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Luke Cage: Second Chances
Luke Cage: Second Chances, Vol. 1
Collects Cage (1992) #1-12, material from Marvel Comics Presents (1988) #82.
Power Man no more! Harlem’s favorite son is ripping up the silk shirt and getting back in the game as Luke Cage, Hero for Hire — and he’s working overtime! With Chicago as his new home, it’s no surprise Luke soon has his hands full with the Untouchables! And that puts him square in the Punisher’s sights. Bullets are one thing for a guy with steel-hard skin, but he’ll need a power upgrade before locking horns with the Rhino and butting heads with the Hulk! It’s far from a sweet Christmas when a new foe strikes — one with ties to one of his greatest enemies! With his family’s lives at stake, Luke sure is a friend in need. Good thing Iron Fist is his friend indeed!
Power Man no more! Harlem’s favorite son is ripping up the silk shirt and getting back in the game as Luke Cage, Hero for Hire — and he’s working overtime! With Chicago as his new home, it’s no surprise Luke soon has his hands full with the Untouchables! And that puts him square in the Punisher’s sights. Bullets are one thing for a guy with steel-hard skin, but he’ll need a power upgrade before locking horns with the Rhino and butting heads with the Hulk! It’s far from a sweet Christmas when a new foe strikes — one with ties to one of his greatest enemies! With his family’s lives at stake, Luke sure is a friend in need. Good thing Iron Fist is his friend indeed!
310 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2015
11 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Marcus McLaurin
50 booksMarcus McLaurin is an American comic-book writer and editor known for developing and editing the influential Marvel Comics series Marvels.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
February 13, 2018
This comic has many of the worst characteristics of '90s superheroes: overly wordy text; ugly art full of excessive lines and misshapen people; and dumb new villains with worse names, laughable costumes, and poorly defined powers. Worse, one of those dumb new villains is a recurring big bad throughout this volume: "Hardcore" with diamond tipped claws and throwing things. (A suggestion for Hardcore: just sell all the diamonds and retire!)
The Luke Cage in this book is also a revamp too many. He doesn't look or act much like either the Power Man that preceded him in the '70s and '80s or the Luke Cage that came after in the '00s and '10s. He's more angry, less charismatic, and less nuanced. Also, a bit more vulnerable than he should be.
With all that said, there are things to like in this book. There's some strong use of classic villains, particularly Nitro and Rhino. There's also some very nice attention to Cage's history, with a whole arc (and then some) focused on "The Power Man process". Finally, we get the long-awaited reunion with Iron Fist.
But the other elements make the book a bit of a trudge, so I'm not sure I need to read the second volume.
The Luke Cage in this book is also a revamp too many. He doesn't look or act much like either the Power Man that preceded him in the '70s and '80s or the Luke Cage that came after in the '00s and '10s. He's more angry, less charismatic, and less nuanced. Also, a bit more vulnerable than he should be.
With all that said, there are things to like in this book. There's some strong use of classic villains, particularly Nitro and Rhino. There's also some very nice attention to Cage's history, with a whole arc (and then some) focused on "The Power Man process". Finally, we get the long-awaited reunion with Iron Fist.
But the other elements make the book a bit of a trudge, so I'm not sure I need to read the second volume.
August 14, 2021
Did I read these comics or another with a similar name? I didn’t buy them but I may have borrowed them online, maybe… hrm. May just have to read them again…
June 21, 2016
I have had a weird love for Power Man stories from the '70s for about 20 years now, and love the way Luke Cage is handled in modern comics, but I have avoided this part of his story for quite a while. It is a significant departure and, judging by how little of it is retained today, must not have proven terribly popular. This was a long volume, encompassing 12 issues and some shorter material. Cage doesn't even look like the same person as he did before, nor does he act much like his previous self. I have read quite a lot of the Power Man and Iron Fist stories that take place before this one, and a lot of his character is missing. This is explained as his closing up from having been accused of his friend's murder, but it feels rather off the mark. The first few issues meander and don't seem to have a lot in common with each other until the story brings them all together later on. The main villain, Hardcore, in addition to having a terrible name, just doesn't make a great deal of sense as a credible threat. It brought in all new supporting cast, most of whom I haven't seen other places, and brought Iron Fist back in the last couple of issues. I have always appreciated the friendship these two have had for each other, and that part really rang false for me. There were also entirely too many times where Cage would not give a brief explanation of what was going on and instead spent several pages fighting someone and talking the whole time, when he could have easily explained things in a shorter amount of time. I get that he is hot-headed, but this same thing was used entirely too many times.
