Written by Duane Swierczynski
Art by Travel Foreman; David Lapham; Juan Doe; Timothy Green II; Javier Rodriguez; & Blambot’s Nate Piekos
Variant Cover Art by (Uncredited — possibly Kaare Andrews)
SUMMARY:
Entitled “The Fall of the House of Rand,” this issue was published by Marvel Comics for August 2009. In civilian garb, Danny Rand is surrounded by HYDRA operatives in the Rand Inc. building. HYDRA intends to sever Danny’s mystical hands as trophies. Pursued by HYDRA, Iron Fist needs Misty Knight’s help. During an improvised escape, Danny is horrified to watch the outcome.
Interspersed is a poignant flashback to Danny’s neglected childhood a quarter-century before where his father, Wendell Rand, makes a fateful decision to take his young family and his lecherous business partner to search for K’un Lun.
Deciding what to do with his remaining family legacy, Danny & Misty shares heartfelt revelations. Luke “Power Man” Cage offers Danny some needed brotherly advice. With Luke’s words echoing in his mind, Iron Fist contemplates his future. It’s indicated that this book of Iron Fist has reached its conclusion, without any reference to a subsequent issue.
Note: There are two other covers, including one of the cover below (without text).
REVIEW:
For long-time Iron Fist fans, this issue impressively embodies his past, present, and short-term future. The art team’s visuals are deliberately dark and murky for the present-day, which smartly contrast with the flashback’s sharper yet melancholic ambiance. Thematically focused on Danny not wanting to be his like father, writer Duane Swierczynski does an outstanding job bringing Danny’s character arc full-circle, in terms of future storylines.
The well-played inclusion of Danny’s ‘family:’ Misty Knight and Luke Cage further provides welcome depth. All said, Immortal Iron Fist # 27 is an excellent read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
As a nine-page preview of the Immortal Weapons series, sumo-sized Fat Cobra hears some shocking details of his own life from Carmichael, a biographer he has hired. This preview’s creative team is Jason Aaron; Mico Suayan; Stefano Guadiano; and Roberto De La Torre.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
