*Possible spoilers ahead*
The world needs superheroes, now more than ever. The world, especially the United States, needs Luke Cage now more than ever. After all, he is a bullet-proof black man. This was written prior to the release of the show, however, it is still relevant. Considering how currently relevant Luke Cage, with what’s going on in this world.
He is a black man with a criminal past, who later learns from it: the typical redemption story. He stops his criminal ways because he realizes how badly he is hurting his family, so he gives it up. He is eventually framed and sent to prison where he gets tested on. The experiment goes wrong and he gets super strength and is bulletproof. He then does something a little strange for a hero in the Marvel universe: he fights mainly street criminals, and sells his super power services as a Hero For Hire, helping those who could afford him. He would be a member of other teams sporadically, ranging from the Defenders to the New Avengers.
Luke Cage is needed right now; the world needs a black man who is bullet-proof. One that can stand up to all of the injustices that black people have to face every single day. He is going to be our beacon of hope, he is going to be our Captain America, our Iron Man. Sure black people can love both of them, I know I do, but there is something about having a hero who looks like you. A hero who you can empathize with, because maybe you haven't gone through the exact same lifestyle, but there are things that are unique to be being black that no amount of love for Cap, and Tony can change. Luke Cage will just get you. He will speak to you without speaking directly to you.
Luke Cage can take every single bullet that has taken a black life way too early, no matter how many times they shoot him. He won't break. Hell, he won't even feel it. All the bullets will do is slow down his inevitable victory. He can't be stopped by gangsters, he can't be stopped by police. He can't be stopped. He is a walking one-man wrecking ball. Luke Cage is bullet-proof, he isn't afraid of the police looking at him wrong, and rightfully so; the rest of the black population isn't. The rest of the black population shouldn't have to be bullet-proof for us to feel safe around the police. We should be able to feel safe instead of on edge. Maybe Luke Cage will help. Maybe he will give a newfound sense of security, or maybe the next police shooting we see on TV, the officer will say, "I thought he was Luke Cage."
