Character: Iron Fist
Publisher: Marvel
Artist: Edi Torres
Reviewer: Vito Delsante

Created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane in the 70′s during the Kung-Fu craze, Iron Fist would become better known by the company he kept…namely one Luke Cage, Power Man. Before there was even a term, “buddy flick,” Luke and Danny held it down Harlem-meets-Shaolin style. Their pairing, in view of the times in which it happened, was pure genius, like Shaft teaming up with Bruce Lee.

Currently, Iron Fist is headlining his own book and is a member of the new New Avengers team. In addition to martial arts prowess, he also has a super power…the “iron fist.” Danny can focus his chi (which is essentially the life force of all living beings) and hit you so hard, it feels as if it was made of iron.

As for the redesign, kudos to Edi for keeping the color scheme and mask. Moving to the collar…the problem with that high collar is that it’s indicative of it’s time…it’s purely 70′s. The current Iron Fist series artist David Aja jettisoned it in his redesign, but here, Edi’s made it functional, by incorporating it into the tunic. And check out that belt/sash. It’s fantastic! The pouch attached at the back for additional weapons is clever, simple, and conveniently out of the way for fighting. I’m not a big fan of the slippers…never was. I once wore a pair of those slippers when I was a kid, and they flew off, so if there was something I would have liked Edi to change, it would be that.

And there are two brilliant touches here. First, the chest tattoo blending into the jacket design looks awesome. And second, look at the subtlety of the iron fist. Traditionally, Iron Fist’s Iron Fist is represented by firey energy, but Edi’s simple glow effect works great. Nicely done!