Luke Cage
Created by Archie Goodwin and John Romita Sr.
1st appearance: Luke Cage, Hero for hire #1, 1972
Notes: Luke was one of the earliest blacks in comics, the 4th to be exact 
He was also one of the first Black Characters to have his own self titled series, the 2nd actually the first being Lobo
Nationality: American
Team Affiliations: Avengers, Thunderbolts
Legal Status: US citizen with criminal record
Height: 6’6 Weight: 445 llbs
Eyes: Brown Hair: Black
Relatives: Jessica Jones (wife), Danielle Cage (daughter), James Leonard Lucas (father), Esther (mother, deceased), James Jr. (Coldfire, brother)
Powers: Superhuman strength able to lift about twenty five tons and near invulnerability grants him protection from gunfire and explosions to a degree.
Biography
Luke grew up in New York Cities, Harlem. As a teen he was involved in gangs until he realized the effect it had on his family. As a young adult he found suitable employment. Around this time a former friend plants heroin on him and alerts the police even though Luke had previously saved his life. Wrongly convicted and unjustly imprisoned he was later altered in a failed prison experiment that gave him bulletproof skin and super-human strength.While a prisoner he idolized the African King T’challa the Black Panther. With his new powers he escapes prison and decides to uses his powers for personal gain. He donned his most well known costume, (Yellow shirt and the tiara XD) and brands himself a “hero for hire”. He faced many super-villains around this time as well including Chemistro, Discus, shades and Comanche, each of whom had varying degrees of connection to Luke himself via his time in jail. Cage also gains friends in the superheroes Fantastic four, Spider-man, Iron-man and his future wife Jewel whose strength and passion match his own. He also does battle with future thunderbolt “Atlas” for the title of “Powerman” he wins the match and the title. He then serves briefly on the Fantastic four and the defenders. Cage soon legally changes his name from Carl Lucas to Luke Cage and partners with Iron fist after briefly working for Misty Knight‘s Knightwing Investigations. Him and Iron Fist soon become the best of friends and become the heroes for hire duo. He is also cleared of his original charges.
Modern Times
Soon after he starts operating as Luke Cage hero for hire and drops the costume which had originally been his trademark. He clashes with his brother who later dies sacrificing himself for him. In the vacuum left after most of earths superheroes were believed dead him and iron fist expanded the Heroes for Hire franchise briefly until the heroes return. Luke then has a one night stand with Jessica Drew, which results in her becoming pregnant and their eventual relationship and wedding. He joins with Captain America’s New Avengers after a chance link up at a prison break at the raft. It is here that his innate leadership potential is honed by Captain American and Ironman. During Civil war he sides with the Anti Registration and continues to operate as a hero even when it is outlawed. When Captain America is believed dead he rises up as the leader of the new avengers. When his daughter is born he names her Danielle in honor of his best friend Danny Rand the Iron Fist. In the heroic age with his street smarts and unending determination to do right, he fights for the common man! Now a dedicated family man he leads both the New Avengers and Thunderbolts teams.
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- Luke Cage
November 18th, 2010 at 5:02 pm
[...] Luke Cage is released from solitary confinement after being locked in the ‘box’ for three days more than normal. Once in the yard Shades and Comanche try to recruit him into their gang but he’s not interested. The warden calls him into his office in hopes Luke will turn ‘informer’ but he wants none of it. In rage the warden has his men throw Luke back into confinement and give him a beating to boot. Luke refuses to fight back since that would land him in even more trouble. [...]
January 14th, 2011 at 7:06 pm
[...] Luke cage/Powerman- super strength and near invulnerability VS Tyrone cash- Strength of hulk + Intelligence (cant increase strength through rage) [...]
May 4th, 2011 at 12:05 am
[...] crime of Harlem. In this bid she even caused the Maggia to flee though Iron Fist, Misty Knight and Luke Cage stopped her plans. She next duped the hulk into doing her bidding by when Misty and co. revealed to [...]
May 4th, 2011 at 12:05 am
[...] crime of Harlem. In this bid she even caused the Maggia to flee though Iron Fist, Misty Knight and Luke Cage stopped her plans. She next duped the hulk into doing her bidding by when Misty and co. revealed to [...]
May 30th, 2011 at 12:32 am
[...] kills his son and threatens T’challa before seeking out his wife’s killer. Cage arrives in time to save T’challa and a waitress. They mend their relationship and [...]
June 1st, 2011 at 12:02 am
[...] more than an actual trailer but it’s pretty obvious somebody really REALLY wants to play Luke Cage on the big screen. Speculation on the casting of this movie has popped up recently but who can tell [...]
July 26th, 2011 at 12:19 am
[...] which started it all here in Luke Cage: Hero For Hire #1. or learn all about the titular character here #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: 10px; text-align: [...]
