# Luke Cage

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Marvel Comics character

For the television series, see [Luke Cage (TV series)](/source/Luke_Cage_(TV_series)).

"Hero for Hire" redirects here. For his partner with whom he shares the title, see [Iron Fist (character)](/source/Iron_Fist_(character)). For the *DuckTales* episode, see [Hero for Hire (DuckTales episode)](/source/Hero_for_Hire_(DuckTales_episode)).

Comics character

Luke Cage Luke Cage as depicted in New Avengers vol. 2 #1 (June 2010). Art by Stuart Immonen. Publication information Publisher Marvel Comics First appearance Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972) Created by Archie Goodwin George Tuska Roy Thomas John Romita Sr. In-story information Full name Lucas Cage (legally changed from Carl Lucas) Species Human mutate[a] Team affiliations Avengers New Avengers Heroes for Hire Defenders Fantastic Four Marvel Knights Thunderbolts The Crew Partnerships Iron Fist Misty Knight Colleen Wing Jessica Jones Notable aliases Power Man Lucas Cage Abilities Superhuman strength, stamina, and durability Regenerative healing factor Nigh-invulnerability

**Lucas Cage**, born **Carl Lucas** and also known as **Power Man**, is a [superhero](/source/Superhero) appearing in [American comic books](/source/American_comic_book) published by [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics). Created by [Archie Goodwin](/source/Archie_Goodwin_(comics)), [George Tuska](/source/George_Tuska), [Roy Thomas](/source/Roy_Thomas), and [John Romita Sr.](/source/John_Romita_Sr.) in 1972, he was the first African-American superhero by Marvel Comics to be the main character in his own series. Stories featuring Luke Cage often relate to issues of race and class. His origin invokes criticism of [police brutality](/source/Police_brutality_in_the_United_States) and [the prison system](/source/Incarceration_in_the_United_States) in the United States, and his 1970s stories focus on his efforts to support himself as a businessman. His creators were initially inspired by [Blaxploitation](/source/Blaxploitation) cinema and subsequently by the [Black Power](/source/Black_Power) movement. The character was intensely masculine and sexualized in his 20th century appearances, but these aspects were tempered as Cage's focus shifted to his life as a husband and father.

Cage was introduced in *Luke Cage, Hero for Hire* #1 (June 1972). His series was renamed *Power Man* with issue #17 (1974) and then *[Power Man and Iron Fist](/source/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist)* with issue #50 (1978), when [Iron Fist](/source/Iron_Fist_(character)) became his costar. The series ended after issue #125 (1986), and he then briefly starred in the series *Cage* (1992). The character was generally neglected and received little commercial success or broad popularity in the 1990s.

However, writer [Brian Michael Bendis](/source/Brian_Michael_Bendis) redesigned Cage for [*Alias*](/source/Alias_(comics)) (2001), and the character then appeared in another series titled *Cage* (2002) under the [Max](/source/Max_(comics)) imprint. In 2004, Bendis incorporated Cage into the [Avengers](/source/Avengers_(comics)). He wrote Cage as a main character in *[New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers)* (2004–2010), *[The Pulse](/source/The_Pulse_(comics))* (2004), *[The Mighty Avengers](/source/The_Mighty_Avengers)* (2013–2015), and *[The Defenders](/source/The_Defenders_(comic_book)#2017_series)* (2017–2018). Other series featuring Luke Cage have been published, such as *Luke Cage: Noir* (2009), a new volume of *Power Man and Iron Fist* (2016), the comedic series *CAGE!* (2016), and *Luke Cage: Gang War* (2023).

In his origin story, Carl Lucas gained superhuman strength and unbreakable skin after being the subject of an experiment while in prison. Having been falsely imprisoned, he uses his powers to escape and starts a business as the Hero for Hire under the name Luke Cage. In appearances over the following decades, he teams up with [Iron Fist](/source/Iron_Fist_(character)) and clears his name. He marries [Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones) and they have a [daughter](/source/Danielle_Cage) together while Cage joins the [New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers), the [Mighty Avengers](/source/The_Mighty_Avengers), and the [Defenders](/source/Defenders_(comics)#2017_series). Cage runs in the New York mayoral election against [Wilson Fisk](/source/Wilson_Fisk) and is elected mayor. Along with Iron Fist and Jessica Jones, Cage's supporting characters include his friend [David Griffith](/source/David_Griffith_(comics)) and the doctor [Claire Temple](/source/Claire_Temple). His [archenemy](/source/Archenemy) is [Diamondback](/source/Diamondback_(Willis_Stryker)), a career criminal and Cage's friend-turned-enemy who caused him to be wrongfully arrested. Other recurring villains faced by Cage include [Black Mariah](/source/Black_Mariah), [Cockroach Hamilton](/source/Cockroach_Hamilton), [Comanche](/source/Comanche_(comics)), [Cottonmouth](/source/Cottonmouth_(Cornell_Stokes)), [Gideon Mace](/source/Gideon_Mace), and [Shades](/source/Shades_(comics)).

[Mike Colter](/source/Mike_Colter) portrays Luke Cage in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe](/source/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe) television series *[Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones_(TV_series))* (2015; 2019), *[Luke Cage](/source/Luke_Cage_(TV_series))* (2016–2018), *[The Defenders](/source/The_Defenders_(miniseries))* (2017), and *[Daredevil: Born Again](/source/Daredevil%3A_Born_Again)* (2026–present). The character has also appeared in various animated series and video games.

## Publication history

### Creation

*Luke Cage, Hero for Hire* #1 ([cover-dated](/source/Cover-date) June 1972), the debut of Luke Cage. Cover art by [John Romita Sr.](/source/John_Romita_Sr.)

Luke Cage was created by [Archie Goodwin](/source/Archie_Goodwin_(comics)), [John Romita Sr.](/source/John_Romita_Sr.), [Roy Thomas](/source/Roy_Thomas), and [George Tuska](/source/George_Tuska).[1][2] [Marvel Comics](/source/Marvel_Comics) publisher [Stan Lee](/source/Stan_Lee) wanted to create a character based on the [Blaxploitation](/source/Blaxploitation) subgenre of action films popular in the 1970s. The films, such as *[Shaft](/source/Shaft_(1971_film))* (1971) and *[Super Fly](/source/Super_Fly_(1972_film))* (1972), were the inspiration for Luke Cage.[3] Lee worked with Thomas on the initial premise of a hero who asks payment for his work.[4] Thomas attributed many of the creative decisions to Lee.[5]

When developing Cage's abilities, Thomas was inspired by the [Philip Wylie](/source/Philip_Wylie) novel *[Gladiator](/source/Gladiator_(novel))* (1930). In the novel, the character [Hugo Danner](/source/Hugo_Danner) discovers he is bulletproof after examining where he is struck by machine gun fire during World War I.[6] Dan Hagen of *[Back Issue!](/source/Back_Issue!)* compared Cage's origin to *[The Count of Monte Cristo](/source/The_Count_of_Monte_Cristo)* by [Alexandre Dumas](/source/Alexandre_Dumas), to which Thomas said that the book may have had "a conscious or subconscious effect" on Lee or Goodwin.[7]

Romita created Cage's initial design, and Tuska became the series' main artist. Goodwin wrote the first stories featuring Luke Cage.[4] [Billy Graham](/source/Billy_Graham_(comics)), the only Black artist working at Marvel at the time, was also brought on to ensure that Tuska's "African-American characters looked African-American".[8] It was determined that he would at some point take over as artist for the character.[5]

Marvel had previously created two Black superheroes: [Black Panther](/source/Black_Panther_(character))[9] and [Falcon](/source/Falcon_(comics)).[10][11] However, Luke Cage was the first of Marvel's African-American characters to lead his own series.[12] He was developed during a period of increasing racial diversity in comic books and popular media more broadly.[1] American society at the time was undergoing a shift in racial attitudes, and calls for [social justice](/source/Social_justice) and against racism were increasing.[2] The character was distinct from other superheroes because he lived in poverty and struggled with practical affairs like supporting himself and starting a business.[13] During internal deliberations, Marvel determined that Cage had the best marketing potential of their properties.[4]

### 1970s

Cage was introduced in *[Luke Cage, Hero for Hire](/source/Power_Man_and_Iron_Fist)*, in 1972.[14] The series alternated between its continuing plot of Cage trying to support himself and address problems in his personal life, alongside secondary plots each issue in which Cage completed a job as a hero for hire.[15] Goodwin wrote the first four issues before [Steve Englehart](/source/Steve_Englehart) became the writer. Tuska was the series' artist, but Graham worked as [inker](/source/Inker) and frequently shared responsibilities with Tuska as [penciler](/source/Penciler).[5] Englehart and Tuska came into conflict while working on *Luke Cage, Hero for Hire*. Englehart wrote subplots for the series, only for Tuska to disregard them and say "I didn't feel like drawing that".[16] In issue #8 (1973), Luke Cage is described with the racial slur *[schvartze](/source/Schvartze)*. According to Englehart, he was not aware it was a slur and was tricked into adding it by Tuska. Englehart printed an apology in issue #11.[16]

