Luke Cage, Power Man – Collecting Guide and Reading Order

The definitive Power Man – Luke Cage – comic books issue-by-issue collecting guide and trade reading order for omnibus, hardcover, and trade paperback collections. Find every issue and appearance! Part of Crushing Krisis’s Crushing Comics. Last updated October 2024 with titles scheduled for release through December 2024.

Collecting Luke Cage

Luke Cage emerged from Marvel’s early-70s habit of stealing themes from pop culture – in this case, the emergence of Blaxploitation films. That made him only the second prominent black hero at Marvel, after Black Panther – who had become a staple in The Avengers.

Cage’s story could have easily come to an end with the waning of the 70s, but Marvel made an unusual move in 1978 – they introduced the similarly fad-based character Iron Fist into Cage’s title, rechristening it “Power Man & Iron Fist.”

A street-smart man with unbreakable skin and a billionaire’s son who mastered a secret martial art. This memorable odd-couple pairing lead to another eight years of an ongoing series, until 1986 when Marvel ended several long-running 70s books at the end of Secret Wars II. Afterwards, Luke Cage was basically put into mothballs, and when he was taken out he didn’t prove a hit on his own – his 1992 self-titled series lasted only 20 issues.

Despite numerous guest-appearances and a brief Heroes for Hire run during Marvel’s late-90s struggle, it was one man who brought Cage back to prominence despite never writing him in a solo title: Brian Michael Bendis. Bendis introduced Luke Cage as a foil and on-again/off-again flame to Jessica Jones in Alias, linking the characters from that point forward (and using them both in his Daredevil run). Then, he plucked Cage from relative obscurity to join New Avengers alongside surefire sellers Spider-Man and Wolverine.

Ever since then, Luke Cage went from occasional guest-star to one of the most prominent heroes in the Marvel Universe, though he occasionally takes a break to change a few diapers. Like Hawkeye before him, he serves as an anchor and mascot for Avengers teams and as a mentor for reformed criminals the Thunderbolts. He also has a habit of popping up in any Iron Fist title.

In the wake of his smash Netflix series released at the end of 2016, Luke’s profile at Marvel was as high as ever – with him appearing in his own title, as well as Jessica Jones and a re-branded Defenders team.

• Where to Start Reading Luke Cage
• The Luke Cage Bookshelf – major collected edition formats
  • Omnibus Editions – Premium color reprints in oversize hardcovers
  • Marvel Masterworks: Premium-format color sequential collections
  • Epic Collections: Trade paperback gapless collections released in random order
  • Essentials – Black-and-white reprints on newsprint paper
• Luke Cage Reading Order
  • Luke Cage, Hero For Hire & Power Man (1972 – 1978)
  • Power Man & Iron Fist (1978 – 1986)
  • Cage (1992 – 1993)
  • Heroes For Hire (1997 – 1999)
  • Marvel Knights, Alias, & Pulse (2000 – 2005)
  • New Avengers (& The Pulse) (2005 – 2009)
  • The Heroic Age – New Avengers & Thunderbolts (2010 – 2012)
  • Marvel Now – Thunderbolts & Mighty Avengers (2012 – 2015)
  • All-New, All-Different Marvel (2016 – 2017)
    • Power Man & Iron Fist (2016) #1-15
    • Luke Cage (2017) #1-5
  • Marvel Legacy (2017 – 2018)
    • Luke Cage (2017) #166-70
  • Marvel Fresh Start (2018)
    • Luke Cage (2018) #1-3
      AKA Luke Cage – Marvel Digital Original
    • Daredevil (2019) & Devil’s Reign (2021) by Chip Zdarsky & Marco Marco Checchetto
    • Luke Cage: Gang War (2023) #1-4 by Rodney Barnes & Ramon Bachs
• Non-Continuity Stories

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Where to Start Reading Luke Cage!

Where should you start reading Luke Cage? It largely depends on what era of comics you enjoy the most!

Power Man & Iron Fist Epic Collection: Heroes for Hire (Epic Vol. 1)
Do you dig 70s comics? Do you also enjoy 70s Blaxploitation and kung fu flicks? If both of your answers are yes (or, if the throw-back 4th episode of Netflix series was your favorite) then start Luke Cage here – with the beginning of Cage’s legendary team-up with Danny Rand, The Immortal Iron Fist! If you really love what you read, you can always backtrack for the solo Power Man stories that came before.

Luke Cage: Second Chances, Vol. 1 & Vol. 2
Do you love 90s comics, with their vibrant colors and impossibly muscled casts? This is Luke Cage in that era, solo for the first time in over 15 years. These two volumes collect the entire series.

Power Man & Iron Fist (2016), Vol. 1: The Boys Are Back In Town
Want a modern take on Luke Cage and Iron Fist that has some cartoonish omedy to it? This volume re-teams the original “Heroes for Hire” in their own duo book for the first time in two decades.

Luke Cage (2017) Vol. 1: Sins of the Father
Want to get as close as you possible can to reading a comic with the mature tone of the Netflix series? Leap into the this Luke Cage volume by writer/director David F. Walker, released just months after the show debuted.

The Luke Cage Bookshelf

Luke Cage Omnibus Editions

These massive tomes have oversize pages and collect huge swaths of comics – between 25 and 50 issues a book. They look beautiful on a bookshelf! This is a list of omnibuses focused on Luke Cage material or which collect entire series of his material. Other omnibuses that cover a range of material may also be listed in this guide based on the issues they collect.

Luke Cage [Classic] Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302944964 / digital)
Collects the entirety of Cage’s original ongoing solo series, including Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16 and Power Man (1974) #17-47 and Annual 1. Note that this does not collect Power Man (1974) #48-49, which would be collected in a future Omnibus collection of Power Man and Iron Fist (1978).

Luke Cage Marvel Masterworks

Marvel Masterworks editions are high quality, full color reproductions of original issues. The volumes were originally released as hardcovers, with many now out of print.

