Comments to Cage: Hero for Hire

The following letter from #4 of his original series addressed Luke Cage's defining status as a hero.

Dear Stan,

Just read LUKE CAGE #2 and really thought it was great. It's about time you guys came up with a dude who fights against the Mafia rather than monsters from outer space. I hope you develop the character and the series.

One criticism, however. The idea of "hero for hire" is really unnecessary and phony. It only demeans Luke by saying that he's some absurd egotist (a device which works fine for some of the other Marvel characters, but is out of place as a characteristic of a black man fighting for justice in his community). You should stick to reality while the series is young and remarkably different from all the others.

Phil Trent

(no address given)

Luke doesn't see himself as "fighting for justice," Phil. To put it bluntly, he's mainly out for himself. This doesn't mean that he's against justice, nor that he wouldn't donate his services to a worthy cause. However, his prime motivating force isn't alturism—it's money.

This panel featuring Luke Cage's busines card comes from Hero for Hire #4 (December 1972).