Marvel made a stronger push toward representation of Black characters in 1973. Reframing the character, the company announced that "much of Cage's [jivin' slang](/source/Jive_talk) will be eliminated".[17] Cage made an appearance outside of his own series when he fought with [Spider-Man](/source/Spider-Man) in *[The Amazing Spider-Man](/source/The_Amazing_Spider-Man)* #123 (1973). The issue was illustrated by [Gil Kane](/source/Gil_Kane) and [John Romita Sr.](/source/John_Romita_Sr.)[18] Graham became the main artist for Luke Cage beginning with issue #13 (1973).[19] The character and the series were renamed "Power Man" in issue #17 (1974).[12][20] The name was inspired by the [Black power](/source/Black_power) movement,[21] and according to Thomas the change was made in an attempt to increase sales.[19] Cage appeared in *[The Defenders](/source/The_Defenders_(comic_book))* #17–19 (1974–1975), which had him fight the [Defenders](/source/Defenders_(comics)) before they work together to stop the [Wrecking Crew](/source/Wrecking_Crew_(comics)).[22]

*Power Man* did not have a dedicated writer in the issues after Englehart's departure, so several writers briefly contributed. Tuska remained active as an artist for the series at this time.[22] [Don McGregor](/source/Don_McGregor) eventually requested writing duties for *Power Man*, and he worked on issues #28 and #30–35.[23] A production problem prevented him from writing issue #29, leaving issue #28's cliffhanger open as an alternate story was featured in issue #29.[22] McGregor made various additions to the character during his brief run, including several of Cage's classic villains. McGregor glamorized Cage's ability to persevere through suffering. The series went through several artists at this time.[23] Cage also co-starred in *[Fantastic Four](/source/Fantastic_Four_(comic_book))* #168 (1976), when Roy Thomas used him to briefly replace the [Thing](/source/Thing_(Marvel_Comics)) as a member of the [Fantastic Four](/source/Fantastic_Four).[24] [Marv Wolfman](/source/Marv_Wolfman) became Cage's writer after issue #36 (1976).[24] *Power Man* was accompanied by an [annual edition](/source/Annual_(comics)) the same year, created by [Chris Claremont](/source/Chris_Claremont).[24] The duo of Claremont and [John Byrne](/source/John_Byrne_(comics)) were then made artists for the series, continuing a period of collaborations between the two.[25]

The martial arts superhero [Iron Fist](/source/Iron_Fist_(character)) joined the series as a co-star in issue #48 (1978), and the series was renamed *Power Man and Iron Fist* with issue #50 (1978). They were grouped together after neither character proved popular enough to support his own series. [Jo Duffy](/source/Jo_Duffy), a fan of both characters, was appointed as its writer at her request beginning with issue #56.[26] Cage's innocence was proven in this story arc, and he was no longer written as an escaped convict.[27] To elevate Luke Cage and Iron Fist, Duffy and artist [Trevor Von Eeden](/source/Trevor_Von_Eeden) began with a story in which the characters encountered the [X-Men](/source/X-Men) and the [Living Monolith](/source/Living_Monolith) before returning them to more mundane environments.[28]

### 1980s–1990s

*Power Man and Iron Fist* received its long-term artist when [Kerry Gammill](/source/Kerry_Gammill) was added for issue #61 (1980). Gammill continued drawing the series until issue #79 (1982), and Duffy continued writing it until issue #84 (1982).[28] Their editor, [Dennis O'Neil](/source/Dennis_O'Neil), disliked the light-hearted and humorous tone that Duffy had used for the series.[29] [Denys Cowan](/source/Denys_Cowan) took over for Gammill. [Bob Layton](/source/Bob_Layton) was announced as Duffy's replacement, but he never began and O'Neil filled in until [Kurt Busiek](/source/Kurt_Busiek) became writer with issue #90 (1983).[30] Busiek continued the light-hearted tone until he too was removed from the series, ending his run on issue #102 (1984).[29] The series had no dedicated creators or storylines until [Christopher Priest](/source/Christopher_Priest_(comic_book_writer)) became the writer from issue #111 (1984) until the series was cancelled with issue #125 (1986), working alongside artist [M. D. Bright](/source/M._D._Bright). Priest, who is himself Black, was criticized within Marvel for reducing Cage's use of stereotypical Black dialogue.[31]

For the remainder of the 1980s after Marvel canceled *Power Man and Iron Fist*, Cage made guest appearances in other comics. He was revitalized with a new series, *Cage*, in 1992. This series removed the Blaxploitation elements of the character, tempering him and putting him in common street clothes.[32] With minimal resemblance to the original depiction of the character, the series was not well-received and it sold poorly.[33] It was canceled after 20 issues.[4] Cage then made an appearance in *[Marvels](/source/Marvels)* (1994), where artist [Alex Ross](/source/Alex_Ross) used [Jim Brown](/source/Jim_Brown) as a model for Luke Cage's design.[34] The character made an appearance in a parody edition of *[What If](/source/What_If_(comics))* where he found and wielded [Mjolnir](/source/Mjolnir_(comics)), the hammer of [Thor](/source/Thor_(Marvel_Comics)).[35] Another attempt was made to revive the character in 1996 with the publication of a new Luke Cage and Iron Fist duo series, *Heroes for Hire*, but it was canceled after 19 issues.[4]

### 2000s

[Brian Michael Bendis](/source/Brian_Michael_Bendis) (pictured in 2010) redesigned Luke Cage and used him in several comic book series.

By the start of the 21st century, Luke Cage was not meaningfully used by Marvel and was seen as outdated following the end of the Blaxploitation era. The writer [Brian Michael Bendis](/source/Brian_Michael_Bendis) created an updated version of Luke Cage in 2001, making him a supporting character in the series *[Alias](/source/Alias_(comics))*, in which Cage is a romantic interest for the main character [Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones). According to Bendis, his colleagues teased him for his insistence on the character's inclusion, calling it a "man-crush".[4] A new *Cage* series was published under the adult-targeted [Max](/source/Max_(comics)) imprint in 2002, featuring more explicit content.[36] Created by [Brian Azzarello](/source/Brian_Azzarello), [Richard Corben](/source/Richard_Corben), and [José Villarrubia](/source/Jos%C3%A9_Villarrubia), this series portrayed the Black community in a more stereotypical way and depicted Cage working as muscle for hire in less heroic circumstances. It has been described as Luke Cage redesigned for [hip-hop culture](/source/Hip-hop_culture).[37]

Bendis used Cage again as a main character in *[New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers)*, which took place after the 2004 "[Avengers Disassembled](/source/Avengers_Disassembled)" storyline.[38] He decided to have Cage shave his head in the second issue, inspired by a similar style change by comedian [Damon Wayans](/source/Damon_Wayans), and the new look became standard for the character's appearance.[4] Cage concurrently returned in Bendis's next Jessica Jones series, *[The Pulse](/source/The_Pulse_(comics))*, beginning in 2004. In *The Pulse*, Jones is pregnant with Cage's daughter, and issues #11–14 (2005–2006) feature the child's birth and Cage's subsequent marriage proposal to Jones. Her acceptance and their wedding are depicted in *The New Avengers Annual* #1 (2006).[39] Cage was also included as one of the guest stars in the [Black Panther](/source/Black_Panther_(character)) storyline "Bad Mutha" in 2006, along with [Blade](/source/Blade_(character)) and [Brother Voodoo](/source/Brother_Voodoo).[40]

Cage's continued appearances in *The New Avengers* focused on his new life as a husband and father.[41] This coincided with the company-wide storylines *[Civil War](/source/Civil_War_(comics))*, *[Secret Invasion](/source/Secret_Invasion)*, "[Dark Reign](/source/Dark_Reign_(comics))", and *[Avengers vs. X-Men](/source/Avengers_vs._X-Men)*, between 2005 and 2012.[42] The plot of *Civil War* sees Cage compelled to fight against other superheroes and send his family into hiding. Cage invokes Black history in order to challenge Iron Man's strict adherence to the law, recalling slavery and the [civil rights movement](/source/Civil_rights_movement).[43] Cage then has his own subplot in *[Secret Invasion](/source/Secret_Invasion)*, in which he aligns with [Norman Osborn](/source/Norman_Osborn) in order to locate his kidnapped daughter.[44] Cage remained a major character in *The New Avengers* until its conclusion in *The New Avengers: Finale* (2010).[45] He was simultaneously a major character in *[House of M: Avengers](/source/House_of_M%3A_Avengers)* (2008), which depicted him in his original design.[46] A [film noir](/source/Film_noir) version of Luke Cage was also depicted in *[Luke Cage Noir](/source/Luke_Cage_Noir)* (2009–2010), set in the 1920s.[47]

