We continue our celebration of Iron Fist’s 50th anniversary with an unapologetic ranking of the top 50 Iron Fist covers of all time! No subpar entries are on this list as these are the best of the best.
Iron Fist has appeared on numerous covers since his first appearance in 1974 with some of the most legendary names in comics performing art duties. Artists like Gil Kane, John Byrne, Dave Cockrum, Kerry Gammill, Alex Ross, and Frank Miller are but a few of the legends who have had a hand in illustrating the Living Weapon’s covers.
Then, there are the works of modern-day masters such as David Aja, Mike Deodato, Gabriele Dell’Otto, and Kaare Andrews, which are well represented here as well.
To come up with this list and rank them from 50 to 1, I had to look at every cover featuring Iron Fist in my collection while scouring the web for variant covers I still don’t have.
The candidates included covers from across Marvel Comics titles since 1974, but many that didn’t feature Iron Fist prominently didn’t make the cut. Since Danny Rand is the Iron Fist in particular celebrating his 50th anniversary, I decided to give him the spotlight and set aside those featuring other Iron Fists. However, Lin Lie makes a guest appearance for one reason in particular which will be explained later.
The result, I hope, is a near-perfect blend of old-school flavor and new-school spice.
I know a daunting list such as this will garner plenty of discussions, both heated and otherwise, but so does every other top 50 ranking. It’s a list essentially composed of my favorite covers, but this will be the definitive list for the Iron Fist community until someone else comes along and makes another one.
So without further ado, here are my 50 greatest Iron Fist covers of all time! Enjoy!
50. Power Man and Iron Fist (2011) #4 by Mike Perkins
Iron Fist’s mentoring relationship with new Power Man, Victor Alvarez, is cemented on the cover of the fourth issue of their mini-series. It’s a cover reminiscent of the original Power Man and Iron Fist comics from the late 70s and 80s but with a modern take courtesy of eventual Iron Fist artist Mike Perkins.
49. The Immortal Iron Fist #10 by Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic
There’s something about battle-weary heroes that excites fans, probably because we want to see how they’ll recover and win the day. That’s the image that Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic leaves us with, urging us to read about Iron Fist’s impending victory!
48. Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #119 by John Byrne
Iron Fist’s evil persona first appears on a cover here and John Byrne ensured that he looked as sinister as possible. Byrne’s mastery of the human form and its nuances is evident in this piece. Moreover, he shows us how formidable a foe Iron Fist can be when he turns to the dark side.
47. Iron Fist (2022) #4 E.M. Gist Variant
The legacy of the Iron Fist is beautifully displayed in this variant cover from E.M. Gist. This is Lin Lie’s only appearance on this list mainly because it also features 50-year-old birthday boy Danny Rand on the cover along with past Iron Fists. The dragon symbol in the background flowing from Lin Lie’s hand is an exceptional way of creating harmony among the elements on the cover.
46. The Immortal Iron Fist #17 by Travel Foreman
Travel Foreman kicked off his run on the series by setting Iron Fist on fire! It’s an image that has been used widely on the web when there is any Iron Fist news or rumor, and it’s with a good reason. A hero on fire and screaming his lungs out is a surefire (no pun intended) way of gripping viewers’ emotions!
45. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 Skottie Young Variant
Everyone loves Skottie Young’s baby variants and his Iron Fist is no exception. Baby Iron Fist with a cute-looking Shou-Lao in the background is exactly what you need to lighten the mood and give you a healthy dose of dopamine.
44. The Immortal Iron Fists #1 by Kaare Andrews
Kaare Andrews’ digital-first series kicked off with a fun cover featuring Iron Fists Danny Rand and Pei with Gork, the baby dragon from the Living Weapon series. It highlights the mentor-student relationship between Danny and Pei and showcases the Iron Fist legacy for readers both young and old.
43. Iron Fist (2017) #73 by Jeff Dekal
Iron Fist vs. Sabretooth is skill vs. savagery at its core and this was depicted marvelously by Jeff Dekal. These two have been combatants for nearly 50 years and the face-off is likened to a heavyweight boxing match, hence the title of the five-parter (Sabretooth: Round Two).
42. Power Man and Iron Fist (2016) #1 Action Figure Variant by John Tyler Christopher
John Tyler Christopher’s action figure variants have fooled many people into thinking these are images of real toys, and his Iron Fist is just as flawless and amazing as any of his other works. The execution is perfect! This would be a terrific action figure if they want to make it so.