July 26th, 2011 at 6:28 am
[...] for Black superhero fans the Jessica Jones series which will have an alias vibe and quest star Luke Cage. I don’t know about you guys but I’m damn [...]
July 27th, 2011 at 1:59 am
[...] investigations bureau. Here she met and fell in love with martial artist Iron Fist and befriended Luke Cage. During this time she fought the Black supervillains Bushmaster, Deadly Nightshade and Moses [...]
July 28th, 2011 at 11:10 pm
[...] by the Black Panther to battle vampires in new Orleans (consisting of Black Panther/T’challa, Luke Cage, Dr. Voodoo and [...]
July 29th, 2011 at 5:17 pm
[...] NEW AVENGERS #1 Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS Pencils & Cover by STUART IMMONEN Variant Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC Variant Cover by STUART IMMONEN Heroic Age Blank Variant also available Find out who the New Avengers are, where they call home (gotta see it to believe it!), which Dark Avenger has joined their ranks, and just who the interdimensional demonic threat to our existence is! These heroes have gathered to take on the threats too dark, too dangerous, and too bizarre for any other team of heroes. The New Avengers are back!! And Bendis & Immonen are back with the Siege & Secret Invasion colorista Laura Martin!! You didn’t really think Marvel was going to cancel their number one ongoing title did you? Heck no!! Backup feature: Another brand new oral history of the Avengers chapter by Bendis! Staring Luke Cage [...]
July 29th, 2011 at 6:00 pm
[...] was born to Black Supervillain and Luke Cage former gang friend Shades and Maria Alvarez. He idolized his father despite his villainy and often [...]
August 1st, 2011 at 7:15 pm
[...] people wantonly! The nod to modern social technology was also a plus. After all Panther taking out Cage, as trite as it was, it would clearly be viral on face book and you tube, instantly boosting his [...]
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:09 pm
[...] Luke Cage remembers his time in Prison and his origins he remembers his admiration for the Black Panther. In [...]
August 2nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
[...] fan ninja loyal to shang chi’s father fu man chu. As things heat up Panther gets snatched up and Cage gives chase, Falcon comes in and [...]
August 2nd, 2011 at 2:33 pm
[...] and vampires literally take over the city he is aided by Black Panther, Brother Voodoo, Photon and Luke Cage to aid the city. He remains with the team for awhile before departing for the United Kingdom. Here [...]
August 2nd, 2011 at 6:17 pm
[...] Superhuman strength and durability greater than Luke Cage. As Power Master he was even stronger and could drain power from sources to amplify his powers even [...]
August 11th, 2011 at 7:57 pm
[...] seems like just yesterday Luke Cage went by the moniker of “Power Man” but times moves on there’s a new man in town [...]
August 16th, 2011 at 3:26 pm
[...] and enjoy them all. But I had a special appreciation for black characters like Black Panther and Luke Cage, and would get upset if I felt they weren’t being written appropriately. I didn’t like it if [...]
August 17th, 2011 at 11:30 pm
[...] also perhaps connected to….the Luke Cage movie? Learn all about Luke Cage here. Advertisement GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "0"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", "other"); [...]
August 18th, 2011 at 1:40 am
[...] Luke Cage cosplay baby! #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: [...]
September 6th, 2011 at 12:02 am
[...] in New Orleans found him working with fellow black superheroes Blade, Black Panther, Photon and Luke Cage to defend the city from a vampire attack. After this he started an on-again-off-again relationship [...]
September 6th, 2011 at 12:54 pm
[...] possessed Luke grows to gigantic proportions and attacks the team who try to get the eye of agamotto from his [...]
September 6th, 2011 at 12:58 pm
[...] and a fight breaks out his brother and himself are seemingly killed and the eye teleports to Luke Cage just as he invites Ben Grim to join his team. A possessed Strange and Satan appear and demand the [...]
September 6th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
[...] #1 but in Black Panther #13 by Reggie Hudlin where the black super team of Photon, Drumm, Blade, Luke Cage and Black Panther came together to fend off Vampires hell bent on taking over the ravaged New [...]
September 6th, 2011 at 1:18 pm
[...] are in town. Photon of the avengers is also there looking for family members. Once Panther and cage touch down they get to work helping the people. They get tangled with a vamp and dust him right [...]
September 11th, 2011 at 4:12 am
[...] Cyborg Cosplay! (Also in this gallery-Black Lightning, John Stewart, Luke Cage, Black Panther and Isiah Bradley) #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: [...]
September 27th, 2011 at 12:04 am
[...] this month! Lady Bullseye and Typhoid Mary are out to kill T’Challa…time to call in Falcon and Luke Cage! The former King of Wakanda and the former Kingpin of crime wage in a deadly game, with the [...]
November 1st, 2011 at 12:01 am
[...] corrupted by “the Hand” he was defeated by a conglomerate of New York’s Superheroes including Luke Cage’s Avengers and Misty Knight’s Heroes for Hire among others. He left Hell’s Kitchen in the [...]