### 2010s–2020s

Cage was retained in a 2010 relaunch of *The New Avengers*, where he was made team leader.[48] *The New Avengers: Luke Cage* was published in 2010, containing the three-part "Town Without Pity" storyline set in Philadelphia, written by [John Arcudi](/source/John_Arcudi) and illustrated by Eric Canete.[49] The story depicted Cage fighting [Hammerhead](/source/Hammerhead_(character)) and Lionfang during Marvel's "[Dark Reign](/source/Dark_Reign_(comics))" event.[50] It was published alongside a one-shot in which Daredevil and Cage fight for charity, written by [Antony Johnston](/source/Antony_Johnston) and illustrated by [Sean Chen](/source/Sean_Chen_(artist)).[49] *Avengers Origins: Luke Cage* was then published in 2013, written by Michael Benson and [Adam Glass](/source/Adam_Glass).[51] Cage was one of several Black superheroes teamed together in *[The Mighty Avengers](/source/The_Mighty_Avengers)* (2013–2014) and *Captain America and the Mighty Avengers* (2014–2015).[52]

A new volume of *Power Man and Iron Fist* began publication in 2016 as part of the [All-New, All-Different Marvel](/source/All-New%2C_All-Different_Marvel) branding, written by [David F. Walker](/source/David_F._Walker) and illustrated by [Sanford Greene](/source/Sanford_Greene).[53] *CAGE!* was published the same year as a comedic interpretation of Cage's original design. This series, first announced in 2007, was written and illustrated by [Genndy Tartakovsky](/source/Genndy_Tartakovsky).[54] A new *Luke Cage* series began publication in 2017 to coincide with the *[Luke Cage](/source/Luke_Cage_(TV_series))* television series. The first five issues made up the "Sins of the Father" story arc, written by [David F. Walker](/source/David_F._Walker) and illustrated by Nelson Blake.[55] The series was then rebranded under [Marvel Legacy](/source/Marvel_Legacy), which adjusted the series' numbering. The "Caged" story arc was published as issues #166–170. Walker remained as the writer while Guillermo Sanna and Marcio Menyz were its artists. It was canceled in 2018 after issue #170.[56] Brian Michael Bendis wrote *The Defenders* with artist [David Marquez](/source/David_Marquez_(comics)) in 2017, placing Cage in a team alongside Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and Daredevil to coincide with the television adaptations of these characters.[57] The same year, Cage also appeared in a new team led by [Black Panther](/source/Black_Panther_(character)), [The Crew](/source/The_Crew_(comics)) in a series written by [Ta-Nehisi Coates](/source/Ta-Nehisi_Coates). Cage worked alongside [Storm](/source/Storm_(Marvel_Comics_character)), [Misty Knight](/source/Misty_Knight), and [Manifold](/source/Manifold_(comics)).[58]

The three-issue series *Luke Cage: Everyman* was released in 2018 as the second publication in the Marvel Digital Original line, written by [Anthony Del Col](/source/Anthony_Del_Col) and illustrated by Jahnoy Lindsay.[59]

A miniseries titled *Luke Cage: City of Fire* began production, written by [Ho Che Anderson](/source/Ho_Che_Anderson), with an expected release date in 2021. The series would have featured a story about police brutality based on the [murder of George Floyd](/source/Murder_of_George_Floyd), but Marvel canceled it shortly before its release out of fear that it would provoke retaliation. According to Anderson, executives told him it was canceled so he would not be "attacked by right-wing nuts".[60] Cage appeared as a major character in the "[Devil's Reign](/source/Devil's_Reign)" event in 2021, which ended with him becoming [mayor of New York City](/source/Mayor_of_New_York_City).[61] He then received his own tie-in series for the "[Gang War](/source/Gang_War_(comics))" event that began in 2023. *Luke Cage: Gang War*, written by [Rodney Barnes](/source/Rodney_Barnes) and illustrated by Ramon Bachs, depicts Cage's time as mayor and his decision to resume vigilantism.[62]

## Characterization

### Fictional character biography

Carl Lucas is a resident of [Harlem](/source/Harlem).[63] He was in a gang with his friend [Willis Stryker](/source/Diamondback_(Willis_Stryker)) until he experienced regrets about his criminal life and left the gang. When Stryker's girlfriend breaks up with him and seeks out Lucas, Stryker frames Lucas for drug possession.[64] Lucas is sent to prison and is abused when he refuses to be an [informant](/source/Informant).[65] He agrees to a dangerous experiment in the hope that it will help him get [parole](/source/Parole), but a racist corrections officer sabotages the experiment in an attempt to kill him.[66] The experiment inadvertently gives Lucas superhuman strength and nearly impenetrable skin, which he uses to escape.[63] When he stops a robber and receives a cash reward, he decides to start a business as a super-powered private detective.[67][20] Lucas takes on a new name, Luke Cage,[63] and he later starts calling himself Power Man.[12]

When Cage is blackmailed by [Bushmaster](/source/Bushmaster_(Marvel_Comics)) to kidnap [Misty Knight](/source/Misty_Knight), he meets Knight's boyfriend, [Iron Fist](/source/Iron_Fist_(character)). They work together to prove Cage's innocence, and they become partners as the Heroes for Hire. Cage becomes a fugitive again when he is blamed for Iron Fist's apparent death, but Iron Fist is eventually found to be alive.[64] For a time, Cage moves his Hero for Hire operations to Chicago.[68] Cage moves away from hero work as a bodyguard and bar owner, and he has a sexual encounter with his friend [Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones).[4] The two fall in love while working on a bodyguard job together for Matt Murdock, [Daredevil](/source/Daredevil_(Marvel_Comics_character))'s alter ego. They go on to have a daughter together and marry each other.[64] Cage is one of several heroes who responds to a breakout from the supervillain prison the [Raft](/source/Raft_(comics)), and they join together to become the [New Avengers](/source/New_Avengers).[69] He refuses to register after the Superhero Registration Act is passed and he aligns with Captain America's resistance, separating him from his family and making him a fugitive.[43]

Cage's daughter is kidnapped by a shapeshifting alien [Skrull](/source/Skrull) during the *[Secret Invasion](/source/Secret_Invasion)*. In his desperation, he agrees to register and aligns with [then-head](/source/Dark_Reign_(comics)) of [S.H.I.E.L.D.](/source/S.H.I.E.L.D.), the villain [Norman Osborn](/source/Norman_Osborn), and he recovers his daughter.[41] He then attacks Osborn's henchmen, sparing Osborn only because of his assistance in finding the child.[70] After Osborn's rule ends, Cage becomes the leader of another group of New Avengers and takes command of the reformed supervillain team the [Thunderbolts](/source/Thunderbolts_(comics)).[64] Cage retires from heroism after realizing the stakes of living his lifestyle while having a child,[71] but he later joins the [Mighty Avengers](/source/The_Mighty_Avengers) and then a new version of the [Defenders](/source/Defenders_(comics)#2017_series).[64] He is diagnosed with [chronic traumatic encephalopathy](/source/Chronic_traumatic_encephalopathy) as a consequence of his violent lifestyle.[59] Cage runs to be mayor of New York, challenging Mayor [Wilson Fisk](/source/Wilson_Fisk). Following Fisk's arrest, Cage runs unopposed and is elected.[61]

### Personality and motivations

As depicted in the comics, Cage was shaped by his life in poverty in Harlem, where he was forced to become a criminal and learn to survive.[72] While in poverty, he expresses more frustration when his enemies destroy his office than when they attack him personally as he understands that he will have to pay to fix the damage to his office.[73] He has disdain for the wealthy [East Side](/source/East_Side_(Manhattan)) in Manhattan, seeing the neighborhood and its residents as artificial.[74] He takes satisfaction in his business as he becomes more successful and upgrades his office. After moving his operations to [Times Square](/source/Times_Square), he retains his previous office over a [grindhouse](/source/Grindhouse) theater in a poorer part of the city to ensure that he is still accessible to the working class.[75] His financial concerns are alleviated after he partners with his wealthier ally Iron Fist.[15]

The character's anger defines Cage when he is first introduced, bitter about the injustice of his false imprisonment.[2] His experiences living in Harlem and being experimented on in prison made him cynical.[76] Cage is believed dead after he receives his powers, separating him from society more than a traditional superhero.[20] Rather than act purely out of altruism, Cage seeks compensation for heroic acts.[63] He believes that altruism is unrealistic when race and class are taken into consideration.[77] Despite this, he sometimes refuses to accept a fee.[13] In the third issue of *Luke Cage, Hero for Hire*, Cage returns his fee to a widowed mother whose husband had hired him.[78]

