This article contains spoilers from Devil's Reign: Omega #1, on sale now by Marvel Comics
Since the divisive Civil War, most Marvel Comic superheroes have avoided politics and its potential potholes. By entering the political sphere, superheroes risk exposing their secret identity or, even worse, placing their closest allies in harm's way. And the riskiest of any political choice is a hero pursuing public office. Traveling the multiverse is risky, but, for most heroes, becoming mayor is, well, a suicide mission.
Yet when power-hungry politicians breed chaos and incite fear, superheroes realize that they can't punch corruption to death. Heroes must then harness a new power to help them smash systemic corruption and rebalance the scales of justice. Thankfully, Luke Cage is ready to step up and prove how political leadership may be the greatest superpower.
Marvel Comics Devil's Reign event portrays a city torn asunder by The Kingpin of New York City, Mayor Wilson Fisk. In contrast to legendary Marvel Comics villains like Magneto and Doctor Doom, Fisk mobilizes his political power to achieve his master plan, proving that even street-level villains have superpowers. The Kingpin's kingdom thrives on fear and political corruption and enacts The Powers Act to lock all superpowered citizens behind bars. Superheroes are not a threat to New York City; however, like other real-life demagogues, Fisk creates an imaginary problem that only he–and he alone–can fix. With his political future still in jeopardy, Fisk enlists the help of The Purple Man to sway New Yorkers to vote for him. As Mayor Fisk inches closer to reelection, The Defenders team up to stand in his way.
As a native of Harlem, Luke Cage is no stranger to systemic injustice. Whether as Power-Man or a Hero for Hire, Luke has watched poverty, drugs, and violence swallow his city whole. Too often, corrupt politicians have profited from Harlem's pain, leaving Cage to rebuild his community from the ground up. In Devil's Reign, the ghosts of Harlem still haunt Luke, reminding him to fight injustice–no matter the cost. Trapped in the stranglehold of Mayor Fisk's tyrannical grasp, New York City cries out for a hero who can reclaim the soul of their city.
Heeding their call, Luke delivers an impassioned speech to his fellow New Yorkers, stating, "Look, I'm not Captain America. I'm not Mr. Fantastic. I'm just a New Yorker like you, and if someone's in trouble, I do what New Yorkers do: I help." In stark opposition to Mayor Fisk's message of fear, Luke's speech challenges listeners to find strength in unity. As Harlem's soulful and sad melody plays its tune, Luke Cage, Harlem's Hero, pledges to end injustice as New York City's mayor.
Devil's Reign: Omega #1 (by Chip Zdarsky, Rodney Barnes, and Jim Zub, Rafael De Latorre, Guillermo Sanna, Luciano Vecchio, Federico Blee, Dijjo Lima, Carlos Lopez, and Javier Tartaglia) showcases Mayor Luke Cage's political superpowers. Although suffering defeat to Daredevil and Elektra, Wison Fisk continues to weaponize lies and sow discord through The Powers Act. With superpowered citizens scared for their safety, New York's crime-rate skyrockets, leaving a trail of casualties in its wake.
Instead of ignoring his community's calamities, Mayor Cage stares injustice in the eye and doesn't flinch. Corruption grows deep into the belly of NYC, and Luke is reminded of Harlem's painful past as he proclaims, "All this corruption has gotta get torn out by the roots." As newly elected mayor, Luke unleashes his political superpowers to uproot corruption. Whether it's repealing Fisk's anti-vigilante legislation or standing up to The Thunderbolt's fascist regime, Mayor Luke is ready to plunge into the darkness and pull his community into the light.
Luke Cage turned politics into a superpower during his impassioned speech in Devil's Reign #1. New Yorkers discovered a leader who could dethrone Wilson Fisk and restore their city to its former glory for the first time in years. As a political leader, Mayor Cage does not force his fellow New Yorkers to follow him; rather, he invites his community to join him in his war against systemic injustice. Lasting change comes from political leaders at the top, who often govern through self-interest. Thankfully, Mayor Cage enters office with a plan to uproot corruption and heal his city from within. Even though a barrage of political attacks awaits, Mayor Cage is ready to prove that he is unbreakable--inside and out.
