Broken Frontier

Science Fiction Kung Fu fun is the name of the game in the distant future in a galaxy not too far away.

Twenty issues ago, Ed Brubaker and Matt Fraction revitalized Iron Fist. They took him from 70's exploitation and gave him a huge mythos. They gave us a world where there had always been an Iron Fist and more than likely, there always would be one. The stories worked best when they delved into that back story and explored all the possibilities in the past.

When Duane Swiercynski took over the title, the fan base groaned. He was an unknown to the typical comic fan. A beloved book was being passed to some novice. How dare Marvel risk what was so widely lauded?

Over his first arc, the writer showed that he loved this character and his supporting cast as much as the two superstars who had laid the foundation for him. With this issue, he fully displays the promise of the title.

Set in the distant future in a galaxy not so far away, this issue is a done in one science fiction romp. Expertly playing on the Hong Kong Chop Suey story of an oppressed people, Swiercyznski tells a tale from the book of the Iron Fist. Possibly, the final tale in the tome.

With analogs of the history provided in The Seven Capital Cities of Heaven arc, the scribe gives a familiar story with a unique twist. Just like Lucas did with The Hidden Fortress, combining it with other elements to create a new and exciting universe, here, Swierczynski takes The Matrix and makes something borrowed, something new.

In quick succession, he introduces a new character set and then brings in heavily referential characters to provide an epic story in the 22 pages presented here. This is how a done in one should be done. It is immediately accessible to any reader while rewarding the loyal readers and the intrepid new reader who goes digging through the back issue bins or picks a trade off a shelf.

Timothy Green gives the book just as much depth as the writing. The lines themselves evoke woodcut or rice paper illustrations. This gives the book a decidedly Eastern look, even if the clothing and locations seem to be more sterile or nonspecific. That clean feeling to the background and dress makes the book feel like a Kubrick movie. There are definite shades of 2001 and A Clockwork Orange at work in the empty backgrounds and perfect buildings.

When the penciller gets to the technological driven portions of this future society, he gives it a Darrow-esque detail. The machines are busy with wires, grids and boards tangling into a mess. However, there is a monochromatic working in the colors that make a kinetic cocktail of artistic merit.

The Immortal Iron Fist #21 shows that the book is just as good as it has ever been and that there is a great deal more to tell. With a rich history and a protracted future, Immortal may be an apt adjective.