The Filipino Marvel artist discusses co-creating Dragonfire with Frank Tieri, designing the new K’un-Lun warrior, working on Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk, and why drawing Iron Fist remains one of his career goals.
The Iron Fist lore has a rich history with Filipino artists, and Michael Sta. Maria continues that tradition with last year’s work on Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk. Not only did he draw the feral mutant’s solo mini-series, exploring his backstory along the way, but he also co-created a new K’un-Lun native with a fiery disposition called Dragonfire.
From Rudy Nebres’ pulse-pounding pencils in The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu in the mid-’70s to Leinil Francis Yu’s dynamic covers for the Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun mini-series this year, Filipinos have consistently been part of the creative teams crafting Iron Fist’s adventures. Sta. Maria recently followed in their footsteps with Sabretooth and Dragonfire, two characters who are Iron Fist-adjacent, as I like to call them. (White Tiger, the Sons of the Tiger, and Master Khan are some other examples.)
But Sta. Maria has more Marvel Comics titles under his belt since joining the House of Ideas a few years ago. Aside from Sabretooth, he has illustrated stories featuring Spider-Man and the X-Men and is currently working on X-Force.
Co-created with writer Frank Tieri, Dragonfire made her first appearance in Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #2 before making her full debut in issue #3. Her connection to the mystical city of K’un-Lun also makes her one of the newest additions to the wider Iron Fist lore.
This interview is perhaps the first in-depth conversation about Dragonfire’s creation, offering exclusive insights from her co-creator and designer, Michael Sta. Maria.
Dragonfire at a Glance
First Appearance (Cameo): Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #2
Release Date: January 29, 2025
First Full Appearance: Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #3
Release Date: February 26, 2025
Co-Creators
- Writer: Frank Tieri
- Artist and Character Designer: Michael Sta. Maria
Home: K’un-Lun
Abilities
- Fire generation
- Can transform held objects into fire
- Skilled hand-to-hand combatant and weapons mastery
Dragonfire’s Publication History
Dragonfire made her first appearance in a cameo in Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #2. Although her appearance was brief, it served as readers’ first glimpse of the mysterious warrior from K’un-Lun.
She returned one month later for her first full appearance in Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #3, where readers finally saw her in action and learned more about her abilities.
Happy SABRETOOTH: THE DEAD DON’T TALK #3 Day, everyone! Did you pick up the first full appearance of the hottest new character in comics— pun intended 🔥—Dragonfire? This one’s bound to burn up the shelves— pun intended again, damn it 🔥—so don’t miss out, kids! 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/5Gen0kbm3R
— Frank Tieri (@FrankTieri) February 26, 2025
Creating Dragonfire
One of Michael Sta. Maria’s biggest contributions to the Marvel Universe so far is helping bring Dragonfire to life. While Frank Tieri developed the character, Sta. Maria was responsible for translating the concept into her final visual design.
I AM IRON FIST: How long did it take to design Dragonfire’s costume? Is she the first character you created for Marvel?
MICHAEL STA. MARIA: It took me about three hours to design Dragonfire, including the research.
As for whether she was my first Marvel creation, she wasn’t. The first character I created for Marvel was Proto Goblin in Spider-Man.
IAIF: How much creative freedom did you have when designing Dragonfire? Did Frank Tieri already have a specific look in mind, or did he simply describe the character and let you develop the rest?
STA. MARIA: Frank told me Dragonfire is connected to K’un-Lun, so she needed her own dragon emblem, something visually distinct from Iron Fist’s because she isn’t an Iron Fist.
He also described her powers. If she were holding a gun, the bullets would transform into fire. With a sword, the blade itself would become engulfed in flames.
If you notice, Dragonfire is carrying a gun in the comic, but it was never used. Unfortunately, some of the ideas and descriptions Frank originally gave me didn’t make it into the final story.