41. Iron Fist #1 NYCC Marvel Netflix Exclusive Comic by Jay Anacleto with Romulo Fajardo (colors)
Jay Anacleto is one of the best cover artists today and this was apparent when he created a dramatic cover for the Marvel Netflix Iron Fist comic (reprinting Marvel Premiere #15). It’s a cover that hyped the excitement for the then-upcoming TV series and was enhanced by the rich palette of Romulo Fajardo’s colors.
The Netflix marketing machine went all-out in promoting the series at the 2016 New York Comic Con by including a timelapse video of Anacleto’s drawing process. Check it out!
40. Spider-Man (1990) #41 by Jae Lee
His art has evolved over the years, but this is classic Jae Lee at his finest! It had been announced before this issue that Lee was going to pencil a three-parter featuring Iron Fist as a guest star. To kick it off, Lee immediately grabbed readers’ attention from the get-go with this insane cover! Never mind that Iron Fist looks kinda evil here, Lee made it a point to create tension between the two heroes as a preview and it worked!
39. The Immortal Iron Fist #1 Second Printing Variant by Gabriele Dell’Otto
Gabriele Dell’Otto’s first entry on this list is his first time to draw an Iron Fist cover and it won’t be his last. It’s a striking image that conveys both the grace and power of Iron Fist and the beauty of this certainly put pressure on those who bought the first print to buy the second print as well.
38. The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #10 by Harold Shull
This was supposed to be the cover of an Iron Fist black-and-white magazine that was shelved but it ended up being used as the cover of The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #10. Harold Schull’s homage cover art to Gil Kane’s Marvel Premiere #15 showed how good Iron Fist is against multiple opponents. It’s an excellent painted cover that felt a lot like the first issue of a new title.
37. The Immortal Iron Fist #27 by Kaare Andrews
Andrews gives readers a serene, sunset setting that lets them know this is the finale. It’s never a good feeling for a series to end, especially one that started on a very high note, but showing Iron Fist calmly practicing his martial arts discipline against the beautiful backdrop is a great way for the title to say goodbye.
36. Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #100 by Ernie Chan
A painted cover for a title’s 100th issue is a great way to celebrate the milestone event! Ernie Chan teased the dramatic finale of an ongoing story with a power-packed radial design featuring Power Man and Iron Fist front and center. Master Khan scheming in the background kept the main focus on our protagonists, too.
35. Iron Fist (2017) #1 Ryan Stegman Hall of Comics / CBCS Exclusive Color Variant – Cover A
I love homage covers and this one from Ryan Stegman is fantastic! It captured the look and feel of the original with a more modern take. I like that he used ninjas as Iron Fist’s opponents for this one rather than the “karate killers” that are on the Marvel Premiere #15 cover.
Fun fact: Variant covers B and C include Deadpool in the background.
34. Iron Fist (2017) #1 1:25 Ratio Incentive Variant by Mike Perkins
Perkins is the series’ interior artist (mostly) with Dekal as the regular cover artist. This is one of only two instances when Perkins was given the cover assignment and he did splendidly. He created a dramatic image with the black background contrasting against Iron Fist’s upper body while prominently featuring the dragon brand and the power of the Iron Fist.
33. Iron Fist (2017) #2 1:25 Ratio Incentive Variant by Tim Bradstreet
Martial artists show a quiet strength and Tim Bradstreet expressed that excellently through this cover art. By removing the saturation from the entire cover (except for the Marvel logo), Bradstreet portrayed Iron Fist as the Living Weapon without the character lifting a finger.
32. Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #54 by Keith Pollard
A spoiler cover if there ever was one! Power Man and Iron Fist are in full fighting form as the cover announces that the duo is now the Heroes for Hire! Keith Pollard matches the announcement with an energy-infused design. The floating heads in the background grab readers’ attention and add to the intrigue behind the new status quo.
31. The Defenders (2011) #1 I Am A Defender Variant
The image for this cover was originally used as one of a series of teaser promos for a new Defenders title at the time.
But that doesn’t take away from how special this cover is! Iron Fist’s word cloud figure informs readers of his character, legacy, heritage, and more. If the Iron Fist outline looks familiar, it’s because the image was taken from the cover of The Immortal Iron Fist #6 by David Aja.
