WW: CHICAGO 06: BRUBAKER & FRACTION TALK IRON FIST

[MattBrady]

<img src="http://www.newsarama.com/WW_Chicago_06/Marvel/IronFist.jpg" align="right">Luke Cage has been back forever, man – when’s his old partner, Danny Rand (aka Iron Fist) gonna get the love?

As <b>Daredevil</b> writer Ed Brubaker reported last week when we <a href= http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?t=78460>talked to him</a> about just who’s been the fake Daredevil in the series, given that Matt Murdock is in jail, the Iron Fist love (and yes, we know that in some circles, that sounds <i>very</I> wrong) begins in November with a new, ongoing series starring Marvel’s Kung Fu hero, <b>The Immortal Iron Fist</b>.

As Brubaker explained, Iron Fist was always in his future at Marvel, things just got pushed a little faster than was initially anticipated.

“It was always on the back-burner, but with the huge buzz Iron Fist got from the recent <b>Daredevil</b> arc, suddenly a back-burner plan got pushed to the front, so we can strike while the iron fist is hot, as it were,” Brubaker said. “But from my first months at Marvel, I've pretty much tried to claim dibs on Iron Fist. I can clearly remember Joe Q. laughing at me wanting to do Iron Fist when they were offering me <b>Deadly Genesis</b>. He's just always been a favorite, and I've always wanted to give him a shot in a new series.”

Ask Brubaker what the appeal of the character is for him, and his eyes go all glassy and the normally quick-with-a-word writer gets all quiet and zen-y...

Click <a href=http://www.newsarama.com/WW_Chicago_06/Marvel/IronFist.html>here</a> for this full <i>WizardWorld</i> story...

<blockquote><I>Newsarama's WizardWorld: Chicago '06 coverage is sponsored by <b>ValiantFans.com</b>, home to the fans of the VALIANT Universe.</i></blockquote><center><a href="http://www.valiantFans.com" TARGET="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/WW_Chicago_06/sponsor/valiantfans.gif" hspace="0" vspace="0" border=0></A></center>

[jubilee]

i cant wait for this :D :D :D

[Luthor]

So so stoked about this. Iron Fist is such and under rated character. This is gonna be bad ass.

[Groovemaster]

Love the lovely article -- it really makes me feel the love these creators have for the character.
I'm actually very curious about this character and the upcoming title - I really enjoyed to see him and Shang-Chi pop up in Ultimate Spider-Man during the Warriors arc. The character brings up some nostalgic feelings, which is a good thing.

[saiyanspider]

I want to see some hyper kung-fu fighting! If not I'm out!

[Justin M. Campbell]

So, is the love interest going to be Misty Knight, or the blond chick from Priest's PM&IF run?

[Gladiator X]

Sweet.I'm definitely gettin' this.Danny has been a fave of mine since I was a kid.

It looks like the costume is gettin' tweeked a bit.Bummer.I think his original is just fine but I can understand that it's little too superhero-y for some folks.Keep the color scheme,the mask and the tattoo and we should be good.

[DreamKing]

I am becoming a big fan of Matt Fraction. It is his involvement that will lead to me picking up this title.

[Jack Burton]

This is like the best news EVER! Since I read Essential Iron Fist(one of the best Essentials out)I have really loved the character. With Brubaker attached to this I am sold on this book kicking ass!

[jonnynyc]

So, is the love interest going to be Misty Knight, or the blond chick from Priest's PM&IF run?

PLEASE PLEASE MORE MISTY KNIGHT!!

[Travel Exiter]

Here's hoping that the character begins to move up a few notches in the MU

The only problem this character has and Mark Millar said it best in a podcast recently is that those old characters have no definition and its been hard to tell a real story with them. Iron Fist in particular has been sort of a gimmicky character, and needs to be rounded out.

