mystical.
As a result of his military service, Randall suffered PTSD and withdrew from his duties as Iron fist. Hydra, the Crane Daughters, and Steel Serpent are trying to track him down.
So, Randall delivers to Danny Rand the “Book of the Fist,” which contains all the secrets of the martial arts.
It’s the reason Hydra is after him.
A competition is coming–the Tournament of the Seven Capital Cities of Heaven. Davos needs to win, and is gaining power from ancient foes of the Iron Fist. When he finally catches up to Orson Randall, he lures him out…
…then beats him nearly to death.
But Randall is able to will his own qi over to Danny, so that Davos can’t get it.
Danny is then able to defeat Davos.
Now, this is partly an Ed Brubaker joint so, of course, the story is complicated and twisty, with opportunities for the strong “Power Man and Iron Fist” cast.
Even Night Nurse makes an appearance after Danny takes a beating in issue #1.
It’s also Matt Fraction’s first major Marvel project, and has his usual stamp of wit. And then there’s David Aja who…Well…Let’s just say he could draw the phone book and I’d read it.
The story concludes with Danny, Orson, Luke Cage, Misty Knight and Colleen Wing fighting through hordes of Hydra and Davos, only to have Lei Kung and Yu-Ti summon Danny to K’Un Lun for the Tournament.
That’s next. And it’s just as awesome.
