We’re tracking down every Marvel Comics reference and easter egg in Luke Cage Season 2!
This article contains nothing butLuke CageSeason 2 spoilers.
And of course, it has plenty of Marvel Comics lore packed into it.
Although, to be honest, it seems to have eased off a little in that regard.
And thats where you come in.
Im rather fond of the shirt that has Luke Cage written like the old Run DMC logo.
Marvel should get on those.
Luke is reading Ta-Nehisi Coates, which is usually a good idea on its own.
But theres a fun Marvel connection here, too.
His fashion sense here is way better than that in the comics…
Remember when we all thought Rosario Dawson was playing Night Nurse?
Well, the song that Luke and Claire dance to is none other than Gregory Isaacs Night Nurse.
Yes, thats really New York Jets coach, Todd Bowles.
Yes, the Jets could really use a player like Luke Cage.
No, it aint gonna happen.
Yes, the Jets will be terrible for the rest of my life.
Luke runs a 3.72 40 yard dash.
Tilda Johnson is the comic book villain, Nightshade.
Nightshade first appeared inCaptain America#164 in 1972.
We have more details on Tilda Johnson right here.
We get a killerGary Clark Jr. performance at the Paradise.
We also get the return of Wilson Fisks lawyer, Ben Donovan, in this episode.
Bushmaster makes a bid for Mariahs guns.
Raymond Piranha Jones first appeared inPower Man#30 in 1976.
Hes far less respectable in the comics, and has sharpened, knife-like teeth.
I…dont think that would work on these shows…
This episode mostly plays like a pilot for aDaughters of the Dragonseries with Misty Knight and Colleen Wing.
For the record, I am 100% okay with that.
Misty says I was 5 when Tyson lost his first fight (to James Buster Douglas).
That puts her age as roughly 33, as that fight took place in 1990.
In the comics, Misty Knights bionic arm was designed not by Rand Enterprises, but by Stark Industries.
Of course, Danny himself didnt design this.
Mariah invites Tilda to join the new family business.
You see where all this is going, right?
Is that a brand new Luke Cage themed tune from Ghostface Killah?
I believe it is!
Whats cool about this, though, is what it reveals about public perception of the Avengers in general.
In this case, its that Hulk isnt a recognizable name to the general public.
His presence on the team is something of an anomaly (especially compared to Cap/Iron Man/Thor).
And a potentially destructive force like that isnt really missed.
Its like missing a cold when you dont have one.
We get our obligatory WJBP TV sighting in this episode, the MCU NYCs local news station.
Is this even an easter egg anymore?
Luke hides out with Piranha in a movie theater.
Luke says that a more chill, domestic life sounds good to me.
In the comics he (kinda) pursues that with Jessica Jones.
But the better line is when Luke asks Piranha, wheres my money, honey?
The hunt for the snitch heats up.
Bushmaster reveals his endgame.
Everything from his personality to certain imagery all reminded me of very specific moments in Superman history.
Meanwhile, long-buried family secrets come to light.
Mariah sets out to reclaim her empire.
Misty pursues a traitor.
OK, now were into it.
This is the real deal Power Man and Iron Fist team-up episode.
This seems like another good sign forIron FistSeason 2.
Worth noting that in those stories, Jessica Jones still finds Danny impossibly irritating.
We see Danny wearing a Sweet X-Mas shirt.
Maybe hell get a proper costume in his second season.
I love, love,lovethe fact that Turk Barrett has gone legit by working in a head shop.
But you already knew that.
That massacre scene is really, really hard to watch.
Flashbacks reveal a fateful encounter between the Stokes and McIver families.
Season one used a flashback episode to tell Lukes origin.
Here, we get it for Bushmaster, although I have to say…this one is much better.
As Shades plows ahead with his plan, a massive party draws everyone to the club.
This episode introduces Annabella Sciorra as Rosalie Carbone.
Rosalie refers to Mariah as a pebble in my shoe.
I feel like this is a historical reference.
Carlos Marcello, a New Orleans mafia kingpin, was suspected of involvement in the assassination of President Kennedy.
He reportedly once said in regards to JFK, take this stone out of my shoe.
So Rosalies line here feels like a statement of intent.
Shades says they beat Luke down Billy Batts style.
And if you didnt already know this, then go get your fuckin shinebox.
Another classic Wu-Tang track fromEnter the Wu-Tang (36th Chambers)makes its appearance here.
This feels like the end ofMan of Steel, where Superman infamously (and controversially) killed General Zod.
Luke takes a new approach to protecting Harlem.
Luke listening to The Payback while he takes down a bunch of mafia goons is just priceless.
As far as I know, Luke has never taken over the role of crime boss in the comics.
Just a reminder that Tilda Johnson bears absolutely NO resemblance to her comic book counterpart of Nightshade.
And just like all the other changes the show makes, this one is also for the better.
His choice of that Thomas Hoepker photo portrait of Muhammad Ali for The Paradise seems appropriate.
Like Luke, Ali was the toughest man around, an icon, a symbol for a generation.
But theres a sense that Luke is now less conflicted about how others perceive him.
This is going to make one hell of a season three.
