Luke Cage is the mayor of New York, but crime is rampant and on the verge of a Gang War. Find out how far the mayor will go in Luke Cage: Gang War #1 by Marvel Comics!

LUKE CAGE: GANG WAR #1

Writer: Rodney Barnes
Artist: Ramon F. Bachs
Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Editor: Ellie Pyle
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Release Date: November 29th, 2023 

Previously in Luke Cage: After Wilson Fisk’s run as mayor, he passed the Anti-Vigilante Act. Luke Cage decided to run against Wilson Fisk and won the election. Now, he tries to save the city behind a desk while the city falls apart without street-level heroes helping with the crime problem.

Luke Cage: Gang War #1 starts with the title character giving a speech that he is hiring more police officers and starting another, leaner Thunderbolts program. But deep down, he knows that it isn’t enough. Luke goes to Harlem to meet Danny Rand when he notices a bank being robbed. Luke decides to intervene, but a police officer stops him because it is illegal. He leaves the scene, and the bad guys getaway. However, Luke notices one of the bullets is made with an adamantium alloy. Investigating this, he realizes that Alistaire Smythe is back.

Luke realizes that he must do something and requests a new costume with a mask. As he investigates Alistaire, he notices that the gang members are robots. He recruits a new team, with Cloak and Dagger as his first recruits.

When Luke Cage became mayor, I thought it was a fantastic idea. I thought he was going to be the exact opposite of Wilson Fisk. Luke was going to be a straight-edge guy who focused on the people. So the premise in Luke Cage: Gang War #1 that he decides to function under the law was disappointing. I would have liked to see him keep to the law or break the law due to an emergency rather than as something very deliberate. Despite that, I can’t help but be excited for this event. The idea of getting a street-level storyline with a team is exciting, and I can’t help but be happy that Luke Cage will be a significant player in the storyline. And as I read some of the other titles for this event, there will be a lot to look forward to.

The art is standard for current Marvel books, and I appreciated the dynamic poses of Luke Cage. To me, he must always seem like the most forbidding guy in the room, and he mimics that despite his softer, mayor approach in public. The new costume is excellent, though it is weird he has to wear a mask, and watching him use himself as a body shield is very cool. Great work by the creative team.

I like this event, and it hooks me right in. While I disagree with the character choice, I think this event has a lot of potential. I also hope to see more Iron Fist and Jessica Jones throughout this series. With that in mind, Luke Cage: Gang War #1 receives 4 out of 5 stars.

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Luke Cage: Gang War #1

80%

80%

Interesting Hook

Luke Cage: Gang War #1 hooks you right into the event with dynamic ideas and a political element.

• Writing

  8
• Art

  8
• Coloring

  8
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