10 Shockingly Dark Origins Of Comic Book Heroes
9. Luke Cage
Carl Lucas was born and raised on the streets of Harlem, New York. Lucas ran wild with his friends Willis Stryker and Reva Connors, and continued that path until he realized that his actions were hurting his family. Carl and Willis split ways amicably, and Lucas got legitimate work.
Stryker was badly beaten by the Maggia family. Lucas saved him but Reva broke off her relationship with Willis and went to Carl for comfort. Stryker planted heroin in Lucas’ home and informed the police. Lucas was sent to prison and his brother intercepted all letters sent to his father, letting both men believe the other dead.
From there, the future Power Man was sent to Alabama’s Seagate Prison and immediately ran afoul of racist guard Albert “Billy Bob” Rackham. His cruel behavior toward Lucas got him demoted, and Carl was recruited by Dr. Noah Burstein in his experiment to recreate the Super-Soldier process. While in the machine, Rackham broke in and overloaded it, causing it to explode.
Carl Lucas survived and used the new powers he received to escape and head back to Harlem. Taking the name Luke Cage to hide his identity, the powerhouse offers his services as a “Hero for Hire” to anyone who can match his fee. Cage established a Times Square office, a costume, and began to fight the good fight.