Written By: Larry Hama
Art By: Dave Wachter
Colors By: Neeraj Menon
Letters By: VC’s Travis Lanham
Cover Art By: Billy Tan, Lina Jin
Cover Price $3.99
Release Date: June 2, 2021

In Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #6, the battle against the Hierophant comes to a head. The heavenly heroes assemble at the Bao Fu Citadel to defeat the Ghost Dragon and stop the undead ninja forces from overrunning Earth. Meanwhile, Fooh has destroyed the Hierophant’s portals, but will it be enough?

Was It Good?

It was mostly okay until the ending, and then you get hit with a massive middle finger to every Iron Fist under that sun at the end. I still can’t believe it.

The dialog is a little clunky in spots. It’s as if Hama shifted into old-time radio announcer mode where every character announces what’s happening instead of speaking in natural, conversational tones. You get what’s going on, and it’s not the worst dialog ever, but it’s really stiff in spots.

The art warrants not a lick of complaint. It’s gritty and textured in all the right ways that make you feel you’re in the middle of a rock ’em sock’ em brawl. I like this art a lot, and more Marvel books would be wise to pick up Wachter, especially on title with big brawlin’ action.

What’s It About?

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Iron Fist and the heavenly heroes are giving it everything they’ve got against the Ghost Dragon of the Bhao Fu Citadel. Event with the power of the heavenly dragons inside her, Okoye barely does enough damage to break off a few scales.

The heroes try to focus on a single spot to pierce the Ghost Dragon’s hide but it’s simply not enough. They conclude the heart of one more dragon is needed – Gork’s. With a little persuasion (“we’re all going to die anyway if we don’t do this”), Gork allows himself to be killed so he can volunteer the power of his heart to Okoye.

It works, but as soon as the Ghost Dragon goes down, the citadel’s gates open and out pours a massive army of undead ninjas.

Meanwhile, the Hierophant shrugs off Fooh’s booby trap from las issue and returns to the citadel. He attacks the group to put an end to their shenanigans.

Even with the added strength of the Ghost Dragon’s heart, Okoye still doesn’t have enough juice to beat the Hierophant. In a desperate move, Danny gives Okoye the power of the Iron Fist to turn her into a super warrior.

Okoye beats the Hierophant, Brenda Swanson gets caught in the crossfire and is left blind, and the undead army crumbles to dust as soon as the Hierophant is defeated. And then it happens…

Turn away now if you don’t want it spoiled.

.

.

.

.

Okoye offers to give back the power of the Iron Fist to Danny, and he says “nah, you keep it. I was a terrible Iron Fist.” Okoye doesn’t want it either, so they dump the Iron Fist chi into a dragon egg that will be reborn as the new Grok.

The Iron Fist is no more.

Final Thoughts:

Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #6 is filled with good art, good action, some stiff dialog, and the biggest gotcha ending I’ve seen in a very log time. I don’t know what Marvel was thinking. The score will reflect the technical merits of the book, and not whether or not I agree with the story (I did not.)

8/10