Comic Review: Iron Fist

Iron Fist (2017-) #1 by Ed Brisson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I have been failing at my goal of trying to do as many first issue comic reviews as I can. Partially, due to the time required, but also on a bit of a budget cutback- the neverending flow of adding titles to the reading list and blanching any time I go over $20 aweek at the comic shop.

I couldn't resist this one though. I have really liked what i have read from Brisson and this looks like one of those times where Marvel has got a perfect match of underappreciated character and writer.

I will start out with saying I know bare minimum of the character. I am familiar with him, but can't say I have ever read his titles (despite a history of really good writers at times). I know the last couple of attempts with this character have fallen short, which is likely why they launched with Brisson. I do know that they have generalized the character enough that some will not like it.

Issue 1 certainly feels like it's right from the action movies that dominated the late 80s- sketchy underground locations, seedy characters, big action moves, fight clubs, vague mysticism.

The main criticism i have read is that there isn't much content in issue one. That may be fair, but it's also maybe unfair to expect that. The book needs to start off with a boom, so it's wholly appropriate to get that boom early, and end with a cliffhanger. We will see the character development when it is needed. Also, to be fair, I think Brisson does get deceptively a lot in these few pages. He only gets so much to work with, and it would be very clunky if he tried to overexplain. I haven't read issue 2 (which came out this week) but it would appear there's a lot of story content, and not just fight scenes.

I like Mike Perkins art. It is basic marvel and nothing that particularly seems different than what is expected. But in that, it's wholly appropriate, and I probably would have only commented on it, if it was particularly bad. So from that end, I was fully satisfied. Characters were clear, proper mood set and complimented the story. A nod to Andy Troy's color too.

The cover (like the comic's title) is also kept simple. I wasn't sure what I was getting. Either that Marvel wasn't going to invest too much into this, or that sometimes, basic is better.

At this point, I am excited about the book. I will acknowledge that Brisson is keeping it pretty basic (at this point, the character most think of as Danny Rand is fairly unrecognizable), but I liked everything he has done so far in developing the story, I am happy with the art, the dialogue was appropriate (which is tough to do in this genre) and Brisson's version of Rand will have the depth to carry the story.



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