Marvel Masterworks Volume 1 (2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785191803 / digital)
Collects Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16

Marvel Masterworks Volume 2 (2017 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302903435 / digital)
Collects Hero For Hire (1972) #17 and Power Man (1974) #18-31

Marvel Masterworks Volume 3 (2019 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302916350 / digital)
Collects Power Man (1974) #32-47 & Annual 1. Note that issue #36 was a reprint of Hero for Hire (1972) #12, and only the new cover is collected here. Also, this does not collect Power Man (1974) #48-49, which would be collected in a future Masterworks collection of Power Man and Iron Fist (1978).

Luke Cage Epic Collections

Marvel’s Epic Collections represent a consistent, affordable, full-color bookshelf format of issues in perfect continuity order without a single gap. The catch? Marvel is releasing them in a random order to focus on the biggest gaps first – since early issues are already well-covered by both Essentials and Masterworks.

Epic editions are also listed below in their chronological placement, as they are frequently the only coverage of a specific run.

Click to expand a list of Epic Collection volumes

Essential Luke Cage

Marvel’s Essentials line packs tons of comics into each black and white, phone-book-sized edition with newsprint paper. If you don’t care about color and glossy paper, this is the best way to acquire your favorite classic stories quickly.

Essential Editions are not repeated below in their chronological placement, since B&W is not the original format of this series.

Note that this reprint line breaks with the convention of all other reprints of Power Man (1974) and includes issues #48-49 as part of a solo Power Man reprint, rather than a subsequent Power Man and Iron Fist volume.

Click to expand a list of Essential volumes

The Essentials line has been discontinued and will not extend past Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #100. Jump to that spot in the chronology.

Luke Cage Reading Order

Luke Cage: Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16
and Power Man (1974) #17-49 & Annual 1 (1972 – 1978)

Issues #1-16 are officially titled “Hero for Hire” in their indicia despite the “Luke Cage” banner running on the covers. The same is true for #17-49 titled as “Power Man.”

After issue #30 of his own series, Luke Cage joins The Defenders for a run from The Defenders (1972) #37-45. Iron Fist joins Power Man (1972) #48-49 before the title changes to “Power Man and Iron Fist (1978).” As a result, those two issues are never collected alongside Cage solo material – instead, they are the first issues collected in the duo’s collections.

in omnibus oversize hardcover…

Luke Cage [Classic] Omnibus (2022 oversize hardcover, ISBN 978-1302944964 / digital)
Collects the entirety of Cage’s original ongoing solo series, including Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16 and Power Man (1974) #17-47 and Annual 1. Note that this does not collect Power Man (1974) #48-49, which would be collected in a future Omnibus collection of Power Man and Iron Fist (1978).

in Marvel Masterworks…

Marvel Masterworks Volume 1 (2015 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785191803 / digital)
Collects Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16

Marvel Masterworks Volume 2 (2017 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302903435 / digital)
Collects Hero For Hire (1972) #17 and Power Man (1974) #18-31

Marvel Masterworks Volume 3 (2019 hardcover, ISBN 978-1302916350 / digital)
Collects Power Man (1974) #32-47 & Annual 1. Note that issue #36 was a reprint of Hero for Hire (1972) #12, and only the new cover is collected here. Also, this does not collect Power Man (1974) #48-49, which would be collected in a future Masterworks collection of Power Man and Iron Fist (1978).

as collected by single issue or storyline…

Avengers Origins: Luke Cage (2012) #1: This retrospective origin is collected in Avengers: Mythos and was later recollected in Luke Cage: Avenger alongside New Avengers: Luke Cage (2010) #1-3, New Avengers (2005) #22 & 49, & Marvel Team-up Annual 4

#1: New Avengers: Luke Cage (2010)

#1-16 & 17–23: Luke Cage Epic Collection Vol. 1: Retribution
(2021 paperback, ISBN 978-1302928315 / digital)
Collects Hero For Hire (1972) #1-16 and Power Man (1974) #17-23.

#24-47 & Annual: Luke Cage Epic Collection Vol. 2: The Fire This Time
(2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302955069 / digital)
Collects Power Man (1974) #24-47 & Annual 1. Note that issue #36 was a reprint of Hero for Hire (1972) #12, and only the new cover is collected here. Also, this does not collect Power Man (1974) #48-49, which is collected in the following volume despite them officially being issues of Power Man (1974).

Giant-Size Power Man (1975): This was a reprint issue of #14-16.

Luke’s membership in Defenders begins after #30 and ends by #36.

#48-49: See Epic Vol. 1, below

Spider Man / Storm / Power Man: A free anti-drug comic that was reprinted many times, it was finally collected in Spider-Man Fights Substance Abuse (2012) TPB

Click to expand for a list of various other appearances in this period.

Power Man and Iron Fist (1978) #50-125 (1978 – 1986)

Luke’s solo series was retitled “Power Man and Iron Fist” as it absorbed Danny Rand fresh off the end of his own title (the conclusion of his last story was in Marvel Team-Up #64, which was released in December 1977 alongside his appearance in Power Man #48).

As with the title inconsistencies with the prior volume, the indicia title of this volume did not change from “Power Man” to “Power Man and Iron Fist” until issue #67. Most guides and resources (including Marvel themselves) act as if the title change began with #50.

#50-70: Power Man & Iron Fist Epic Collection: Heroes for Hire (Epic Vol. 1)
Also includes #48-49, from above

#71-72 & 74-89: Power Man & Iron Fist Epic Collection: Revenge! (Epic Vol. 2)
Summarizes #73. Also collects Daredevil #178.

#73: Not collected, though the issue is summarize in the Epic Collection. A crossover from ROM #22 to ROM #23, though Luke Cage appears only in #23.

#79: Marvel Super Hero Team-Up (2009)

Contest of Champions: See Marvel Universe Events. This occurs between #82-84 Cage appears in #1 and is implied or behind the scenes in #2-3.

#90-100: Not collected (except Essentials, above)

After #91: Marvel Team-Up #126, Master of Kung Fu #123

#100-125: Not collected, except for #121 with Secret Wars II. See Marvel Universe Events.

