In this review of Deadly Hands of K’un-Lun #3, the Iron Fist receives new allies and forms a plan in his quest to stop the return of Chiyou, the God of War. Light is shed on the current state of Shou-Lao the Undying.
DEADLY HANDS OF K’UN-LUN #3
Written by: YIFAN JIANG
Art: PACO MEDINA, ALESSANDRO MIRACOLO
Main Cover: LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Variant Covers: ALEX LINS, LEO CHIOLA
Page Count: 23 pages
Release Date: 4/29/26
This review contains spoilers
Danny Rand—now known as the Ghost Fist under the employment of Egyptian God Osiris—is furious at the success of Lin Feng’s conquest on K’un-Lun. He demands Osiris allow him to put an end to it, and Loki agrees as he believes Asgard may be next.
Osiris does not take the requests seriously, until Danny and Loki reveal Lin Feng’s patron is Chiyou, the God of War. This sparks Osiris’ eyes, as he reveals he almost lost his last war against Chiyou. He sends Danny off, who slips his Ghost Fist mask on.
Elsewhere, at a New York Inhumans base, Karnak and Aero fend off Davos’ attempted intrusion into Attilan through a portal. Karnak easily overpowers Davos, and an ecstatic Lin Lie thinks Karnak could be the battle’s turning point.
Karnak tests the young Iron Fist’s leadership, asking him what his plan for victory is.
“His gaze is like a needle, pinpointing my every weakness, every doubt. I’m flawed, it’s true. But right now, the best I can do is keep a cool mind.”
Fist formulates a plan, wanting to use White Tiger’s abilities to push the team to K’un-Lun’s manifesting tower, while Aero uses her wind-based powers to cut through enemy lines.
Karnak is convinced, and sends Aero with Iron Fist’s team, trusting him to handle the issue.
Back in K’un-Lun, Pei and White Fox attempt to reach Shou-Lao the Undying’s temple in an effort to revive him. The secret passage is through a library’s hidden door, but instead they’re met by junior trainees. At the same time, Lin Feng’s forces release a massive centipede.
To protect the children, Pei and White Fox engage it. Pei reflects during the fight about how even if it may be true, she didn’t mean it when she told Lie he won’t be as good of an Iron Fist as Danny Rand. Still, she remarks her successor is a quick-learner and soon enough, she won’t have much left to teach him.
Pei’s thoughts end with the fight, as she and White Fox cut the centipede into pieces and impress the kids. The trainees ask the former Iron Fist if she can heal Shou-Lao, before handing her the dragon’s unhatched egg.
Returning to New York, White Tiger manifests the Tiger God to breach the aerial tower, as Aero thwarts all counter-measures. The plan works, but Chiyou’s loyal soldiers surround the Tiger God. Lin Lie pivots mid-route, calling for an audible to bring the team back outside and avoid an ambush.
They nearly make it to the portal, before Lin Feng arrives and foils their course. The strain on Ava’s body becomes too much, and she loses her powered form as Feng gloats.
“Worst counterattack in the history of war, brother!”
The two estranged siblings engage in battle, with the older Lin Feng overpowering his younger brother. He asks the new Iron Fist why he’s content by being in Danny Rand’s shadow.
Lie cannot answer because his foe brings immense pain. Using sorcery, Feng rips the Sword of Fu Xi’s embedded shards out of Lie’s hands. He transmutes it into the infamous Sword of Chiyou.
Feeling victory on the horizon, Feng reveals the Sword of Chiyou is key to the God of War’s resurrection, before using it to slice his little brother’s arm in half.
Analysis
Building off of his insecurity arc established in previous issues, Lie is forced to hear from his brother that he’s less than his predecessor.
Despite this being reinforced by Pei’s internal thoughts, the issue does a good job of showing Lie is more than capable of being a great Iron Fist. He wins the trust of Karnak, and both the blueprint of his battle plan and its audibles are successful, leading to a breach.
The art does well in reinforcing the story’s fast-pace and brutality, with animated worry constantly etched onto Lin Lie’s face. Besides highlighting the battle’s brutality and the stakes, the close-ups serve the purpose of showing how outclassed Lie feels.
However, this makes it all the more satisfactory when the anxious fighter overcomes the obstacles presented in his way. The issue ends with the biggest obstacle yet, as a handicapped Iron Fist will have to prevail without his favored weapon.
Final Thoughts
Amid action-packed and colorful pages, Yifan Jiang continues the story of Lin Lie’s journey as Iron Fist and the weight of the mantle. Without half his arm and the Sword of Fu Xi, the series ends on a suspenseful note as Lie will have to overcome his brother while Chiyou’s return draws near.
