Danny Rand, also known as the Iron Fist of K'un-L'un, is one of the most skilled masters of martial arts in the Marvel universe. Trained in an ancient mystical city, Danny was taught the art of Kung Fu and given the powerful abilities of the Iron Fist. After several decades of success in the comic books, Iron Fist was finally played by Finn Jones in his very own TV show that debuted in 2017.
Netflix's Iron Fist made a lot of changes to the character. Some of these changes were for the better, others not so much. Some of the changes were downright frustrating for Iron Fist fans hoping to see their favorite superhero accurately portrayed in the show. Here are five times Finn Jones' Iron Fist was comics accurate and five times he wasn't
10 Accurate: Iron Fist & Power Man
The one aspect of the comics that Iron Fist is most famous for is simply being Luke Cage's friend. The two heroes famously started the Heroes For Hire business, which led to many crazy adventures that made the two characters Marvel fan favorites.
This was perfectly adapted in Luke Cage season 2. During one particular episode, Danny Rand makes his way to Harlem for a team-up with the super-strong Cage. Watching the two pal around with one another and fight several criminals is a perfect portrayal of their comic book relationship.
9 Not: Hogarth
In the comics, Jeryn Hogarth is the male right-hand man of Danny Rand. When Danny and Luke Cage first formed the Heroes For Hire company, Jeryn Hogarth served as the team's attorney. Netflix's Jeri Hogarth was quite different.
This Hogarth was also a lawyer, although she had only interned at Rand Enterprises for a short time, whereas her male comic book counterpart was actually the executor of Wendell Rand's estate after his untimely demise. This Netflix Hogarth is merely a cutthroat lawyer with strong affiliations to Jessica Jones.
8 Accurate: Steel Serpent
While the character's origin was much different from the comic books, the Iron Fist show perfectly captured the essence of Steel Serpent. In the comics, Davos is motivated by greed and a lust for power. These desires eventually get him kicked out of K'un-L'un once and for all.
The Davos of the show was insanely jealous of his friend, Danny Rand. Davos had trained all of his life to be worthy of the Iron Fist, and when this outsider was chosen instead, he became corrupted by his greed and lust for power.
7 Not: Harold Meachum
In both the comics and the TV show, Harold Meachum was a despicable traitor that had a hand in the deaths of both of Danny's parents. In the show, it seems as though Harold sabotaged Rand's plane, killing the two adults form afar. In the comics, things were much more close and personal.
In the comic books, Meachum had traveled to the Himilayas with his business partner, Danny's father Wendell. After seeing the ancient city of K'un-L'un, Meachum abandoned Wendell and left him to die in the snow. Upon learning that Danny was taken to the city to be trained as a warrior, Harold retreated back to New York, took over Rand Enterprises, and spent the next several decades preparing for Danny's return with weapons, assassins, and traps.
6 Accurate: K'un-L'un
In the show, K'un-L'un is pretty much exactly as it appears in the comics. The producers of the show did a great job capturing the mystical city.
Both versions of the city only appear on Earth after about a decade. They also both house many ancient martial artists and other mystical mysteries.
5 Not: Zhou Cheng
In the Netflix series, Zhou Cheng is a very small character who only shows up for one fight in one episode. In that episode, Cheng is merely a drunk master of Kung Fu that guards the Hand's heroin factory.
The Zhou Cheng of the comics is much more powerful and relevant to the Iron Fist story. In the books, Cheng is possessed by the demon Ch’i-Lin. His purpose is to eat the Iron Fist's heart and continue the eternal cycle of rebirthing the dragon Shou Lao to be killed by another Iron Fist.
4 Accurate: Powers
Iron Fist has one of the most unique and interesting superpowers of any Marvel superhero. While it wasn't necessarily perfect, Netflix's interpretation of these abilities very closely resembled the comic books.
Harnessing all of the chi into his fist, Danny can then use his hands as deadly weapons. Healing is another one of Danny's abilities that is transferred to the Netflix show from the comic books.
3 Not: The Hand
A group that often comes into conflict with Daredevil in the comic books, the Hand played a huge role in both seasons of Netflix's Iron Fist. This is very weird considering Rand has no connection to the group in the comics.
The fact that the Hand was originally part of K'un-L'un was a vast departure from the comic book stories. For dedicated fans of the character, the choice to include the Hand so prominently was puzzling.
2 Accurate: The Costume
In season 2 of the show, audiences were finally given a good look at the Iron Fist mask. It is a perfect interpretation of the comic book character's mask. If only there was a third season where Danny might actually wear it in the present day.
Besides the mask, Finn Jones perfectly pulled off the classic shirtless Iron Fist look with the iconic dragon tattoo in the middle of his chest.
1 Not: A Capable Hero
When Danny Rand leaves K'un-L'un for the first time in the comics, he is a fully trained hero. Emerging as the Iron Fist, Rand is ready to be a full-fledged superhero from the get-go.
In the Netflix show, Danny abandons the ancient city in order to recover his lost life in New York City. He had yet to complete his training and was nowhere near the great hero he was in the comics.