Power-Fist Facts

Let's see how much of a Heroes For Hire Fan you really are! Here are One Dozen Power Man & Iron Fist Facts!

1. Both "Power Man" and "Iron Fist" were two series in 1972 that had declining sales. So Marvel had cancelled Iron Fist's book and moved him onto Power Man's title, the title was renamed "Power Man & Iron Fist" shortly after. With a mix of Blaxploitation and 70's Kung-Fu film elements, the book was a light-hearted and enjoyable romp through the lives of Luke Cage and Danny Rand as they ran their business "Heroes For Hire".

2. Along with leading The Heroes For Hire business, Luke Cage has also led The New Avengers, The Defenders, The Mighty Avengers, and The Thunderbolts.

3. Danny Rand trained in the mystical city of Kung-Lung. There he mastered martial arts, the control of "chi", and defeated a dragon with his bare hands. Danny shares a strong sense of mysticism with Doctor Strange who had also trained in a hidden city in the Himalayas. While on The New Avengers, Danny's mysticism was upgraded by a being called Agamatto.

4. In 1964, Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Don Heck created Wonder Man for "The Avengers" title. They were met with quick aggression from DC Comics who claimed "Wonder Man" was too similar to their "Wonder Woman". Wonder Man was hence left out of the Avengers for twenty years. Stan Lee wasn't too upset about that instance, but DC Comics had created a character named Power Girl in 1976 which was four years after Power Man's creation. That miffed Stan Lee.

5. Luke Cage was featured in Brain Micheal Bendis' "Alias" series starring Jessica Jones. After a one night stand, Cage learns Jessica had become pregnant with his baby. Taking responsibility Cage offers to help Jessica with the child and the two develop feelings for each other beyond physical attraction. After their child is born, Luke and Jessica get married. Their child is named Danielle after Cage's best friend Danny Rand.

6. Along with Doctor Strange, Iron Fist shares a connection to Daredevil. Both have recognized each other as martial arts rivals and both have learned how to heal from injuries via heavy meditation. Shortly before "Civil War" Matt Murdock had asked Danny to pose as Daredevil for a little while to debunk the media's suspicion that Matt was Daredevil. Iron Fist and Power Man were also part of a group of street level heroes who helped free Daredevil from demonic possession during the event "Shadowland".

7. Luke Cage has an unusual friendship to Marvel's Man-Thing. During an adventure with Norman Osborn's Thunderbolts, Luke and his team encounter Man-Thing in a swamp. The thing about Man-Thing is that he lacks thought and bases everything on emotion, he is also empathetic so if someone sees him and is terrified he will become startled too and use acid on his palm to burn the onlooker. But because Luke Cage has unbreakable skin Man-Thing could not burn him and assumed this meant he was no threat.

8. During "Maximum Carnage" Iron Fist taps into the "chi" of a raging crowd and calms them down before anyone is hurt. Spider-Man insists Iron Fist teach him and several other heroes that trick, but Iron Fist claims learning how to do it would take eight to ten years. Spider-Man's response is punching a chimney stack.

9. Though his skin is unbreakable, Luke can still internally bleed. Usually this means he needs to have an injection through his eye or a tube down his throat. In "Deadpool Kills The Marvel Universe", Deadpool uses shrunken explosives to kill The Avengers, but Luke survives thanks to his skin. However, Deadpool also snuck the bombs into Luke's coffee causing his insides to explode.

10. Luke Cage's birth name is Carl Lucas. He had it legally changed to "Luke Cage" after he was released from prison and started his business as a "Hero For Hire" in Harlem. "Power Man" was more of a typical superhero nickname than an actual alter ego, and the name "Luke Cage" was just to disassociate himself from being an ex-convict.

11. Luke Cage got his unbreakable skin while being experimented on in prison. This experimentation was part of an attempt to create the next Super-Soldier. This puts Luke Cage next to Deadpool, Wolverine, The Green Goblin, and a few others as failed Super-Soldier projects. Hulk too, if we are counting cinematic versions.

12. The second hero to use the name "Power Man" is a teenager named Victor Alvarez. Victor had a natural ability to use "chi". Using the name "Power Man" he offered his superpowered assistance on Craigslist until Luke Cage and Iron Fist found him. They learned Vic's father was a villain they fought back in the day and agreed to show him the ropes on being a superhero. Blessed by the original Power Man and tutored by Iron Fist, Vic would be a main member of The Heroes For Hire, The Mighty Avengers, and Avengers Academy.

Thanks for reading!

Who would you rather arm wrestle? Luke or Danny? Comment below!