For the first time in his run on this book, Englehart does a two part story. And it’s great.
First, Luke takes down a mugger on the street…
Steve Englehart’s run was not without humor.
After that, Luke gets hired by a mystery employer to take care of a few things. He does the job and when he seeks to collect, his employer defaults.
Yes, this is the classic arc, in which Luke Cage stomps all over Latveria for $200. He breaks into the Baxter building to steal a rocket so he can fly to Latveria.
Anyone know if “Phil Fox’s Broadway column” is a real thing?
The FF actually let him have it. But not without acting pretty condescending.
When he finally gets face to face with his debtor, Luke calls Doctor Doom, “Honey.”
Despite the fact that Doom can defeat the entire FF, Cage beats him through brute strength and focus.
All of this should be enough to make you want to run out and read these issues. But in case it’s not, know that there is ALSO an alien who is messing with Doom, and the reason Doom won’t pay Cage is because he thinks Luke is working for the alien. The alien is making Doom’s robots all revolt.
Cage saves Doom’s life, Doom pays him, and Cage goes home. Note that Doom says, “Take what YOU SAY I owe you…” He pays Luke without admitting the debt. It’s little touches like this that make Steve Englehart comics so much better than most others.
English (US) · 