Customer Reviews

Luke Cage Noir

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3 star:		(1)
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Marvel's "Power Man" is reborn in the Noir universe thanks to Mike Benson and Adam Glass, and brought to life by Shawn Martinbrough. Collecting Luke Cage Noir #1-4, the comic takes place in Prohibition-era Harlem, where Cage returns after 10 years in Riker's. While regarded as a living legend by his peers, Cage gets anything but a hero's welcome when he's hired to investigate the murders of both a white socialite and his former lover. Out of the other Marvel Noir comics I've read so far, I can honestly say I've enjoyed this one the most. Though alternate continuity comics like this usually garner unfair expectations and criticisms, this is a straight-forward, action-packed murder/mystery pulp story and a worthy entry in Cage's franchise. Included is a concept gallery by Martinbrough and a variant cover gallery by Dennis Calero.

This comic is unrated: Violence, Adult Language, Adult Situations.

I've never been a fan of noir (it can be a little too cliche'd) and am not steeped in the history of Luke Cage or the Marvel Universe. So I came into this graphic novel with a clean slate and without expectations.

I greatly enjoyed this graphic novel. The artwork is beautiful and captures beautifully in earthen tones of browns, beiges, and blacks, the world of 1920s Harlem. The refined art is matched by excellent storytelling and writing. The lingo of the era (Harlem - not just "noir") is nicely captured to further enhance the mood and feel. The main character can be introspective without being over the top pretentious like so many noir works. If anything, the Luke Cage of this story is a quiet and simple man and he thinks/acts/feels that way. It's a nice change from noir's prototypical anti hero - the 'down on his luck but intelligent sad sack" who spouts unbelievable dialogue and burps existential thoughts about 'dames' and life.

What I liked most about the story is that the author and artist were restrained in their depiction of late 1920s Harlem. Characters don't hang out at the Cotton Club, for example. They frequent the little local areas they know so well.

In all, I felt this was a wonderful book with artwork and story interesting and nuanced enough to be worth repeat reads.

Set in the early twentieth century, Luke "Power Man" Cage is released from prison to find out his girlfriend is in trouble and numerous enemies are out to get him. The story follows Cage as he reacquaints himself with the criminal underworld and fights his way to freedom.

Continuing their pulpy/noir series, transplanting popular characters to the Chandler-esque world of crime and vice, Marvel chose one too many characters for this series I think. Luke Cage is an alright character but isn't as interesting as Wolverine or the Punisher. His background and set of characters isn't as well known either. Maybe this is cynical but maybe he was chosen because he's a black character and Marvel don't have many of these? Also, it's easy to riff on the "blacks as second class citizens" theme seeing as this is the 20s/30s era.

Anyway, it's an ok book with a nicely written ending but there are other books in this series that are more fun to read like Deadpool or the Punisher. "Luke Cage Noir" is missable and just for the fans.