Immortal Iron Fist #23

Ever since the second issue of Dwayne Swierczynski's (DS for short now because his name is hard to type) opening arc, I have found myself staring at this book and saying to myself "I wish I knew how to quit you."  I lost that loving feeling, that tingly giddiness that I got when reading Fraction, Brubaker and Aja's amazing love child of a book.  In fact, I nearly dropped this after the end of DS' "The Mortal Iron Fist" arc. 

Oh I am so glad I didn't.

DS has been on an amazing upswing since the standalone issue #21.  The jokes no longer seemed forced, and its clear that DS, as well as Danny Rand, has found his footing.  Every page had me glued to my seat, each one a page turner.  Every time Quan Yaozu's story was interrupted I, like Danny, found myself kicking and screaming.  I wanted to hear the rest, I wanted to know what it all means.  The idea of the use of morse code in this issue might seem a bit unbelievable for some, but how else would people in cells communicate?  These are trained masters of martial arts, they have the patience to pull it off for so long.

Danny has always been torn between two worlds: the mystic and the street level.  Depending on which you prefer, its easy to understand which of his stories you find more enjoyable.  For me, its the mystic.  I love me some dragons, immortal weapons, cities of hell, and creepy pig/pug hybrid demons.  I ate this issue up.

The idea of another Iron Fist being alive, all be it the first Iron Fist, does sort of cause me to roll my eyes ever so slightly.  I'm sure DS has some big and different plans for it, but the concept was explored before and does feel a bit tired.  Then again, I feel confident this can and will play out differently.

Artwise, Travel Foremen has also stepped it up lately.  I think I have begun to appreciate his dynamic and flowing artwork more over the past few issues.  I'm still torn between one panel in which it shows a plethora of fist and a flowy crazy looking Danny throwing a punch.  Take a look and let me know what you think, its...interesting.  His fights are chaotic, but help to convey the fact that these immortal weapons are tired, beaten, and really don't care about finesse at this point.  They just want to survive.  The most disturbing scene that really made me uncomfortable and had me holding my wrist, was one in which Danny gets his forearms impaled on some hooks.  Ouch!  I felt the pain, I imagined what he was going through, and I couldn't help but turn away as soon as my eyes caught what had happened. 

Let me reiterate; I love this book.  I love it like a fat kid loves cake.  I can't wait for the next issue and am infinitly glad that I stuck around and gave DS the chance that he deserved.  I honestly believe that this is going to be one amazing arc.

P.S. Danny looks like 90's Aquaman, sans hook hand and super-long beard