Cage is portrayed as highly masculine, especially in the context of African-American culture.[79] This is closely associated with his origin inspired by [Blaxploitation](/source/Blaxploitation) films, where hypermasculinity is common.[80][81] He is written as promiscuous and highly sexual, especially in his youth. He is embarrassed by this past when his old sexual partners continue making advances after he is married.[39] Other characters understand him to be a "cape chaser" who had regular sexual encounters with female superheroes.[39] As Cage's character evolved, more nuanced traits were introduced as he became husband and father and as he balanced his superheroism between street crime and more traditional supervillains. His characterization underwent a major shift in *The New Avengers*, which reframed him as a paternal figure who cares for his infant daughter while serving as a mentor for younger superheroes who are racial minorities. He is shown as a responsible, caring father while other heroes are fighting.[82] Part of his motivation for joining the team is so that his soon-to-be-born daughter will be able to hear that her father was an Avenger.[83] This leads to further conflict with Cage's split roles as a father and a superhero, as the dangerous nature of his work puts his daughter at risk and causes his wife to doubt his sincerity about prioritizing the family.[84] His romantic relationship with Jessica Jones became his primary focus, with that focus eventually shared with the daughter they have together.[21]

Aesthetically, Cage is not a traditional superhero. He does not consistently use a superhero name or wear a superhero costume.[20] He does not have a secret identity, though he changed his name to Luke Cage while in hiding after escaping prison.[85] Cage wears an extravagant street-clothes outfit in his original design, featuring a bright yellow top with a collar and open front, black spandex pants, yellow-trimmed boots, a chain belt, metal bracelets, and a metal headband. This outfit both reflects his inability to afford more sophisticated costumes and balances the seriousness of the character.[86] When the character chooses these outfits, he remarks that the chains will remind him of his past imprisonment, as well as the possibility that he could be imprisoned again. He similarly chooses the name Cage to invoke his origin as a prisoner.[27] He later wears more casual outfits like a t-shirt with jeans.[38] Cage is associated with a catchphrase, "Sweet Christmas!", which he often exclaimed in the 1970s.[5]

### Powers and abilities

Luke Cage has superhuman strength and durability.[87][63] He gained his powers through an experiment, described as an "electro-biochemical process" that was intended to improve human healing by speeding up cellular regeneration.[66] Cage's skin is as strong as steel,[88][64] his muscles and bones are much denser than those of an average human, and he can heal three times as quickly.[64] Cage's powers are more defensive than active, making him a relatively passive character in combat.[89] When the character was created, a rule was implemented that he could not use his powers to leap high into the air, but this rule was broken by his sixth appearance.[90] Besides his superhuman abilities, Cage is depicted as street smart[12] and a skilled fighter.[64]

## Themes

Race and its social implications are prominent in Luke Cage stories.[14] Luke Cage is symbolic of the resistance to racism that defined the Black identity in the United States,[91][92] and the character explores problems faced by African Americans because of [institutional racism](/source/Institutional_racism).[65] Cage's symbolism arises from his being a Black man with bulletproof skin.[87] The fact that his powers are derived from his skin creates a contrast where his skin is both what causes him to be persecuted and what gives him the ability to fight back.[88] The character originated from the [Black power movement](/source/Black_power_movement), although this interpretation of the character receded by the 1980s as the Black power movement declined in prominence and the Black power hero moved out of the cultural zeitgeist.[21]

Prison reform had become a major political issue in the years leading up to Cage's debut,[65] and *Luke Cage, Hero for Hire* introduced the character alongside a criticism of [police brutality](/source/Police_brutality_in_the_United_States) and [the prison system](/source/Incarceration_in_the_United_States) in the United States.[93] Cage's origin as both a superhero and a prisoner makes him distinct from other superheroes with more traditionally noble origins.[2] Unlike the heroic experiment that gave Captain America his superpowers and the science-fiction themes of later superheroes, Cage is given his powers in the less glamorous environment of a prison experiment.[94] Shortly after Cage's first appearance, news of the [Tuskegee Syphilis Study](/source/Tuskegee_Syphilis_Study) became public as a real-life example of Black men being experimented on.[94]

Issues relating to class are a regular feature in Luke Cage stories,[13][95] and Cage's persona draws from a tradition of urban [folk heroes](/source/Folk_hero) who represent the working class.[96] This helped to differentiate him from Marvel's other well known Black superhero of the time, the Black Panther, the king of a highly developed African nation.[97] Cage's origin gives focus to the financial aspects of superheroism as the character has to fund his own operations.[14] Cage operates out of New York like many other Marvel Comics superheroes, but his origin is in the [inner city](/source/Inner_city) as opposed to more affluent or suburban areas.[85] This setting depicts less desirable aspects of New York City relative to the settings of other superhero stories, showing a poorer, rougher area.[98]

Cage's public blending of his career and his heroism subverts the usual trope of heroes trying to keep these things separate.[85] The transactional nature of Cage's heroism challenges the notion of a selfless hero being morally superior. It indicates that [social privilege](/source/Social_privilege) and financial stability are necessary for a hero to act without compensation, which is not an option for working class heroes like Luke Cage.[79] This theme became less prominent a few years into Luke Cage's publications as the series shifted toward more traditional heroics to boost sales.[3] Cage's balancing of his life as a father and as a superhero then became a major theme used to comment on the fatherhood of Black men and domestic life more generally. Several franchise-wide storylines took place while Cage learned to become a father, presenting obstacles for the character in his attempts to prioritize his family. Cage's role in these stories subverts common ideas of absent fathers and masculinity being incompatible with domesticity when he remains committed to his responsibility as a father.[99]

## Supporting characters

Main article: [List of Luke Cage and Iron Fist supporting characters](/source/List_of_Luke_Cage_and_Iron_Fist_supporting_characters)

Luke Cage is closely tied to the character Iron Fist. They were brought together for the shared series *Power Man and Iron Fist* in 1978 where they came to be partners.[26] Cage's primary romantic interest is [Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones). Their relationship becomes central to his character after their marriage, and they have a daughter named Danielle.[100] Cage formed a team, the [Defenders](/source/Defenders_(comics)#2017_series), with Jones, Iron Fist, and [Daredevil](/source/Daredevil_(Marvel_Comics_character)).[101] He has worked with other teams, including the New Avengers.[69]

In the first issues of his original series, Cage is established with the supporting characters [Claire Temple](/source/Claire_Temple), a doctor who operates a clinic with the man who gave Cage his powers, and [David Griffith](/source/David_Griffith_(comics)), the nephew of his landlord who becomes a friend of Cage.[78] Cage's first love interest is [Reva Connors](/source/Reva_Connors). In his origin story, Willis Stryker competes with Cage for her attention, eventually framing Cage and getting him sent to prison. Connors is then accidentally killed in a mob hit targeting Stryker.[88]

### Villains

Luke Cage's original nemesis is his friend-turned-rival Willis Stryker, who calls himself Diamondback.[5] The pair were partners who became involved in gangs, but Cage left the lifestyle while Stryker became more involved in it.[102] Diamondback becomes his own version of a hero for hire, using trick knives with different functionalities.[5] [Shades](/source/Shades_(comics)) and [Comanche](/source/Comanche_(comics)) are also villains Cage encounters in his origin, meeting them as fellow prisoners during his origin story.[103] Other recurring villains introduced in Cage's original series include [Gideon Mace](/source/Gideon_Mace), [Black Mariah](/source/Black_Mariah), [Chemistro](/source/Chemistro), [Stiletto](/source/Stiletto_(comics)), [Steeplejack](/source/Steeplejack_(Marvel_Comics)), [Cockroach Hamilton](/source/Cockroach_Hamilton), [Mr. Fish](/source/Mr._Fish), and [Piranha Jones](/source/Piranha_Jones).[104]

Cage's earliest villains were underworld criminals, typically working for a crime boss or a criminal organization. He has faced several villains of this type, including [Cottonmouth](/source/Cottonmouth_(Cornell_Stokes)), Diamondback, Steeplejack, and Stilleto.[105] Many of Cage's villains are people who became criminals because they were unable to achieve [social mobility](/source/Social_mobility), including Big Brother, Chemistro, Mr. Fish, and Piranha Jones.[106] Cage shares the name "Power Man" with the villain [Erik Josten](/source/Erik_Josten), introduced in *[The Avengers](/source/The_Avengers_(comic_book))* #21 (1965), and the two first encounter one another in *Power Man* #21 (1974).[19]

