JOHANNESBURG – Loyal comic book fans and black audiences alike have been anticipating this day for months – Marvel’s Luke Cage series debuts as it comes rolling in with powerful punches, #blacksploitation themes and a killer hip hop soundtrack.

The series includes an impressive list of actors such as Mike Colter Luke Cage) and Alfre Woodard (Mariah Dillard).

The series follows the fictional comic book superhero Luke Cage as Power Man from Harlem New York, who escapes from prison after being wrongly accused of a crime.

He develops an impenetrable skin and indomitable strength after a sabotaged experiment.

The show’s debut comes at an interesting time in the US as the country is coming to grips with the senseless killings of black men and women by police, reigniting the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

The series thus far received “generally favourable” reviews, with a 90% rating from Rotten Tomatoes. Many have stated that the show’s immersive and social narrative is relevant especially since that it also spotlights conversations on black masculinity and the need for seeing black men as role models in a positive light as superheroes who are valued in society.

“An intimate portrait of street life, detailing not only the inner workings of the crime syndicates, but also the beleaguered police, sleazy politicians, and the young people in the community who see guns and drugs as an easy way to make money,” said Collider.com’s Allison Keene.

It will be interesting to see how the police incidences will be handled in the series, if the writers decide to make commentary on political issues.

Here are some excited Tweets from fans:

                                                        
                                                                                         Source: Twitter/@TheBardockObama

                                                       
                                                                                                      Source: Twitter/@nuffsaidNY

                                                     
                                                                                              Source: Twitter/@StilettoRoyalty

Marvel’s Luke Cage is available today on Netflix in South Africa.
Categories: Entertainment