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Luke Cage
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Creation & Design

Luke Cage was created during the early 1970s as part of the Blaxploitation movement in comics, aiming to provide representation for African American characters.

Early Years

Initially introduced as a street-level hero, Luke Cage became known for his tough demeanor and unbreakable skin, often tackling issues of social justice and crime in Harlem.

Character Development

Over the years, Luke Cage has evolved from a blaxploitation character to a complex hero dealing with social issues, family, and personal growth, becoming a symbol of resilience and strength in the Marvel Universe.

Cultural Reception

Luke Cage has been well-received, particularly for his portrayal in the Netflix series, which highlighted issues of race and community.

Character Details

Real Name:
Carl Lucas
First Appearance:
Sub-Mariner #49
Aliases:
Power Man, Hero for Hire
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
The Defenders, Heroes for Hire, Avengers
Abilities:
Superhuman strength, Invulnerability, Regenerative healing
Weight:
209lbs
Height:
6' 1"
Eye Color:
brown
Hair Color:
black

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Sub-Mariner #49
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Sub-Mariner #49
 
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$9
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Key Facts

Teaser image of Luke Cage who first appeared in Hero For Hire, published one month after this issue

Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1
 
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$100
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$300
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$1k

Key Facts

1st appearance and origin of Luke Cage, the first black superhero to headline a title in mainstream comics

Luke Cage became invincible to harm through a Super Soldier program called Project Power aka Weapon VI

1st appearance of Diamondback, Comanche and Shades

Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #2
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #2
 
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Key Facts

2nd appearance of Luke Cage

Death of Diamondback

1st appearance of Claire Temple, a night nurse

Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #3
Marvel ⋅ 1972
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Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #3
 
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Key Facts

1st appearance of Gideon Mace

3rd appearance of Luke Cage

Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #9
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #9
 
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Key Facts

Classic story where Luke Cage storms Doctor Doom's castle to collect $200 that he is owed for tracking down some missing robots

Amazing Spider-Man #123
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Amazing Spider-Man #123
 
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Funeral of Gwen Stacy

Battle of Spider-Man vs Luke Cage

Luke Cage references DC: we ain't all rich playboys like Bruce Wayne

Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #14
Marvel ⋅ 1973
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Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #14
 
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$2
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$8
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Key Facts

Origin of Luke Cage retold

1st appearance of Big Ben Donovan, a lawyer and a criminal

Power Man #17
Marvel ⋅ 1974
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Power Man #17
 
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Key Facts

Luke Cage adopts the name Power Man

Power Man #48
Marvel ⋅ 1977
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Power Man #48
 
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Key Facts

First team-up of Power Man and Iron Fist

Power Man #49
Marvel ⋅ 1978
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Power Man #49
 
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Key Facts

Final issue titled 'Power Man' becomes 'Power Man and Iron Fist' in the next issue

Power Man and Iron Fist #50
Marvel ⋅ 1978
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Power Man and Iron Fist #50
 
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Retitled Power Man and Iron Fist

Daredevil #178
Marvel ⋅ 1982
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Daredevil #178
 
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$25

Key Facts

First meeting of Daredevil and the Heroes For Hire, Luke Cage and Iron Fist

Power Man and Iron Fist #84
Marvel ⋅ 1982
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Power Man and Iron Fist #84
 
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$35

Key Facts

2nd cover and fourth appearance of Sabretooth

Classic battle of Iron Fist and Luke Cage vs Constrictor and Sabretooth

Power Man and Iron Fist #125
Marvel ⋅ 1986
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Power Man and Iron Fist #125
 
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Final issue of Power Man and Iron Fist

Cage #3
Marvel ⋅ 1992
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Cage #3
 
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Key Facts

Origin of Luke Cage, partial in flashback

1st appearance of James Lucas, the father of Luke Cage

New Avengers Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 2006
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New Avengers Annual #1
 
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Key Facts

Marriage of Luke Cage and Jessica Jones, officiated by Stan Lee

Yelena Belova becomes Super-Adaptoid

Shadowland: Power Man #1
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2010
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Shadowland: Power Man #1
 
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Key Facts

Second printing cover art by Mike Perkins

New Avengers #20
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2012
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New Avengers #20
 
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Key Facts

Variant Venomized cover art by Guiseppe Camuncoli

Mighty Avengers #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2013
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Mighty Avengers #1
 
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Variant cover art by Greg Land

Cage #1
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016
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Cage #1
 
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Variant cover art by Damion Scott

'Run the Jewels' variant, inspired by the hip-hop duo, Run The Jewels

Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas #1
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017
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Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas #1
 
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Key Facts

Variant cover art by Scott Hepburn

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