November 20th, 2011 at 12:24 am
[...] He became the Spear to avenge his father’s death by killing the man responsible. He fought Luke Cage in his bid for revenge and was defeated and jailed. He later returned to a life of crime alongside [...]
November 23rd, 2011 at 12:02 am
[...] By unknown means he gained superhuman powers and assisted his brother Spear in trying to kill Luke Cage. He was defeated and jailed. GA_googleAddAttr("AdOpt", "1"); GA_googleAddAttr("Origin", [...]
November 25th, 2011 at 2:45 am
[...] to society via The Thunderbolts…under the leadership of the steel-hard-skinned Avenger named Luke Cage! So bring on the first participants: Juggernaut! Crossbones! Ghost! Moonstone! And…Man-Thing? [...]
November 25th, 2011 at 3:35 am
[...] drops of Cage at home in with his wife Jessica. He gives the origins of storm and her parents then remembers his [...]
December 3rd, 2011 at 12:02 am
[...] was the sidekick of the Villain Big Brother who fought Luke Cage early in his career. After his partners defeat he disappeared for years. When he resurfaced he was [...]
December 13th, 2011 at 12:02 am
[...] from Marvel! It seems Luke’s Thunderbolts are about to go toe to toe with Marvel’s heavy [...]
January 8th, 2012 at 1:42 am
[...] smile that T’challa is playing right into his hands. Elsewhere T’challa recruits Falcon and Luke Cage as he fools Kingpin into thinking he’s playing into his trap and moves his own chess pieces into [...]
January 9th, 2012 at 2:48 am
[...] drug dealer and Pimp operating in New York. Cornell was enhanced by unknown means even before Luke cage had been imprisoned. He made a name for himself not just because of his snake like appearance but [...]
January 18th, 2012 at 2:04 am
[...] legs remade into that of a snake’s body. When he heard of his brother’s death at the hands of Luke Cage he took the name “Bushmaster” to honour him and joined the serpent society. Working for Ghar of [...]
January 19th, 2012 at 2:01 am
[...] Vixen, Bumblebee, Bishop, Icon, Dr. Voodoo, Luke Cage and Static shock and many more take it to next level in our latest Gallery! #gallery-1 { [...]
January 22nd, 2012 at 3:45 pm
[...] formula” without any of the side effects of the original. He briefly clashed with Luke Cage and a Technical Adviser for the short lived Champions during his early [...]
January 23rd, 2012 at 1:46 am
[...] He has super human strength equal to Luke Cage thanks to bionics. In addition to this he uses a variety of technological weapons and a power suit [...]
January 27th, 2012 at 2:01 am
[...] think they have lead him into a trap as hand ninja attack but he calls in Luke Cage and Falcon as backup. The hand retreats and Miyu reports what’s happened to Kingpin who gives [...]
January 29th, 2012 at 2:20 am
[...] would decide to try and enter the urban market with an African American staring in his own title. Luke Cage would unseat Lobo as the first African American superhero with his own ongoing title that went for [...]
January 31st, 2012 at 3:29 am
[...] the hand attacks but are easily defeated by Shuri and the Dora Milaje. In American T’challa, Luke Cage and Falcon make short work of some hand ninja who tried to hold up a bank [...]
February 17th, 2012 at 2:27 am
[...] #1 but in Black Panther #13 by Reggie Hudlin where the black super team of Photon, Drumm, Blade, Luke Cage and Black Panther came together to fend off Vampires hell bent on taking over the ravaged New [...]
February 18th, 2012 at 1:22 am
[...] is under attack from Black Panther, Luke Cage and Falcon. Kingpin dispatches Typhoid Mary and Lady Bullseye to deal with the situation, Miyu is [...]
February 21st, 2012 at 3:25 am
[...] later the Avengers gather as Luke Cage and Jessica Jones [...]
February 27th, 2012 at 1:00 am
[...] Fang was an early foe of Luke Cage before his partnership with Iron Fist. He attacked Luke and they did battle, almost evenly matched [...]
March 6th, 2012 at 8:04 pm
[...] the present his mother discovers he’s not in his bed. Luke cage lands on a car as him and the new Powerman get into an argument about how Luke is a sellout. Him [...]
April 4th, 2012 at 12:31 am
[...] superheroes Luke Cage and Storm appear! #gallery-1 { margin: auto; } #gallery-1 .gallery-item { float: left; margin-top: [...]
April 5th, 2012 at 12:26 am
[...] What does this mean with their often ignored marriage? Probably not a damn thing! More curious is Luke Cage who has a young daughter. He should relate to Scott and the X-men’s need to “protect family” [...]
April 30th, 2012 at 8:12 pm
One of the things that I hate about this character is the idea that he has to come from a gang. That his intelligence comes from ”street smarts”.
