LUKE CAGE
Character Close Up

LUKE CAGE

After undergoing a variant of the Super-Soldier treatment in jail for a crime he didn't commit, the man formerly known as Carl Lucas was given superhuman strength and unbreakable skin. Adopting the name Power Man, Luke Cage became a Hero for Hire and a defender of New York City.

Power Man Plays

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Caged Vengeance

In Luke Cage (2017) #1

Dr. Noah Burstein, the man who made Luke Cage into the unbreakable hero he is today, is dead. When Luke goes down to New Orleans for the funeral, he finds The Big Easy to be anything but. Mysterious billionaires, a woman with a secret, amped-up gangs and a shadowy figure all lead Luke to the conclusion that there’s more to his father-figure’s death than meets the eye!

Power Man and Iron Fist

In Power Man and Iron Fist (2016) #1

The boys are back in town! Power Man and Iron Fist track a mystery with all the ingredients of a classic Heroes-for-Hire tale.

Origin

In Avengers Origins: Luke Cage (2013) #1

Cage’s definitive history. From his gang member days in New York, to his wrongful imprisonment, witness the rise of Luke Cage. With stunning art by Dalibor Talajic.

Cage vs. Hammerhead

In New Avengers: Luke Cage (2010) #1

Luke takes a break from Avenging when he gets news of a tragedy involving a young man from his past. Luke’s seeking retribution from the Philly thug who nearly killed the innocent teen - too bad that thug’s Hammerhead, and he’s as hardheaded as Cage.

First Appearance

In Hero for Hire (1972) #1

Sweet Christmas, it all starts here! Creators Archie Goodwin and John Romita Sr. present Luke Cage, Power Man! Exploding out of the Blaxploitation genre of the 70’s, Luke Cage was a pivotal hero for his time – relevant and flawed. Also entrepreneurial – Cage was the first hero to hire out his services to the neighborhood.

Meeting Iron Fist

In Power Man (1974) #48

Check out Power Man’s first encounter, and spar, with his longtime partner!

First Ongoing

In Cage (1992) #1

Cage becomes a Hero for Hire at a Chicago newspaper. Luke busts the crime, while the journalists get the story!

Along Came Cage

In The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #123

J. Jonah Jameson hires Luke Cage to take out Spider-Man. But despite their heroic natures, Spidey and Luke are far from fast friends.

Hero for Hire

In Marvel Knights (2000) #11

Luke Cage joins Daredevil, Moon Knight, Black Widow and Dagger for some “For Profit Heroics”. Meet the Marvel Knights, a team of Marvel’s grittiest street-level heroes.

Avenger

In New Avengers (2004) #1

He’s come a long way from the yellow silk disco shirt. Luke becomes an Avenger in the aftermath to House of M. Writer Brian Michael Bendis starts things off with a bang - a breakout at The Raft, the maximum security prison home to Marvel’s homicidal villains.

Jessica Jones

In New Avengers Annual (2006) #1

Since teaming up on the pages of Alias, Luke Cage and Jessica Jones shared an undeniable spark. The super powered duo’s already done “baby” - here comes marriage! You’re cordially invited to the super-sized wedding of Luke and Jess.

Prelude to Shadowland

In Daredevil: Cage Match (2010) #1

Matt Murdock and Luke Cage share history, whether as super powered allies or vigilantes on opposing sides. The Devil of Hell’s Kitchen and Harlem’s Protector take to the boxing ring for some healthy competition - i.e. an unhealthy battle of egos.