With any good character you dont have to read their comic to know the basics about them. The average joe couldnt name one I.F. nemesis (sabretooth doesnt count)
I hope they dont get too caught up in the ninjas and BS and avoid getting to the nitty gritty of what this character Could be all about

I dont know how that last Iron Fist book got the green light

[Godfather]

I'm down. Matt Fraction seems like a capable writer. Casanova was cool, if not a bit confusing heh.

[Ace]

I'm all for this, on so many levels, but I really hope that the "NYC" stuff is kept to a bare minimum. We've got street level NYC titles. Let's go see the rest of the world. Iron Fist is best when he's globetrotting, like in the original 15 issue series.

And lots of mystical kung fu, please. Shang Chi and the Yellow Claw and all that jazz.

[chap22]

this sounds absolutely by-God AWESOME. Bru you rock. everything he said about what he sees in Danny and what he wants this series to be like just sounds perfect. one of my long-favorite Marvel characters finally being written right again. i cannot wait.

[DrCool976]

Luke Cage cameos, please.

I have always loved the fact that these two dudes have the best friendship in comics, despite the cliche black/white team, it has always felt real and resonated.

[Bobby Nash]

Sounds interesting. I've always liked the Iron Fist character. Nice to see him moving to the forefront.

[caleb]

This is like the best news EVER!

Yeah, much better news than, say, the Berlin Wall coming down. Now, if the Berlin Wall came down because Iron Fist punched it with his iron fist, THAT would be the best news EVER!

If this is half as fun as FIVE FISTS OF SCIENCE (Mr. Matt Fraction, what is with you and fists?), it should be a blast. Here's hoping Samuel Clemens makes a guest appearance...

[Punchy]

Fraction rocks!

[350z]

It seems like the 70's revival at Marvel continues to "keep on truckin'", and it's about time that somebody at Marvel returned to the ideas, setting, and characters of Iron Fist. It was a good book back in the early days of Byrne and Claremount (who can forget Sabertooth's cheesy first appearance...?). Hopefully, the new project can recapture some of that early energy and breathe new life and energy into all of the characters. It sounds like a fun project; I may give this book a chance.

[BillReed]

Okay, so there's kicking, but is there 'sploding?

[atomik86]

finally, a comic about super sweet kung fu action! im all for it but the one little thing i have a problem with is how ppl just assume kung fu genres automatically equals a necessity for ninjas. and mostly this mistake is commited by westerners, nonasians, or those unexposed to pure kung fu genre. im not being rascist or anything but last time i checked, ninjas are primarily for the ninja genre of japan. i kno there's been a mix and match of genre but its getting stereotypical when ppl just go "hmmm, it involves kung fu, so there has to be ninjas!"

[ejulp]

loving the revival of 70's charactors at Marvel

way before my time, so they're fresh to me :)

[skaly]

*sigh* I was hoping to avoid the Daredevil spoiler until I could get at the trade. These websites sure aren't wait-for-the-trade friendly.

[havokX24]

that cover is awesome

[VocalMan81]

*sigh* I was hoping to avoid the Daredevil spoiler until I could get at the trade. These websites sure aren't wait-for-the-trade friendly.

I see what you mean, but honestly I'm surprised you've gone this long w/o it being spoiled.

[HG_studios]

that cover is awesome
Agreed.

What else has Aja done? His work seems oddly familiar...

[SpyGuy]

I am loving Marvel's '70s & '80s series revivals. And for those of you keeping score at home...

MARVEL: Ongoing series for Iron Fist, Ms. Marvel, She-Hulk, Moon Knight

DC: Death and/or replacement or for Wally West, Firestorm, Blue Beetle and the Atom.


Sorry, Mr. DiDio...thanks for playing "Who Wants My Money?" Have a copy of our home game and a box of Rice-A-Roni, the San Francisco treat...

[Hurnslice]

I just read the 2004 mini run. I'm excited to see Danny back in business. And Bru writing it, how could it be better?

[Defunkt]

Great news. :cool: Hopefully Misty, Colleen and Luke will pop up as well. :)

[Lundonj]

Sign me up!