Secret Wars II: See Marvel Universe Events. Cage appears in #2 after #114 and #9 after #122

Click to expand for a list of various other appearances in this period.

Cage (1992 – 1993)

After several years of him being completely missing in action, Marvel relaunched Luke Cage in the early 90s with the black creative team of writer Marcus McLaurin and legendary penciler Dwayne Turner. McLaurin writes the entire run of the series while Turner draws the first half.

Marvel Comics Presents #82 (4th story): Collected below in Second Chances, Vol. 1.

Infinity Gauntlet: See Marvel Universe Events. This is a non-critical appearance – Luke Cage is implied or behind-the-scenes in #2 and 6.

#1-12: Luke Cage: Second Chances, Vol. 1
Also collects a story from Marvel Comics Presents #82, which proceeds this run.

After #2: Punisher (1987) #60-62
After #10: Nick Fury, Agent of SHIELD (1989) #36

#13-20: Luke Cage, Second Chances, Vol. 2
Cage (1992) #13-20, Terror Inc. (1992) #11-12, material from Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #13-14 (skips the backup stories)

For Love Nor Money: A six-part crossover through Terror Inc. #11, Cage #15, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #13, Terror Inc. #12, Cage #16, Silver Sable & The Wild Pack #14. Collected in full in Second Chances, Vol. 2, above

Infinity Crusade: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears in #5-6 after Cage #17.

After the end of his series, Cage appears in Marvel Comics Presents #131-136, Secret Defenders #15-17 (in Deadpool and the Secret Defenders), Spider-Man Unlimited 6 (2nd story), and Thunderstrike #13-14.

Luke Cage in Heroes For Hire (1997 – 1999)

The first Heroes for Hire series, this John Ostrander written title was effectively a rebranding of “Power Man and Iron Fist” for the team-focused late 90s.

Prior to this series: Spider-Man Unlimited #13, and Marvel Fanfare Vol. 2 #6

Daredevil: Cage Match: A one-shot flashback. Collected with New Avengers: Luke Cage (2010).

Heroes For Hire #1-9: Luke Cage, Iron Fist, & The Heroes For Hire Vol. 1
Also collects Luke’s preceding appearances in Spider-Man Unlimited #13 and Marvel Fanfare Vol. 2 #6

After #3: Thunderbolts #8
After #7: Spider-Man/Kingpin: To the Death

#10-19 & Annual 1998: Luke Cage, Iron Fist, & The Heroes For Hire Vol. 2
Also collects Siege of Wundagore crossover issues Quicksilver #11-12, as detailed below.

After #13: Sensational Spider-Man #28, X-Force #80, Fantastic Four Vol. 3 (1998) #6

The Siege of Wundagore: A story running through Heroes for Hire #15, Quicksilver #11, Heroes for Hire #16, Quicksilver #12, Heroes for Hire Annual ’98. Also available in Avengers: Quicksilver TPB.

Contest of Champions II: See Marvel Universe Events. Cage appears in #3 & 5.

After the end of Heroes for Hire & Contest of Champions II, Cage appears in Black Panther Vol. 3 #16-17

Luke Cage next appears as a supporting player in Iron Fist & Wolverine #1-4 (see Iron Fist for collection information).

Luke Cage in Marvel Knights, Alias, & Pulse (2000 – 2005)

In 2000, Luke Cage became one of the anchoring stars of the mature-themed Marvel Knights line of comics, which briefly merged into MAX before that line began to address its own separate continuity).

Luke’s guest-starring spots in Alias began the unlikely path to a story that would see him with his highest profile of all time. Because events that occur in Alias issues that don’t contain Luke Cage still can have some bearing on his future story, I have listed all of Alias’s collections here.

For a full list of Jessica Jones comics and appearances, visit her guide.

Marvel Knights #11-15: Marvel Knights: Defenders Of The Streets(ISBN 9781302912130)
Collects #1-15

After MK #15: Black Widow: Deadly Origin #4 (FB)

Alias (2001) #1-28: Alias Omnibus oversize hardcover (2014 ISBN 0785190910)
Cage appears in #1-2, 15, 25-26, 28

Alias (2001) #1-15: Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 1
Cage appears in #1-2 & 15. A double-length TPB.

Alias (2001) #1-9: Jessica Jones: Alias, Vol. 1
#1-2 are a brief but pivotal appearance that affects Luke Cage’s future story. He is implied or behind-the-scenes in #3

After Alias #1-2: Daredevil (1998) #36

Alias (2001) #11-15: Jessica Jones: Alias, Vol. 2
Cage only appears in #15. #10 appears in the next volume

Cage (2002) MAX #1-5: Cage
This early Marvel MAX series is technically in continuity, though I’d call it “Continuity Lite” in terms of it being referenced in later comics. What I do know is that people seriously dislike it! Also available in hardcover.

After Alias #15: Daredevil (1998) #38-40, 43, 48

Alias (2001) #16-28: Alias: Ultimate Collection, Book 2
Cage appears in #25-26 & 28. A double-length TPB.

Alias (2001) #10 & 16-21: Jessica Jones: Alias, Vol. 3
Cage does not appear in this volume.

Alias (2001) #22-28: Jessica Jones: Alias, Vol. 4
Cage appears in #25-26 & 28

Secret War: See Marvel Universe Events. The flashbacks in #2 & 5 fall here.

Alias transforms into The Pulse, in which Luke is a recurring star.

The Pulse (2004) #1-9 & 11-14: Jessica Jones – The Pulse: Complete Collection
Luke appears in #1, 3-9, & 11-14. Also collects New Avengers Annual 1. #10 was part of House of M and is not collected here.

The Pulse (2004) #1-5: Vol. 1: Thin Air
Luke appears in #1 & 3-5

After The Pulse #5: Daredevil (1998) #56 & 59, Captain America & The Falcon #5

The Pulse (2004) #6-9: Vol. 2: Secret War
Secret War #1-3 is simultaneous to The Pulse #6-7. Cage does not appear in 8 or 10. Pulse continues below.