*Power Man and Iron Fist* writer Jo Duffy commented on the difficulty of writing villains for the titular characters, saying that they are too strong to fight common criminals but too weak to fight powerful supervillains.[107] To address this, she introduced the superpowered swordsman [El Águila](/source/El_%C3%81guila) and the scheming mountaineer [Montenegro](/source/Montenegro_(comics)).[108]

## Reception and legacy

Luke Cage was created as African-American heroes were first becoming acceptable to the American public, and the writers at Marvel developed the character to support this movement.[7] Cage was positively received by readers when he was introduced, both for representation that came with an African-American superhero and for the means of exploring class and race in comic books.[14] The 2016 television adaptation of Luke Cage similarly debuted during a period of renewed interest in how [police brutality in the United States](/source/Police_brutality_in_the_United_States) affects Black men.[94]

Although the character was successful, Cage did not achieve the same popularity as Marvel's more well-known characters.[67] Marvel introduced several Black superheroes shortly after Luke Cage's success, including [Blade](/source/Blade_(character)) and [Brother Voodoo](/source/Brother_Voodoo) in 1973 as well as [Storm](/source/Storm_(Marvel_Comics)) and [Black Goliath](/source/Black_Goliath) in 1975. Black Panther received his own series in 1974. As solo characters, none of these were as successful as Luke Cage.[109] Like these heroes, Cage was defined by his Blackness when he was introduced and was portrayed in a stereotypical manner, which received mixed responses from critics.[110] Cage did not have significant effect on the Marvel Universe, leaving the niche of an influential African-American superhero unfilled for the time.[111]

Several individual Luke Cage stories have received critical praise. *Hero for Hire* #9 (1973) depicted Cage pursuing one of Marvel's most imposing supervillains, [Doctor Doom](/source/Doctor_Doom), over a $200 debt. *Power Man and Iron Fist* #50 (1978) saw Cage clear his name as a fugitive and marked the beginning of his sharing a series with Iron Fist as the Heroes for Hire.[112][113][114] *New Avengers* #22 (2006) defined the character's motives as he sided against Iron Man in the "Civil War" event.[112][113][115] The 2009 miniseries *Luke Cage: Noir*, which reimagined Cage as a detective in a story, praised for its style.[113][114][115]

Cage was satirized by the [Milestone Comics](/source/Milestone_Comics) character "Buck Wild, Mercenary Man".[81] The actor [Nicolas Cage](/source/Nicolas_Cage), born Nicolas Coppola, is a fan of Luke Cage and chose his stage name as an homage to the character.[116]

*[Wizard Magazine](/source/Wizard_(magazine))* ranked Luke Cage 34th in their "Top 200 Comic Book Characters" list.[117] *[Gizmodo](/source/Gizmodo)* ranked Luke Cage 23rd in their "Every Member Of The Avengers" list.[118] *[Entertainment Weekly](/source/Entertainment_Weekly)* ranked Luke Cage 11th in their "Let's rank every Avenger ever" list.[119]

## In other media

Luke Cage is portrayed by [Mike Colter](/source/Mike_Colter) in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe](/source/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe).

See also: [Luke Cage (Marvel Cinematic Universe)](/source/Luke_Cage_(Marvel_Cinematic_Universe))

[Mike Colter](/source/Mike_Colter) portrayed Luke Cage in *[Jessica Jones](/source/Jessica_Jones_(TV_series))* (2015; 2019), *[Luke Cage](/source/Luke_Cage_(TV_series))* (2016–2018), and *[The Defenders](/source/The_Defenders_(miniseries))* (2017) of [Marvel's Netflix television series](/source/Marvel's_Netflix_television_series) within the [Marvel Cinematic Universe](/source/Marvel_Cinematic_Universe).[120] This version of the character returned for a cameo appearance in the [second season](/source/Daredevil%3A_Born_Again_season_2) of the [Disney+](/source/Disney%2B) series *[Daredevil: Born Again](/source/Daredevil%3A_Born_Again)* (2026). He is set to return for the upcoming [third season](/source/Daredevil%3A_Born_Again_season_3) (2027).[121]

Adaptations of Luke Cage have appeared in animated series like *[Ultimate Spider-Man](/source/Ultimate_Spider-Man_(TV_series))*, *[The Super Hero Squad Show](/source/The_Super_Hero_Squad_Show)* and *[The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes](/source/The_Avengers%3A_Earth's_Mightiest_Heroes)*. The character appears in several video games, including the *[Marvel: Ultimate Alliance](/source/Marvel%3A_Ultimate_Alliance)* series, *[Marvel Heroes](/source/Marvel_Heroes_(video_game))*, and *[Lego Marvel's Avengers](/source/Lego_Marvel's_Avengers)*.[122]

[Quentin Tarantino](/source/Quentin_Tarantino) considered making a film about Luke Cage in the early 1990s, hoping to cast [Laurence Fishburne](/source/Laurence_Fishburne) in the starring role, but he lost interest in the idea after his friends insisted that this was poor casting and he should instead choose [Wesley Snipes](/source/Wesley_Snipes).[123] Producer [Edward R. Pressman](/source/Edward_R._Pressman) worked with Stan Lee on a possible Luke Cage film in 1995 starring Fishburne as the titular character. It would have been written by [John Singleton](/source/John_Singleton) and [Joseph Dougherty](/source/Joseph_Dougherty), adapting the original series and the 1992 *Cage* miniseries and pitting Cage against the villain [Moses Magnum](/source/Moses_Magnum).[124] Another possible Luke Cage film was optioned by [Columbia Pictures](/source/Columbia_Pictures) in 2003 with [Ben Ramsey](/source/Ben_Ramsey_(filmmaker)) writing and [John Singleton](/source/John_Singleton) directing. Singleton considered [Tyrese Gibson](/source/Tyrese_Gibson) for the role of Luke Cage and [Terrence Howard](/source/Terrence_Howard) as Diamondback.[125]