Unfortunately, I could not find any information on this Defenders cover artist. It’s quite possible this project was done by one or two of Marvel’s in-house graphic designers, but that’s just an educated guess.
30. The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #29 by Earl Norem
Marvel’s premier martial arts masters face off in this beautifully painted cover by Earl Norem. One of the stories in this issue pits Iron Fist against Shang-Chi, so Norem highlighted this battle royale by drawing both the main figures up close. Fans had no doubt been waiting for this matchup and this cover most certainly caught our attention.
29. Iron Fist (1975) #3 by Keith Pollard and Klaus Janson
If you’ve known Iron Fist since the 70s and 80s then you’re familiar with this action pose. That’s because Pollard drew one of the most memorable Iron Fist images ever. If only the Ravager had become a household name, this would’ve been a sought-after issue based on the cover alone.
28. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 1:50 Ratio Incentive Variant by Dale Keown
First issues usually have a poster-like quality to them and Dale Keown delivered on that expectation perfectly. Standing on the dragon brand with a spotlight on Iron Fist draws viewers’ eyes to our protagonist with the expectation that a fight is about to break out!
27. Power Man and Iron Fist (2016) #10 Divided We Stand Variant by Mike Deodato
Luke and Danny have tussled before, particularly when they first met and when the latter was brainwashed. The head-to-head between the best buddies by Deodato is a throwback to the kind of covers we’re used to seeing during the silver and bronze ages but in modern age style!
26. Iron Fist (2017) #1 Fan Expo Exclusive Virgin Edition Variant by Mike McKone
There are three versions of this Iron Fist art by Mike McKone and two of them can be found in the top 50. I’ll talk more about the art when the other cover pops up on this list, but the virgin variant is included because it’s a powerful image that shows the artist’s mastery of his craft.
25. The Immortal Iron Fist #27 Marko Djurdjević Variant
What a treat to have an astounding variant cover for the final issue of the series! Marko Djurdjević beautifully illustrated one of the best Iron Fist covers in his signature painterly style. The image of Iron Fist doing a flying kick on a white background is a callback to the look and feel of the first 14 issues of the series.
24. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #3 1:25 Ratio Incentive Variant by Jerome Opeña
Jerome Opeña looks like he was born to draw Iron Fist with this gorgeous variant cover! He captured the calm intensity that a martial arts master has even when faced with overwhelming odds. I also love the teal green borders and how Iron Fist breaks off from it.
23. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 by Billy Tan
On rare occasions, artists will draw Iron Fist’s power signature as a dragon figure, and when it does happen, we often see captivating imagery. Billy Tan captured the mystical beauty of the iron fist power in its dragon form to remind all of us where this mystical power originated from.
22. The Defenders (2011) #4 1:25 Ratio Incentive Variant by Dale Keown
Keown shows off his amazing ability to draw human anatomy. His artistic style has endeared him to many Hulk fans and he has made me a fan of how he draws Iron Fist. Just look at his Iron Fist here who’s in excellent fighting form and ready to vanquish his foes!
21. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon #1 1:50 Ration Incentive Variant by Philip Tan
Philip Tan is one of the best cover artists in the business and this is an excellent example that proves it. Here we see Iron Fist showing off his immense power, a specialty of Tan that he seems to love depicting whenever he draws the character. Go ahead and Google search his Iron Fist work and prepare to be amazed!
20. Iron Fist (2017) #3 1:50 Ration Incentive Variant by J.G Jones
J.G. Jones depicted Iron Fist against a gritty backdrop which promises an exhilarating, martial arts story. It’s a beautiful nod to the 1970s kung-fu movies which inspired the creation of the titular character.
19. The Immortal Iron Fist: The Origin of Danny Rand One-Shot Special by Gil Kane, Larry Hama, and Dick Giordano
I love this cover! It’s an impressive mashup of the popular Marvel Premiere #15 cover by Gil Kane and Dick Giordano and a panel from issue 16 by Larry Hama. It shows our young dragon facing Shou-Lao the Undying in his baptism of fire, magnificently capturing the essence of our hero’s journey to becoming K’un-Lun’s champion.