The overall direction came from Frank, but I worked closely with Marvel’s editors throughout the process. The editors were the ones giving me most of the feedback as the design evolved.
SABRETOOTH: THE DEAD DON’T TALK #2!!!
One of the most violent and unique Sabretooth stories ever told!!!!
DON’T MISS the first appearance of Dragonfire and the Crocodilian!
Last day to pre-order from your local comic shop! pic.twitter.com/2MpxqGNEqv
— Mark Paniccia (@MarkPaniccia) December 2, 2024
Who is DRAGONFIRE?#Sabretooth #XMen #Marvel @FrankTieri #IronFist @PacoDiazcomic pic.twitter.com/zjl2aNsWqG
— Mark Paniccia (@MarkPaniccia) December 4, 2024
First appearance of DRAGONFIRE, the mysterious assassin from K’un-Lun!
SABRETOOTH: THE DEAD DON’T TALK #2 by @FrankTieri and Michael Sta. Maria
Is she friend or foe to our savage anti-hero?#sabretooth #xmen #xmenmonday #marvel #comics #xmen #sabretoothxmen #victorcreed… pic.twitter.com/K2IH4WeO4a
— Mark Paniccia (@MarkPaniccia) December 9, 2024
Designing Dragonfire’s Look
IAIF: Did Frank provide a detailed visual description of Dragonfire, or did you have plenty of room to interpret her design yourself?
STA. MARIA: One of the main things Frank told me was that she should have a ninja-like appearance. Beyond that, I had the freedom to develop her overall look.
Editor’s Note: During one of our later conversations, Michael also shared that he drew inspiration from Psylocke and Elektra when developing Dragonfire’s overall appearance, blending elements from both characters while creating a design unique to Dragonfire.
IAIF: Dragonfire’s eye mask immediately reminded me of Iron Fist. Was that intentional?
STA. MARIA: Yes. I patterned that part of her design after Iron Fist.
Editor’s Note: Dragonfire’s mask is one of several visual cues that subtly connect her to K’un-Lun while distinguishing her from Iron Fist himself.
Dragonfire’s Future
Although Dragonfire’s debut was brief, both of us hope Marvel hasn’t seen the last of her.
IAIF: Given the chance to draw a Dragonfire solo story, would you like to tell her origin, or would you rather see her resurrected and continue her story after Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk?
STA. MARIA: I think I’d like to do both. I’d love for Dragonfire to have her own solo story while also exploring her backstory. That way, readers get to know who she is as she continues her journey.
IAIF: Do you know if Frank has plans to explore Dragonfire’s history in a future Marvel comic?
STA. MARIA: I’m not sure. But it would be great if I had the opportunity to work with him on that.
IAIF: Dragonfire’s publishing history actually reminds me of Wolverine’s. She makes a brief cameo in Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk #2 before her full debut in issue #3, similar to how Wolverine first appeared at the end of The Incredible Hulk #180 before his full debut in issue #181.
STA. MARIA: Yeah, it kind of feels like that. (Smiles.)
Drawing Sabretooth and Wolverine
Drawing two of Marvel’s most recognizable characters was a milestone in Sta. Maria’s career.
IAIF: What was it like drawing Sabretooth, one of Marvel’s most iconic villains and one of the X-Men’s greatest enemies?
STA. MARIA: I was really happy to be given the opportunity to draw Sabretooth together with Wolverine. The only thing I wish is that they had been wearing their classic costumes! (Laughs.)
Editor’s Note: Wolverine makes a brief appearance in the series.
Overall, I’m very thankful to Marvel for continually giving me projects ever since I started working with them.
IAIF: I hope you get your wish granted to draw both Wolverine and Sabretooth in costume. Since you’re the artist on Inglorious X-Force, I think you’ll get that opportunity in that series.
STA MARIA: I hope so! Thank you!
Editor’s Note: As of this interview, it hasn’t happened yet.
