Issue 103 - Luke Cage

Capes On the Couch - Where Comics Get Counseling

We wrap up Season 4 as we cover Power Man, LUKE CAGE! How can Doc help this man of the streets be a better man off the streets? Plus a fun pitch for a new comic book - listen now!

SHOW NOTES:

• Intro
• • Season finale - Clones will be pushed to January
  • Anthony’s livestream for Extra Life coming 11/28
• Background (4:14)

• • Luke Cage created by Archie Goodwin, Roy Thomas, George Tuska, and John Romita Sr. in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972)
  • Carl Lucas grew up in Harlem with his best friend Willis Stryker, but Carl left the gang lifestyle while Willis embraced it
  • After Willis’s girlfriend left him and sought Carl’s help, Willis framed Carl and sent him to prison, where he was beaten by a racist guard
  • He volunteered for an experimental procedure for cellular regeneration, but the guard tampered with it in an attempt to kill him - the procedure gave him unbreakable skin and super strength
  • He escaped prison, returned to Harlem, changed his name to Luke Cage, and sought to make a living as a hero for hire
  • Befriends Danny Rand, the Iron Fist, and the two partner up
  • Has a drunken one-night stand with Jessica Jones, but the two begin dating after she reveals she’s pregnant
  • During Civil War, he and Jessica work as part of the Secret Avengers underground - later takes the lead of the New Avengers team
  • Leaves the team to focus on taking care of Jessica and their daughter Danielle
  • Still assists heroes when Harlem or New York need saving
• Issues (12:10)
• • Focus on street level issues instead of world saving stuff occasionally puts him at odds with other heroes
  • Family man first & foremost - will not endanger his wife or daughter (22:36)
  • Man unaccustomed to talking about feelings
• Break (44:33)
• • Plugs for Grief Burrito, Perfect Package Podcast, and Erica Schultz
• Treatment (46:13)
• • In-universe - Use nodal connections and put him in different situations to help him expand his circle
  • Out of universe - Overcome stigma for Black men in therapy setting (51:09)
• Skit (62:03)
• Ending (68:19)
• • Recommended reading: Power Man & Iron Fist Epic Collection, New Avengers by Brian Michael Bendis
  • Thanks for love & support - see you in January!
  • Plugs for social

References:

• Jessica Jones episode - Anthony (05:54)
• Airplane - “I speak jive!” - Anthony (09:46)
• Click - Anthony (29:58)
• Bruce Lee - "Be water" - Anthony (41:56)

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