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1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Erdmann_2025_62-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Erdmann_2025_62-1) Erdmann, Kevin (2025-01-19). ["Daredevil Ushered Kingpin Into Office, But His Successors Were Even More Surprising"](https://screenrant.com/why-kingpin-mayor-new-york-daredevil-lore-explainer/). *ScreenRant*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Brooke_2024_63-0)** Brooke, David (2024-05-22). ["Luke Cage: Gang War TPB review"](https://aiptcomics.com/2024/05/22/luke-cage-gang-war-tpb-review/). *AIPT*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016191_64-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016191_64-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016191_64-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016191_64-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016191_64-4) [Fawaz 2016](#CITEREFFawaz2016), p. 191.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-6) [***h***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201967_65-7) [Fentiman 2019](#CITEREFFentiman2019), p. 67.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201155_66-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201155_66-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201155_66-2) [Nama 2011](#CITEREFNama2011), p. 55.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBealer2017166_67-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBealer2017166_67-1) [Bealer 2017](#CITEREFBealer2017), p. 166.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFriedenthal202142_68-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFriedenthal202142_68-1) [Friedenthal 2021](#CITEREFFriedenthal2021), p. 42.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-69)** ["Picks From the Wizard's Hat"](https://archive.org/details/wizard-magazine-006/page/69/). *[Wizard](/source/Wizard_(magazine))*. No. 6. 1992. p. 69.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201935_70-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman201935_70-1) [Fentiman 2019](#CITEREFFentiman2019), p. 35.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202156_71-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), p. 56.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202159_72-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), p. 59.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBealer2017172–173_73-0)** [Bealer 2017](#CITEREFBealer2017), pp. 172–173.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018154–155_74-0)** [Davis 2018](#CITEREFDavis2018), pp. 154–155.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018155_75-0)** [Davis 2018](#CITEREFDavis2018), p. 155.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018157_76-0)** [Davis 2018](#CITEREFDavis2018), p. 157.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMcCauslandSalgado2023129_77-0)** [McCausland & Salgado 2023](#CITEREFMcCauslandSalgado2023), p. 129.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEMcCauslandSalgado2023130_78-0)** [McCausland & Salgado 2023](#CITEREFMcCauslandSalgado2023), p. 130.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen201911_79-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen201911_79-1) [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), p. 11.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016192_80-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016192_80-1) [Fawaz 2016](#CITEREFFawaz2016), p. 192.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBukac201971_81-0)** [Bukac 2019](#CITEREFBukac2019), p. 71.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201153_82-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201153_82-1) [Nama 2011](#CITEREFNama2011), p. 53.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202113_83-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), p. 13.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202150–51_84-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), pp. 50–51.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202157–58_85-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), pp. 57–58.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018153_86-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018153_86-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEDavis2018153_86-2) [Davis 2018](#CITEREFDavis2018), p. 153.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201156–58_87-0)** [Nama 2011](#CITEREFNama2011), pp. 56–58.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBorenstein2023182_88-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBorenstein2023182_88-1) [Borenstein 2023](#CITEREFBorenstein2023), p. 182.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20196_89-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20196_89-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20196_89-2) [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), p. 6.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBukac201974_90-0)** [Bukac 2019](#CITEREFBukac2019), p. 74.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20199,_11_91-0)** [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), pp. 9, 11.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201166_92-0)** [Nama 2011](#CITEREFNama2011), p. 66.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBealer2017166–167_93-0)** [Bealer 2017](#CITEREFBealer2017), pp. 166–167.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBukac201972_94-0)** [Bukac 2019](#CITEREFBukac2019), p. 72.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20195_95-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20195_95-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20195_95-2) [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), p. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016193_96-0)** [Fawaz 2016](#CITEREFFawaz2016), p. 193.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFawaz2016127–128_97-0)** [Fawaz 2016](#CITEREFFawaz2016), pp. 127–128.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20194_98-0)** [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), p. 4.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECallahan20103_99-0)** [Callahan 2010](#CITEREFCallahan2010), p. 3.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202147,_53–54_100-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), pp. 47, 53–54.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202153–55_101-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), pp. 53–55.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEFentiman2019107_102-0)** [Fentiman 2019](#CITEREFFentiman2019), p. 107.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBealer2017173–174_103-0)** [Bealer 2017](#CITEREFBealer2017), pp. 173–174.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen20194–5_104-0)** [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), pp. 4–5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEHagen201911–15_105-0)** [Hagen 2019](#CITEREFHagen2019), pp. 11–15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTENama201158_106-0)** [Nama 2011](#CITEREFNama2011), p. 58.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEGual_BoronatMillanes_Vaquero2023138_107-0)** [Gual Boronat & Millanes Vaquero 2023](#CITEREFGual_BoronatMillanes_Vaquero2023), p. 138.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECallahan20105_108-0)** [Callahan 2010](#CITEREFCallahan2010), p. 5.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTECallahan20105–7_109-0)** [Callahan 2010](#CITEREFCallahan2010), pp. 5–7.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEEury20057–8_110-0)** [Eury 2005](#CITEREFEury2005), pp. 7–8.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEBrown202151_111-0)** [Brown 2021](#CITEREFBrown2021), p. 51.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTELackaffSales201368_112-0)** [Lackaff & Sales 2013](#CITEREFLackaffSales2013), p. 68.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Byrne_2016_113-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Byrne_2016_113-1) Byrne, Craig (2016-09-03). ["Best Luke Cage Comics to Read Before the Netflix Series"](https://collider.com/best-luke-cage-comics/). *Collider*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Lealos_2021_114-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Lealos_2021_114-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-Lealos_2021_114-2) Lealos, Shawn S. (2021-10-31). ["The 10 Best Luke Cage Stories From The Comic Books"](https://screenrant.com/luke-carge-best-marvel-comics-stories/). *ScreenRant*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Cronin_2011_115-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Cronin_2011_115-1) Cronin, Brian (2011-11-14). ["The Greatest Luke Cage Stories Ever Told!"](https://www.cbr.com/the-greatest-luke-cage-stories-ever-told/). *CBR*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Schedeen_2016_116-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Schedeen_2016_116-1) Schedeen, Jesse (2016-10-05). ["5 Luke Cage Comic Books You Should Read"](https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/10/05/5-luke-cage-comic-books-you-should-read). *IGN*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEEury20057_117-0)** [Eury 2005](#CITEREFEury2005), p. 7.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-118)** ["Wizard's top 200 characters. External link consists of a forum site summing up the top 200 characters of Wizard Magazine since the real site that contains the list is broken"](https://web.archive.org/web/20110608020121/http://herochat.com/forum/index.php?topic=170859.0). *[Wizard magazine](/source/Wizard_(magazine))*. Archived from [the original](http://herochat.com/forum/index.php?topic=170859.0) on June 8, 2011. Retrieved May 7, 2011.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-119)** Bricken, Rob (February 26, 2015). ["Every Member Of The Avengers, Ranked"](https://gizmodo.com/every-member-of-the-avengers-ranked-1688282767). *Gizmodo*. Retrieved February 4, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-120)** Franich, Darren (April 29, 2015). ["Let's rank every Avenger ever"](https://ew.com/article/2015/04/29/lets-rank-every-avenger-ever/). *Entertainment Weekly*. Retrieved February 4, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-121)** Bonomolo, Cameron (2024-05-21). ["Marvel's Luke Cage Star Mike Colter Reveals What It Would Take to Return to MCU"](https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/marvel-luke-cage-mike-colter-mcu-return-evil-season-4-exclusive/). *ComicBook.com*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-122)** ["DAREDEVIL: BORN AGAIN Answered a Major DEFENDERS Question"](https://nerdist.com/article/daredevil-born-again-season-2-finale-defenders-luke-cage-jessica-jones/). *Nerdist*. 2026-05-05. Retrieved 2026-05-08.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-123)** ["Luke Cage"](https://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Marvel-Universe/Luke-Cage/). *Behind the Voice Actors*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-124)** Crow, David (2020-03-31). ["Quentin Tarantino Talks About the Luke Cage Movie He Almost Made"](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/quentin-tarantino-talks-luke-cage-movie-he-almost-made/). *Den of Geek*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-125)** Peters, Jenny (1995). ["Pressman Cranks Out Comics Films"](https://archive.org/details/wizard-magazine--052/page/n92/). *[Wizard](/source/Wizard_(magazine))*. No. 52. p. 89.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-126)** Cronin, Brian (2016-10-05). ["Movie Legends: Did Idris Elba Almost Star in a Luke Cage Movie?"](https://www.cbr.com/movie-legends-did-idris-elba-almost-star-in-a-luke-cage-movie/). *CBR*.

## Notes

1. **[^](#cite_ref-mutate_1-0)** In Marvel comics, the term "mutate" is used as a noun to designate characters that received superpowers from an external source, as opposed to Marvel's [mutants](/source/Mutant_(Marvel_Comics)).

- Bealer, Tracy L. (2017). [""The Man Called Lucas": Luke Cage, Mass Incarceration, and the Stigma of Black Criminality"](https://muse.jhu.edu/article/668113). *Inks: The Journal of the Comics Studies Society*. **1** (2): 165–185. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.1353/ink.2017.0012](https://doi.org/10.1353%2Fink.2017.0012). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [2473-5205](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/2473-5205).

- Borenstein, Eliot (2023). *Marvel Comics in the 1970s: The World inside Your Head*. [Cornell University Press](/source/Cornell_University_Press). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-5017-6783-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-5017-6783-8).

- Brown, Jeffrey A. (2021). [*Panthers, Hulks and Ironhearts: Marvel, Diversity and the 21st Century Superhero*](https://archive.org/details/panthershulksiro0000brow/). Rutgers University Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-9788-0921-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-9788-0921-5).

- Bukac, Zlatko (2019). ["Hypermasculinity and Infantilization of Black Superheroes: Analysis of Luke Cage and Rage Origin Stories"](https://www.reci.rs/index.php/Reci/article/view/6). *Reči*. **11** (12): 69–81. [doi](/source/Doi_(identifier)):[10.5937/reci1912069B](https://doi.org/10.5937%2Freci1912069B). [ISSN](/source/ISSN_(identifier)) [1821-0686](https://search.worldcat.org/issn/1821-0686).

- Callahan, Timothy (2010). "Power Man and Iron Fist". *[Back Issue!](/source/Back_Issue!)*. No. 45. [TwoMorrows Publishing](/source/TwoMorrows_Publishing). pp. 3–12.

- Culver, Dennis (2018). *Black Panther: The Illustrated History of a King*. Insight Comics. ISBN 978-1-68383-185-3.

- Davis, Blair (2018). "From the Streets to the Swamp: Luke Cage, Man-Thing, and the 1970s Class Issues of Marvel Comics". In DiPaolo, Marc (ed.). [*Working-Class Comic Book Heroes: Class Conflict and Populist Politics in Comics*](https://academic.oup.com/mississippi-scholarship-online/book/31094). University Press of Mississippi. pp. 149–168. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4968-1667-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4968-1667-2).

- Eury, Michael (2005). "African–American Heroes: A History of Blacks in American Comic Books". *[Back Issue!](/source/Back_Issue!)*. No. 8. [TwoMorrows Publishing](/source/TwoMorrows_Publishing). pp. 2–13.

- Fawaz, Ramzi (2016). *The New Mutants: Superheroes and the Radical Imagination of American Comics*. NYU Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4798-1433-6](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4798-1433-6).

- Fentiman, David (2019). [*Marvel Encyclopedia*](https://archive.org/details/marvel-comics-encyclopedia-new-edition) (New ed.). [DK](/source/DK_(publisher)). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4654-7890-0](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4654-7890-0).