Luke Cage in New Avengers (& The Pulse) (2005 – 2009)

Writer Brian Bendis gave Luke Cage his biggest upgrade yet after five years of penning him alongside Jessica Jones – he had Luke Cage join The Avengers! Luke Cage served as an anchor for the New Avengers team for the entirety of its run, and starting with Civil War he served as the main character of the book with some significant plot developments for him and his family.

New Avengers (NA) #1-10: See New Avengers.

During #2: Spider-Man: Breakout #1

After #6: Marvel Team-Up (2004) #9

After #10: Young Avengers #7-8, Special, #11-12, Giant-Size Avengers Vol. 2 #1 (4th story), Amazing Spider-Man #519-520 & 522-524 (flashback only in 524), Marvel Knights Spider-Man #13-14 & 18

House of M: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears in every issue of this event, as well as in Captain America #10 during issue #5.

After House of M: Runaways Vol. 2 #9-12

NA #11-15: See New Avengers.

After #15: Amazing Fantasy #13, Marvel Team-Up Vol. 3 #14, Civil War: Choosing Sides (unconfirmed), Spider-Man & Fantastic Four #2, Sentry #1-2 (unconfirmed), Wolverine Vol. 3 #36-37, Cable & Deadpool #20-21

The Pulse #11-14: Vol. 3: Fear
Also collects New Avengers Annual 1. Also collected in “Complete Collection,” above. Issue #10 was part of House of M and is not collected here.

After The Pulse #13: New Thunderbolts #13-14, Marvel Holiday Special 2005 (2nd story), Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #2, Marvel Knights Spider-Man #20, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #3

After The Pulse #14: Marvel Knights Spider-Man #21 (behind the scenes), Amazing Spider-Man #527, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #4 (behind the scenes), Marvel Knights Spider-Man #22, Spider-Man Unlimited (2004) #12 (2nd story), Black Panther #10-14 & 16, Daredevil (1998) #78 & 80-81, I ♥ Marvel: Web of Romance (unconfirmed), X-Men #186, White Tiger #4, Iron Man: Inevitable #5

NA #17-20 & Annual 1: See New Avengers. Cage does not appear in #16

After Annual 1: Marvel Team-Up Vol. 3 #22-23 & 25, White Tiger 5-6, Thing (2006) #8 (cameo), Iron Man (2005) #7-8 & 10-12

Civil War: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears throughout this event and is frequently used to put a personal touch on this massive story. He appears in New Avengers #22-23 during this event.

Click to expand for a list of various other appearances in this period.

Luke Cage joins Iron Fist’s title as a supporting player. These issues will not be called out in bold; see Iron Fist for collection options. Technically, the action in Iron First 2 & 5-6 occurs towards the end of Civil War #7.

After Civil War: Immortal Iron Fist #2, 5-6, 9-11, 13-14, Fallen Son: Avengers, Fallen Son: Iron Man, Captain America Vol. 5 #26

NA #27-37: : See New Avengers. Implied in #35.

After #31: Daredevil (1998) #112 (flashback)
During #36: Mighty Avengers #8
After #37: New Warriors Vol. 4 #2, Iron Man Vol. 4 #19

World War Hulk: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears throughout the core of this event.

An approximate reading order: World War Hulk #1-2, World War Hulk: Front Line #2, Avengers: Initiative #4, Hulk Vol. 3 #109, World War Hulk #4, World War Hulk: Front Line #4, Hulk #600 (flashback), World War Hulk #5, World War Hulk: Aftersmash# 1, World War Hulk: Aftersmash – Damage Control #1-3, World War Hulk: Aftersmash – Warbound #1 (unconfirmed)

Annual 2, #38, & Avengers/Invaders #2-12: See New Avengers.

After #38: Daredevil (1998) #107-109, Immortal Iron Fist #16-20, Fantastic Four #556 (unconfirmed) & 557
After A/I #12: Fantastic Four #562, Young Avengers Presents #6

Secret Invasion: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage is a recurring Avengers player in this event, though he is not the focus. New Avengers interrupts its focus on the main team during this event to provide background.

An approximate reading order: Secret Invasion #1 and Iron Man Vol. 4 #33, Secret Invasion 2 and NA #41 and Secret Invasion: Who Do You Trust? #1 (3rd story), Secret Invasion #5-7 and Thunderbolts #125 + Secret Invasion: Front-Line #5, Secret Invasion #8 and New Avengwrs #47-48

NA #47-50 & Free Comic Book Day 2009: Avengers #1: See New Avengers.

After #50 & FCBD09: Agents of Atlas #4-5, Wolverine Vol. 3 #73,  Timestorm: 2009-2099 #1-4,  Ms. Marvel Vol. 2 #40-42, Captain America Vol. 5 #50, Hulk #600 (flashback), Fantastic Four #569

NA #51- 60 & Annual 3: See New Avengers.

After #54: Amazing Spider-Man #600-601 (2nd story), Iron Fist #27, Immortal Weapons #1 & 5 (2nd story in both), Spider-Woman #7

During #55: Utopia one-shot
After #60: Captain America #600 (2nd story), Captain America:Who Will Wield The Shield?, Black Widow: Deadly Origin (2010) #4, Thunderbolts #137

After Annual 3: Wolverine: Weapon X #10 (unconfirmed), Avengers vs Atlas #1 & 4, Web of Spider-Man Vol. 2 #8 (unconfirmed)

New Avengers: Luke Cage (2010) #1-3
This mini-series includes Clint Barton still dressed as Ronin, which likely places it prior to Siege. Recollected as Luke Cage: Avenger alongside Avengers Origins: Luke Cage, New Avengers (2005) #22 & 49, & Marvel Team-up Annual 4

NA #62-64 & Finale: See New Avengers. These issues are part of Siege.

Siege: See Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears throughout this event as an Avenger.

