- Written by: Jason Loo
- Art by: Fran Galán
- Colors by: Jim Campbell
- Letters by: VC’s Travis Lanham
- Cover art by: Whilce Portacio (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: September 10, 2025
In The Undead Iron Fist #1, by Marvel on 9/10/25, the dead don’t usually get a second shot, but Danny’s return sets the stage for a mystery that punches as hard as his glowing fist.
First Impressions
This debut issue plays it big, throwing Danny straight into a storm of resurrection weirdness and kung fu mysticism. The mix of shadowy danger and pulpy martial arts flair makes the story feel immediate and dangerous. At the same time, it hints at deeper secrets waiting to ignite.
Plot Analysis
Danny Rand awakens in unsettling circumstances, uncertain of how or why he has returned from death. From the start, his mind races between the physical battle to survive and the larger spiritual riddle of his place in the Iron Fist lineage. A mysterious presence begins speaking to him, offering fragments of explanation but holding back just enough to keep both Danny and the reader off-balance.
The voice belongs to Orson Randall, a former Iron Fist whose history with Danny runs deep. Orson appears not just as a guide but as a figure of unresolved tension, complicating Danny’s mission rather than smoothing the way. Their exchanges reveal layers of history tied to the mantle, each exchange pressing Danny closer to confronting both his legacy and his limits.
As Danny presses forward, he learns he was sent back to Earth to demons possessing innocent as cathartic closure to his untimely death (Yes, just like The Crow). Danny fights waves of possessed humans, but his unseen guide tells him to not bother explaining his actions to onlookers. Soon, Miles Morales arrives on the scene to address reports of a masked figure beating up families and random passers by. Miles follows Danny into the sewers after the first skirmish.
When miles lights up the sewers with his shock powers, he briefly sees the invisible demons pursuing Danny (how does that work???). Danny fights the demons off and leaves Miles in the dust. The issue ends with a flashback to Danny meeting Orson in the afterlife to learn the true power behind the Iron Fist, and Danny in the present searching for the mastermind behind the demon infestation on Earth.
Writing
The writing swings between tight, punchy action beats and moody, reflective narration. Dialogue is sharp enough to cut, especially in Danny’s tense interactions. The pacing sometimes lingers in exposition, but it keeps the mystery alive without draining the tension. That said, the “back from the dead for vengeance” heart of the story sounds a little too familiar to be original.
Art
The art brings undead mysticism and martial arts chaos together with bold lines and layered colors. The panels sell the violence with fluid motion, while shadows and energy effects emphasize the eerie edge of Danny’s return. At times, the detail slips in quieter scenes, but the visual energy stays strong overall.
Characters
Danny Rand stands at the center, half hero, half ghost, straining against both enemies and his own doubts. Orson Randall, largely unseen until the end, adds grit and moral weight, his presence deepening the conflict beyond a standard resurrection tale. Side figures remain lightly sketched, but the focus on Danny and Orson keeps the spotlight where it matters.
Positives
The comic’s strongest punch lands in its resurrection hook, blending the supernatural with martial arts grit. Danny’s strained dialogue with Orson sharpens the stakes and drips with history. The visuals of glowing fists, shrouded enemies, and half-lit battlefields deliver a tone that feels equal parts horror and action thriller.
Negatives
The issue leans hard on mystery at the expense of clarity, occasionally making Danny’s resurrection feel less earned and more gimmick. Supporting characters, e.g. Miles Morales, barely get a chance to breathe, leaving the world around Danny thinner than it should be. Some of the exposition tilts heavy, weighing down what should be quick jabs of information.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
The Undead Iron Fist #1 doesn’t waste time pulling punches—it throws Danny Rand back into the fight and dares him to justify his own existence. The story is messy, but it’s a kind of mess that keeps the reader leaning in, waiting for the next blow. It’s sharp, stylish, and just haunted enough to make you wonder if Danny’s fists will be enough to keep the dead at bay.
7.8/10
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