If a movie is made of this character, I hope there is a re-invention such as has been done to other movie super hero characters.
I would love to see Luke Cage grow up in a middle class family, I would have him graduating HS at 16. Having his PHD by 22. Going to work for a Fortune 500 company and being the ‘golden boy’ of the company.
Then because of ‘jealousy’ from his co-workers he is set up for crimes against the company, maybe even murder.
He goes to jail, goes through what has been mentioned in the bio. Goes through an experiment where it goes horribly wrong and he is reborn ‘Power Man’ and it goes from there.
For once and for all, I think that the need to have a majority of black superheroes coming from the ‘hood’ needs to stop.
All this does, in my opinion, is reinforce the stereotype.
May 18th, 2012 at 2:06 am
[...] Avengers #175! Featuring the Dark Scarlet Witch, Dark Spider-Man, Trickshot, Ragnarok, Skaar and Luke Cage – this new team will take on a mission that only they can tackle! Can Luke Cage keep this team in [...]
June 13th, 2012 at 12:48 am
[...] Luke Cage and Ant man enter Man-Thing’s swamp to try and locate the time lost thunderbolts as he considers [...]
June 22nd, 2012 at 2:36 am
[...] Azzarello and Richard Corben unlock Cage! Life on the streets is a high stakes game. There are winners and losers. Those that play by the [...]
July 10th, 2012 at 1:10 am
[...] Superheroes present- Luke Cage, Black Panther and [...]
July 11th, 2012 at 1:33 am
[...] off below of on our faithful facebook page we want to know what you think!! Luke Cage, Miles Morales, Spawn, Storm, Black Panther, President [...]
July 14th, 2012 at 1:05 am
[...] The name “Hero for Hire” was originally coined by Luke Cage back in the day. He is credited with starting out the whole getting paid idea, and after partnering [...]
August 12th, 2012 at 12:53 am
[...] birth her life has been intimately affected by so called superheroes. As a child she met Luke Cage and Danny Rand who often acted as babysitters thanks to her status as niece of the original White [...]
September 15th, 2012 at 1:44 am
[...] Heroes- Falcon, Luke Cage and Storm are a here though not even one of them does anything remotely meaningful. [...]
September 24th, 2012 at 12:51 am
[...] tale opens with J.J. Jameson tasking Jessica Jones girlfriend of Luke Cage and Kat to find out the secret identities of the Young Avengers. Jessica because of her past as a [...]
October 6th, 2012 at 5:48 pm
[...] Am I the only one disappointed their was no mention of Bishop anywhere in this thing? Storm, Luke Cage and Black Panther served no purpose in this issue besides adding color to the otherwise all white [...]
October 10th, 2012 at 1:02 am
[...] Luke Cage, Daredevil, Mockingbird and Ben Grim are transporting Emma Frost to prison. Luke also realizes that he misses his wife and his daughter and perhaps the risk of the heroes life if not worth losing them over. They are attacked by ant mutant maniacs. The team manages to hold onto their precious cargo and defeat the villains. Luke has finally has enough and quits the team to be with his family. [...]
October 13th, 2012 at 12:44 am
[...] HAD TO HAPPEN – THE DARK AVENGERS VS. THE THUNDERBOLTS! with BlackSuperhero Luke Cage and Black suervillain Centurius in the middle! But who can the Thunderbolts call on to knock down [...]
October 17th, 2012 at 12:43 am
[...] Partiot, Storm, Static Shock, Luke Cage, Photon, Blade, Black Panther are a few of the highlights in today’s stellar [...]
October 21st, 2012 at 1:14 am
[...] He’s grew up in New York and went to prison (See Luke Cage Biography for details). [...]
November 17th, 2012 at 12:01 am
[...] Luke Cage, Mockingbird, Wolverine, Mz. Marvel, the Thing and Spider-man all strike a pose with the ruins of [...]
March 30th, 2013 at 3:24 am
[...] you’re alive for as long as I am color doesn’t really matter.” when asked by Luke Cage a man who some would consider the de facto black hero, “why he couldn’t be happy that [...]
April 24th, 2013 at 12:21 am
[...] James Lucas Sr. (Father), Luke Cage [...]
May 13th, 2013 at 2:20 am
[…] J. August Richards performing superhuman feats and behaving eerily reminiscent of Marvel’s Luke Cage. You may remember we last speculated that he was playing Nick Fury jr. The trailer is very brief […]
May 15th, 2013 at 8:26 pm
[…] also includes the best look yet at J. August Richards’ mystery character who we speculate was Luke Cage. but we can also speculate could be Victor Alvarez/Power Man or even the new warrior Rage/Elvin […]
May 16th, 2013 at 2:58 am
[…] Stryker and Carl Lucas grew up together in the inner city. As best friends they joined and later lead the street gang, the […]