Of course, there were some good parts to this, as well as the parts I didn't enjoy. I liked that despite changing the character significantly, it tied back into a number of older stories I have read. The relationship between Cage and Troop was touching, but since I have never heard of him before, I have to wonder what will become of that (and figure it will be nothing good). This wasn't a total waste of time, but it was at times like reading a story about a generic black superhero in the '90s rather than a story about Luke Cage. Despite it being his return to a named book, this isn't the best example of what the character represents, so I wouldn't recommend reading it until you have read some more of his books.
Of course, there were some good parts to this, as well as the parts I didn't enjoy. I liked that despite changing the character significantly, it tied back into a number of older stories I have read. The relationship between Cage and Troop was touching, but since I have never heard of him before, I have to wonder what will become of that (and figure it will be nothing good). This wasn't a total waste of time, but it was at times like reading a story about a generic black superhero in the '90s rather than a story about Luke Cage. Despite it being his return to a named book, this isn't the best example of what the character represents, so I wouldn't recommend reading it until you have read some more of his books.
May 15, 2019
Liked the character design but the stories were meh and that dialogue ugh.
September 28, 2016
Not a bad 90s comic, though villain Hardcore's speech patterns (and costume; also, his name) are ridiculous. I love Dakota North, so it was nice to see her here. Penciller Dwayne Turner avoids many of the obnoxious 90s art pitfalls, but he's still obviously very 90s here.
April 11, 2018
Reprints Cage #1-2 and Marvel Comics Presents #82 (August 1991-March 1993). Luke Cage has been on the run after being accused of killing his former partner Iron Fist. Now cleared of the murder, Luke Cage is ditching his Power Man persona and returning to the Hero-for-Hire business…but the past might be through with him. When a villain named Hardcore targets Cage, Cage learns his past might be the reason…and a whole new batch of Power Men could be coming. Plus, an attempt to stop the Rhino puts Cage on a collision course with the Hulk!
Written by Marc McLaurin, Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 1 reprints the 1990s Marvel Comics series. The collection also contains a short story from Marvel Comics Presents #82 (August 1991) which serves as a lead in to the series.
The ’90s were pretty rough on comics. The ’80s taught comic book reader (and creators) that comics could have a real message and if the message reached mainstream, a comic could be critically acclaimed like Watchmen or The Dark Knight. The result seemed to be a bunch of unbalanced comics trying to be socially relevant with artists trying way too hard…Cage is one of those comics.
I remember the release of Cage and hoping that it would be good. I was a big fan of Power Man and Iron Fist which had a fun, light combo of action, classic super-hero comics, and fun characters. Cage took the fun (aka Iron Fist) and deleted it from the title. Cage and Iron Fist were a good balance with their totally different upbringings, abilities, and mindsets…they worked well together. Here, Cage must find his own way.
McLaurin never gets the balance down. The story is way too heavy handed but it is also unbalanced with lots of action sequences that aren’t always easy to follow. The original Luke Cage, Hero for Hire series was edgy and different. It followed the popular blaxploitation trend but used it in innovative ways by creating a relatively rounded character that went beyond stereotypes. Here it feels like there is an attempt to do the same but it misses the mark…and Cage comes off as lame (and that isn’t just a post-’90s view…I felt that way then too).
