Iron Fist

Danny Rand trained in the martial arts for many years, eventually learning a rare displine which allowed him to focus his life energy, or chi, in his hand, rendering hard as iron. At some point he befriended Shang-Chi, possibly in the school of Master Kee. Inspired by the example of individuals like Spider-Man, Danny considered dedicating himself to crimefighting, or community service he called; thus, when he saw a street altercation involving a large man grabbing a smaller man by the head and threatening violence, he intervened. When the large man refused to let his victim go, Danny knocked him down with a kick to the head; when his opponent rose to attack, Danny began to focus his "iron fist", only to be sent flying by an unexpected blow from Spider-Man, who assumed Danny was the villain of the piece.

This poor start did not deter Danny's community spirit, but a later incident where he used his "iron fist" on a man saw him sentenced to six months on Ryker's Island. Released on parole after four, he sought out his old friend Shang-Chi; howeverm when Shang-Chi was attacked by the arrival of Hammerhead; and his Enforcers, Danny was drawn into the gang war between Hammerhead and the Kingpin, and encountered Spider-Man again, this time as an ally.