Immortal Iron Fist #4 *Spoilers*

[mattbib]

Another great issue!

It opens with a nice little recap of how Orson Randall's father came to K'un-Lun and the circumstances of Orson's birth, which brings us to a nice shot of the two Iron Fists standing together. And then the two go undergound and head toward Orson's father's pneumatic subway station. Danny learns some new tricks. Orson tells Danny how he changed, and fled K'un-Lun. We learn there have been sixt-six Iron Fists. Then Orson and Danny arrive at the Five Points Station, "the crown jewel" of Orson's father's "empire of hypothetical science."

Back at the Wai-Go headquarters, Davos, the Steel Serpent, slaughters his Hydra soldiers in a combat exercise. And recounts his defeat at the hand of Wendell Rand, his being cast out of K'un-Lun, and his rebirth after his earlier defeat by Danny Rand. He then seems to absorb the chi from his two mechagorgons and then calls to his "mother."

Mr. Hogarth does some negotiating with Mr. Xao behind Danny's back, one that commits Rand Corp to construcing Maglev Trains, with a demo across ultramagnetic track cutting across the K'un-Lun Mountains. In return, Xao will stop his takeover maneuvers.

Back underground, Hydra attacks the Iron Fists. And finally we get to see Orson show off his "gun fu".

Crane Mother appears to Davos, whoem they name the champion and defender of K'un-Zi, and he asks for more of her daughters to be used as fuel, to maintain his current peak, so that he can fulfill the terms of their arrangement. Crane Mother agrees. Davos plans to kill the Iron Fists, to avenge the "atrocities committed by K'un-Lun."

Some new story elements. More history. And the plot continues to unravel. The ultimate confrontation between the Fists and Steel Serpent is sure to be great. Brubaker and Fraction are telling one of the best Iron Fist stories in a long time.

Aja's art continues to please. Very dramatic. Hollingsworth's colors really make this series for me., though there were a few strange choices (though it may have been a printing error, not sure) where there was too much red in certain panels compared to previous panels (particularly in the Davos/Hydra combat situation).

[Sebastos]

You pretty much summed it up perfectly! It was the best issue so far. I loved all the info we got on Orson's past and Steel Serpent's past. Orson's flashback was just awesome.I loved seeing how he became an Iron Fist and the art by Foreman was great. Steel Serpent is really working up to be a for Danny and Orson, I can't wait for them to against him.

I love the idea of Danny learning new tricks with his iron fist. Danny and Orson teaming up in the subway had to be the best action sequence ever. That splash page was just so cool! Major props to Aja, that was well done. I loved Orson using his chi to create bullets for his guns. I can't wait to see the continuation of the fight in #5.

It was a solid issue. Brubaker and Fraction are doing an excellent job on this series and the art was once again fantastic. Foreman's and Aja's art really makes this book aswell. I loved #4 and can't wait for #5. :D

[Daniel R.K]

What an issue, man this book is great. With every issue it just gets better and better! I really liked this issue, and I agree that splash page with Hydra, Danny and Orson was badass. Aja is one of my favorite artists now.

Looking foward to the next issue.

[Sebastos]

Yeah, that splash page was one of the best sequences in this issue. I love the idea that the iron fist power can be extended to weapons. Those chi bullets did some damage. :cool:

[mattbib]

I loved Orson using his chi to create bullets for his guns.
He didn't create the bullets with his chi. He infused his chi into the actual bullets. Much like how the previous Iron Fist he alluded to infused arrows with her chi.

[drwho]

I liked this issue though it is getting a little hard for me to see the Iron Fist powers used as projectile weapons rather than the super powered fist. The way I see it it makes Danny more of a bad @$$ than all these predecssors because he actually fights with the fists. I'm not too crazy about the chi bullets or chi arrows that were mentioned.

[Sebastos]

He didn't create the bullets with his chi. He infused his chi into the actual bullets. Much like how the previous Iron Fist he alluded to infused arrows with her chi.

Yeah, that's the way to say it I agree. And it was freaking cool!


I liked this issue though it is getting a little hard for me to see the Iron Fist powers used as projectile weapons rather than the super powered fist. The way I see it it makes Danny more of a bad @$$ than all these predecssors because he actually fights with the fists. I'm not too crazy about the chi bullets or chi arrows that were mentioned.

I think it's an interesting idea, cause for one Brubaker and fraction are showing that more can be done with the iron fist power. So imo, I think it's a cool idea. Cause not only can they use weapons but also their iron fists. Plus I agree, Danny using his iron fist alone makes him stand out from the past iron fists and he'll also be learning new tricks with the iron fist power.