The art for the series is also quite poor. The ’90s featured the explosion of the artist and companies like Image permitted this. It often felt like artists at Marvel and DC were auditioning for Image at this point and Dwayne Turner just has a lot of square headed characters grimacing and gritting their teeth every page (seriously, just look at all their mouths throughout the collection).
Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 1 wasn’t a very good second chance. With twenty issues, I’m actually surprised that the series lasted as long as it did. The much hyped showdown with Iron Fist ends this collection, and it ends where I stopped reading in the initial run. I hope Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 2 is better, but I approach it with a wary eye.
Written by Marc McLaurin, Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 1 reprints the 1990s Marvel Comics series. The collection also contains a short story from Marvel Comics Presents #82 (August 1991) which serves as a lead in to the series.
The ’90s were pretty rough on comics. The ’80s taught comic book reader (and creators) that comics could have a real message and if the message reached mainstream, a comic could be critically acclaimed like Watchmen or The Dark Knight. The result seemed to be a bunch of unbalanced comics trying to be socially relevant with artists trying way too hard…Cage is one of those comics.
I remember the release of Cage and hoping that it would be good. I was a big fan of Power Man and Iron Fist which had a fun, light combo of action, classic super-hero comics, and fun characters. Cage took the fun (aka Iron Fist) and deleted it from the title. Cage and Iron Fist were a good balance with their totally different upbringings, abilities, and mindsets…they worked well together. Here, Cage must find his own way.
McLaurin never gets the balance down. The story is way too heavy handed but it is also unbalanced with lots of action sequences that aren’t always easy to follow. The original Luke Cage, Hero for Hire series was edgy and different. It followed the popular blaxploitation trend but used it in innovative ways by creating a relatively rounded character that went beyond stereotypes. Here it feels like there is an attempt to do the same but it misses the mark…and Cage comes off as lame (and that isn’t just a post-’90s view…I felt that way then too).
The art for the series is also quite poor. The ’90s featured the explosion of the artist and companies like Image permitted this. It often felt like artists at Marvel and DC were auditioning for Image at this point and Dwayne Turner just has a lot of square headed characters grimacing and gritting their teeth every page (seriously, just look at all their mouths throughout the collection).
Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 1 wasn’t a very good second chance. With twenty issues, I’m actually surprised that the series lasted as long as it did. The much hyped showdown with Iron Fist ends this collection, and it ends where I stopped reading in the initial run. I hope Luke Cage: Second Chances—Volume 2 is better, but I approach it with a wary eye.
February 22, 2018
Corny But Worth The Admission Fee
This 92-93 run of Luke Cafe was amazing to read. By comparison to newer books it seems as if writers were allowed far more in terms of text and script in order to develop their characters. The art Work combined with these scripts came together to make larger than life characters that resemble larger than life heroes of the neighborhood much like Like Cage is made out to be in this book. The problem with the character however comes with his rogues gallery and his stereotypical portrayal of what a black man in the 90's was. The best part of this book for me however was the end. Not because it ended but because the character himself speaks into the 4th wall and touches on his own history publication wise as well as its importance. This reminded me of the importance and value of black heroes and heroes of color in comics but also that it's been a uphill battle for them to get recognition and be given due value. That alone made the book worth it aside seeing someone that looks like me in physical form.
This 92-93 run of Luke Cafe was amazing to read. By comparison to newer books it seems as if writers were allowed far more in terms of text and script in order to develop their characters. The art Work combined with these scripts came together to make larger than life characters that resemble larger than life heroes of the neighborhood much like Like Cage is made out to be in this book. The problem with the character however comes with his rogues gallery and his stereotypical portrayal of what a black man in the 90's was. The best part of this book for me however was the end. Not because it ended but because the character himself speaks into the 4th wall and touches on his own history publication wise as well as its importance. This reminded me of the importance and value of black heroes and heroes of color in comics but also that it's been a uphill battle for them to get recognition and be given due value. That alone made the book worth it aside seeing someone that looks like me in physical form.
