Marvel's Luke Cage: 10 Ups And 2 Downs From Season 1

1. A Series With Something To Say

Luke Cage, the character, isn't just a superhero who happens to be black; he's very much a black superhero. Likewise, Luke Cage the series isn't just a superhero show, but a series with a much bigger purpose and message beyond that (although it does the superhero thing very well too).

The character is, as referenced numerous times throughout the show, a bulletproof black man, and the series tackles real world issues head on. It provides an examination of black culture, there are echoes of the Black Lives Matter movement, and it uses this as a means of pushing the show forward and making its story stronger. There's a disaffected community, mistrust and proportioning of blame, media outcry, corrupt politicians putting their spin on things, and it all comes together to feed into and be a part of the larger narrative.

There's some hugely powerful imagery in the series, such as the sight of a number of citizens all wearing hoodies with bullet-holes in them as a tribute to Cage, that makes it feel important while still being a natural part of the show and this world. Yes, it's a superhero show, but it's also an unapologetically black one, and all the better for it.