Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 First Look from Marvel

This April, the fist of K’un Lun returns in IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON #1, an all-new series written and drawn by comics superstar Kaare Andrews! And you’ve never seen an Iron Fist like this before!

High above the city of New York in his multi-million dollar penthouse, Danny Rand a.k.a. Iron Fist is haunted by the choices he’s made. Choosing death over life brings with it many consequences. But when a message from Iron Fist’s mystical homeland of K’un Lun calls Danny back – he’ll be forced to revisit the blood soaked origin of betrayal and vengeance that has plagued him for so long.

Preview Pages in Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1

“Danny is going to be put through the wringer like never before,” says Kaare Andrews in an interview with Marvel.com. “I love to punish my characters. To make them bleed. Watch them struggle against impossible odds, and see if they can find the strength inside themselves to survive—the truth that will be the biggest hurdle of them all. He's been hiding from it for too long. He doesn't have to uncover it, so much as survive it. The truth will be coming for him like a freight train. And there will be a reckoning.”

“It’s pretty incredible to have such a singular vision on a comic, but what’s even more astounding is how much Kaare’s pushing himself at every turn,” says Editor Jake Thomas. “He’s experimenting with color, taking risks with his writing, investing the layout of every page with meaning. This is an artist firing on all cylinders, then building strange, radical cylinders on top of those cylinders. Kaare is the genuine article, if you cut him he’d bleed comics, and IRON FIST is him bleeding all over the page.”

“It is beautiful visual storytelling, personal and compelling, and I cannot wait till readers get a chance to see it for themselves.”

But revenge is a weapon that cuts both ways. And Danny will learn that revenge can come at a high price. Will he survive the bloodletting? Kaare Andrews’ one-of-a-kind kung-fu action epic kicks off this April in IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON #1!

                                                                                                                                                     

IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON #1 (FEB140673)

Written by KAARE ANDREWS

Art & Cover by KAARE ANDREWS

Variant Cover by DALE KEOWN (FEB140674)

Animal Variant by MIKE DEL MUNDO (FEB140675)

Young Variant by SKOTTIE YOUNG (FEB140676)

Blank Variant Also Available

FOC – 03/17/14 On-Sale - 04/09/14

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON

Direct from Marvel…

MARVEL ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES

IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON

Promises to combine martial arts and mysticism, powered by revenge

Marvel Entertainment is excited to announce an all-new on-going series, IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON by the striking talent of writer and artist, Kaare Andrews (Spider-Man: Reign, A+X).

This spring, the fiery fist of vengeance strikes once again! Masterfully orchestrated by writer/artist, Kaare Andrews, Danny Rand once again channels the power of the ancient dragon, Shou-Lao, to become Iron Fist in an all-new series. Kaare explains, “I have two intentions with this project. The first is to tell a bare bones story that does not impede itself with the layers and layers of continuity that Iron Fist has become enriched with. The second, and more important, is to reach into the core of the character and re-explore who Danny Rand is. Reinvention through core exploration.”

In the character’s early history, starting with his first appearance in 1974, Danny was on a path for revenge as he hunted down the man who murdered his father, and Andrews promises to return to how it all began, “The defining aspect of Danny Rand is the loss of a father and a quest for honor and vengeance. Yet, these are themes that haven't been explored again since his origin story back in the 70s. We need to bring Danny back to this state of blind rage and self-destruction. Remember - this is a man who traded immortality for vengeance. And the consequences of that are what I'm most interested in.”

Kaare Andrews is not the only one within the “House of Ideas” who respects and honors the character of Iron Fist. Marvel’s Editor in Chief, Axel Alonso, reminisces, “Iron Fist first appeared in Marvel Premiere #15 May, 1974. That self-contained issue, which tells the origin of Iron Fist, remains one of my favorite comic book stories of all time!”

Alonso continues, "IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON is a project close to my heart for two reasons: the character – being the first – and the creator, writer/artist Kaare Andrews. I consider Kaare to be one of the most gifted storytellers in the medium.  Kaare has crafted a stirring and action-packed tale that cuts the very heart of who Iron Fist is.”

Through Iron Fist’s history, it has been revealed that Danny Rand is the most recent of an ancient linage of Iron Fists and Andrews promises to continue to expand on that eclectic library of characters while still keeping it a great entry point. Andrews says, “For readers who already know Iron Fist, we introduce a couple of new characters and make use of the world already established-- but focus on keeping this story contained and accessible. For new readers, I'm trying to keep his condensed mythology very streamlined and fresh.”

When the mystical city of K'un-Lun comes under siege, the prodigal son, Danny Rand must come home – in more ways than one.  Is Iron Fist prepared for a threat that hearkens back to that horrible day when his father dropped to his death on a Himalayan mountaintop?  Can anything prepare him for the truth that's waiting for him in the rubble that was once the city of K'un-Lun – the place of Iron Fist’s birth?

IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON will also include a code for a free digital copy of the very same comic on the Marvel Comics app for iOS and Android devices.

IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON hits comic shops and bookstores this April!  For more on Iron Fist, please visit marvel.com and join in the conversation on Twitter with #ironfist.

Marvel Comics: The Defenders #1 Review

I will be honest, I knew nothing about The Defenders. I did not know that it was a reunion to a series that began in the early 1970's. I was recommended to pick it up at my local comic shop and I figured I should give it a shot. I am glad that I did end up picking up The Defenders #1. Matt Fraction and Terry Dodson definitely have me sold to continue on with this series and I look forward to the second. 

The Defenders first appeared in the Marvel Feature #1 in 1971. The Defenders were a team formed by a group of individuals who were not known to be part of a team, usually presented as the "non-team" or even "outsiders".  Each individual seemed to have their own agenda and their own set of rules. The original Defenders team consisted of Doctor Strange, Incredible Hulk, Namor, Silver Surfer and many more members. 

Marvel Comics: Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1

 As Manhattan sits quarantined from the rest of the Marvel Universe in Spider-Island, Shang-Chi and  Iron Fist will have to cut their way through a web of mystery, magic and mayhem in Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1 (of 3)! In the midst of battle, what call could be so urgent that it takes the Immortal Iron Fist and the Master of Kung Fu away from the side of The Avengers? Beware, The Bride of Nine Spiders now stalks the streets – but is she the cause or the key to a horrific plot than threatens to sink all of Spider-Island?

“I've been a fan of Shang-Chi for years, so writing Spider-Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu is great fun, especially as Shang himself gets spider-powers,” said Johnston. “Then just throw in a little mystery, some gothic horror, a guest appearance by Iron Fist... and more Kung Fu per page than any other Spider-Island book, guaranteed!”

Shang-Chi, Iron Fist and the Immortal Weapons enter the Marvel Universe’s darkest corners this August, only in Spider Island: Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #1 (of 3)!

SPIDER-ISLAND: DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG FU #1 (of 3)

Written by Antony Johnston

Art & Cover by Sebastian Fiumara

Rated T+ …$2.99

ON SALE THIS AUGUST!