August 16, 2023
Once the comic stopped going "my name isn't Power Man that's stupid please call me CAGE" it started getting better. Tackling the "Power Man Process" at the heart of Cage's origin story, and touching on his relationship with his father, gave this series a bit more credit than maybe it was due. The art isn't as ridiculous as some of the 90s stuff I've read, but it's still definitely 90s. It brings in some other Marvel characters well, like some fun stuff with Rhino, so it isn't a complete departure from your standard superhero adventures.
I get the feeling this wanted to be a "The Longbow Hunters" styled reboot but it fell short on most accounts, managing to lose all the fun of Luke Cage's character while never really doing anything with it.
I get the feeling this wanted to be a "The Longbow Hunters" styled reboot but it fell short on most accounts, managing to lose all the fun of Luke Cage's character while never really doing anything with it.
May 7, 2019
Luke Cage is on his own and trying to run a business. He gets involved with a newspaper who are keen to have their own superhero. Only problem is Bushmaster has a plan, and it involves Luke Cage.
This takes a while to get going into an interesting story. This is an early Luke Cage so he acts slightly differently than the books Ive read before. The story with the scientist being forced to carry on the power experiments is engaging.
A good read.
This takes a while to get going into an interesting story. This is an early Luke Cage so he acts slightly differently than the books Ive read before. The story with the scientist being forced to carry on the power experiments is engaging.
A good read.
September 22, 2024
Gems include Cage v. Hardcore & Hammer, Punisher rams Cage & Tombstone w/ his Warwagon, Punisher tazes Nitro, Cage v. Thor Kid & Steele, Hardcore experiments on Cage, Cage keeps blinding Wonder Man, Cage v. Rhino, Cage v. Hulk on the El, Dakota hits Danny w/ the door, & Cage gives Danny the boot
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 2, 2018
This was a fun read and isn’t perfect, but I got what I expected from it.
July 1, 2019
This book collects the first twelve issue of Luke Cage's solo series from the 1990s plus an insert from Marvel Presents #82. This book starts off really bad in the first couple of issues, then has a decent enough two-parter featuring the Punisher, Nitro, and most interestingly kickback. Then we get the awful Evil and the Cure four-parter. The final third of the book is pretty good with a two part story featuring the Rhino and the Hulk, a Christmas tale, and then a double length 12th issue that includes the reunion with Danny Rand. From a writing perspective, the best thing about the book is the subtlety of the arc which allows most tales to be read in their own right, but in retrospect, fit into the larger story.
Why the book doesn't earn a higher rating from me comes down to the art. The art is horrible. It's an example of why 1990s comic art is loathed. An ugly book with a few good stories.
Why the book doesn't earn a higher rating from me comes down to the art. The art is horrible. It's an example of why 1990s comic art is loathed. An ugly book with a few good stories.
March 6, 2017
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this graphic novel. One issue is that it moved way too slowly. And while the story was interesting, the writing wasn't always great. If you know Cage from the Netflix show, you won't recognize him here. He almost comes off like Wolverine, barely able to control his rage. But...I want to know where the story goes. I feel myself invested nonetheless.
Even the style is interesting, as an early 90's book. There's a little bit of narrator still, but we can see it dying off in favor of character voiced captions instead. Interesting piece to study in that regards.
The art is wild. It's early 90s, Marvel just breaking out of a "house style," and the artist really plays with contortions and what can only be described as "90's EXTREME."
I'd really give this a 3.5, but since Goodreads doesn't allow half stars, I round up.
Even the style is interesting, as an early 90's book. There's a little bit of narrator still, but we can see it dying off in favor of character voiced captions instead. Interesting piece to study in that regards.
The art is wild. It's early 90s, Marvel just breaking out of a "house style," and the artist really plays with contortions and what can only be described as "90's EXTREME."
I'd really give this a 3.5, but since Goodreads doesn't allow half stars, I round up.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews