IRIS

Real Name: Iris (last name unrevealed)

Identity/Class: Human

Occupation: Social worker, serial killer

Group Membership: None

Affiliations: Luke Cage, Gabe Dinu, Alec Nantakarn, Samantha

Enemies: Black Panther (T'Challa), Angela Dinu, Mr. Nantakarn, Sofija, Vlad the Impaler

Known Relatives: Unidentified ex-husband

Aliases: None

Base of Operations: New York City, New York

First Appearance: Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513 (February, 2011)

Powers/Abilities: Iris is a trained social worker with a lot of compassion for victims of violence, and no tolerance for perpetrators of violence. Iris has an angry streak and has used a knife to commit multiple murders.

Height: 5'9" (by approximation)
Weight: 130 lbs. (by approximation)
Eyes: Brown
Hair: Brown

History:
(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (fb) - BTS) - After suffering abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Iris became a social worker, dedicating herself to the abuse hotline while also seeing clients.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#517 (fb) - BTS) - Weary of the violence in the city, Iris decided to take matters into her own hands. She began killing parents who abused their children.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513) - When the handsome Mr. Okonkwo (secretly the Black Panther) moved into her building, Iris sought him out at his place of employment, the Devil's Kitchen, and she asked him out; he responded that his life was very complicated right now. Iris warned him that there had been a lot of muggings lately in the neighborhood.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (fb) - BTS) - Iris got a call from Alec Nantakarn that his father was beating him. She investigated and killed Mr. Nantakarn.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#514) - In her capacity as an employee of Social Services, Iris helped the orphaned Alec Nantakarn box things up. When Mr. Okonkwo showed concern, she explained that Mr. Nantakarn may have been abusing his son, then she flirted with Okonkwo, who pulled away swiftly.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (fb) - BTS) - Iris got a call from Gabe Dinu that his mother Angela was beating him.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#515 (fb) - BTS) - Iris called Angela to set up an appointment.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#515) - Hearing that Brian Fitzgerald, a man working with Okonkwo, had been killed in a super-villain battle, Iris checked on Okonkwo, still flirting with him and helping him carry bags into his apartment. Okonkwo emphasized that he was not interested in flirting. Soon, she visited Angela, killing her, and later the Black Panther found her dead.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516) - Iris ate at the Devil's Kitchen again between shifts, and the waitress Sofija advised her to no longer flirt with Okonkwo, but Iris simply left the diner in frustration. Iris then went to visit Samantha, a young girl who was being abused by her parents. Later, Iris returned to the apartment and shot both of the parents.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#517) - Realizing the police were on to her, Iris avoided going home. Black Panther cornered Iris, knowing about the murders, and she defended what she had done, but Panther was determined to arrest her. Luke Cage confronted Panther and they briefly sparred, allowing Iris to escape. Gabe Dinu approached her from the shadows, revealing he now had super powers. Gabe knocked Panther back again, then took Iris away, wanting help killing his father.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#518) - Gabe and Iris soon found Vlad the Impaler battling Black Panther, and Gabe had a change of heart, choosing to trap Iris with his powers and join Vlad against the Panther. When the police closed in, Iris tried to escape, but Sofija knocked her unconscious. Iris was soon arrested. As they took her away, Panther hoped she could get help, and she revealed that she knew he was Okonkwo but that she would keep his secrets.

Comments: Created by David Liss (writer) and Francesco Francavilla (artist).

Profile by Chadman.

CLARIFICATIONS:
Iris should not be confused with:

Mr. Nantakarn and Alec Nantakarn

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#514 (fb) - BTS) - Mr. Nantakarn's wife passed away, leaving him to raise Alec on his own. He struggled with physically abusing his son at times.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513) - Mr. Nantakarn grew concerned when his son Alec was getting bullied at school, so he started teaching Alec Muay Thai to defend himself. He confided in his new neighbor, Mr. Okonkwo (secretly the Black Panther) about this. Later, Mr. Nantakarn was killed by Iris, orphaning his child.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#514) - Neighbor Iris helped Alec box up his things, preparing to go into foster care. Okonkwo checked in on him.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#515 (fb) - BTS) - Alec entered foster care and started at a new school.

--Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513 (Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#514 (fb)], 513-514, [515 (fb)]

Samantha

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (fb) - BTS) - After being abused at the hands of her parents, Samantha called Child Protective Services.

(Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516) - Iris showed up to investigate the abuse, and she sent Samantha, who had a black eye, from the room so Iris could interview her defensive parents.

--Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 ([Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (fb)], 516

images: (without ads)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516, p10, pan4 (main)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#515, p10, pan3 (face)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513, p8, pan4 (Nantakarns)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516, p20, pan3 (Samantha)

Appearances:
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#513-515 (February-April, 2011) - David Liss (writer), Francesco Francavilla (artist), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#516 (May, 2011) - David Liss (writer), Jefte Palo (artist), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Black Panther: The Man Without Fear#517-518 (June-July, 2011) - David Liss (writer), Francesco Francavilla (artist), Bill Rosemann (editor)

First Posted: 11/29/2019
Last updated: 11/29/2019

Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.

Non-Marvel Copyright info
All other characters mentioned or pictured are ™  and © 1941-2099 Marvel Characters, Inc. All Rights Reserved. If you like this stuff, you should check out the real thing!
Please visit The Marvel Official Site at: http://www.marvel.com

Special Thanks to www.g-mart.com for hosting the Appendix, Master List, etc.!

Back to Characters