Warning: contains spoilers for Iron Fist #1!
Marvel Comics has a new Iron Fist, and he's the perfect choice to replace Danny Rand. In Iron Fist #1, it's revealed Lin Lie, aka Sword Master, has taken on the role of Marvel's new Iron Fist. In choosing a hero of Chinese descent to take the mantle, Marvel addresses criticisms of cultural appropriation and white savior narratives that have long dogged Iron Fist stories.
While a handful of heroes have become Iron Fist, Danny Rand is by far the most prominent. Marvel's first Iron Fist has filled the role for almost fifty years, originally drawing on the aesthetic and themes of introducing a new Iron Fist who takes the hero in an exciting new direction.
In Iron Fist #1 by Alyssa Wong, Michael YG, Jay David Ramos, and VC's Travis Lanham, the identity of Marvel's new Iron Fist is revealed. Readers learn that Lin Lie, better known as Sword Master, survived his recent near-death experience and was saved by Shou-Lao the Undying. The ancient dragon protector of K'un-Lun granted Sword Master the power of the Iron Fist, as the hero tries to track down pieces of his shattered sword (some of which are embedded in his hand) to prevent an evil force from awakening.
With his (thought to be) unbreakable sword shattered, Sword Master has found a new purpose as Iron Fist. Given his Chinese heritage, the mythology and cultural signifiers rooted in the character's powers can be explored like never before without this needing to happen through the lens of a white hero. While Danny Rand had some great stories and arcs, ing on the Iron Fist mantle to a hero of Asian descent is the right move and addresses a longtime problem.
Sword Master still has a lot of learning to do as Iron Fist while simultaneously finding the remaining shards of his broken sword. Of course, Danny Rand isn't being cast aside either, as he'll likely mentor Sword Master as he figures out his bearings as Iron Fist. Fans can't wait to see where the character goes in future chapters of Iron Fist.
