Getting Ready for Netflix’s Luke Cage – the bullet points
It seems like the whole world is ready to binge-watch Netflix’s new series, Luke Cage. Part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Luke Cage continues the tales of Marvel’s “street level” characters. The characters of Luke Cage, Jessica Jones, Daredevil, Iron Fist and even the Punisher are long-viewed as “street level” characters by Marvel in both the comic books and the cinematic universe. Within the backstory, this means that street-level characters typically protect their local neighborhood, can blend in with the “average” folks and don’t have abilities as powerful as most Avengers do. For writers, this street-level concept can often lead to gritty, personal storylines that often stand apart from the broader, epic stories.
Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios and Netflix clearly realize this and tailor the Netflix series to echo the approach used in comics.
The results have been excellent. Daredevil and Jessica Jones are well-regarded and expectations are high for Luke Cage as well as the upcoming Iron Fist. All of the main characters of these Netflix series will comprise a group known as The Defenders, which is also scheduled to get a series. The Defenders began as a fairly successful comic book series from the 1970’s. Additionally, the approach of the Netflix series appeals to those viewers who often enjoy grittier action-dramas such as Justified or Sons of Anarchy.
As you get ready to binge-watch, here are a few bullet-points about Luke Cage that might help set the stage for a weekend of popcorn and Netflix.
Official Synopsis (link)
Luke Cage is a former gang member who is framed for a crime. In prison, he volunteers for a medical experiment that goes awry, giving him super strength and bulletproof skin. Using his newfound powers, Cage escapes and becomes a hero for hire. His archenemy is Willis Stryker, a former childhood friend from Harlem. The two committed petty crimes together, and both fell for the same woman, Reva Connors, which led to their eventual falling out. It was Stryker who framed Cage for a drug deal that sent him to prison.
What to expect and things to know:
- Kickoff is Friday, September 30th at 3:00am EST
- All episodes are named from titles of Gang Starr songs.
- An exceptional soundtrack.
- Hat-tips to classic Luke Cage characters, stories and images from the comic’s.
- Structural similarities to the HBO series, The Wire.
- Story elements and arcs that deal with a variety of modern issues.
- The Netflix series gives writing credits to original writer Archie Goodwin.
Who to look for:
- Alfre Woodard’s as Mariah Stokes – a take on Black Mariah from the comics.
- Misty Knight – a NYPD detective in this series, but also long-time paramour of Danny Rand aka Iron Fist.
- Cottonmouth Stokes – big bad guy of the series inspired in part by Biggie Smalls.
Who we hope to see:
- Colleen Wing, Daughter of the Dragon
- Dave “DW” Griffith – theater owner and a good friend of Luke’s in the comic’s.
- Jessica Jones!
Netflix Series List & Marvel Studios productions
- Daredevil (seasons 1&2 available)
- Jessica Jones (season 1 available)
- Luke Cage (premiered 9/30/16)
- Iron Fist (premieres 2017)
- The Defenders
- The Punisher
*In the comics, Luke Cage is often referred to as Power-Man. I don’t think that will be the case for this show, but they might weave it in somewhere!
Sweet Christmas! – catchphrase of Luke Cage
