The Undead Iron Fist #1

With no entries on my pull list being released this week, I hadn't expected to write anything today (also because I hadn't read anything I had at home due to a busy home life. I really need to make more time for that).

However, in a fit of spontaneity (something I should really keep an eye out for in the future), I decided to visit my LCS and buy a comic I had originally planned to pick up later down the road as a trade; The Undead Iron Fist #1.

This issue, written by Jason Loo with art by Fran Galan, Jim Campbell and Travis Lanham, sees the return of the Danny Rand who, having been killed previously by the force that takes out Iron Fists when they turn 33, is sent back to the land of the living in a very Spawn-esque way to exact revenge on this mystical power before the limited power given to him for this task runs out.

Despite being a big fan of this character (he probably holds 4th place after the FF, Supes and Daredevil), it's been a long time since I've read an Iron Fist comic. Since reading the seminal Matt Fraction/David Aja run of the Immortal Iron Fist, it's (personally) felt like the character has been butchered and criminally underused. Both the Living Weapon and Immortal Iron Fists stories by Kaare Andrews were interesting but difficult for me to get into while David F. Walker and Sanford Greene's Power Man and Iron Fist run was fun, but Danny Rand in this felt like he was a caricature.

Then, finally, the character was cast aside.

(And, yes, there's a lot of runs in the middle that I haven't read. In truth, these never appealed to me)

With this issue though, it certainly feels like a continuation of the Immortal run I loved all those years ago. Jason Loo (who, admittedly, I only know from his artwork on Comixology series Afterlift) seems to created a story which has melded the Fraction/Aja run with Kaare Andrews' Living Weapon arc. In regards to the latter, the opening instalment seems to be peppered with references and story beats from the Immortal run, predominantly from the final two arc which revealed an Iron Fist's destiny to die at age 33, while the tone is much more in keeping with the Living Weapons arc (which itself, if I remember correctly, was based on the original debut of the Iron Fist in it being a darker, more vengeance orientated tale).

Meanwhile, the art by Fran Galan is tremendously fitting for the story being told. From my perspective, Galan, along with Campbell and Lanham on letters, have their work cut out for them given that they'll be compared to both Aja and Andrews' works on the character. However, I feel this team acquit themselves really well with soft pencils and fantastic use of shadow giving this whole issue a very mystical vibe. Also, Danny's new look has a creepy Thunderer-like look to it, both playing on that familiar outline while also helping me see the character in a light similar to Spawn (in fact, they have the same journey at this moment).

If I had one complaint about the whole issue though, it is the 'understanding' (for want of a better word) surrounding Danny's return. Loo has, understandably, Tarantino'd his script with the chopping of the linear story, getting us to the action quickly while slowly spoon-feeding us exposition while we go. However, while I get it, I do feel that the rationale behind Danny's resurrection is too much of a mystery. That said, it currently is a minor quibble, especially when we are given a cliff-hanger introduction to another 'old' friend.

The Undead Iron Fist's first issue is a solid opener in my eyes. Sure, it has some bumps in its road, but given the tone it is going for and the legacy it is trying to be a part of, I'm certainly willing to come back next month for issue two.

Which gives me sometime to figure out how exactly Danny Rand died.

My Pull List: Heists and History Hijinks

Way back when, I used to write about my pull list on bi-weekly/monthly basis, talking about the individual issues that I was picking up at the time. However, with time, I changed tack somewhat and instead started focusing on talking about trades and/or story arc collections of issues.

Well, this week, I thought I'd return to writing about my pull list, mainly because while I spent last week writing about a whole Daredevil mini-series, I had still picked up another comic book which I enjoyed so much that I wanted to talk about it.

So, in the last two weeks, I've picked up two comics from my pull list (apart from the previously mentioned Daredevil finale): Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League #1 and Fantastic Four #2.

Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League #1, written by Greg Rucka with art by Nicola Scott and colours by Annette Kwok, pretty much does exactly what it says on the tin as the titular supervillains plot to break into the Watchtower in order to rob it.

Now, I'll be honest, I was completely unaware of this title until the day of release right there in my LCS. However, upon seeing that cover, that title and the revelation that it was created by Black Magick creators Rucka and Scott, I was sold. Fortunately, the inside contents didn't disappoint as, while the story wasn't entirely action packed, it certainly provided a compelling setup as it introduced me to its two leads (both of whom I only 'sort off know) who both are facing very different problems and are looking for a change. Meanwhile, the art is just so gorgeous, almost matching Scott's career best of her Black Magick work (God, that art was just incredible!!).

By the end, it's fair to say I'm hooked on this comic. It was a terrific read and I cannot wait for issue 2.

