Marvel Just Eliminated One of Its Best Characters Ever

In comics, characters come and go. Sometimes they’re just not used for years; other times, they’re killed off to give a creative team a fresh start down the line. The latter seems to be the case for a character celebrating his 50th year as part of Marvel’s vast universe. Spoilers ahead for Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special #1. Proceed with caution if you haven’t read the comic!

Danny Rand is dead. First appearing in 1974’s Marvel Premiere #15, Danny Rand has been the Immortal Iron Fist for five decades. This week, in the closing moments of Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special #1, a story by Jason Loo and Whilce Portacio reveals his demise. Ch’i-Lin returns from the hells of the Eighth City to complete his life-long goal.

Reflecting on the beloved Immortal Iron Fist story, it was revealed that the goal of the Ch’i-Lin, or Chi-seeking demons, was to kill the Iron Fist on their 33rd birthday. Danny Rand was no exception. The Living Weapon fought and defeated Ch’i-Lin to live another day.

However, his 34th birthday was an entirely different story. Loo and Portacio’s narrative depicts Rand celebrating his 34th birthday with longtime friends Luke Cage and Jeryn Hogarth. Suddenly, the character is pulled to another plane and is brutally murdered by Ch’i-Lin. In a gruesome twist, the demon also slices off Rand’s leg.

It wasn’t all for naught. A “post-credits scene” teases the character’s return by setting up a teaser at Rand’s grave. As of now, Marvel doesn’t have any Rand-starring books on the release schedule. Alas, rest in peace, Danny Rand—may you soon rise from your eternal slumber.

Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special #1 is now available wherever comics are sold.

Source: ComicBook.com