- Friedenthal, Andrew J. (2021). *The World of Marvel Comics*. [Routledge](/source/Routledge). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-000-43111-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-000-43111-7).

- Hagen, Dan (2019). "Luke Cage, Hero for Hire". *[Back Issue!](/source/Back_Issue!)*. No. 114. [TwoMorrows Publishing](/source/TwoMorrows_Publishing). pp. 3–15.

- [Howe, Sean](/source/Sean_Howe) (2012). [*Marvel Comics: The Untold Story*](https://archive.org/details/marvelcomicsunto0000howe). [HarperCollins](/source/HarperCollins). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-06-221811-7](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-06-221811-7).

- Lackaff, Derek; Sales, Michael (2013). "Black Comics and Social Media Economics". In Howard, Sheena C.; Jackson, Ronald L. (eds.). *Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation*. A&C Black. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4411-3528-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4411-3528-5).

- Nama, Adilifu (2011). *Super Black: American Pop Culture and Black Superheroes*. University of Texas Press. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-0-292-74252-9](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-0-292-74252-9).

- Porras Sánchez, María; Vilches Fuentes, Gerardo, eds. (2023). *Precarious Youth in Contemporary Graphic Narratives: Young Lives in Crisis*. Routledge. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-032-12359-2](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-032-12359-2). - Gual Boronat, Óscar; Millanes Vaquero, Mario. "What Happens to a Dream Deferred: Super Villains of African Descent in Classic Marvel Era". In [Porras Sánchez & Vilches Fuentes (2023)](#CITEREFPorras_SánchezVilches_Fuentes2023). - McCausland, Elisa; Salgado, Diego. "Super-Precariat: Socioeconomic Fictions and Realities of Superhero Comic Books". In [Porras Sánchez & Vilches Fuentes (2023)](#CITEREFPorras_SánchezVilches_Fuentes2023), pp. 125–136.

- Ridout, Cefn, ed. (2017) [2008]. [*Marvel Year By Year: A Visual History Updated and Expanded*](https://archive.org/details/bwb_P8-BHE-921/). [DK](/source/DK_(publisher)). [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [978-1-4654-5550-5](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/978-1-4654-5550-5).

## External links

- [Luke Cage](https://www.marvel.com/characters/luke-cage/in-comics) at *[Marvel.com](/source/Marvel.com)*

- [Luke Cage (House of M)](https://www.marvel.com/characters/luke-cage-house-of-m) at *[Marvel.com](/source/Marvel.com)*