Fantastic Four #2, fortunately, played in much the same way for me. Written by Ryan North (whose run is really pushing for the top 3 of FF runs I've read) and with art by Humberto Ramos and Edgar Delgado, this issue sees the the super Quartet continue their attempts to save themselves from their temporally random exile, despite some problems in locating their way home.

Prior to the newest issue 1, I won't lie by saying that I was a little concerned when I read the synopsis of this first story arc and, while the first issue read well enough, I continued to worry where it would go from here. However, I feel a little less worried now because North continued to knock it out of the park, showing that he has a tremendous grasp of these characters and an ability to think up really imaginative solutions to the corners he paints himself into. Speaking of painting, Humberto Ramos has a very distinct style but in this series so far, his work, as well as Delgado's colours, his work looks tremendous, looking a lot more streamlined but without sacrificing his flair, which just works perfectly for this book.

I don't think I've ever made a secret of my dislike of renumbering and often feel such a thing affects a comic series' quality. Fortunately, thanks to this great read, I'm not much more relaxed about the fact that this isn't a problem here.

So, anyway, that's the first half of August written about. I'll probably do the same again in two weeks (mainly because I have nothing coming out next week), although it does mean I need to find something to read next week.

I do have some ideas though.

Daredevil: A Cold Day in Hell

This week, as a result of the comics which were released, I finally got around to reading a brace of comics which had been sitting on the side for a couple of months, combining their read with that of their final issue.

Daredevil: Cold Day in Hell #1-3 is a mini-series by Charles Soule, Steve McNiven and Dean White that follows the Man Without Fear in a seemingly Dystopian future where his powers are no more. Now a regular blind man, Matt Murdock has ceased being both Lawyer and Vigilante to help the needy of Hell's Kitchen in a post-war, hero-less world. However, when a terrorist attack result in a radioactive explosion, Matt is caught in the blast and, with it, his powers are returned. Now, Daredevil is back as he hunts those responsible for the attack and the girl they took who may hold the key to the return of heroes.

This was a comic which I came across by accident, when I just happened to see the first two issues sitting on my LCS' shelf just after the release of Issue two. Having always been a fan of both Daredevil and Charles Soule (both his work generally and his Daredevil run), I decided that a three issue story was worth picking up, especially with it being two issues deep at the time.

And, to start, it certainly seemed like my faith was being rewarded. Soule presented us with a character and a world very different to what we know, both of which have been through a life of pain, suffering and loss. Soule's characterisation of Murdock is certainly something a lot calmer and less angst-ridden that his past rendition. The character is characterised as a priest in story and it certainly makes sense: the former Man without Fear, feels much kinder and introspective while also more leaning on his Catholicism when giving his outlook on the world.

However, it is the action and, in particular the mystery which Soule presents which really intrigues me. We are thrown into this story with so little context; a broken New York, a war, no more heroes, some unknown enemy, even characters having lost their powers, all of these facts are given with almost no context like they've happened and now we move on, but it is still questions which flood my mind. Then more continue to join them with the beginning of the main story as the explosion occurs are Matt returns to duty.

Meanwhile, the art from McNiven and White perfectly matches this world and story which Soule creates. The last McNiven title I remember reading was Marvel's original Civil War, which was visually clean and stylised series while Dean White's name is one I haven't seen since Black Science and his deep colour palette. So, to see the pair of them come together to produce this series' artwork, a rough, broken, cold style that makes me think of Spread (amongst other brutal looks) is really a change that I was not expecting. Of course, my surprise doesn't change the fact that their combined work exemplifies the world perfectly, with the image of the elderly Matt in his tattered Daredevil costume being a truly creepily great visual.

Unfortunately, as the series wore on, I have found my interest to wane as the the pacing seemed to slow down tremendously, while the questions about the immediate threat, as well as the larger world, are not really provided answers. Further to this, there seems to be a plot hole involving the child macguffin between issues 1 and 2, which throws me off. Also, the revelation of the villains identity didn't seem to be revealed except in the second issue's recap page, which I thought a little annoying that his identity wasn't easier to figure out.

By the end, the story concludes in a very inconclusive way. That said, this was Matt's story and with it over, I guess what happens afterwards is kind of moot. At the end of the day, this was the story of a soldier of God being called upon one last time to shepherd in a new era that he never sees. Will it succeed? Will it fail? I guess all Matt can do is hope and trust in God's plan (a reoccurring theme of the story).

All in all, this was a read somewhere between ok and good. I certainly wish more had been revealed about the world it was set in to give the objectives greater weight, but it was still an enjoyable read. I just don't know if it's one that I'll end up returning to.