They had me at "Bru and Fraction" on a book, but it is even better that they're tackling Iron Fist.



-Don

[BKThomson]

This does sound interesting, though I've never been a big fan of Iron Fist for a very stupid reason.

That reason his costume, of all things, bothered me. Like I said stupid, but it always kept me away from the original hero for hire and his mini series. I understand the reason for the costume, and what it represents to the character, but I would like to see something with a little more style to it, and I'm not talking about shoulder pads and accessories that could puncture an eye while running, but something that would cut down on the possible pajama jokes.

Putting the stupid reason aside, Bru has given him a good start in Daredevil, and I look forward to seeing what he has done in the future.

[heelmark]

When I read about this in the Daredevil letter column, I was thinking new Iron Fist? Eh, no biggie. But a new Bru title? I'm there. A new Fraction title? Gotta get that too. They're both on Iron Fist? Well, count me in then. When I see Bru or Fraction writing a book, that's as close as you can get to a "This Book Will Not Suck" guarantee.


Does it count as newsarama "leaking" this story when it had already been announced in the DD 87 letter column?


*sigh* I was hoping to avoid the Daredevil spoiler until I could get at the trade. These websites sure aren't wait-for-the-trade friendly.

Yeah, the comic news sites probably aren't the best places to go when trying to stay spoiler free. Not picking on you man. I get my comics mail-order, so my books are a month old when I get them. That means I'm going to run into some spoilers every now and then myself. Just the nature of the beast.

Okay, so there's kicking, but is there 'sploding?

What kind of comic doesn't have kicking and 'sploding?
The not very good kind, that's what. ;) But neither Bru nor Fraction are capable of writing not good comics. So no worries there.

edited for the 2nd quote

[Xeero]

Wasn't an Iron Fist movie supposed to be made? I followed some of the production/casting since I was excited that Ray Park was going to play Iron Fist, but now it's in limbo :( WTF?!

[Carbon Based Lifeform]

I'll certainly give this title a try since everything I've read of Brubaker's I've enjoyed. I love his curtain runs on both Captain America and Daredevil ( have yet to try his X-Men ) so I'm sure Iron Fist will be a quality read. But if he was going to write a martial arts hero in the Marvel Universe I really wish Brubaker had pushed for The Hands of Shang-Chi, Master of Kung-Fu. Shang-Chi hasn't been written well since the days of Doug Moench. Nor has he been illustrated much better since the dazzling efforts of the late Gene Day. Brubaker's skill with street level noir and espionage would be a perfect fit for a book like Shang-Chi. Still its cool Brubaker will get to work on a character he obviously cares for. I'm sure that will be reflected in the finished product. Still I can dream.......

[Jerry Smith]

Iron Fist is one of my favorite characters too, and there are a few cliches I hope the writers avoid. The first is that Iron Fist and kung fu rarely appear together in the same story. Most comic book artists, bless their hearts, don't know or care anything about martial arts. So martial arts characters fight like everyone else, using goofy kicks and wide, roundhouse punches--nothing that looks like kung fu. Please, can Iron Fist be drawn actually using real Kung Fu? There is plenty of reference out there, just check Amazon.

Secondly, the "fifth in a line of X superheroes" has been done to death. Buffy is from a long line of Slayers. Flash is from a long line of Flashes. Spider-Man is (inexplicably) from a long line of Spider-Weirdos. Now Iron Fist has to be from a long line of Iron Fists? I think it would be wise not to go to that well very much. Keep him unique, and don't fall into the rut the above writers did (I mean, Spider-Man? What the ... ?!)

Ed Brubaker is, for the most part, a good writer (unless you count the Bucky thing ... is he going to bring Danny Rand's parents back?). Matt Fraction is totally unknown to me. But I love Iron Fist too, so please treat the character with respect and make his fights look authentic. That's all I ask. If you do that, I'll enjoy the book.

