Marvel’s Original Iron Fist is Finally Back – And He’s Better Than Ever

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John Dodge is an MTV Writer for CBR who specializes in movies, television, comics, and pop culture. He has a deep knowledge of franchises like Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Marvel, and DC Comics, along with a passion for indie and horror titles. An expert on obscure productions from the ’80s and ’90s, John is known for his encyclopedic recall of cult classics like Beetleborgs.

The following contains major spoilers for The Undead Iron Fist #4, on sale now from Marvel Comics.

Marvel's original Iron Fist just made the comeback fans have been waiting for, and it is even better than anyone expected

The Undead Iron Fist #4 (by Jason Loo, Fran Galán, Jim Campbell, and VC's Travis Lanham) finds the recently returned Danny Rand facing off against the dreaded Quan Yaozu and his demonic minions. Fortunately, Danny now wields the power of T'an-Long, the spectral heavenly dragon long since murdered by Quan Yaozu. Combined with the powers he wields as the Ghost Fist of Osiris, T'an-Long's help is all Danny needs to save the day, all before the pair return to their new home in the Underworld until the day they are needed once more.

The Undead Iron Fist #4

Written by JASON LOO
Art by FRAN GALÁN
Colors by JIM CAMPBELL
Letters by VC's TRAVIS LANHAM
Design by STACIE ZUCKER
Main cover art by WHILCE PORTACIO & ALEX SINCLAIR
Variant cover art by IVAN SHAVRIN

The official solicit synopsis for The Undead Iron Fist #4 from Marvel Comics reads, "THE FINAL FACE-OFF! The truth stands revealed as DANNY RAND must face off against a man he once saved... The false prophet, the 'first' Iron Fist, makes his return. Goodbye, Danny Rand."

Introduced in the pages of Marvel Premiere #15 by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane back in 1974, Danny Rand, better known as the Iron Fist, has long been counted among Marvel Comics' most capable fighters. Throughout the decades, Danny proved himself time and time again as a member of the likes of the Heroes for Hire, Midnight Sons, and Avengers, though none of that could save his life from the demonic Ch'i-Lin.

Demonic warriors with an insatiable craving for the eggs of Shou-Lao the Undying, the Ch'i-Lin have been responsible for killing numerous Iron Fists, including Danny Rand. Eventually, it was revealed that many of these deaths had been orchestrated by Quan Yaozu, a former Iron Fist who manipulated the Book of the Iron Fist and his successors' fates alike to further his own malevolent goals.

Fortunately, it wasn't long after his death that Danny Rand's spirit found its way to the Duat, where he met a new benefactor in the form of the god Osiris. Recognizing Danny's noble and trustworthy soul, Osiris offered the former Iron Fist a shot at vengeance against Quan Yaozu by being resurrected as the Ghost Fist. Now, Danny Rand is officially back among the living, even if he has taken to spending some much-needed time away from the rest of the Marvel Universe by residing in the Underworld.

The Undead Iron Fist #4 is on sale now from Marvel Comics.