Marvel Comics will present a new Iron Fist in 2022
Marvel Comics is launching a new Iron Fist series in 2022, and it won’t feature Danny Rand. Instead, a brand new hero takes on the mantle and powers of Iron Fist.
The new Iron Fist volume is a five-issue limited series written by Alyssa Wong (Star Wars: Doctor Aphra) and drawn by Marvel newcomer Michael YG. Artist Jim Cheung (Young Avengers) takes care of the covers and designed the new Iron Fist costume.
Art by Jim Cheung. (Image credit: Marvel)
Marvel doesn’t reveal much about the new Iron Fist itself, although from the cover it appears to be of Asian origin [note – IGN has reached out to Marvel for comment and we’ll update as we learn more].
The new series may be intended to respond to long-standing criticisms surrounding the Iron Fist mythology and what many readers see as its addiction to the tropes of the White Savior. This controversy was renewed when actor Finn Jones was cast to star in Netflix’s Iron Fist series, with many arguing that Danny Rand should have been reinvented as an Asian or Asian American character.
We know the new series builds on the spinoff from the recent Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon comic book series, which ended with Danny Rand giving up his power to save the world. Danny will be as surprised as anyone to see a new hero take over. Marvel is touting the new series as “a revolutionary transformation of one of Marvel’s most fascinating mystical mythologies,” while also teasing that Iron Fist’s new powers might not come from the same source.
“It’s an incredible honor to bring a new Iron Fist to the Marvel Universe,” Wong said in the Marvel press release. “I am delighted to dive into and build on the rich myth of the comic book. What does it mean for someone to take on the Iron Fist mantle now, today? As a newcomer, how do you interact with heritage and how to honor it while opening a new path?
Wong continued, “I am so excited to be working with artist Michael YG, colorist Jay Ramos and the rest of the amazing team on this book. And writing this character, who sees things with new eyes, seems very special to me. “
Look for Iron Fist # 1 in stores on February 16, 2022.
It remains to be seen how this Iron Fist rework might influence the character’s role in the MCU. Currently, it’s unclear how or even if Iron Fist and his fellow Netflix heroes will be featured in future Marvel TV and film projects. We know that the rights to all of these characters have reverted to Marvel, and it is rumored that Charlie Cox will reprise his role as Matt Murdock in Spider-Man: No Way Home.
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