Immortal Iron Fist #24

One of my favorite things about Immortal Iron Fist has been the writers’ treatment of the title and “legacy character” aspects of Iron Fist. The character and book have been given some much-needed depth, helping it become something much more than just some fairy-ninja with a poorly-designed costume. One of my favorite methods of this has been the recollecting of stories from The Book of the Iron Fist, where we find the likes of fishermen’s wives and Asian cowboys and cyborgs serving up their own slices of K’un-Lun history.

I must admit, however, that it bothers me when (Fraction/Brubaker and now) Swierczynski tell these tales in the middle (or near-end) of a Danny Rand arc. Lately I’ve been wondering if they do this on purpose or accident; have I just been dense and not realized the (foreshadowing) parallels between the past Iron Fists and the present one? Will Danny tell the ruler of the Eighth City to let his people go and become the second Iron Moses? (Oh, perhaps I’ve hinted towards too much.)

Whatever the case may be for DS, I don’t care at the moment because this is probably the best thing he has done since the mantle was passed down from Fraction and Brubaker to him. Not only that, but this is alongside the future Iron Fist story as the best tales from the Book of the Iron Fist.  I cannot begin to tell you how much heart, soul, and spirit is packed into one issue. A pacifist’s becoming of a warrior, a brother separated from his own, a people and city saved by each other. It is simply beautiful.

Oh, but it is not all that is beautiful, friends. I have no idea who this Kano guy is – other than one of the lamer characters in Mortal Kombat – but sweet Christmas he literally draws the ugly out of this book; after having to deal with Travel Foreman’s mixed bag of mostly horrendous art, I nearly cried at how appropriate and fantastic this man’s art is for this book. His style is as if Frank Quitely’s son underwent much training from Grand Master Aja, and has now succeeded as the artist for Immortal Iron Fist. The detail that goes into each page are only matched by the expressiveness and energy that flows through each one. It doesn’t hurt that he is a one-man artistic army, inking and coloring his own pages.

I can understand why some of you may be hesitant towards a kung-fu/martial arts-oriented comic having an issue dedicated to a silly, artsy-fartsy pacifist who was only in the Thunderer’s school so he look after his brother, but do not fear: The Story of Iron Fist Li Park is one of the most inspiring, endearing stories I have heard in and out of comics. If you like Iron Fist but have been avoiding the main story due to the art or some sort of “allegiance” to Fract & Bru, give this issue a read so it can chop you in the noggin. The results, I assure you, are beautiful.