[Pyro]

This is a cool series. I didn't quite understand everything that happened in the issue, but it was awesome. And the art was great. My favorite scene was when Danny was like, "Woah, I have hypno-hands!!"

[Sebastos]

This is a cool series. I didn't quite understand everything that happened in the issue, but it was awesome. And the art was great. My favorite scene was when Danny was like, "Woah, I have hypno-hands!!"

Yeah man, I agree it was a cool issue. But what didn't you understand?

[Pyro]

Well, I only read through it once, and I've never read any Iron Fist solo stories before this arc, so I was a little confused on all the Steel Serpent stuff, the Kun Lun stuff, etc. It's just a lot to absorb, ya know. I get the basic plot so I'm still enjoying it.

[Sebastos]

Well, I only read through it once, and I've never read any Iron Fist solo stories before this arc, so I was a little confused on all the Steel Serpent stuff, the Kun Lun stuff, etc. It's just a lot to absorb, ya know. I get the basic plot so I'm still enjoying it.

I can understand the Steel Serpent part, and yeah it can be mainly do to no having read the past Iron Fist stories. That's why we got the flashback sequence for Steel Serpent in #4. But if you want to learn more about Steel Serpent, and his past fights with Iron Fist, as well as K'un L'un, I suggest you try to pick up the ESSENTIAL Iron Fist book. Really covers some things you want to know. ;)

[rogerio]

hey guy I'm not very familiar with Iron Fist's continuity buy I'm loving everything so far

WHAT VILLAIN WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN IRON FIST ONGOING?

any chances to Taskmaster?

.

[Sebastos]

hey guy I'm not very familiar with Iron Fist's continuity buy I'm loving everything so far

WHAT VILLAIN WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN IRON FIST ONGOING?

any chances to Taskmaster?

.

Good question man. Taskmaster would be pretty cool for Iron Fist, maybe sent by someone to kill him. But Luke Cage is set to guest soon in this book and Iron Fist and him will of course face a villain.

But it'd be interesting if Brubaker and Fraction explore Iron Fist's rouges gallery now that he has an ongoing series. I'd like to see some new villains come out of K'un L'un or of course some MU villains.

[Shyft]

I can understand the Steel Serpent part, and yeah it can be mainly do to no having read the past Iron Fist stories. That's why we got the flashback sequence for Steel Serpent in #4. But if you want to learn more about Steel Serpent, and his past fights with Iron Fist, as well as K'un L'un, I suggest you try to pick up the ESSENTIAL Iron Fist book. Really covers some things you want to know. ;)

i have to admit, in a complete newbie mentality to the Iron Fist story, i thought the Steel Serpent was a new character, and was shocked because I thought I'd INVENTED the idea of an "Anti-Iron Fist"a few years ago! I love the fact that his tatoo is just Shou Lao without wings. Is it mean to be the Serpent King that Orson mentioned having defeated? Really like the whole plot so far.

[Sebastos]

i have to admit, in a complete newbie mentality to the Iron Fist story, i thought the Steel Serpent was a new character, and was shocked because I thought I'd INVENTED the idea of an "Anti-Iron Fist"a few years ago! I love the fact that his tatoo is just Shou Lao without wings. Is it mean to be the Serpent King that Orson mentioned having defeated? Really like the whole plot so far.

Yeah Steel Serpent has been apart of Iron Fist for a long time now. I don't think it was the Serpent King Orson mentioned that gave Steel Serpent his tattoo, but just that when he went for the power of Shou-Lao he marked the tattoo wrong. Therefore making it look like a Serpent. Plus it all makes sense Danny having the power of the dragon (his dragon tattoo) and then Steel Serpent having his tattoo marked from his name.

[Sebastos]

Anyone think Danny's family name really is "Randall" instead of "Rand?" That page in #4, that shows the "transglobal airship" crashing into K'un L'un, the letters A-L-L are peeling off the name "Randall." I think it means something for sure.

What do you guys think?

[tavella]

Anyone think Danny's family name really is "Randall" instead of "Rand?" That page in #4, that shows the "transglobal airship" crashing into K'un L'un, the letters A-L-L are peeling off the name "Randall." I think it means something for sure.

What do you guys think?

What with Orson's hints about where the Rand family money came from, I would be surprised if Orson doesn't turn out to be Danny's uncle or great-uncle. Possibly even grandfather.

