TGIF! Here we are again with another Fangirl Friday! I know I’m supposed to be on break, but I just had to write about this show…it would be criminal not to! This week I’m covering the Netflix original series that has me craving a hot cup of coffee! Yes, ladies and gents, I’m covering Marvel’s Luke Cage!!
If you all didn’t already know this, I’m a huge fan superhero films and comics. So when I saw that Netflix was teaming up with Marvel to bring another comic book hero to the small screen I was ready. But, when I saw that they were going to give the Blaxploitation era superhero, Luke Cage (aka. Power Man) his own series, let’s just say the premiere couldn’t come soon enough!
After the introduction of Black Panther in Captain America: Civil War, I was eager to see Marvel showcase some more sun kissed heroes… and in walks Luke Cage, bringing Sweet Christmas a little early this year! After years of seeing reports about innocent black men and women being gunned down in the streets, the irony of a bulletproof black man isn’t lost on me. But, I think that makes Luke Cage and everything he stands for even more relevant for this generation. With so many negative black images in the news, it’s a welcome treat to finally see something positive.
The character was first introduced in Marvel’s Jessica Jones as a love interest for the eponymous leading lady down in Hell’s Kitchen. This time around, Cage is using his righteous fists to clean up the streets of Harlem one crime boss at a time. But, he isn’t just a super powered vigilante, in a world where black characters are either tokens or comedic relief, Luke is a welcome surprise. He’s a thoughtful, intelligent man, with a lot of heart; he’s an every man’s hero and that makes him much more relatable than some of Marvel’s big name superheroes. Don’t get me started on how fine, Mike Colter is, *fans self* that man is gorgeous… I’d grab a coffee with that man any day of the week, and I don’t even like coffee!
This is a fantastic series with a fabulous cast and a story that is both socially conscious and captivating. Luke Cage is real, it’s fresh, and it’s gritty, and a lot of that can be attributed to the dynamic characters. But, I was especially impressed with the series’s portrayal of strong women of color! Misty Knight (played by Simone Missick), Clair Temple (played by Rosario Dawson), and Mariah Dillard (played by Alfre Woodard), are powerful and dynamic women, who managed to steal the spotlight away from leading man on occasion. But, each character brings something special to the narrative and I can’t wait to see more of them in future Marvel properties!
This is a new stage in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and a long time overdue if you ask me! Luke Cage will have you craving a hot cup of coffee… and I don’t mean the drink! I highly recommend giving this series a watch if you have the chance. It’s full of dynamic and positive black characters and it’s just a great addition to the Marvel Cinematic Universe!!
Have you seen Luke Cage? Do you think this will start a trend of more positive black images in the media? What other POC characters do you want to see more of? Do you have some show suggestions for future Fangirl Moment posts? Feel free to Comment on this post or Ask Me on my tumblr! As always Thank You for reading!!
I love Luke Cage. I can’t say it enough. This series is AMAZING.
As an enthusiastic Marvel fan myself, I was going to watch these shows no matter what, but I absolutely loved Daredevil, and Jessica Jones was fantastic as well. This partnership with Netflix had plenty of people doubtful in the beginning, but I have to say it’s been a thoroughly enjoyable ride. I’m enjoying them a lot more than the network shows they’ve done, like SHIELD and Agent Carter. Are you psyched up for Iron Fist?
On the topic of Luke Cage, his portrayal is certainly a statement. Some might see an intelligent and respectful black man as a conciliatory depiction of the model black citizen, echoing the criticism of Booker T Washington when he advocated emulation of ‘white’ practices to better his people. What I like about Cage though, is that he comes off as righteous and upstanding without having to sacrifice his sense of identity. His culture and the legacy of his people are something that he’s proud of, and he shows us the hypocrisy of people acting like jive turkeys in the name of racial pride.
I love watching the rest of these characters too, Cottonmouth especially is becoming one of my favorites. Whoever cast that guy struck gold. I’m purposely working through the series slowly (on ep 5 at the moment), so I’m more than eager to see where the rest of it goes.
I agree, the Marvel Netflix collaboration shows are doing much better than the network shows. I guess because they’re more in line with the Marvel ideals than the network shows.
I’m definitely excited for Iron Fist! I’m curious to see how they tie it in with Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. I’m especially curious to see whether or not they are going to follow through with the Misty Knight/ Iron Fist romance from the comics.
We definitely need more positive Black male images like this in the media. Luke Cage has always been such a socially conscious character and I’m glad that the current series holds true to that aspect from the comic series.
Ooh! Nice! I still have to watch Daredevil and Jessica Jones, and I heard they were great. I enjoy the Marvel Cinematic Universe (and Marvel in general), but I have yet to experience the Netflix shows. I really need to at some point though! From what you wrote, I think I’d enjoy Luke Cage too!
I never watched Daredevil, but I did watch a bit of Jessica Jones and it is awesome!! Yes, Luke Cage is an awesome show and I definitely recommend giving it a watch when you have the time!
This is why I need Netflix haha. I heard about this guy and he’s pretty awesome. A guy with incredible strength and bulletproof is pretty awesome. To be honest, I heard about him in video games like Marvel Ultimate Alliance and Spider-Man Web of Shadows. It’s nice seeing more superhero shows. I think he’s also in the kid show Ultimate Spider-Man but he’s called Power Man.
Yes Matt!! You definitely must get Netflix, there are so many awesome shows on there right now!!
Power Man is one of his aliases!
Hahaha this sounds like a colleague would say. She tells me to get Netflix so I can watch Daredevil and Jessica Jones. I want to see these shows badly!
I’ve only seen a bit of Jessica Jones, but from what I’ve seen the show is amazing!!
That’s what my friend said. She seen Daredevil and Jessica Jones but she thinks Jessica Jones is better.
I really hope they do more with Misty Knight’s character in the future. I loved Luke, Mariah, and Claire, but Misty was by far my favorite.
Yes!! Fingers crossed that they follow the comics a bit and integrate her into the upcoming iron Fist series!!