The "Iron Fist" Trailer

9 thoughts on “The "Iron Fist" Trailer”

1. That doesn't feel like any Iron Fist comic I ever read.

   And, of course, no costume.

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2. Costumes are … problematic. And Iron Fist's would be esp. so, given normal human body types.

   The Rand vs Meachum thing is a normal element of IF, as is Danny Comes Back from K'un-Lun And Has To Take Back His Company.

   And if they're going to keep it in the Defendersverse, I think some reworking is okay.

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3. If you can put somebody in a Spider-Man costume and have it work, other superhero costumes shouldn't be an insurmountable problem.

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4. +Scott Randel Honestly, though, the costume is (I have come to believe) secondary for most folk. Looking at the the MarvelNetflixUniverse, we only got DD in costume at the end of S1, and Luke Cage and Jessica both sort of made fun of their traditional outfits.

   Iron Fist is not defined by a green unitard with yellow slippers, mask, and sash. He's defined by the iron fist, and by the dragon tattoo on his chest, both of which seem to be present.

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5. You might as well say he's not defined by his name, and they can call the character "Awesome Kicker." or "Kung Fu Man."

   Look at the covers of those Iron Fist comics. They show a guy in a green unitard with yellow slippers, mask, and sash. They don't show a guy in street clothes. He's not defined by the costume, true. Nor, I think, is he defined by the Iron Fist. He's defined by his choices: how he uses the Iron Fist and, I would say, what he chooses to wear when fighting evil.

   Would you accept Spider-Man if Peter Parker wore trousers, a t-shirt, and a trench coat? Or Batman in sweats? Would you have accepted the 50s' Adventures of Superman or the 60s's Batman as much if they hadn't worn the costumes from the comics?

   Costume may be secondary to a lot of people, but it's important to me. When you say "Daredevil," I picture the red suit. I don't think of a guy in street clothes with a cloth over his eyes. I bet it's the same for you as well.

   It's almost as if they're ashamed of the characters comic book origins. Why is it they are comfortable with a person with super powers but not with a person who wears a fancy costume? Is there some reason they don't want heroes to stand out, to be recognizable?

   I dislike arbitrary changes, which is waht these things feel like to me. Why alter Jameson's mustache or Murdock's hair color? Why get rid of a cool costume? I see no justification for any of that.

   Is there something fundamentally wrong with keeping the look of comic book characters when they are put on TV?

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6. +Scott Randel I think the fundamental problem is that, in live action, most costumes look dorky. Most people don;t look good, or move well, in spandex, or in bright colors. Even in the case of Daredevil, or Captain America, they've had to adapt the outfit to look more "realistic."

   In the grittier Marvel Knights world that the Netflix series exist in, I think it makes even more sense. In four-color comics from 1969, not so much — but I expect something different in my modern comics, and my modern TV adaptations of comics, than the Silver Age.

   I had no problem with DD in his sweats-and-head-cloth in S.1 of his series; I was pleased to see the costume show up at the end of the series. Maybe we'll get something at the end of S.1 of Iron Fist, in reference at least.

   In short, it really doesn't bother me. Iron Fist is about the orphan who grows up in the mystic city and learns martial arts and gains the power of the Iron Fist, then returns home to pick up his life, take on the very contrasting mantle of running a major corporation, and discovering that his main rival within the business is also the person who [SPOILERS] killed his parent (and almost him). Chop-socky and vengeance and lots of glowy fists ensue.

   Green unitard isn't necessary for any of that. In fact, it might get in the way, just like Luke Cage wandering Harlem in a billowy yellow shirt, metal head and wrist bands, and a chain around his waist would get in the way of the story being told.

   The change isn't arbitrary. I suspect it was (and will continue to be) under discussion by the production team.

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7. I don't believe that costumes don't work on TV. Look at Supergirl. And I don't think that the changes made to the costumes noted above are necessarily good. I certainly don't care for the darkening of every costume these days (even Supergirl's).

   I agree that most people wouldn't look good in spandex (I've been to many comic book conventions). But they don't cast actors who look like most people. Christopher Reeve looked great in Superman's costume. If an actor is fit enough for the "chop-socky," he should be fit enough for a super suit.

   As for the costumes not being necessary, what is? Is it necessary that Iron Fist be Danny Rand? Is it necessary that K'un Lun is where he trained? Is it necessary that he comes from a wealthy family? Is it necessary that his super power is the Iron Fist?

   Any of that might be discarded. Doing so, though, diminishes the character to me. The farther they get from their comic book incarnations, the less "real" they become.

   I guess part of the problem for me is the "grittier world." For me, super heroes were always an escape from the real world. Making them more like the real world detracts from their appeal. I want them to be "larger than life," and that extends to their appearance.

   I suppose this is, at least in part, intended to broaden the appeal of the characters to wider audiences. People who think comic books are for kids won't tune in to a show that resembles a comic book. I know I'm in the minority, but I do wish that comic book heroes on TV felt more like comic book heroes. It's sad to me that they have to be "watered down."

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8. We'll just have to agree to disagree, then. I think (from what can be gleaned from a trailer) that they seem to be keeping the essential elements of what makes Iron Fist his own distinct story and character, while keeping things grounded in the more realistic Marvel Netflix setting — one that is different from the CW's Berlantiverse, or feature movies. I'm okay with that, but I can understand where others might not be.
   https://plus.google.com/photos/…

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9. We didn't make much progress, did we? I'm afraid I'm rather intractable on this point. It's a sore spot for me.

   Supergirl is the only series I've been following (I gave up on Daredevil after nine episodes). I tried the first episode of Powerless, but I can't see myself sticking with it. Oh, and Agents of SHIELD, of course. Although I do wish they dressed like Nick Fury's agents of SHIELD. 😉

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