[Kolimar]

I am so excited I'm actually doing small butt jumps in my chair, giggling like a schoolgirl. :p :D :D :D :p ;)

[Kolimar]

This does sound interesting, though I've never been a big fan of Iron Fist for a very stupid reason.

That reason his costume, of all things, bothered me. Like I said stupid, but it always kept me away from the original hero for hire and his mini series. I understand the reason for the costume, and what it represents to the character, but I would like to see something with a little more style to it, and I'm not talking about shoulder pads and accessories that could puncture an eye while running, but something that would cut down on the possible pajama jokes.

You should take a look at the Heroes for Hire series from 1997/98. Pascual Ferry designed a very cool updated version of Iron Fist's costume. :)

[Kolimar]

Agreed.

What else has Aja done? His work seems oddly familiar...

Europeans, Asians and Latin Americans in Marvel and DC (http://forum.newsarama.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=24712) Last page, iirc. I'm sure it's one of the last ones posted there. ;) :)

[Robert_Coyner]

I never would hve believed before this article I would ever be picking up an Iron Fist comic. I've always liked the idea of Shang-Chi more. But, Brubaker's and Fraction's enthusiasm for the character has me intrigued. And, that image by Aja is fantastic. Here's hoping he rolls without the collar for the series as well. Dammit - First Moon Knight, now Iron Fist. What other obscure characters does Marvel plan to unbury and get me to buy?

[Kolimar]

As Daredevil writer Ed Brubaker reported last week when we talked to him about just who's been the fake Daredevil in the series, given that Matt Murdock is in jail, the Iron Fist love (and yes, we know that in some circles, that sounds very wrong)

I love the Fist. :p :p :p :p :p

[Kolimar]

"It was always on the back-burner, but with the huge buzz Iron Fist got from the recent Daredevil arc, suddenly a back-burner plan got pushed to the front, so we can strike while the iron fist is hot, as it were," Brubaker said. "But from my first months at Marvel, I've pretty much tried to claim dibs on Iron Fist. I can clearly remember Joe Q. laughing at me wanting to do Iron Fist when they were offering me Deadly Genesis. He's just always been a favorite, and I've always wanted to give him a shot in a new series."

Ask Brubaker what the appeal of the character is for him, and his eyes go all glassy and the normally quick-with-a-word writer gets all quiet and zen-y.

"It's hard to nail it down. Of course, I loved that he was a Kung Fu superhero when I was a kid, but looking deeper at him, I really like that he's this out of place character. He's in this violent modern crowded city, and yet he grew up in K'un Lun, the Shiangra-La of Kung Fu. This peaceful magical city in the mountains, lost to time and Earth, where he was the star. He was the one to face down the dragon and become the Iron Fist. But once he leaves and goes down the world, no one realizes exactly how special he is, or how important being an Iron Fist is, what the legacy means.

"He's a cool character, he just is."

He's a fan and I'm happy. :) :) :)

[KyleCowstar]

I'm giving this a try.

[Southwell]

Wooot!!!

Bring it on!!!


ive been waiting for gritty kick ass Iron Fist series for years. Looks like it might finally be here..the last mini series sucked. Even the promo art for this series looks kick ass!!

[Black Beetle]

Sounds alright.



That's what a total moron would say. :D I am not a moron, however. I think this'll be one of the best books on the stands when it comes out. Looking forward to it.

[Young Vision]

This is gonna kick ass. Get it? KICK ass? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!



Eh.

[doralice]

I love this article so much I could date it. Matt Fraction sounds seriously awesome. (As a person, I mean, not just as a writer.)

Also: MORE DAUGHTERS OF THE DRAGON PLEASE. Misty Knight and Colleen Wing are, like, musts when it comes to the business of hot Kung Fu kick-assery.

[AdamYJ]

Sounds like fun. I'll pick it up. I liked the Essential Iron Fist TPB, so this should be fun. I just hope there aren't a whole lot of captions talking to the reader like they are Iron Fist. That became annoying after a while.