An approximate reading order: Siege: Storming Asgard – Heroes & Villains (2010) #1, Siege 2 and Mighty Avengers 35 + Avengers: Initiative 34 (and a flashback in Siege: Secret Warriors), Siege #3 and New Avengers #63-64 +Siege: Captain America (2010) #1 + Avengers: Initiative 35, Siege #4 and New Avengers #64 + Siege: Embedded #4 & Dark Avengers #16, Thunderbolts (1997) #143

Thunderbolts #143: See Thunderbolts. Luke Cage joins the cast of Thunderbolts through #163, all of which fits into the next era save for this issue.

After Siege & Thunderbolts #143: Avengers Prime (2010) #5 (cameo)

Luke Cage in the Heroic Age – New Avengers & Thunderbolts (2010 – 2012)

With the heavy-hitting holy trinity of Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor back on the main Avengers squad in the wake of Siege, Luke Cage shifted to leading a lower-powered “street team” of Avengers in the relaunched New Avengers.

New Avengers (NA) (2010) #1 & Avengers (Av) (2010) #1: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

During the #1s: Wolverine: Weapon X (2009) #13-15, I Am An Avenger (2010) #1-2 & 4

Chaos War: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Chaos War (2010) #1-2, Chaos War: Dead Avengers (2011) #1 & 3, Chaos War (2010) #5

NA #1-7: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

Thunderbolts (TB) (1997) #144-147: See Guide to Thunderbolts.

After TB #147: Avengers Academy (2010) #3-4

Shadowland: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. As a street-level hero and friend to Daredevil, Luke Cage is a major player in Shadowland. Thunderbolts #148-149 are part of this event.

An approximate reading order: Shadowland (2010) #1, Daredevil (1964) #509, Shadowland: Power Man (2010) #1-2, Shadowland (2010) #2, Daredevil (1964) #510, Shadowland (2010) #3, Shadowland: Moon Knight (2010) #2, Shadowland: Spider-Man (2010) #1, Thunderbolts (1997) #148-149, Shadowland: Power Man (2010) #3, Shadowland (2010) #4, Daredevil (1964) #511, Shadowland (2010) #5, Shadowland: After the Fall (2011) #1, Daredevil (1964) #512

Power Man and Iron Fist: The Comedy of Death #1-5
This does not star Luke Cage! This Power Man is Victor Alvarez, who earns the title during Shadowland. He will not be tracked distinctly by this guide.

TB #150-154: See Guide to Thunderbolts.

After TB #150: Wolverine (2010) #5.1, (#151-154 may fit here), The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #653-654 & 654.1, Fantastic Four (1961) #584 & 588. An appears in Young Allies (2010) #5 likely also fits in this period.

NA#8, Av #7-17 & 12.1, NA #9-16: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers. Avengers #13-17 and New Avengers #14-16 occur after the Annuals and once Fear Itself is underway, below.

After Av #12.1: Secret Avengers (2010) #10

After NA #14: Avengers Academy (2010) #11, Captain America (1968) #608, Captain America Corps (2011) #2 & 4-5, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #668

Avengers: The Children’s Crusade: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage is a background player in this event. Avengers: The Children’s Crusade (2010) #2-9

NA Annual 1 & Av Annual 1: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

Fear Itself: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage appears throughout this event and its tie-ins, primarily appearing as a Thunderbolt #155-161 as well as in Avengers.

An approximate reading order: Journey Into Mystery (1952) #622 and Fear Itself (2011) #1, Fear Itself (2011) #2, Thunderbolts (1997) #155-156, Fear Itself: The Worthy (2011) #2, Thunderbolts (1997) #157-158, Fear Itself: Spider-Man (2011) #2, Avengers (2010) #13, New Avengers (2010) #14-16, Avengers (2010) #15, Thunderbolts (1997) #160-162, Avengers (2010) #16, Journey Into Mystery (1952) #624, Avengers (2010) #17, Fear Itself (2011) #4-7

TB #162-163, 163.1, & 166-167: See Guide to Thunderbolts.

After TB #167: Avengers Academy (2010) #20, Fear Itself: Captain America (2012) #7.1

Av #18: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

After Av #18: Fear Itself: The Fearless (2011) #5 & 10-11

Spider-Island: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage is a recurring supporting player in this event.

An approximate reading order: The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #665 and Free Comic Book Day 2011 (Spider-Man) (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #666-667, Spider-Island: Cloak & Dagger (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #668, Spider-Island: I Love New York City (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #669, Spider-Island: Heroes For Hire (2011) #1, The Amazing Spider-Man (1963) #672-673

After Spider-Island: Moon Knight (2011) #4 & 6, Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive (2011) #526-529, Wolverine (2010) #16, Avengers Academy (2010) #21

Thunderbolts (1997) #163 & 166-168: See Guide to Thunderbolts

NA #16.1, 17, 19-23 & Av (2010) #19: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

After NA #23 & Av #19: FF (2011) #11, Fantastic Four (1961) #600 & 604, Thunderbolts (1997) #171, Avengers Assemble (2012) #6 & 8, Avengers: X-Sanction (2012) #4

Avengers vs. X-Men: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events. Luke Cage is a major character on the Avengers side of this event.

Click to expand for an approximate Avengers vs. X-Men reading order for Luke Cage.

After AvX: Daredevil (2011) #13

Av #34 & NA #31-34: See Guide to Avengers and New Avengers

Luke Cage may also appear in the following comics from this period: Enter the Heroic Age (2010) #1, Deadpool (2008) #1000, Heroic Age: Heroes (2010) #1, Avengers vs. Pet Avengers (2010) #2-3, , Avengers vs. Pet Avengers (2010) #4, Black Panther: The Man Without Fear (2011) #514-515 & 517-518, FDNY Custom Comic (2011) #1, Heroes For Hire (2011) #3-4, Power Man and Iron Fist (2011) #4, Captain America: Hail Hydra (2011) #5 (may be a flashback series), Iron Age Omega (cameo; mostly a flashback series).

Luke Cage in Marvel Now – Dark Avengers & Mighty Avengers (2012 – 2015)

Cage rejoins the cast of Thunderbolts just as it changes its name to Dark Avengers at the beginning of Marvel Now.

