Who The Heck Is Iron Fist?

Iron Fist is the latest Marvel character jumping from the comics to the screen. He first appeared in 1974's Marvel Premiere #15 and was created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane. Iron Fist has only appeared in the animated Ultimate Spider-Man series, in a slightly different incarnation. With a Netflix Originals show debuting on March 17, there are some wondering: Who the heck is Iron Fist? Don't worry. We've got you covered. You can check out a video version of his origin here.

Let's begin by making it clear--he does not have an actual iron fist.

Danny Rand was first seen wearing a green outfit with a yellow mask and slippers. As he fought his way in a tournament, he recalled the events that happened 10 years ago. Danny went on an expedition with his parents and his dad's business partner, Harold Meachum. Danny's dad, Wendell, was searching for the city of K'un-Lun.

Crossing an ice bridge, Danny slipped and caused his mom to fall over the edge with him. They fell onto a snowbank below while his father still clung to the bridge.

Wendell asked Harold for help. Unfortunately, Harold stomped on Wendell's hand, causing him to fall to death. Harold wanted the company--along with Danny's mother-- for himself. It turned out Harold was secretly was in love with her. But Heather Rand preferred to die with Danny than live and share a world with Harold. Harold walked off leaving the two to fend for themselves.

They didn't have to worry about freezing to death because a pack of wolves soon came upon them. Running for their lives, they found an old bridge. Heather knew there was only one thing to do. She urged her son to run to the other side while she threw herself to the wolves. As Danny witnessed his mother's death just moments after his father's, he discovered he had reached K'un-Lun.

Wanting revenge, Danny accepted the offer by Yu-Ti to stay and train in the city. It was believed as he strengthened his body, his spirit would harden as well, diminishing the hatred inside.

His final test would be to face Shou-Lao the Undying, a dragon lord. Shou-Lao was a real dragon!

As they fought, Danny threw himself towards the dragon's scar where his molten heart had been taken. Danny felt an intense heat, and by defeating Shou-Lao, he was allowed to approach the dragon's heart in a hidden chamber. (He also got a cool tattoo out of it). Danny then plunged his hands into the molten essence over and over until his hands began to shine.

Back in the present, winning the tournament gave Danny the opportunity to choose between eternal life and death. Rather than stay in the mystical city, he chose to leave since K'un-Lun existed in another dimension and the earthly realm was only accessible one day out of every ten years. As he left the city, he was shocked to learn that Wendell Rand was Yu-Ti's brother.

Arriving in New York City, Danny made his way to Meachum Industries. He was ready to face the man who killed his father a decade ago. He was shocked to discover that Meachum was in a wheelchair and was missing his legs. When he turned his back on Danny and his mother years ago, he got lost and passed out after days. He was rescued but woke up to discover his legs had to be amputated.

Meachum had been waiting for Danny to return and longed for death. Refusing to grant him his death wish, Meachum pulled a gun on Danny as he walked away. Suddenly a ninja came out of nowhere and killed Meachum himself.

Unfortunately for Danny, Meachum's daughter Joy came in just then and assumed Danny was the killer. Even though Joy was upset, she also seemed fairly calm about it, just vowing revenge instead of actually, you know, mourning her father's death.

How does the Netflix show compare to the comics?

• Danny was in K'un-Lun for 15 years instead of 10. Maybe there was some sort of mystical time inflation.
• As the Iron Fist, he trained his whole life to fight the threat of The Hand. This is different from the comics but is a cool way to tie Danny into the Netflix Marvel Universe.
• Danny and his parents were in a plane crash instead of taking a stroll though the freezing cold mountains.
• Danny knew and grew up with Joy Meachum and her brother Ward. In the comic, Ward was Joy's uncle and Harold's brother.
• Danny eventually becomes best buds with Luke Cage in the comics. We'll have to wait and see when their paths cross.
• Finally, Iron Fist doesn't wear his snazzy costume and mask. Maybe it's because he has such cool hair--why would anyone want to cover that up?

If you want to read more about Iron Fist, pick up the Epic Collection: The Fury of Iron Fist. You'll want to read The Immortal Iron Fist trades as well. Iron Fist also has a new series by Ed Brisson and Mike Perkins hitting the shelves on March 22.

The entire first season of Marvel's Iron Fist premieres on Netflix on March 17. You can check out 5 reasons you should watch Iron Fisthere.