[Krishna Sadasivam]

I am so glad Bru is on Iron Fist. He sounds like a real 'Fist fan, and I'm definitely going to pick up the title once it comes out. Like others out there, I would like to see Luke, Misty and Colleen make appearances. I would like to see Bru flesh out Danny's "Rogue's Gallery" much more, as well.

Essential Iron Fist was my first Marvel Essentials book - one that was worth the wait. I hope the stuff from the Iron Fist series two years ago is retconned out - (saying it was a horrible series was a bit of an understatement).

I think that there needs to be another Essential Iron Fist series out - one that collects the Duffy / Gammill issues + the last 10 issues of PM/IF + Byrne's Namor stories where Danny comes back (Namor # 8 - 27 for those who are playing along at home).

I'm glad Iron Fist is in good hands (no pun intended).

-Krishna

[Vintage]

There goes a couple more of my hard earned coin! I hope Shang Chi makes a couple of appearances here. These two joining forces in Ultimate Spidey made for a kick ass story and what I think was an inspired pairing. Cage dropping by would be cool too.

[Kman00001]

This book is going to kick my ass. Can I preorder yet? :D

[RedRonin]

There's too many good comics coming out now. And more look to be coming out soon. Iron Fist is one of them.

I'm going to be so poor.

[Big Red]

Bru on Iron Fist?

http://i2.tinypic.com/23m76t0.gif

[astronato]

I love that cover image. This may sound like sacrilege, but Iron Fist could lose the gigantic collar. He might look good in a traditional gi top. Or at least flip the collar. Sorry to sound like the fashion police.

I wish Bru would write a Nick Fury/S.H.I.E.L.D and/or Nick Fury and his Howling Commandos book.

Lost Horizon is a classic. Looking forward to Iron Fist.

[Vintage]

I love that cover image. This may sound like sacrilege, but Iron Fist could lose the gigantic collar. He might look good in a traditional gi top. Or at least flip the collar. Sorry to sound like the fashion police.


I'm with you on that collar. It dates him too much. I'm all for keeping the color scheme but the collar and the high water tights, like Luke Cage's tiara, just aren't working no more.

[beta-ray]

This is gonna kick ass. Get it? KICK ass? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!



Eh.

Well at least you did not mention his fists...

ew...


Never been a big Iron Fist fan (though thought he was okay), but this sounds interesting...

[Dana P.]

A couple of years ago I had an e-mail discussion with a friend re: the character Iron Fist. I wrote that "Iron Fist is one of those characters that looks great, and has a neat gimmick, and has potential for good stories, but hasn't had them yet."

He replied "There is a wonderfully damning indictment on a character's 30 year history. Brilliant! When will someone write a story that lives up to the costume?"

Looks like the time is soon at hand.

I know that IF's costume is loved by some and loathed by others. I always loved it as a kid in the 70s, and I still love it, tacky though it may be.

One little detail that I'm sure many of you know, but some may not: As a kid I figured that the dragon symbol on IF's chest was a tattoo. It was years later when I read the origin issue that I found that it's not a tattoo; rather, it's the result of Danny Rand embracing the dragon Shou-Lao in a bearhug, in order to stem the flow of life-giving energy to the dragon. The symbol was burned into IF's chest.

[Prometheus3]

Iron Fist has always been a character that I'm interested in but I don't like Ed Brubaker ever since Deadly Genesis. I'll pick this up and if it is good, maybe I'll give Brubaker another chance.

[Paladin]

I'll be buying multiple copies. Heck, maybe I'll buy multiple, mutiple copies.

Iron Fist rules! :cool:

[kalorama]

Since when is Iron Fist immortal?

[EmeraldGuy32]

Fraction rocks!
Brubaker rocks!

[RazorSmile]

"And it's the best tattoo in comics."

Nuh-uh, that honour belongs to none other than Shen Kuei, son.