Dark Avengers (2012) #175 & 177-183: See Guide to Dark Avengers.

Afterwards, Luke Cage lies low until Infinity, likely enjoying walks through Central Park with his daughter.

In this period, Luke appears in Fantastic Four (2013) #1, Red She-Hulk (2012) #67, Secret Avengers (2013) #8, Superior Spider-Man Team-Up (2013) #1, Uncanny Avengers (2012) #21-22, Deadpool (2013) #13-14

Age of Ultron: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Age of Ultron. This event is not in continuity. Cage appears in #1-4 & Superior Spider-Man (2013) #6 AU

Infinity: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Infinity. While Luke Cage appears only briefly in Infinity #3 and Infinity: Heist #3, his main involvement in the event was kicking off the new team of Mighty Avengers! He appears here after Mighty Avengers 33.

At this point, Mighty Avengers is Luke Cage’s home series.

Mighty Avengers (2014) #1-14: See Guide to Mighty Avengers. Luke Cage appears in every issue but #9 (and maybe only briefly in #10). He is in Original Sin starting after issue #10.

After #3: Infinity (2013) #3, Superior Spider-Man Team-Up (2013) #3-4, Infinity: Heist (2013) #3
After #5: The Superior Foes of Spider-Man (2013) #3-4
After #8: Fantastic Four (2014) #2, Deadpool (2012) #27 (cameo, (1st & 2nd stories), Thunderbolts (2012) #32

Original Sin (2014): See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Original Sin. Begins during Cage’s appearance Mighty Avengers #10.

An approximate reading order: Original Sin (2014) #2 (and also Mighty Avengers (2013) #10 and The Amazing Spider-Man (2014) #4), Fantastic Four (2014) #6 & 8, Daredevil (2014) #6, Original Sin (2014) #3, Original Sin (2014) #3.1, Original Sins (2014) #1 (3rd story), Original Sin (2014) #5.1, Original Sin (2014) #6, Original Sins (2014) #5, (need to check) Original Sin (2014) #7, Daredevil (2014) #6

After #14: Uncanny Avengers (2012) #23, Captain America (2013) #24-25. Likely also Deadpool (2012) #34, Marvel 75th Anniversary Celebration (2014) #1

Axis: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – AXIS. Like Cage appears as a background player in Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #1, Magneto (2014) #11, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #3-4 before the start of Captain America & The Mighty Avengers (2014).

The mid-point of Axis marks the start of Cage’s new home series, Captain America & the Mighty Avengers (2015). There wasn’t really a reason this series had to relaunch just because Falcon became Captain America, as it truly does continue directly from the end of the prior series only with the first half of Axis inserted between them. The first three issues occur between AXIS #3-4.

Captain America & The Mighty Avengers #1-9: See Guide to Mighty Avengers. Luke Cage anchors this series and appears in every issue, though for the first half he works as an antagonist to the team due to the Avengers of Axis! Issues #8-9 of this series occur during the lead-up to Secret Wars and are not entirely in continuity (since they end in a status quo that is quickly reversed).

After #3: Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #5, Superior Iron Man (2014) #3, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #7-8, Loki: Agent of Asgard (2014) #9, Avengers & X-Men: AXIS (2014) #9

After #4: Nova (2013) #25, Superior Iron Man (2015) #3 (? – need to check again), Nova (2013) #25, Fantastic Four (1961) #644-645, S.H.I.E.L.D. (2015) #1, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon (2014) #12 (cameo)

During & After #8 – during the lead-up to Secret Wars: Howard the Duck (2015) #2 (2nd story) & 5, New Avengers (2013) #28, & Deadpool (2012) #45

Secret Wars: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Wars (2015). Luke Cage does not appear significantly in this event after the first issue. He also appears in Secret Wars: Secret Love (2015) #1, Ultimate End (2015) #4-5, Secret Wars Too (2016) #1.

Luke Cage may also appear in the following comics from this period: Avengers: Heroes Welcome (2013) #1, Deadpool (2012) Annual 1, Daredevil (2014) #1.50, and Deadpool’s Art of War (2014) #3-4

All-New All-Different Marvel:
Power Man & Iron Fist (2016) #1-15 & Sweet Christmas Annual (2016)

Finally, after many years of team-ups in other titles, Luke Cage is reunited with Danny Rand in a new Power Man & Iron Fist title!

Black Panther & The Crew (2017) #3-6: See Guide to Black Panther. Implied but unseen in issue #2. Luke appears in this Ta-Nehisi Coates co-written series assembling a group of Marvel’s marquee black heroes, including Misty Knight and Storm. Though published later, it fits earlier in continuity such that it precedes Coates’s Black Panther (2016) series.

Prior to the start of this series, in Deadpool (2016) #1, Illuminati (2016) #1, Black Panther (2016) #6-8, flashback in Deadpool (2016) #7, Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat! (2016) #7.

#1-5: Vol. 1: The Boys Are Back In Town

Deadpool (2016) #13: See Guide to Deadpool. Luke co-stars throughout this issue between issues #4-5.

After issue #4: in flashback in Mockingbird (2016) #1, then in Deadpool (2016) #13 as noted above. Also, The Astonishing Ant-Man (2015) #8

#6-9: Vol. 2: Civil War II
Also collects Sweet Christmas Annual, which fits later in continuity (see below)

After issue #6: Spider-Man (2016) #7-8, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #10 (and implied but unseen in Invincible Iron Man (2015) #13). Possibly also Mockingbird (2016) #5. Also, a non-continuity appearance in promotional comic Thunder Brother and the Real H.E.R.O.E.S. of Hollywood (2016) #1.

After issue #9: flashback in Civil War II (2016) #3

#10-15: Vol. 3: Street Magic

Civil War II: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Civil War II. After his issue #9 Luke is implied in Civil War II (2016) #3 and then after his issue #12 appears in #4-6 & 8. He later appears in Civil War II: The Oath (2017) #1

After issue #12: Guardians of the Galaxy (2015) #12, Civil War II (2016) #4-6 (and Captain America: Steve Rogers (2016) #6)

Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas Annual (2016): This occurs much later in story order for Luke – after some of his appearances in the next section.

