Saw this article and decided to put it up here in TV instead of the HC thread. (may be moved)
Marvel Comics and ABC are working on a show based on the "Alias" comic book series, which would bring the characters of Jessica Jones and Luke Cage to the small screen. The show, which is currently entitled "AKA Jessica Jones," causes for a bit of a conundrum for the comic book company. How can they bring Cage to the small screen without distancing themselves from the various types of his fans?
The Character
The storyline of Carl Lukas is an interesting one. He is sent to prison for a crime which he did not commit. As a condition of his release, he is supposed to act as a guinea pig for a serum that is supposed to generate immunity to every type of disease. Instead, it gives him skin that is nearly impervious and increases the density of his muscles granting him super strength. He escapes and changes his name to Luke Cage and begins working as a private investigator and hired heavy.
Hero for Hire/Power Man Fans
Few comic book characters have changed more over the years than the Hero for Hire. Cage has many fans from his early pre-Power Man and Power Man days in which he was based on the blaxploitation characters from the movies of the 1970s. His "angry black man" demeanor was something out of "Shaft" or "Truck Turner." ABC would run into multiple issues with advertisers if they marketed a character like this today. These fans might not like some of the other iterations of their favorite character, though I could see the network fitting in his catchphrase of "Sweet Christmas" from time to time.
MAX Fans
The Marvel MAX line gave us a version of Cage which would be very difficult to place on TV. While I could go into detail about the graphic types of violence which the character was prone to in the "adults only" comic line, but I am not sure it would pass the censors. Needless to say that the fans of the "Cage" miniseries are sure to be disappointed if they believe the TV show version will be similar to their favorite version.
Civil War
Fans of the Luke Cage character from "Civil War" are likely to have a closer idea as to the version of the character that will probably make it to TV. I see him being the man who would take steps to ensure the safety of the people he loved while placing himself in harm's way to make a better world for them in the future. I also believe we will see a crusader who carries the weight which African-Americans have had to carry for many years.
Heroic Age/Alias
I can see a mesh of the characters from "Civil War," the Heroic Age comics and "Alias" being merged into one for the Luke Cage of TV. When you add on the better characteristics mentioned above with the leadership characteristics he displayed in these three series, you come up with a character which many can look up to. When you also add on the fact that Cage fights for what is right instead of fighting for what is easy, he could easily become a character which could last for years.