18. Iron Fist (2004) #1 by Kevin Lau
Though not a very popular mini-series, Kevin Lau’s cover for issue 1 is a head turner with the dragon energy trail demanding readers’ attention. It’s one of the most famous Iron Fist images as it depicts a character who has this incredible force at his fingertips…or fists, in this case.
17. The Defenders (2017) #1 The Comic Mint Sketch Variant by Gabriele Dell’Otto
A sketch cover is always a sight to behold, especially when it’s the work of a master illustrator like Dell’Otto. The cover depicts Iron Fist as a formidable hand-to-hand combatant with a power that could take out an entire army with a single punch!
16. Iron Fist (1975) #14 by Dave Cockrum with Al Milgrom (inks)
Dave Cockrum illustrated one of his most seminal covers ever by introducing Sabertooth to comic book readers. He shows Iron Fist’s costume being ripped to shreds by the savage super-villain, who would later become famous for being Wolverine’s chief nemesis.
Al Milgrom’s inks here complement Cockrum’s art beautifully, and together they created one of the classic covers of the bronze age.
15. The Deadly Hands of Kung Fu #19 by Bob Larkin
This painted cover by Bob Larkin is an eye-catcher, showcasing the power and might of the iron fist. It’s one of the best covers in the series as it brought attention to readers old and new that this was the start of an epic Iron Fist story that would run all the way to issue 24.
14. Iron Fist (2017) #1 Frankie’s Comics Exclusive Sketch Variant by Gabriele Dell’Otto
Dell’Otto is a genius and it shows in how often his work has appeared on our list already… and we’re far from being done. It’s his second sketch cover in the countdown—a no-holds-barred, no retreat-no surrender Iron Fist who looks like he’s merely catching his breath for the next go-round with his opponent.
This sketch of Iron Fist in a crouched position after having gone through a brutal fight is nearly as good as the colored versions.
13. Power Man and Iron Fist #50 by Dave Cockrum
Cockrum illustrated the most recognizable Power Man and Iron Fist cover of all time. Comic book readers of the Bronze Age have this image of the Heroes for Hire permanently etched in their minds. Cockrum knew how to start fresh with a retitled series when he drew an action-packed cover for the ages!
12. Iron Fist The Living Weapon (2014) #1 Second Printing Variant by Kaare Andrews
This black-and-white, sketch version of Andrews’ art of the first printing (you’ll see it later on this list, promise), is stunning. It is hauntingly beautiful in its simplicity and a true testament to the artist’s skillfulness.
11. Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon (2021) The Comic Mint Exclusive Gabriele Dell’Otto Virgin Variant
The original pencil sketch of this cover could be seen online years ago, probably around the time when Dell’Otto was working on sketch studies for his 2017 variant covers. Around 2020 or earlier, Dell’Otto was again asked to draw an Iron Fist cover and he made use of one of those studies to give us one of the best covers in the character’s history.
10. The Defenders (2017) #1 The Comic Mint Virgin Gabriele Dell’Otto Variant
Dell’Otto’s Iron Fist always exhibits discipline and strength. This cover is one of the artist’s best and it’s a masterful depiction of a character aptly named the Living Weapon! The red background makes this cover stand out, seemingly reflecting the power emanating from Iron Fist’s hands. It’s a stunning piece that once again proves Dell’Otto is one of the best Iron Fist artists ever.
9. The Immortal Iron Fist (2006) #1 by David Aja
With a dramatic cover for the first issue, David Aja kicked off the seminal series with a bang! The K’un-Lunian structure behind him tells the readers that we are going back to the mystical city for this story.
Aja determined from the start to use a white background to make his covers stand out from the rest of the comics on the rack and it worked perfectly! Every part of this cover screams kung-fu fighting, which is what everyone should expect from an Iron Fist comic book.
8. Iron Fist (2017) #1 1:50 Ratio Incentive Variant by Alex Ross
Any work by Alex Ross should be part of any top 10 list, and this variant cover is no exception. Ross painted a classic Iron Fist piece that takes us back to the glory days of the 70s. It’s an homage to the promo art used as the corner box image for the Marvel Premiere Iron Fist issues and the character’s first solo title.
This should have been in my top 5 but the placement of the logo was just poorly done, unfortunately. Nevertheless, Ross’ work is spectacular and breathtaking as always and rightfully deserves to be among the 10 all-time best Iron Fist covers.
