Marvel Exec Jeph Loeb Promotes ‘Iron Fist’ Wearing a Karate Uniform at SD Comic-Con

To add to the list of many questionable decisions surrounding the Netflix show “Iron Fist,” Marvel executive producer Jeph Loeb chose to grace the series’ panel at San Diego Comic-Con last week wearing a Karate uniform.

The former comic book writer, who now serves as one of the executive producers in everyone’s least favorite Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) television series, has since come under fire for his tone-deaf attire.

OH MY GOD. pic.twitter.com/ezNzCVgTKD

— White Diamond’s Pedicure (@CharlesPulliam) July 20, 2018

At the Comic-Con, Loeb announced the second season to the controversial program which has earned criticism for using the tired White Savior trope that audiences have seen in various iterations of American shows and movies.

A tweet by Electronic Frontier Foundation policy analyst Katharine Trendacosta highlighted the problematic concept:

I asked Jeph Loeb why Marvel in the 21st century was still doing “white guy becomes master of magic in Asia” stories, and he looked me right in the eye and said it was because Danny Rand had to be an outsider. https://t.co/55xJuLQhQK

— Katharine Trendacosta (@k_trendacosta) July 20, 2018

Some netizens who criticized Loeb’s Karate costume noted that the stunt could be a way of mocking critics of the show or an attempt to antagonize them further.

i don’t know that jeph loeb’s chris farley cosplay was the best move to make after the cb cebulski mess, but what do i know

— 💖💜💙véronique emma houxbois💙💜💖 (@EmmaHouxbois) July 20, 2018

Hi, my name is Jeph Loeb, I like to take the critiques people have of the things I do and instead double down and poke them in the eyes with them https://t.co/5KuwsVdIKA

— Paulina the PhD Candidate (now w/ more characters) (@punuckish) July 20, 2018

Meanwhile. those who attended the panel pointed out that it was apparent that Loeb wore it as part of a scripted bit with Jessica Henwick, one of the lead actors for the show. In the said skit, Henwick is seen telling Loeb to remove the costume.

it was part of a weird bit where he rambled about Karate Kid for a bit and then Jessica Henwick came out and yelled at him to take off his costume. 🤷‍♀️

— Angie J. Han (@ajhan) July 20, 2018