Fantasy Warfare: Black Panther vs. Iron Fist

Share This Post

Yeah, I get it – the “fantasy warfare” concept is played to death on comic book forums all over the Internet. I don’t think many of our readers are fan-boying on Reddit, but I damn sure know we have plenty of super-hero fans and aficionados so let’s just get some water cooler talk going.

It’s a new column on the SoBros Network – “fantasy warfare.” Wow, so original.

We’re going to be breaking down hypothetical superhero/super villain battles here. To me, there’s no better place to start than Black Panther taking on Iron Fist – two of my low-key favorites in the Marvel mythos. But, two who are relevant today.

Netflix just released a vastly under-performing series on the Iron Fist. Black Panther made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut last year as a part of Captain America: Civil War. There’s also a Black Panther solo movie coming out in February of 2018, which should be a real barnburner of a good time.

Black Panther was always one of my favorites growing up, simply because he’s a badass. He was originally rumored to be Marvel’s answer to Batman, and that influence is evident throughout the character’s history. T’Challa (BP’s real name, y’all) dabbles in technology, and why not? His home land of Wakanda is the most advanced country in the world. He’s also dark and brooding and can chuck knuckles with the best of ’em.

Iron Fist, on the other hand, is a character I didn’t follow much as a child. But, when I got back into comics, I wanted to learn more about the characters I didn’t know that much about. So, my introduction to the Iron Fist came in the form of Matt Fraction’s 12-issue run with The Defenders. Great shit – I immediately had to get more.

Yeah, there’s that whole….lifetime of being trained by warrior monks in Heaven. He defeated an actual, literal dragon to earn the mantle of Iron Fist. And, he’s probably the greatest hand-to-hand fighter in the world. One thing’s for sure – this would be a pretty fight. Like a scene from a kung fu movie.

Lest we forget, these two actually met in battle…and the Black Panther came out on top. But, Marvel did a…*ahem*…marvelous job of not painting a clear picture of who was the best man. Forgive me, I tried to find the source but couldn’t in a reasonable amount of time…

Iron Fist was brainwashed or something (great journalism, I know), and Black Panther fought him half-assed because he knew it wasn’t the real Iron Fist. Even then, Black Panther had to use some sort of sonic technology that knocked out Iron Fist and he eventually returned to his senses. The bottom line is that it was pretty indecisive. In a fight where both men are clear of mind and sound in body, who wins?

Winner: I love my boy Black Panther, but let’s be real here: Iron Fist is the greatest warrior in the world. Might not be popular, but the guy’s fists are literally unbreakable. He can dodge bullets, take on dozens of Hand ninjas at a time, heal himself, and can strike faster and harder than anyone on the planet. Think I’m wrong? Comment below and tell me what a jackass I am.

Stoney Keeley is the editor of the SoBros Network and covers the WWE for WrestlingNews.co. Follow on Twitter @StoneyKeeley@WrestlingNewsCo

Like us on Facebook. Follow us on Twitter @SoBrosNetwork

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

More To Explore