Jessica Jones (2016), Defenders (2017), & Secret Empire (2017)

Jessica Jones (2016) #1-6: See Guide to Jessica Jones. Luke appears in the opening arc of this series as an antagonist to Jessica.

After Jessica Jones (and during Defenders #1): cameo in Free Comic Book Day (All-New Guardians of the Galaxy) (2017). Also, Captain America: Sam Wilson (2015) #16 (& 15?).

Defenders (2017) #1-2: See Guide to Defenders

After Defenders #3: Monsters Unleashed! (2017) #4, flashback in Civil War II: The Oath (2017) #1

Jessica Jones (2016) #7-9 & 12: See Guide to Jessica Jones.

After Jessica Jones #12: Daredevil (2015) #21

Power Man and Iron Fist: Sweet Christmas Annual (2016): See above

After Sweet Christmas Annual: A Year of Marvels: September Infinite Comic (2016) #1 & Marvel New Year’s Eve Special Infinite Comic (2017) #1, Patsy Walker, A.K.A. Hellcat (2016) #17, Doctor Strange And The Sorcerers Supreme (2017) #7-8 (& 9-12?), Deadpool (2015) #28

Secret Empire (2017): See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Secret Empire. Though Luke’s next solo series starts concurrently with this event, for him it occurs entirely prior to that series.

An approximate reading order during Secret Empire is Secret Empire (2017) #0, flashback in Secret Warriors (2017) #4, Uncanny Avengers (2015B) #25, Doctor Strange (2015) #23-24, Secret Empire (2017) #2, 8-10, & Omega

Defenders (2017) #3-6: See Guide to Defenders. Luke appears in the remainder of this series after his 2017 ongoing in the next section.

After Defenders #6: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man (1976 / 2017) #306 (though it is published much later)

In this period, Luke appears in The Avengers (1963) #672 (need to check – ?)

All-New All-Different Marvel & Marvel Legacy:
Luke Cage (2017) #1-5 & 166-170

With Luke Cage and Iron Fist both hitting Netflix, their combo title was split up so they could both star in their own solo titles, launched alongside a Jessica Jones solo series. However, Jessica Jones occurs almost entirely prior to this series.

#1-5: Vol. 1: Sins of the Father

Non-Continuity appearances in this period include Avengers Alliance (2016) #1, and Luke Cage in “A Close Shave” (2016)

Marvel Legacy features stories that get back to basics for our heroes and refer to well-loved old continuity. For some titles that had long runs in the past, they were restored to their original numbering.

Luke’s title is renumbered to reflect the Legacy numbering of all of his series to date for this final arc about his road trip home from the adventures in the first volume of this series.. He also continues to anchor The Defenders as well as appear as a cast member in Jessica Jones.

#166-170: Vol. 2: Caged
Note that Luke breaks after issue #169 and the conclusion of this series for many co-starring guest appearances, as listed below. However, you won’t be significantly spoiled for anything below by simply reading issue #170 here!

Venomized (2018) #1 & 3-4: See Guide to Venom for this mini-event. Though released later, this occurs between #169-170 for Luke.

After #169 & Venomized: Invincible Iron Man (1968 / 2015) #593 & 595, Punisher (1986 / 2016) #224-225, Avengers (1963) #689, Punisher (1986) #227

Daredevil (1964) #599-602 & 605: See Guide to Daredevil. Luke co-stars throughout this finale to Charles Soule’s run.

Defenders (2017) #7-9: See Guide to Defenders

After Defenders #9: Despicable Deadpool (2017) #298

Hunt for Wolverine: Adamantium Agenda (2018) #1-4: See Guide to Wolverine. A New Avengers reunion between Cage, Jones, Stark, and Parker, with X-23 standing in for Wolverine. Collects Hunt for Wolverine (2018) #1 and Adamantium Agenda (2018) #1-4.

After Hunt for Wolverine: Unbeatable Squirrel Girl (2015B) #37, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #1, Deadpool (2018) #2-3. Also, Moon Knight (1980 / 2017) #196 likely fits here.

Jessica Jones (2016) #13-14 & 17: See Guide to Jessica Jones.

Defenders (2017) #10: See Guide to Defenders

Luke Cage (2017) #170: Finally, if you did not read it earlier you can read the final issue of Luke’s series here!

Jessica Jones (2016) #18: See Guide to Jessica Jones.

After Luke #170 and Jessica Jones #18: Fantastic Four (2018) #1-4, Punisher (2018) #2, 5, & 16, Fantastic Four (2018) #5 (3rd story)

Also, in flashback in Rise of the Black Panther (2018) #3 & 5

Luke Cage (2018) #1-3 by Anthony Del Col & Jahnoy Lindsay
AKA Luke Cage – Marvel Digital Original (2018)

Marvel launched a new Luke Cage series in the middle of 2018 as a Marvel Digital Original, releasing first digitally as double-issues on Comixology and then later as a physical collected edition.

#1-3: Luke Cage: Everyman

Jessica Jones – Marvel Digital Original (2018) #1 & 3: See Guide to Jessica Jones. Luke is a guest-star.

Iron Fist – Marvel Digital Original (2018) #1-3: See Guide to Iron Fist. Luke is a co-star of this series with a significant role.

Jessica Jones – Marvel Digital Original: Purple Daughter (2019) #1-3: See Guide to Jessica Jones. Luke is a co-star of this series with a significant role.

Also in this period: Man Without Fear (2019) #3.

War of the Realms (2019): See Marvel Universe Events – War of the Realms. Luke does not have a main title during this period, so he appears exclusively as a supporting character during this event.

