The Iron Fist mythology is alive and well at Marvel Comics after the publisher announced on Thursday a new five-issue mini-series featuring Lin Lie, Pei, and Danny Rand in his new identity as Ghost Fist. According to the press release from Marvel via AIPT Comics, the “series serves as a perfect entry point for new readers, following Lin Lie as he leads Marvel’s greatest martial artists against his brother Lin Feng.”
The limited series is a follow-up to the current Undead Iron Fist mini starring the recently resurrected Mr. Rand.
Fans of Iron Fist have been clamoring for a new title featuring the three aforementioned protagonists, and this is the next best thing Marvel has given us so far—a story that includes Danny, Pei, and Lin with an ensemble cast that features White Tiger, Elektra, Karnak, White Fox, and Fooh, a key Iron Fist character from recent runs.
Here are 5 things we learned from the new Iron Fist title announcement:
1. A New Creative Team
The upcoming series is written by Yifan Jiang, who previously penned Eternals: The 500 Year War, and illustrated by Paco Medina, the artist behind Spider-Boy.
Jiang doesn’t appear to have other titles to his credit within the Marvel Comics universe, so it will be interesting to see his vision for Iron Fist—particularly Lin Lie, a character he seems quite familiar with.
“As much as I love so many Marvel characters, the K’un-Lun/Iron Fist corner of the universe has always been the closest to my heart,” Jiang said via the official press release. “And as someone who’s been with Lin Lie almost from the very beginning, I feel the weight of the huge responsibility to take care of him in his next chapter. On top of all that, I know we’re here to entertain you, so trust me—you won’t see the punches coming!”
Medina isn’t new to Iron Fist lore, having also drawn Pei and Sparrow in the Spider-Boy series with writer Dan Slott.
“I’m so happy and excited to be working on this new Iron Fist series,” Medina exclaimed. “It’s something completely new and full of challenges for me. I’ve already had fun doing some designs, and now I’m really focused on creating the most immersive story possible. Thanks to Yifan, I’m filling up on references and lots of details to make this world more real! I love Lin Lie’s Iron Fist design, created by Jim Cheung, and I think it’s going to be an honor for me to give my own version. There’s lots of fighting and martial arts poses—how could I not be excited?”
The creative team is expected to bring fresh ideas to the Iron Fist legacy, but Lin Lie is the character they’ll need to fully embed into the mythos, which brings us to the next major takeaway from today’s announcement.
2. A Lin Lie-Focused Series
The series’ central figure will be Lin Lie as he faces off against his brother, Lin Feng. It’s described as “the next chapter in Lin Lie’s journey as the new Iron Fist.” Introduced as the new Iron Fist in 2022 (quite abruptly, I might add, which unfortunately caused a rift between Danny Rand and Lin Lie fans), Lin Lie now needs to find his footing within the mythology and begin claiming his identity as a champion of K’un-Lun.
His Sword Master persona seems to be in the rearview mirror, and he must now accept that he’s part of a long lineage of martial arts masters from the mystical city. One thing the creators must establish is a genuine mentorship between him and Danny, something he largely resisted during most of his debut run three years ago.
With the focus on Lin Lie, we could see a trial for him to earn the Iron Fist title rather than his original origin, where he was merely granted the power by Shou-Lao the Undying’s benevolence, according to the A.X.E.: Iron Fist one-shot. Asking for the dragon’s power nicely instead of earning it through trial by fire isn’t how one becomes an Iron Fist, and I expect this series to correct that mishandling of the lore.
3. Danny Rand’s Iron Fist Future
The announcement also confirms that Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun will explore “the future of the Iron Fist mantle, including what’s next for Danny Rand, spinning directly out of his current adventures in The Undead Iron Fist.”
That suggests Danny—currently known as Ghost Fist—won’t be staying spectral for long. We might see a new direction for the longtime wielder of the Iron Fist, potentially leading him back to his roots as one of its champions, but now as a wiser mentor guiding Lin Lie and Pei. Alternatively, he could take on a different path, perhaps as one of the leaders of K’un-Lun. Sparrow is the incumbent Yu-Ti, but she seems to have taken on a dual role as the Thunderer as well (see one of the Spider-Boy images for reference). Danny could inherit the Yu-Ti or Thunderer title, and either one would fit his character arc.
But if Danny were to return as Iron Fist, it would be incredible to see him headline a new Immortal Iron Fists series alongside Lin Lie and Pei. Or he could feature in another title altogether, bringing us to the next revelation from Thursday’s breaking news.
4. The Immortal Weapons Return
The line “The Seven Heavenly Cities are falling” hints that we’ll likely see the Immortal Weapons again—or at least those still alive. They’ve long been an integral part of Iron Fist lore, and it would only strengthen their standing if they were to star in a new story as a mystic-powered ensemble navigating the strange and mysterious world of the Heavenly Cities.
Such a revival of this fan-favorite non-team (they even appeared in The Ultimates run by writer Deniz Camp) would thrill longtime Iron Fist and martial arts fans, who’ve been eager to see the Immortal Weapons reunited. And who better to lead them than Danny Rand?
A new Immortal Weapons series would bring these characters to the forefront and remind readers just how rich and deep—though often overlooked—the Iron Fist mythology truly is.
5. Iron Fist’s 100th-Issue Anniversary Looms
I’ve written about Iron Fist’s legacy numbering before, when The Undead Iron Fist was first announced, and I’ve posted about it on social media many times—urging Marvel to recognize this upcoming milestone and celebrate it when it finally arrives.
We’re now approaching Iron Fist’s 100th issue, expected to land just before the conclusion of the series, specifically in issue #4. Once The Undead Iron Fist wraps up, only four more issues remain before the title hits the century mark. While I would’ve preferred this to be called Iron Fist or Immortal Iron Fists for that milestone, I’ll be just as ecstatic to hold that 100th issue in my sweaty palms.
Granted, Marvel might forgo marking the milestone for an ongoing Iron Fist title, but a follow-up series will likely continue after this mini-series ends.
BONUS: A Deeper Connection Between White Tiger and Iron Fist
Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun will also feature White Tiger in K’un-Lun, which is exciting news since the Amulet of the Tiger God, now bonded to Ava Ayala, originally came from there. Seeing it return to its roots could pave the way for a stronger connection between Iron Fist and White Tiger mythology. Danny has been a friend of the Ayala family since Hector’s debut in the ’70s, and a closer bond may now form between him and Ava.
FINAL THOUGHTS
It’s been confirmed that Leinil Francis Yu will once again provide cover art. Yu was the regular cover artist for Lin Lie’s first Iron Fist series in 2023, written by Alyssa Wong and illustrated by Michael YG. He also drew Danny Rand as the Iron Fist in The New Avengers (2004) series with writer Brian Michael Bendis.
Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun spins directly out of The Undead Iron Fist and arrives on February 18, 2026, just one day before the 52nd anniversary of Iron Fist’s first appearance in 1974.
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DEADLY HANDS OF K’UN-LUN #1 (OF 5)
Written by YIFAN JIANG
Art by PACO MEDINA
Cover by LEINIL FRANCIS YU
On Sale 2/18