Luke Cage star Mike Colter will be “staying away” from social media and fan reviews when the new Mar

Luke Cage follows in the footsteps of Jessica Jones, starring Krysten Ritter, and Daredevil, starring Charlie Cox, as Marvel and Netflix continue their franchise surrounding the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s iconic comic book superheroes: another two will follow, Iron Fist and The Defenders mini-series. (Can’t wait for Iron Fist, with GOT, Finn Jones starring, stage and centre. Strangely, though, Defenders – not so interested).

Despite early reviews from critics largely praising the Netflix’s series, Mike or Mr Colter does not want to face the most important critics of all (us, the fans) who will be commenting in our droves (Twitter will explode, once again) as all 13 episodes will be available to watch on the streaming service at once.

Colter told the Press Association: “The work is done; it is what it is. You do the work and you hope people like it, and if they don’t, don’t read it. I don’t read reviews. I don’t have social media (we think you do, or at least, have someone close by who is connected to the online world) so I’ll stay away from that, it’s easy.”

Marvel’s Luke Cage

Mike’s – Luke Cage – is a former convict who has acquired superhuman strength and bulletproof skin after being in an experiment that went wrong. (We’d all love to have a superheroes ability-bulletproof, maybe? Flying, invisibility, sure! Powers gained from an experiment, No ways!) Following his previous storyline in Jessica Jones in New York’s Hell’s Kitchen, Luke has now moved to Harlem and is trying to get on with normal, human life (making cups of tea and eating Sunday lunch with loved ones over primetime TV), but things crop up and he is left fighting to protect his city against the likes of villain Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes. (If only he could give the good old’ US politics a bash at the same time, we’d all be very grateful).

Mike is filled with confidence about Luke Cage, but has said he only hopes it can be “second” best behind critical success Jessica Jones. 🙂 Yeah, sure, “second” that’s a smiley face folks).

Favourite scenes, so many and more, but one stands out to no-ends: Luke Cage takes on a whole building full of bad guys while Wu-Tang Clan’s “Bring da Ruckus” blares on the soundtrack. Perfection. It’s an undeniably great moment in a series that is not without its share of flaws (sorry folks, it has a few nibbles) but fortunately for those who have been anxiously anticipating this drama since it was announced by Marvel (how many years ago), it’s well worth the wait.

A wildly charismatic performance by star Mike Colter and solid work from the rest of the show’s cast are usually enough to power any addition to the Marvel TV universe through its rough spots, which include a somewhat clunky pilot (I was watching with ultra fast fibre, honestly) and a notable tendency to sprawl (a frequent trait among streaming and pay-cable dramas, and not just in the superhero realm).

Guys (friends, family and loved ones) we do not have to have seen “Daredevil” or “Jessica Jones” in order to watch “Luke Cage”; there are also a few elements and characters that link the Marvel dramas, but each program stands on its own, (which is a good thing, and a very, successful way in which culturedemandsgeeks.wordpress.com can enjoy the shows on their own) including this new series.

Colter brings a great deal of soulfulness and intelligence to his character “Luke”, as well as fantastic shadings of pain and rage, and even more rage, and the sight of bullets bouncing off the hoodie-clad character carry layers of meaning well beyond the character’s quest to save Harlem. Watching “Cage” survive any number of encounters with gun-wielding assailants was exceptional. Brilliant piece’s of choreography lights the small, sliver screen to no-ends.  

“Luke Cage” tells a particularly impassioned story about the costs of mass incarceration in an early episode that also serves as a well-crafted origin story, (we all love origin stories) and characters regularly discuss whether they can trust any aspect of law enforcement or the legal system. (Reflecting current events for our US geeks) Luke’s position on gun violence seems pretty clear, however; (Spoiler Alert!) he twists firearms into useless hunks of metal every chance he gets (he really does!).

We all love crowd-pleasing lines like, “Don’t you need a gun?” someone asks him at one point. “I am the gun,” Luke replies. (Sooooooo cool!) and it proves that “Luke Cage” never forgets its roots in the Marvel universe.

We have scenes set in the big bad elegant lair, as well as an array of crackling fighting sequences that even Chuck Norris and ‘Yeah’ Jackie Chan would be proud off. There’s no silly costume here, but Cage’s determined face, ever framed by his black hoodie, will become the show’s iconic image (and what an image to have). Which makes sense, given that much of the drama revolves around his own difficult past but with what he owes the community of Harlem. It’s not long before residents find out who he is and what he can do, and as the first season progresses, people from the neighborhood begin to look to him for certain kinds of justice. (Just imagine Santa – if he wore a hoodie and fought for justice).

The supporting cast is great, too; Pop (the dependably excellent Frankie Faison), who spends much of his days mentoring local kids and trading jokes and book recommendations with his friend, (Waterstones – I’ve found you a new clerk) and Bobby Fish (Ron Cephas Jones, Mr Robot fame – is terrific).

It’s all to do with the characters throughout the Marvel universe hanging out and talking, whether they’re in a barber shop or a diner, the show is often at its best. It’s clear that all the characters (even the err, greedy ones) love their community.

Where the show stalls is in meandering expositional scenes, which quite often go on too long and drain the show of momentum. Even with high calibre actors such as Mahershala Ali (House of Cards) who plays local villain and club owner “Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes,” and Alfre Woodard (12 Years a Slave, Star Trek: First Contact) who portrays Stokes’ cousin, Harlem politician “Mariah Stokes,” and when they can’t make a long dialogue scene work, the problem is in the writing, not the performances.

Luke Cage could use a tad off extra focus; a few of its 13 episodes have several different quasi-endings, one awkwardly tacked onto the next, and each installment could stand to be tightened (trim the fat, guys) a fair bit.

The argument about whether Jet Li or Bruce Lee is the more legendary martial arts star, (personally, you can’t beat the great Jackie Chan) thoroughly outclasses Li and Lee! If you disagree-let me know? (Again, I can hear Twitter explode!) The amiable diner scene in which Bobby proposes a slogan for Luke’s services (“I ain’t no hero – pay me”).But recalling those bright spots makes it easier to shrug off the show’s imperfections. But nothing is cooler than watching bullets bounce off Luke Cage as he brings the ruckus to the hood wearing… a hood.

Marvel’s Luke Cage

Luke Cage also stars Rosario Dawson as Claire Temple, Simone Missick as Mercedes Misty Knight and Theo Rossi as “Shades” Alvarez. The series was overseen by showrunner Cheo Hodari Coker and executive producer and Marvel’s head of TV Jeph Loeb.

Overall, a splendid chapter into the “Marvel-Netflix” universe. So, check it out peeps with a bucket-full of popcorn and cola, (tag, like or Tweet and give me the feedback if you enjoyed the post, comment, too) you just might be in for a treat.

Luke Cage premiered on Netflix on September 30.