Although the concept of the multiversehas made the Marvel Cinematic Universe less approachable in recent years,it’s not the only reason that the saga has faltered in the years after the release ofAvengers: Endgame.With a majority of the stories in the MCU centered around interdimensional beings, gods, geniuses, and aliens from other galaxies, it has been harder for viewers to find characters that they can relate to. DC Comics may have been inspired by Greek mythology, butStan Lee’s Marvel characters were intended to reflect real life.One of the best depictions of grounded heroism in superhero television was the underrated Netflix seriesLuke Cage.
Luke Cagewas the third Marvel show developed for Netflix, following the breakthrough success ofDaredevil, which proved that the universe was capable of tackling gritty storytelling, andJessica Jones, which demonstrated that the universe could handle much more mature content. AlthoughMike Colterwas first introduced as Cage inJessica Jones, he had the opportunity in his own series to showcase how the character serves as a guardian and role model within his Harlem community.Luke Cageshowed the direct impact that a hero could have on the well-being of others, offering the type of intimate nobility that isoften left out of superhero movies.
‘Luke Cage’ Was an Untraditional Superhero Show
Luke Cagewas not a standard origin story, as the series took place after Luke had already acquired his powers of superhuman strength and durability. Although it is quickly established that Luke has become protective over many of his friends in Harlem, he is faced with a more challenging prospect when the powerful club owner Cornell Stokes (Mahershala Ali), also known as “Cottonmouth,” begins expanding his criminal activities, which could threaten to put innocent people in harm’s way. Whilethe police detective Misty Knight (Simone Missick)is tasked with bringing him to justice, she also becomes increasingly curious about Luke, who has tried his best to keep a low profile. Luke does inherently believe in doing the right thing, but he is also wary that his involvement in criminal activity could get him branded as a “vigilante.”
It’s rare to see a superherowith such a strong connection to the community he protects, as shown by Luke’s ability to build a support system in Harlem. As inspiring as it is to see Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) or Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) rescuing civilians from burning buildings during the events ofThe Avengers, it does not hold as much emotional power because they lack an intimate connection. Luke is a character who is empowered by his friendships, and the series examines why his affinity for those around him makes his fight more worthwhile. By showing the music, culture, and people of Harlem,Luke Cageoffered an understanding of what Luke was fighting for and why he was willing to acceptthe burden of being a hero.
Luke Cageexplored the complexities involved with having a publicly disclosed identity, as unlike Matt Murdock (Charlie Cox), Luke is not given the chance to live a second life. While at first he tries to remain anonymous to avoid placing anyone he cares about in danger, Luke realizes that the community needs to recognize that one of their own is there to protect them, and that he will not sell them short for the sake of theatrics.There’s a political subtext toLuke Cagethat is not present in other Marvel television shows, as the series openly dealt with police brutality, generational trauma, wealth inequality, and gerrymandering.
‘Daredevil: Born Again’ Quietly Addressed the MCU’s Blip in This Episode
Officer Powell’s experience with “the blip” shows that the status quo of the MCU is still in flux.
‘Luke Cage’ Showed a Complex Version of Heroism
Luke Cage’s small-scale approach to conflict was a brilliant creative move, as it showed that the process of maintaining peace was more complex than it had beenportrayed in other superhero stories. Luke’s responsibilities are more complex than simply taking down villains or exposing evil conspiracies; he also has to ensure that the city is capable of rebuilding itself, as it would be unlikely for it to receive outside support. Luke also recognizes that the power to restore justice in Harlem is not one that he should bear alone, as he gradually helps to raise other important figures, such as Misty. Luke understands that he will not always be there to save everyone, but that he might be able to have a long-term impact if he taught the city to save itself.
Colter’s performance is a major reason whyLuke Cageis so successful,as despite the tragic circumstances that have surrounded his life, he is often the most optimistic and altruistic member of the Defenders. Luke is the one member of the team that has nothing to fall back on; while Matt can still serve as a lawyer, Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) still works as a private investigator, and Danny Rand (Finn Jones)has a lot of wealth and privilege, Luke doesn’t feel that he can do anything else other than helping people. While this level of moral decency is hard to pull off in a way that does not feel glib or sentimental, Colter has such a naturalistic sense of charisma that the series retains its authenticity. Although he was limited in what he could do with his brief appearances inThe DefendersandJessica Jones,Colter still proved that he was the perfect casting choice to play such a beloved character.
Luke Cagewas cancelled before its time, as the series indicated that it could evolve into an even more dynamic show. While the first season struggled to retain its momentum after Cottonmouth was killed at too early a point, the second season found its footing once more when Luke is forced to take up a power position in the criminal underworld, blurring the line between hero and villain. Considering that Cox, Rytter, andJon Bernthalhave all beenwelcomed back into the MCU with open arms, it is about time that Colter gets the same treatment.