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Jonah Jameson The Amazing Spider-Man film series Peter Parker Gwen Stacy Marvel Cinematic Universe Peter Parker MJ Sony's Spider-Man Universe Eddie Brock and Venom Spider-Verse film series Gwen Stacy Other Takuya Yamashiro Firestar Gentleman Spider-Man: The Animated Series characters Abraham Whistler The Spectacular Spider-Man characters Other topics Symbiotes Slingers Category Teams v t e Avengers characters Founding members Ant-Man (Hank Pym) Hulk Iron Man Thor Wasp (Janet van Dyne) Recurring members 3-D Man Agent Venom Ant-Man Scott Lang Eric O'Grady Ares Beta Ray Bill Black Cat Black Knight Black Panther Black Widow Blade Blue Marvel Brother Voodoo Captain America Captain Britain Captain Marvel Mar-Vell Carol Danvers Crystal Daredevil Deadpool Doctor Druid Doctor Strange Echo Eternals Gilgamesh Sersi Falcon Fantastic Four Mister Fantastic Invisible Woman Human Torch Thing Firebird Firestar Ghost Rider (Robbie Reyes) Hawkeye Clint Barton Kate Bishop Hellcat Hercules Human Torch Iron Fist Jack of Hearts Jessica Jones Jocasta Justice Kaluu Lionheart Luke Cage Manifold Mantis Mockingbird Moondragon Moon Knight Ms. Marvel Namor Namora Nebula Nova Richard Rider Sam Alexander Photon Protector Quake Quasar Quicksilver Red Hulk Scarlet Witch Sentry Shang-Chi She-Hulk Spider-Man Peter Parker Miles Morales Spider-Woman Jessica Drew Julia Carpenter Starfox Stingray Swordsman Thor (Jane Foster) Thunderstrike Tigra U.S. Agent Valkyrie Vision War Machine Wasp (Nadia van Dyne) White Tiger Winter Soldier Wonder Man X-Men Beast Cable Cannonball Rogue Storm Sunspot Wolverine Other characters Supporting characters Agent 13 Asgardians Balder the Brave Eitri Frigga Heimdall Sif Odin Warriors Three Fandral Hogun Volstagg Aunt May Ben Urich Beta Ray Bill Betty Ross Daily Bugle Betty Brant J. Jonah Jameson Doc Samson Dora Milaje Nakia Okoye Edwin Jarvis Erik Selvig Guardsman Happy Hogan H.E.R.B.I.E. John Jameson Marrina Smallwood Mary Jane Watson Pepper Potts Rick Jones Shuri Wong Allies Alpha Flight Annihilators Champions Citizen V Defenders Eternals Ajak Druig Ikaris Kingo Sunen Makkari Phastos Sprite Thena Guardians of the Galaxy Drax the Destroyer Gamora Groot Mantis Nebula Rocket Raccoon Star-Lord Imperial Guard Inhumans Black Bolt Gorgon Karnak Lockjaw Medusa Triton Justice League Ka-Zar Midnight Sons Elsa Bloodstone Morbius Werewolf by Night New Warriors Red Raven S.H.I.E.L.D. Maria Hill Nick Fury Phil Coulson Silver Surfer Time Variance Authority Thunderbolts Atlas Fixer Ghost Moonstone Songbird Uatu the Watcher Ultraforce Prime The Whizzer Robert Frank The Witness X-Men Angel Banshee Colossus Cyclops Gambit Iceman Jean Grey Jubilee Kitty Pryde Nightcrawler Professor X Neutral allies Elektra Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) Henry Peter Gyrich Punisher Ronin Sandman Squadron Supreme Hyperion Thunderbolt Ross Venom Yelena Belova Enemies Central rogues Baron Zemo Heinrich Zemo Helmut Zemo Beyonder Collector Count Nefaria Doctor Doom Dormammu Galactus Grandmaster Graviton Green Goblin Norman Osborn Grim Reaper High Evolutionary Kang the Conqueror Knull Korvac Loki Magneto Mephisto MODOK Onslaught Red Skull Ronan the Accuser Taskmaster Thanos Ultron Other supervillains Annihilus Ares Arkon Arnim Zola Attuma Baron Strucker Blood Brothers Carnage Crossbones Diablo Doctor Octopus Dracula Egghead Ego the Living Planet Enchantress Grey Gargoyle Griffin Hood Klaw Leader Living Laser Mandarin Master Pandemonium Maximus Mentallo Morgan le Fay Radioactive Man Space Phantom Super-Adaptoid Super-Skrull Whirlwind Organizations A.I.M. Brotherhood of Mutants Celestials Chitauri Dark Avengers Frightful Four Grapplers The Hand Hydra Kree Legion of the Unliving Lethal Legion Maggia Masters of Evil Mindless Ones Salem's Seven Secret Empire Serpent Society Sinister Six Skrulls Sons of the Serpent Squadron Sinister Symbiotes U-Foes Wrecking Crew Zodiac Alternative versions Alternate versions of the Avengers A-Force A-Next Agents of Atlas Avengers A.I. Avengers Academy Dark Avengers Force Works Great Lakes Avengers Mighty Avengers New Avengers Members Secret Avengers Ultimates Members Uncanny Avengers U.S.Avengers West Coast Avengers Members Young Avengers Marvel Cinematic Universe Bruce Banner Clint Barton Carol Danvers Nick Fury J.A.R.V.I.S. Scott Lang Wanda Maximoff Nebula Peter Parker James Rhodes Rocket Natasha Romanoff Steve Rogers Xu Shang-Chi Tony Stark Thor Vision Sam Wilson Ultimate Marvel Captain America Iron Man Thor Category v t e Defenders Roy Thomas Ross Andru Founding members Doctor Strange Hulk Namor Silver Surfer Recurring members Angel Ant-Man Ardina Atlas Beast Beyonder Black Cat Blazing Skull Blue Marvel Captain America Clea Strange Colossus Dagger Daimon Hellstrom Darkhawk Daredevil Deadpool Deathlok Devil-Slayer Doctor Druid Drax the Destroyer Gargoyle Ghost Rider Havok Hawkeye Hellcat Iceman Iron Fist Jessica Jones Loa Loki Luke Cage Lyra Moondragon Ms. America Namorita Nighthawk Nomad Northstar Nova Overmind Paladin Polaris Red Guardian (Tania Belinsky) Red Raven Red She-Hulk/Red Harpy Scarlet Witch She-Hulk Sleepwalker Spider-Man Spider-Woman Stingray Thunderstrike Tigra U.S. Agent Valkyrie War Machine Warlord Krang Wasp Wolverine Yellowjacket Other characters Black Knight Black Panther Ghost Rider Howard the Duck Mister Fantastic Punisher Thing Wonder Man Wong Enemies Main enemies Attuma Dormammu Dracula Eel Enchantress Gargantua Grandmaster Korvac Loki Lunatik Mephisto Nebulon Overmind Plantman Pluto Porcupine Professor Power Red Ghost Satannish Group enemies A.I.M. Brotherhood of Mutants Emissaries of Evil Egghead Rhino Solarr The Hand Headmen Chondu the Mystic Gorilla-Man Ruby Thursday Hydra Maggia Mutant Force Secret Empire Sons of the Serpent Squadron Sinister Wrecking Crew Bulldozer Piledriver Thunderball Wrecker Publications Fearless Defenders Other media The Defenders Daredevil Jessica Jones Defender Strange Related topics Marvel Feature v t e Heroes for Hire Ed Hannigan Lee Elias Original members Luke Cage Iron Fist Later members Ant-Man (Scott Lang) Black Cat Black Knight (Dane Whitman) Black Panther Black Widow (Natasha Romanova) Colleen Wing Elektra Falcon Ghost Rider (Johnny Blaze) Hercules Misty Knight Moon Knight Power Man (Victor Alvarez) Punisher Shang-Chi She-Hulk Spider-Man Supporting characters Avengers Brother Voodoo Daredevil Daughters of the Dragon Deadpool Iron Man Mister Fantastic Quicksilver Thunderbolts Wild Pack Enemies Absorbing Man Batroc the Leaper Black Mariah Black Talon Chemistro Comanche Constrictor Dire Wraith Electro Equinox Gorilla-Man Hammerhead Killer Shrike Living Monolith Maggia Malekith the Accursed Man-Ape Man Mountain Marko Master Khan Mole Man Nightshade Nitro Orka Puppet Master Purple Man Sabretooth Shades Shockwave Super-Adaptoid Super-Skrull U-Foes Unus the Untouchable Whiplash Whirlwind v t e New Avengers Brian Michael Bendis David Finch Founding members Luke Cage Captain America Iron Man Sentry Spider-Man Spider-Woman (Veranke) Wolverine Later members Bucky Barnes Black Widow Yelena Belova Natasha Romanova Carnage Eddie Brock Clea Strange Daredevil Doctor Strange Victoria Hand Iron Fist Jessica Jones Mockingbird Ms. Marvel Namor Ronin / Hawkeye Spider-Woman (Drew) Squirrel Girl Thing X-23 Enemies A.I.M. Collective Crimson Cowl Dark Avengers Decepticons Doctor Doom Hand Hood Hydra Madame Masque Norman Osborn Sauron Savage Land Mutates Skrulls Super-Skrull Thunderbolts U-Foes Wrecker Headquarters Stark Tower Sanctum Sanctorum Avengers Mansion S.H.I.E.L.D. Storylines Avengers Disassembled House of M Civil War Fallen Son: The Death of Captain America World War Hulk Avengers/Invaders Secret Invasion Dark Reign Siege Heroic Age Fear Itself Avengers vs. X-Men Infinity Related series Avengers Mighty Avengers Dark Avengers Avengers: The Initiative New Avengers: Illuminati New Avengers/Transformers Secret Avengers Secret War Young Avengers Related articles Victoria Hand S.H.I.E.L.D. Superhuman Registration Act Thunderbolts* v t e Thunderbolts Kurt Busiek Mark Bagley Initial members Atlas Citizen V (Helmut Zemo) Fixer Moonstone Songbird Notable leaders Bucky Barnes Green Goblin Norman Osborn Luke Cage Red Hulk Taskmaster U.S. Agent Hawkeye Citizen V (Valentina Allegra de Fontaine) Notable members Abomination Agent Venom Amazon Ant-Man Batroc the Leaper Blackheath Blizzard Bullseye Centurius Charcoal Crossbones Dark Avengers Ragnarok Skaar Trick Shot Deadpool Destroyer Doctor Octopus Elektra Gamesmaster Ghost Ghost Rider Grizzly Headsman Hyperion Juggernaut Man-Thing Mister Fear Mister Hyde Mister X Nighthawk Ogre Paladin Penance Persuasion Photon Power Man Punisher Radioactive Man Red Guardian Red Leader Rhino Satana Scourge Shocker Skein Smuggler Spectrum Speed Demon Swordsman Troll U.S. Agent Venom Mac Gargan White Widow Antagonists A.I.M. Arnim Zola Awesome Android Baron Strucker Blizzard Count Nefaria Doctor Doom Enforcers Grandmaster Graviton Justin Hammer Henry Peter Gyrich Hydra Hydro-Man Kingpin Knull Maggia Masters of Evil Plantman Purple Man Red Skull Scourge of the Underworld Skrulls Speed Demon Squadron Sinister Wrecking Crew Publications and storylines Thunderbolts Civil War Secret Invasion Dark Reign Siege Heroic Age Shadowland Fear Itself Infinity Devil's Reign In other media Thunderbolts* (2025) soundtrack Avengers: Doomsday (2026) v t e Weapon Plus Weapon X (members) Aurora Chamber Deadpool (Weapon-XI) Garrison Kane Kestrel Kimura Maverick / Agent Zero Marrow Mesmero Gwen Poole (Gwenlok / Weapon X-32) Sabretooth Sauron Silver Fox Gwen Stacy (Weapon X-31) Wild Child James "Logan" Howlett (Wolverine / Weapon X) Laura Kinney (Wolverine / Weapon X-23) Other weapons Isaiah Bradley Captain America Deathlok Fantomex Typhoid Mary Luke Cage Man-Thing Nuke Stepford Cuckoos Agent Venom Flash Thompson Staff Malcolm Colcord Abraham Cornelius Ajax Brent Jackson Madison Jeffries Nick Fury Emrys Killebrew Mister Sinister Romulus William Stryker Story arcs Weapon X Deadpool X-Men: Phoenix – Warsong All-New Wolverine Gwenpool Related articles Team X Weapon P.R.I.M.E. Weapon H John Steele v t e John Romita Sr. Marvel Comics Bullseye Femizons Firestar Gladiator Hammerhead Jack Monroe Jericho Drumm Jonas Harrow Luke Cage Kangaroo Kingpin Man Mountain Marko Mary Jane Watson Masked Marauder Nova (Richard Rider) Punisher Randy Robertson Rattler Rhino Richard Fisk Robbie Robertson Satana Shocker Tigra Torpedo Vanessa Fisk Vulture Western Kid Wolverine Related John Romita Jr. (son) v t e Roy Thomas Marvel Comics 3-D Man Arkon Banshee Barney Barton Baron Blood Black Knight Blue Eagle Bova Brain Drain Captain Ultra Carol Danvers Changeling Commander Kraken Conan Crusaders Daimon Hellstrom Defenders Destroyer Doc Samson Doctor Nemesis Doctor Spectrum Donald & Deborah Ritter Dreadnought Garokk Glob Golem Grandmaster Grim Reaper Harold Meachum Hyperion Invaders Iron Cross Iron Fist Lemuel Dorcas Lethal Legion Luke Cage Jarella Jim Wilson John Jameson Killraven Lady Liberators Lani Ubanu Lei Kung Living Lightning Llyra Man-Ape Man-Thing Master Man Master Menace Missing Link Morbius Nighthawk Nova Nuklo Ogre Orka Phantom Rider Psyklop Quasar Red Guardian Red Wolf Red Sonja Satana Satannish Sauron Savage Land Mutates Scarlet Scarab Shou-Lao Speed Demon Spitfire Squadron Sinister Squadron Supreme Starr the Slayer Stingray Sunfire Texas Twister Thunderbolt Thundra Tiger Shark Tigra Turk Barrett Typhon U-Man Ultron Umar Union Jack Valkyrie Vision Warrior Woman Werewolf by Night Wolverine Yellowjacket Yu-Ti Zarathos Zodiac Aries Gemini Leo Libra Pisces Sagittarius Taurus Virgo DC Comics All-Star Squadron Amazing-Man Arak Atari Force Atom Smasher Axis Amerika Brainwave Captain Carrot and His Amazing Zoo Crew! Cyclotron Deathbolt Doctor Mid-Nite Firebrand (Danette Reilly) Fury Hazard Icicle Infinity, Inc. Iron Munro Jade Mekanique Mister Bones Northwind Obsidian Snowman Squire Tigress Wildcat Young All-Stars

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Luke Cage](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Cage) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luke_Cage?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.