Unapologetically Black: Luke Cage

As a comic book lover, the thought never crossed my mind that someone would make an live action adaptation of Cage. As a black male of 35, seeing super-heros on the big screen is mind blowing, but seeing a black man in a leading role is an entirely different one. No, don’t give me that Samuel L. Jackson spill. He is not the sole leading character in the Avengers Samuel is more like a facilitator, a point guard if you will. 

Netflix’s rendering of Luke Cage, and its mostly black cast, is reaching an entirely new audience of blacks, whites, and un-comic book initiated people. However, this version of Luke Cage is not going without getting its share of haters. 

Why the hate you may wonder, easy, many “cannon” comic heads prefer to keep the originals pure. Kinda like people of faith making sure no one takes from or adds too the Bible. While refusing to allow changes to attract eyes to a wider audience, many “cannon” comic book lovers desire to keep this “subculture” all to themselves. 

 Let me just say, I do believe in keeping some comics centered in the “cannon” but inorder to open up this world to the masses, we,” comic heads” need to salute Netflix. 

This show is written better than anyother hero show on Netflix, and it has more political under tones than a Presidential debate. Not to mention, it is true to its setting, and true to the culture it is written to. 

There is no white savior to the rescue, and no one to come it seems. Each cast member becomes who they are written to be, and the evolution of each character is on time and without delay. Meaning you don’t have to wait to learn about how Luke Cage gets his powers or how the antagonist rises to power. 

So what’s the down side, with this show there is not much downside. I would have loved to learn how the villain gets his suit. I know who designed it, but what part did the villain play in getting the suit. But that’s neither here nor there, this show is well written, well edited, and well displayed on screen. The color tones are fitting, and the contrast with the characters and the settings work well. 

Over all, Netflix and Marvel have figured it out in a way DC is failing with Gotham. Luke Cage is real life, while Gotham is to cartoonish. However, that cartoonish look is working well with the audience over at the CW, fitting the demographic of the network.