iron fist – TJC Cosplays

First modelled in 2019.

Cosplay number 22.

8 Public Appearances.

1 first place competition win.

1 appearance in the film Invisible Heroes.

1 attendance at a Marvel film premiere.

This is a Marvel comics version of the Iron Fist. The mask I made by first heating and shaping worbla. Then, attaching four-way stretch fabric over the top. Lastly, by adding details for the eyes with white mesh and black leather. The mask has been made twice, the second time was to upgrade the appearance.

I met Finn Jones whilst cosplaying the Iron Fist. Before I could say anything, Finn Jones said, “Golden dragon, green suit… you must be; the Immortal Iron Fist!” He was so lovely, he made time for everyone who met him and we posed with the Kung Fu sign of respect. When I got the photo back I didn’t realise I was being side-eyed, which made the experience all the more entertaining! (Being star struck and it being a great interaction; I realised I got my hands back to front!)

Moreover, two years later, in August of 2021, I attended the Marvel Shang-Chi premiere. I was invited specifically to be Iron Fist due to the rivalry between Shang-Chi and Iron Fist in the comics. Marvel signed off on the cosplay and it was an amazing event. I was in a tough period of my life. I was taking exams; that my future career (as a teacher) depended on, I was facing redundancy and I had the weight of my future on my shoulders. So this was something exciting to break away from everything. I was beyond grateful! Additionally, being a practitioner of Wing Chun Kung Fu since 2016 and loving the film genre (of Chinese martial arts) for most of my life (and being a massive Marvel fan); I could not have asked for a better film to be invited to. I was so excited and I even met Simu Liu. At first, this was wonderful, because he was someone I admired. He had some banter with me which felt surreal in a good way (to begin with). He told me he didn’t like my costume and then explained it’s because, “We are enemies in the comics”… a little later, I politely asked for a photo and he told me, “I won’t smile with you.” Then, during his interview inside he pointed me out to everyone and told me to, “Read the room.”… I laughed at first… but then my RSD kicked in and I reflected on the banter becoming a bit more targeted. I sat loving this film… but, worrying the whole time that I had inadvertently done something wrong and I ended up hiding myself with a hoody… After the event, then came the BBC interviews, his personal instagram and Twitter/X where I was being berated online. Even called horrendous things by celebrities etc. Furthermore, Marvel staff making comments about me; when my friends attended their next premiere. Subsequently, I have never been invited to a Marvel event since. I tried to reach out to the BBC and to Simu Liu, to try and apologise, but to no prevail. I still get upset, because of the online slander, so much so that I haven’t re-watched the film. I wore my cosplay twice since and felt super uncomfortable at those comic-cons, so much so, that it took until 2025 to wear this cosplay again to raise money for children’s charities!

Iron Fist is important to me, because despite the rich part; I relate to the character. Finding Kung Fu to reinvent myself, adopting a style that inherently is adopted from another culture etc. is something I relate to. The cosplay was so important to me that it is still my logo, even today!