[oneasian]

posted these pics in the Marvel Universe Iron Fist thread.

might as well do it here to for the Iron Fist fans:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5158/ironfistcgcss1ml4.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6682/ironfistcgcss3tb8.jpg

[Pyro]

Anyone think Danny's family name really is "Randall" instead of "Rand?" That page in #4, that shows the "transglobal airship" crashing into K'un L'un, the letters A-L-L are peeling off the name "Randall." I think it means something for sure.

What do you guys think?
I made that connection as well. I'm interested to see how it plays out...

Something I want to admit: I'm trade-waiting for this series. I don't usually do that, but I've considered it, and if I wait for the trade, I won't have all those ads, and I'll probably get the director's cut content and the variant covers as extras. It seems like the wiser thing to do.

[Sebastos]

I made that connection as well. I'm interested to see how it plays out...

Same here.


Something I want to admit: I'm trade-waiting for this series. I don't usually do that, but I've considered it, and if I wait for the trade, I won't have all those ads, and I'll probably get the director's cut content and the variant covers as extras. It seems like the wiser thing to do.

Me personally, I like to collect this ongoing my the months. I collect trades when I need to, but for this series I won't. With each issue it gets better to I want to read it like that. Plus, #5 comes out in April as well. :D

[Sebastos]

I scanned that cool splash page from #4. :cool:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8013/ironfist4pa1.th.png (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ironfist4pa1.png)

[Will.S]

posted these pics in the Marvel Universe Iron Fist thread.

might as well do it here to for the Iron Fist fans:

http://img162.imageshack.us/img162/5158/ironfistcgcss1ml4.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/6682/ironfistcgcss3tb8.jpg
Who signed that?

BTW another incredible issue, this book is already looking like it'll be Captain America caliber quality especially if Matt and Ed have a continuous long run.

I'd love to have an annual of this book too.

[rogerio]

Good question man. Taskmaster would be pretty cool for Iron Fist, maybe sent by someone to kill him. But Luke Cage is set to guest soon in this book and Iron Fist and him will of course face a villain.

But it'd be interesting if Brubaker and Fraction explore Iron Fist's rouges gallery now that he has an ongoing series. I'd like to see some new villains come out of K'un L'un or of course some MU villains.


btw, Matt Fraction recently announced that Misty Knight will be involved in Iron Fist's story again.
...cant wait!:)

[C.O. Jones]

Who's the person that Xao kidnapped that Danny's business partner asked to speak to?

[Sebastos]

Who signed that?

BTW another incredible issue, this book is already looking like it'll be Captain America caliber quality especially if Matt and Ed have a continuous long run.

I'd love to have an annual of this book too.

An Annual would be awesome, I'd like to see one too.


btw, Matt Fraction recently announced that Misty Knight will be involved in Iron Fist's story again.
...cant wait!:)

Yeah, it should be awesome. I think she'll show up in the arc with Luke Cage showing to help Iron Fist.


Who's the person that Xao kidnapped that Danny's business partner asked to speak to?

I don't know who Hogarth was asking for, and maybe it's someone Xao kidnapped to get close to Danny and Rand Corp. Guess we'll have to wait and see. But we can speculate, so who do you think it could be?

[Sebastos]

I scanned that cool splash page from #4. :cool:

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8013/ironfist4pa1.th.png (http://img405.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ironfist4pa1.png)

Orson using the awesomeness of "gun fu"!

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/1642/ironfist3lo3.png

[Sebastos]

Two reviews for #4 over at newsarama.


The Immortal Iron Fist #4
From: Marvel Comics
Written By: Ed Brubaker & Matt Fraction
Art By: David Aja, Sal Buscema, Travel Foreman and Matt Hollingsworth
Reviewed By: Kevin Huxford

If you’ve read our column regularly, you’ll know that our team has been amongst the choruses of praise found all over the ‘net for this book. You’d think that my friends and teammates lavishing the book with compliments would have been enough to get me to read it. No, instead, the only reason I wound up reading it was because my brother (who recently moved in) added it to his pull list a month or so ago. You’d be amazed at how much FREE helps to convince me to give something a try. After reading the first three issues, I would have to agree that Brubaker, Fraction, and company really have something here.

The fourth issue of this series really opens up a lot of doors for the Iron Fist mythos to walk the reader through. The writers here have added such a sense of mystery and more than a dash of the fantastic to this Danny Rand’s history and origins. The way they have been executing it (and, I imagine, will continue executing it) is key. The changes they are making here are revealed in layers that are pulled back in varying ways, depending on what is hidden beneath each.

