C is for Cage

 

Cage was published by Marvel in February 1992.  This issue is written by Marc McLaurin with art by Dwayne Turner.


This story opens with a recap of Luke Cage's origin.  As a young man, Luke Cage was serving time for a narcotics rap when he volunteered for an experiment that turned him into the superhero he is now.  With super strength and near invincible skin, he became known to the world as Luke Cage, Powerman.  Setting himself up as a Hero for Hire, and eventually teaming up with fellow hero Iron Fist, Cage was framed for Iron Fist's murder.  Cleared of all charges, and wanting to simply be called "Cage", Luke reopens his Hero for Hire business in Chicago.

Also in Chicago is a struggling newspaper who sees Cage as an opportunity to make a name for themselves.  With an all-star journalist team assembled, the paper makes a pitch to Cage to cover all his expenses and provide free advertising in exchange for allowing photographers on his jobs and exclusive interviews covering Cage's exploits.  Cage agrees and in his first job, he encounters a mercenary named Hardcore.  This new villian's tech actually hurts Cage.  It is revealed that Hardcore's mysterious employer has big plans, some of which involve breaking Cage's will and his newly rebuilt life.

I've never read a Luke Cage story prior to picking up this issue.  The character is pretty unlikeable and clearly just in it for the money.  He's written this way, and the circumstances play around his demeanor.  The story works, and though unlikeable, it provides a very interesting take on the superhero genre.  This issue serves as a good jumping on point for a series that lasted 20 issues.