You know, this one was pretty good.
My complaints are mostly general, but after reading the Black Panther wedding, I kind of found this refreshing.
Yeah.
So, this issue starts out in Harlem, where Luke Cage and Jessica Jones have an apartment. Keep in mind Peter Parker lives in the Avengers Tower. Luke Cage… lives in Harlem. Anyways, this turns out ot be a stroke of genius as the Gestapo Iron Man and Ms. Marvel show up to make sure they register. They assure they won’t be making Jessica go fight, now that she’s a mom, but Luke Cage has a responcibilty. I think Ms. Marvel says like, two things. Mostly it’s Iron Man with the award for the most unconvincing arguement. Because if Luke doesn’t register, SHIELD is going to come knocking on their door at midnight to turn them in as criminals.
Luke Cage makes a very good analogy to the civil rights issues of the 1950’s and Iron Man rebutts with, “Oh, come on!” Now, picture that in your most whiny, exasperated tone, coming through a robotic filter and you’ll see why I laughed for hours and hours. It’s an audio joke, so I’m not expecting a big ‘uh-huh’ on this one. Anyways, Luke Cage won’t give up his freedom but won’t give Iron Man and Ms. Marvel a heads up on his plan. Jessica, for the sake of her baby and the retardness of the situation, drives to Canada to escape persecution. She tries to get Luke to come with her, noting that ‘Canada needs superheroes too’ which is true since they all seemed to get flattened randomly a couple issues ago. Everyone thank Bendis, kids.
But no, Luke Cage is going to stand his ground and he gives a very heartfelt goodbye to his wife and kid. The neighborhood comes out to see and one kid asks what Luke Cage is going to do. He tells him he’s going to go home and not bother anyone, because that’s his right. Midnight comes, SHIELD shows up, fight ensues. Two kids tape the entire thing, which is kind of cool. What’s even cooler is that when SHIELD seems to have Cage on the ropes and before Cap and Friends show up, the neighborhood steps up for thier local hero and starts throwing things. It doesn’t stop SHIELD, but it gives them pause and makes me happy to see the everyman stand up for their heroes as the heroes stand up for them. It does my heart good and reminds me why I’m a Marvel fan.
Cap and Friends show up with some quips, get Luke Cage out of there and let drop the idea of ‘revolution’. Jessica sees this from Niagra on the news and gets a little hope.
And strangely enough, so do I.
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I totally dug the issue too. I really liked the “best-friends” exchange between Jessica and Carol as well.
Tony Stark is SUCH a d#ck.
He’s trying to convince Luke and Jessica to join him and he tells that not only are they going to be criminals “again” but that (I assume) Luke’s “sordid past” has been swept under the rug. Not exactly the best way in the world to sway people to your side. Especially someone who’s been fighting with you for over a year. Of all the characters involved in Civil War Tony Stark’s rep is going to take the biggest hit within the MU. Even Batman isn’t this much of a jerk.
Batman’s already reformed, leaving Tony the winner of the biggest dick sweepstakes. Also, I’m glad to hear that Luke is still living in the hood and keeping his “everyman” status - something Spidey’s seem to have forgotten about.
Have to say that NA #22 was badly flawed in that what could have been a great story on a Marvel African American hero completely erased another one. They show Gabriel Jones, outside Cage’s house as a white man!!