An approximate reading order for War of the Realms: War of the Realms (2019) #2, War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants (2019) #1 (and also Avengers (2018) #19, War of the Realms (2019) #3, and Superior Spider-Man (2018) #8), War of the Realms (2019) #4 (and also Deadpool (2018) #14), War of the Realms (2019) #5 (and also War of the Realms: Journey Into Mystery (2019) #5).

Daredevil (2019) & Devil’s Reign (2021) by Chip Zdarsky & Marco Marco Checchetto

Luke stars in many comics in this period – including an Iron Fist vs. Zombies mini-event and two other linewide events. However, much of his plot development occurs in a few issues of Daredevil and the subsequent Daredevil event Devil’s Reign, where Luke is a main character.

Daredevil (2019) #2 & 5: See Guide to Daredevil

Contagion (2019) #2 & 4-5: See Guide to Iron Fist. This mini-event is effectively a street-level team-up book.

In this period: Superior Spider-Man (2018) #8, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #35, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (2019) #14, Ruins of Ravencroft: Dracula (2020) #1, Hawkeye: Freefall (2020) #2

Also in this period: a single-page story in Marvel Comics (1939) #1000, in historical flashback in Fantastic Four: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1 and Spider-Man: Marvels Snapshots (2020) #1, out of continuity (I think) in Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroy s Marvel History (2019) #6 and in montage in History of the Marvel Universe (2019) #6.

Empyre: Avengers (2020) #1-3: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Empyre. This is Luke’s only participation in the event.

Prior to King in Black: Avengers (2018) #41-43, which are not plot-significant for Luke.

King in Black (2020): See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – King in Black. Luke appears in King in Black (2020) #1, Spider-Woman (2020) #7, King in Black: Thunderbolts (2021) #1, and King in Black (2020) #5

Daredevil (2019) #24: See Guide to Daredevil

Iron Fist: Heart of the Dragon (2021) #1-6: See Guide to Iron Fist. Luke is a co-star throughout this series.

Also in this period: Spider-Woman (2020) #10, Black Panther (2018) #23-25, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #65, Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man: King’s Ransom (2021) #1, Amazing Spider-Man (2018) #66, Free Comic Book Day: Spider-Man/Venom (2021) #1, and Marvel’s Voices: Legacy (2022) #1.

Also, in the continuity-lite It’s Jeff Infinity Comic (2021) #1 and Alligator Loki Infinity Comic (2022) #10, and out of continuity in Hulk: Grand Design – Monster (2022) #1.

Devil’s Reign (2021) #1-6 & Omega: See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – Devil’s Reign.

After Devil’s Reign in Iron Fist (2022) #2 & 4-5.

Luke Cage: City of Fire (2021) #1-3 by Ho Che Anderson

This series, which was meant to lead to a relaunch of a Power Man comic, was cancelled prior to release!

Per writer Ho Che Anderson, Marvel was hesitant to release a comic focused on the politicized murder of a black man due to potential pushback and protests from American right wing extremists. This would have just preceded Devil’s Reign.

Luke Cage: Gang War (2023) #1-4 by Rodney Barnes & Ramon Bachs

Without going into spoilers, after Devil’s Reign Luke becomes a very prominent hero in NYC – though that’s never in his own book! We see the new status quo in Jessica Jones’s series The Variants, in Thunderbolts, and in Amazing Spider-Man as it leads to Gang War. Luke’s Gang War series follows his divided responsibilities to NYC. [Marvel Unlimited]

The Variants (2022) #1-5: See Guide to Jessica Jones.

A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2022): See Guide to Marvel Universe Events – AXE: Judgment Day. Luke appears briefly in A.X.E.: Judgment Day (2022) #4

Thunderbolts (2022) #1-3 & 5: See Guide to Thunderbolts. Luke is a supporting player here – the commissioner of the team.

Marvel’s Voices Infinity Comic (2022) #51-56: Not collected

Also in this period: Daredevil (2022) #3, X-Men Unlimited Infinity Comic (2021) #62, Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty (2022) #9, Doctor Strange (2023) #1, She-Hulk (2022) #11, Avengers Assemble Omega (2023) #1, Avengers: Beyond (2023) #2, Captain Marvel (2019) #50, She-Hulk (2022) #15, Avengers Inc. (2023) #1 & 5, Spider-Man Unlimited Infinity Comic (2023 #12, Sentry (2023) #1

Spider-Man – Gang War: See Guide to Spider-Man – Peter Parker (2018 – Present). Luke appears in Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #36 & #38 prior to the start of the event.

#1-4: Luke Cage: Gang War (2024 paperback, ISBN 978-1302957148 / digital)

An approximate reading order for the event is Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike (2023) #1, Luke Cage: Gang War (2023) #1 [now abbreviated as LCGW], Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #39, LCGW #2, Daredevil: Gang War (2023) #2, LCGW #3, Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #42, Deadly Hands of Kung Fu: Gang War (2023) #2-3, LCGW #4, Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #44.

After Gang War, in: Miles Morales: Spider-Man (2022) #17 & 19, cameo in Ghost Rider: Final Vengeance (2024) #2, Iron Fist 50th Anniversary Special (2024) #1, Amazing Spider-Man (2022) #56-57

Timeless (2023) #1 by Collin Kelly & Jackson Lanzing, Juann Cabal, Edgar Delgado, & Travis Lanham

A future version of Luke Cage is the star of this story – and it’s a huge one! Kelly & Lanzing explore the true meaning of the title of “Power Man” in an apocalyptic future plot. The Timeless issues tickle future stories coming in the next year of Marvel comics.

#1: Collected edition TBA

Non-Continuity Luke Cage

Luke Cage Noir (2009) #1-4 (2010 hardcover, ISBN 978-0785139423 / 2010 paperback, ISBN ‎ 978-0785135456 / digital)
Also recollected in Marvel Noir: Daredevil / Cage / Iron Man (2013 paperback, ISBN 978-0785184041)

Cage! (2016) #1-4: Cage!(2017 paperback, ISBN 978-0785127864 / digital)
An out-of-continuity mini-series exploring Cage’s early years in a cartoony style by Samurai Jack creator Genndy Tartakovsky.

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