7. Iron Fist (2017) #1 Fan Expo Edition Mike McKone Variant
A martial artist needs to look the part, and McKone certainly didn’t disappoint in creating a top-notch cover for a kung-fu master. His Iron Fist is a lot like Byrne’s take on the character but embellished in his style. His Kirby Krackle (the power emanating from Danny Rand’s hand) looks every bit like what King Kirby had in mind when he created it.
Iron Fist is front and center and the viewpoint is at an angle that shows tension and impending action. The cover is further enhanced by the beautiful cityscape behind him. This is a classic Iron Fist that harkens back to his 70s roots.
6. Iron Fist: Phantom Limb (2018) #1 by Khoi Pham
This is a fascinating cover by Khoi Pham, who used a dramatic lighting effect to achieve one of the coolest Iron Fist covers ever. You’re at the edge of your seat as a fight is brewing on the horizon.
For those wondering why you’ve never seen this issue in a comic book store, this was only released digitally by Marvel before it was printed in TPB format when the 3-part series was completed. So, unfortunately, the only way you can enjoy the beauty of this cover is by owning a digital copy.
5. The New Avengers (2010) #25 by Mike Deodato
This is the hottest Iron Fist cover ever! Deodato penciled a breathtaking image for one of the AvX crossover issues with a Phoenix-powered Danny Rand taking solo stage on this New Avengers cover. Furthermore, he beautifully captured the power and majesty of the iron fist and the Phoenix force.
You can see the character’s raw emotion and the brutal intensity of having two of the most powerful forces in the world come together into one being.
4. Iron Fist: The Living Weapon (2012) #1 by Kaare Andrews
If the New Avengers #25 cover is the hottest, then Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1 is arguably the most badass! Andrews created one of the most seminal Iron Fist covers by showing the power of Shou-Lao coursing through his hands with an x-ray-like glow that extends beyond his body. The cover is so striking that it stood out in a crowd of titles on comic store shelves when this issue was released.
This portrayal of the Iron Fist power was so unique that it was used for the Netflix series whenever Finn Jones would light up the fist.
3. Marvel Premiere (1974) #15 by Gil Kane with Dick Giordano
Among the top 3 Iron Fist covers, and possibly the most distinguishable one was illustrated by the character’s co-creator, Gil Kane. Kane introduced Iron Fist to readers by showing how he can take down several opponents in one motion.
The cover epitomizes the beauty of Bronze Age comic book art while showcasing why this new character is a different kind of action hero, someone whose body was honed to become a living weapon.
In addition, Dick Giordano’s inks gorgeously enhanced Kane’s pulse-pounding pencils as the two legendary artists collaborated to produce one of the defining covers of the era. ‘Nuff said!
2. Iron Fist (1975) #8 by John Byrne
John Byrne illustrated the quintessential Iron Fist art with this dynamic cover. It has been used widely in collected edition covers, promos, and numerous merchandise. As good as Byrne was in producing a top-notch cover, this became his only cover assignment during the title’s 15-issue run. That is just not fair!
Nevertheless, the soon-to-be megastar artist made the most of his opportunity by illustrating arguably the most iconic Iron Fist art ever. From the exciting background color to the threatening Iron Fist pose, Byrne draws fans’ attention and keeps them glued to the comic book.
1. Iron Fist (2017) #1 Frankie’s Comics Exclusive Gabriele Dell’Otto Virgin Variant
Dell’Otto painted an exceptionally dramatic Iron Fist cover which stands proudly as the best of all time. It’s both evocative and impressive in so many ways as it punches you in the gut the moment you first laid your eyes on it. This is where grit meets despair. There’s a rawness to the depiction of a bloodied, bruised, and exhausted fighter who’s determined to go another round with his opponent. You can almost imagine what’s going through his mind—the wrestling with doubts about winning the fight surpassed only by the stubborn spirit of the warrior, refusing to give up but needing a breather.
This is a masterclass in color and texture as Dell’Otto conveys piercing emotions and tells a story without revealing much, all the while keeping readers hooked to the comic book with just the cover alone. The image is a portent of things to come in the series, the first arc of which pits Danny Rand against a gauntlet of martial arts masters in a tournament. All this to once again prove to one and all of his worthiness of being deemed the champion of K’un-Lun.
Dell’Otto’s Iron Fist cover is more than your typical variant cover. It’s a modern-day masterpiece!
I AM IRON FIST 