Today is the day Iron Fist fans have been waiting for since last year, the return of Danny Rand in Marvel Comics’ The Undead Iron Fist #1! Danny’s death at the hands of the Ch’i-Lin (through a possessed Razor Fist) in the Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special #1 shocked fans and casual readers alike during what was supposed to be a celebration of the character and his legacy.
Instead, we had to scan a QR code to learn that Danny wasn’t in the grave for long, as Marvel editorial had already begun rolling out plans to bring him back. Months later, the announcement of this mini-series revealed that Danny is neither dead nor alive, but something in between, a zombie-like figure now known as the Undead Iron Fist.
Since then, bits of information trickled out through writer Jason Loo (who shared trivia on social media), preview pages and covers from Marvel, and even my own interview with artist Von Randal, who designed Danny Rand’s new costume.
But none of that could have prepared us for what Loo, artist Fran Galán, and the rest of the creative team delivered in issue #1. Is it everything Iron Fist fans hoped for? Let’s find out!
SPOILER ALERT for The Undead Iron Fist #1! Read no further if you haven’t picked up the issue yet—but if you don’t mind spoilers, continue on.
The Covers
The main cover for this issue comes from the legendary Whilce Portacio, who also worked with Jason Loo on the “Happy Birthday, Danny” story in the anniversary special. As always, Portacio brings incredible energy to the design, while Alex Sinclair’s rich colors amplify the excitement and impact of the art.
One of the standout variant covers is by Philip Tan, who delivers an image that looks straight out of a horror movie poster. It depicts Danny’s true form (or is it?) beneath the mask. The result is both horrifying and striking, perfectly capturing the undead theme. Rain Beredo’s colors heighten the eerie mood and complete the effect.
Taurin Clarke contributes another strong variant, showcasing a powerful image of Danny alongside two of the issue’s supporting characters, if you can call them that. His painterly style and surreal effect give the piece an almost dreamlike quality, while his colors align closely with the tones and atmosphere of the interior artwork.
Finally, the 1:25 retailer incentive cover by Stefano Caselli depicts Danny mid-strike, about to slam his fist into the ground. The soft, watercolor-like hues present a stark contrast to the very vivid colors from the other covers, but it still calls attention to readers browsing a comic rack.
Personally, my favorite of the four is the Portacio cover, followed very closely by Clarke’s, though I love and appreciate Tan’s and Caselli’s, too.
The Story
Jason Loo delivers a compelling story that immediately hooks the reader. His choice to use the second-person point of view is a clever callback to Iron Fist’s earliest days and a fitting tribute to his co-creator, Roy Thomas. From the very first caption in Marvel Premiere #15, Thomas employed the same technique, creating drama and suspense around Danny’s journey.
Loo uses this device as well, but with a slight difference: the narrator isn’t just a phantom voice guiding the story. It’s someone who is deeply invested in Danny Rand’s resurrection and has a stake in this story. That mystery-driven approach keeps readers guessing while setting up bigger questions for future issues.
Flashbacks are also used effectively, much like Thomas did, to reveal how Danny’s return came about, including the perilous trek that Danny had to endure to make his return. By the end of the issue, we get the surprise reappearance of Orson Randall, Danny’s predecessor as Iron Fist.
Longtime fans will also enjoy that each of Danny’s fighting forms is given a name, which is another homage to Thomas, who did the same in Danny’s debut issue.
Loo described the series as “like The Raid but in all of Manhattan.” That’s a bold statement, and while the first issue doesn’t quite hit that level, it does set the stage for a fast-paced, action-heavy story. Think of it more like the opening sequence of a Raid film with the promise of escalating levels of action with every issue. It’s already headed in that direction as Danny will face off against one of his most trusted allies in Daredevil in the next chapter.
This issue already features a notable guest star in Miles Morales, whose inclusion makes sense given his connection to Misty Knight, his mentor, a fact Danny himself points out.
The Art
Fran Galán’s artwork is impressive throughout. Though I’d only seen glimpses of his style on social media before, this was my first full comic from him, and he didn’t disappoint. His dynamic fight sequences and clear storytelling make the issue a treat for the eyes. His line work is clean, and his panel designs are as much a part of the storytelling as his artwork.
One standout sequence shows Danny battling the Ch’i-Lin’s slaves (now called the Wraithlins), with Danny rendered in silhouette as he delivers devastating punches, kicks, and chi blasts.
Other highlights of the artist’s work include Luke Cage visiting Danny’s grave only to discover the body is missing, and the brutal fight against a family under the Wraithlins’ control. Whether it’s an action scene or a quiet moment, Galán demonstrates strong storytelling instincts.
Equally eye-catching are Jim Campbell’s colors. His palette strikes a balance between grounded realism and mystical energy, providing a good contrast of warm and cool colors on almost every page. Since Danny’s power now manifests as shades of purple rather than his usual red-yellow-orange hues, Campbell uses deep purples and blues effectively. Muted tones set the right mood, while the brighter colors emphasize moments of impact. Thanks to Campbell’s work, the issue reads like a visually pleasing short film.
The Influence
Danny’s resurrection and mission bear notable similarities to Todd McFarlane’s Spawn. Both characters return from the dead with a mission tied to their deaths (at least from what I remember from Spawn #1). Both have limited time and finite power. In Danny’s case, every time he channels his chi significantly, a banner with the Iron Fist brand burns away from the bottom.
Whether Loo intentionally drew inspiration from Spawn or not (it has yet to be confirmed by the writer), the parallels are hard to miss.
The Questions
This debut issue leaves readers with plenty of questions that will keep them coming back:
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When Danny channels his chi and the caption reads “Rays of Ra,” it implies that the Egyptian sun god may be involved in Danny’s resurrection and mission. But what connection does Ra have to him, and why is he helping?
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How will Orson Randall factor into the larger story? What secrets did he keep from Danny back in Immortal Iron Fist before his death?
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Who is Danny after, and why are they in the Rand Corporation building?
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When will Luke Cage finally cross paths with Danny in this new form?
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Will Colleen Wing and Misty Knight appear, and how will they react to Danny’s return after mourning him?
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What about his protégés, Pei and Lin Lie? Will they play a role, and how significant will it be?
- His sister Miranda also came back from the dead in Ed Brisson’s Iron Fist run. Will she make an appearance, and will it be a happy reunion or end up as another tragic ending?
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Most importantly: Will Danny truly return to life, or will he remain the Undead Iron Fist?
The suspense is intense and makes the wait for the next issue that much harder.
The Verdict
The Undead Iron Fist #1 is a fun, engaging read with enough mysteries to ensure fans will pick up the next installment. The pacing is quick and straightforward. In fact, I finished it in about five or six minutes, but it packs in plenty of intrigue and setup. With a strong influence from the Immortal Iron Fist series, the Undead Iron Fist feels like it wants to tie up a few loose ends. I can’t wait to see what this means for Orson Randall, one of the most popular Iron Fists ever created.
Above all, it’s just great to have the original Iron Fist back. If this mini-series succeeds, maybe Marvel will finally give Danny Rand the ongoing title he deserves. As editor Danny Khazem wrote in the afterword: “Long live Danny Rand!”
The Undead Iron Fist #1 is available now at your local comic book shops with a cover by Whilce Portacio and Alex Sinclair, and variant covers by Philip Tan and Rain Beredo, Stefano Caselli and Federico Blee, and Taurin Clarke.
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