Michael Sta. Maria and Iron Fist
Because Dragonfire hails from K’un-Lun, I was curious about Michael’s own familiarity with Iron Fist before working on the character.
IAIF: What’s your own history with Iron Fist? Since Dragonfire is a native of K’un-Lun, I was curious how familiar you were with the character before working on her.
STA. MARIA: I was first introduced to Iron Fist through an animated television series, although I can’t remember exactly which one.
Hoping to Draw Iron Fist
During our conversation, Michael volunteered to share an Iron Fist commission he had completed years before joining Marvel. Knowing I run an Iron Fist fansite, he thought I’d appreciate seeing one of his earliest interpretations of the character.
He explained that the piece was created in 2017 as a commission for an international client who was also a fellow Iron Fist fan.
IAIF: This Iron Fist artwork looks fantastic! When did you draw it?
STA. MARIA: That was back in 2017. It was a commission, and it was my first time drawing Iron Fist.
IAIF: Was it for an international client? Iron Fist commissions are pretty rare. Here in the Philippines, I feel like I’m one of the very few fans who would actually commission one! (Laughs.)
STA. MARIA: Yes, it was for an international client. I can’t remember his name anymore, but he was a big Iron Fist fan.
Spent my Saturday afternoon at Michael Sta. Maria’s signing event, and had my copy of Dragonfire’s cameo and her first appearance signed (along with the rest of my copies from the Sabretooth: The Dead Don’t Talk series).
1/3 pic.twitter.com/4T9PbucZAf— I Am Iron Fist 👊 (@iamironfist23) February 8, 2026
Drawing Iron Fist for Marvel
IAIF: That’s always great to hear. I get excited whenever I see someone commission Iron Fist artwork because it reminds me there are more fans out there. Most of the Iron Fist fans I’ve met have actually been through social media, especially overseas.
On The Immortal Iron Fist Podcast: Sons of the Dragon, my fellow hosts represent Iron Fist fans from around the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, the United States, and me here in the Philippines.
STA. MARIA: That’s cool! I also would like to add that I would love to have the chance to draw Iron Fist in the comics, and not just as a commission.
IAIF: I would love to see that happen. I really hope you’re the next Filipino artist to draw Iron Fist in an official Marvel comic.
STA. MARIA: I hope so too! Maybe after my run on X-Force.
IAIF: That would be amazing. We’ve already seen Leinil Yu and Whilce Portacio draw Iron Fist on both covers and interiors. Carlo Pagulayan has illustrated him in Avengers, Lan Medina has drawn him in interiors, and Von Randal designed Danny Rand’s Ghost Fist look and also did interior art in an Iron Fist comic. Hopefully you’re next.
Editor’s Note: Other Filipino pencillers who have illustrated Iron Fist before include the legendary Rudy Nebres, whose work on Deadly Hands of Kung Fu is revered by fans to this day, as well as former Power Man and Iron Fist artists Ernie Chan and Greg LaRocque. Then, there’s Jay Anacleto, who did the cover art for the Marvel Premiere #15 Netflix Special Edition (a New York Comic Con exclusive in 2017). He drew Finn Jones as the Living Weapon with colors by another Filipino, Romulo Fajardo Jr. I hope I didn’t miss anyone!
STA. MARIA: Thank you!
If you enjoyed this interview, be sure to check out these conversations with other Filipino creators who have helped shape Iron Fist’s legacy.
About I Am Iron Fist
I Am Iron Fist is dedicated to celebrating the history, creators, characters, and legacy of Marvel’s Immortal Iron Fist. Through exclusive interviews with comic creators, in-depth articles, and historical features, the site explores every corner of the Iron Fist mythos—from K’un-Lun and the Immortal Weapons to Danny Rand’s allies and enemies, and the talented creators who continue to expand his world.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or discovering Iron Fist for the first time, our goal is to preserve and celebrate the rich legacy of one of Marvel’s greatest martial arts heroes.
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