MARVEL COMICS – @Marvel
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
WRITER: Genndy Tartakovsky
PENCILS: Genndy Tartakovsky
INKS: Stephen DeStefano
COLORS: Scott Wills
LETTERS: VC's Clayton Cowles
COVER: Genndy Tartakovsky
VARIANT COVERS: Marco D'Alfonso; Damian Scott; Trevor Von Eeden
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2016)
Rated T+
Luck Cage created by Archie Goodwin and John Romita, Sr.
Luke Cage, also known as “Power Man,” is a Marvel Comics superhero. He was created by writer Archie Goodwin and artist John Romita, Sr., and first appeared in Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1 (cover dated: June 1972). Cage was imprisoned for a crime he did not commit, but he eventually gained superpowers in the form of durability, unbreakable skin, and superhuman strength.
As Power Man, Cage has been most associated with another superhero, his partner, Iron Fist (Daniel “Danny” Rand). However, Cage has also been a solo act (as has Iron Fist). As part Marvel Comics' latest publishing event/initiative, NOW!, we have the new four-issue comic book miniseries, Cage! It is written by Genndy Tartakovsky; drawn by Tartakovsky (pencils) and Stephen DeStefano (inks); colored by Scott Wills; and lettered by Clayton Cowles.
And yes, this is that Genndy Tartakovsky. The creator of Cartoon Network animated classics, “Dexter's Laboratory” (also “Dexter's Lab”) and “Samurai Jack,” has worked in comic books on occasion. [Let's not forget the hit 3D animation franchise Tartakovsky created for Sony Pictures Animation, Hotel Transylvania.] Now, Tartakovsky returns with his distinctive take on Luke Cage-Power Man, giving this new comic book a 1970s pop culture and blaxploitation vibe.
Cage #1 opens in New York City, 1977. After kicking some silly villain ass, Cage heads to Chinatown for a rendezvous with his lady, Misty Knight. When she doesn't show, Cage heads out to find some answers. What he discovers is that all the heroes around town are disappearing.
I don't take Cage #1 seriously in terms of Marvel continuity (as it is an event or “special” series), but I take it quite seriously in terms of being a fun read. I won't call Cage! a parody, which to some measure it is. It may spoof or send-up Marvel's 1970s comics and the blaxploitation films of that decade, but I think that Cage! is probably a love letter to a genre or style of storytelling.
One of the recurring characters on “Dexter's Laboratory” is “Action Hank.” He is the stereotypical blaxploitation character as a heroic crime fighter and a television action hero, but Hank has characteristics that borrow from popular 1970s and 80s action heroes like Shaft and Rambo and iconic actors like Chuck Norris and Mr. T. Genndy's Luke Cage reminds me of Action Hank.
In the end, Cage! is probably Tartakovsky's opportunity to do a comic book in particular way that he has wanted to do for a long time (probably since he was a youngster), without having to commit long term and interfering with his film and television work. The questions is how many readers will care – not who cares. It is obvious that quite a few readers will care for various reasons, from their love of Luke Cage to their admiration of Genndy Tartakovsky. Will enough, however, care, which would make this entire miniseries a big hit? I hope many of you do care about Cage!
A-
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2016 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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