This issue sees several layers get partially exposed. The attitude that Orson Randall is written as having is perfect for being able to give only peaks and hints to the reader without it seeming to simply be a tool and technique to grab the reader. You really believe that Orson would make these quick, darting references to thinks that Danny would want to know the full story of immediately…only for Orson to basically dash Danny’s hopes of instant gratification. Similarly, when Danny has picked up on a new trick for his repertoire, Orson’s response of belittling the accomplishment is both in character and serves to sort of justify to the reader how it could have been so quickly picked up.

Getting back to some of the fantastic that is included in the creation of the Iron Fist mythos, there’s really a slight Indiana Jones & the Last Crusade feel here. While our tale of two Iron Fists isn’t a father and son story, the sense of adventure and exploration is there to some extent. Orson’s casual contempt for Danny’s lack of knowledge somehow reminds me of Connery’s exasperation at some of “Junior’s” actions. But to be sure, it feels like this book has some of the best elements contained in the Indiana Jones franchise, with its dangerous paths, ancient cultures, and deadly organizations on the hunt for our intrepid heroes.

I’m not someone who is schooled in what was Iron Fist’s entire back story and rogues gallery before. I believe that Davos was a pre-existing character but, from the way the storytelling dealt with the reveal at the end, it would appear that Bru and Frac are reinvigorating that bit of the franchise as well.

The art on this book is perfect. I’m sure if I went over the book, I could tell where artists changed, but at no point did any of the changes feel jarring. In fact, I was shocked to find out that we had three pencillers on this issue. All I know is that this story was able to suck me in, at no point did I ever feel lost from panel-to-panel, and oft times the imagery was breath-taking. I think all artists were able to marry their styles to the tone of the book and produce something special. There’s a difference between a book having the best art and it being the best drawn. While this book might be able to make a run at the former, it definitely aces the latter.

I normally try to review only the single issue of a book, but I really don’t feel able to in this case. The creative team has something very special going here and it is hard for me to put aside my enjoyment of the previous issues. If I could, I might give this an 8 out of 10, but, taken as a whole, I have to give the team 9 out of 10 Gun Fu black belts.


Double Shot: Iron Fist #4 (Marvel; review by Koben Kelly): I was terribly pleased when either Fraction or Brubaker didn’t jump ship on this book after the first few issues. Things have gotten wild and chock-full of history now that Danny Rand and his predecessor, Orson Randall, have teamed-up. Along with a snip of Danny’s pre-birth origin, much is revealed about other cast members. Much like Wu-Ao Shi used the Iron Fist to empower her arrows, Orson seems to be able to channel it into his firearms. Randall’s even teaching Danny some new tricks. Personally, I’m dying to see some more of the hypnotic fist technique. Looks like the guys have trouble on its way in the form of the Steel Serpent of K’un-Zi. Even though I love Aja’s artwork, and hope to see him on this title for a long time to come, the distinct separation in story vibe as designated by the changing of artists when a different time period is being shown is fantastic. Three teams are used on this issue alone. Even the work of Matt Hollingsworth on the colors, alone, makes this book worth the cover price. Every issue far exceeds any expectation I had previously had for it. I’ve heard others complain, but, I feel that Bru and Fraction’s idea to make this a legacy title for Marvel was one of the best moves ever made for a previously-established character. One Hell of a fun book.

http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=108062

Brubaker and Fraction have really done a great job so far with this book.

[Daniel R.K]

I don't know who Hogarth was asking for, and maybe it's someone Xao kidnapped to get close to Danny and Rand Corp. Guess we'll have to wait and see. But we can speculate, so who do you think it could be?

I answered C.O. Jones' response by saying it could be Jeryn's daughter maybe? Wasn't there some old issues that had him with his daughter?

[Sebastos]

I answered C.O. Jones' response by saying it could be Jeryn's daughter maybe? Wasn't there some old issues that had him with his daughter?

I never thought about that. My first thought was it could be someone close to Danny, but that's a good suggestion. Hogarth does have a daughter, so maybe it could be her that is kidnapped.

[Daniel R.K]

I never thought about that. My first thought was it could be someone close to Danny, but that's a good suggestion. Hogarth does have a daughter, so maybe it could be her that is kidnapped.

Thanks! I thought of her right after it was said that Hogarth wanted to speak to "her."

[Sebastos]

Thanks! I thought of her right after it was said that Hogarth wanted to speak to "her."

Very good detective work. :cool: