Willis Stryker, aka Diamondback, and Luke Cage are a dramatic example of what happens when a friendship goes sour. The Marvel villain was introduced in Luke Cage: Hero for Hire #1 (June 1972) as an Archie Goodwin and George Tuska creation.
Growing up in Harlem, he and Luke Cage (who was originally named Carl Lucas) were friends as kids. They got into the typical youthful trouble like fighting with other kids in the neighborhood and committed petty crimes. Carl decided to change his path and got a job, while Willis became enmeshed in a gang. When Reva Connors, a girl they both liked, chose Carl over Willis, he framed his friend by planting drugs in Carl’s house.
Carl was arrested, but escaped due to the advantage of having bulletproof skin, and changed his name to Luke Cage. Willis, who earned the nickname Diamondback for his proficiency with knives, hired Gadget-Man to create new switchblades to defeat his former friend. Luke tracked Diamondback to his hideout and discovered that the villain was his former friend. They fought and Diamondback fell through a skylight and was nearly killed by a trick switchblade that blew up.
When he returned, Diamondback aspired to become a crime lord starting in Harlem then expanding across the east coast. Luke Cage became a thorn in his side while trying to achieve this goal. The hero crashed a meeting with Black Cat, so Diamondback used toxic dust on him. After the Night Nurse cured Luke, he and Jessica Jones, along with other allies, attacked Diamondback at Club Ultimate. It was then that Diamondback revealed his new superstrength and speed and though he was injured in the fight, he got away.
Once they finally caught him, he escaped custody and attacked Black Cat for helping Luke. He was captured again, and this time went on trial, but his slick lawyer provided by Wilson Fisk got him out on parole. He took over Club Ultimate and recruited Fixer, Moonstone, and Titania to be his muscle. Even that wasn’t enough to thwart the Defenders and Diamondback was arrested yet again.
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Steve Englehart, More (A) George Tuska, More (CA) John Romita Sr.
Luke Cage burst onto the comics scene as a new kind of hero for a new era, a hero for hire. His exploits were set against 1970s New York's grit and the plight of the city's people, all while incorporating larger-than-life villains and even the occasional Avenger. As the first African-American super hero to headline in his own series, Luke Cage's adventures were as historic as they were exciting. Now, his complete solo series is collected in one massive Omnibus edition. Experience the first appearance of Cottonmouth, Cage's evolving relationship with Claire Temple and the debut of Bill Foster as Giant-Man. Uncover the secrets of Security City and witness Cage battle for the title "Power Man." Collecting HERO FOR HIRE #1-16, and POWER MAN #17-47 and ANNUAL #1.
Rated T
In Shops: Jun 01, 2022
SRP: $125.00
PREVIEWS Page #78
MARVEL COMICS
(W) Archie Goodwin, More (A) George Tuska, More (CA) John Romita Sr.
Luke Cage burst onto the comics scene in 1972 as the "Hero for Hire!" Equal parts Marvel Method and Blaxploitation boldness, Cage was a new kind of hero for a new era, the historic first African American character to headline his own series. Cage's adventures depicted New York City's 1970s grit and the plight of its people with a realism that was gripping in its time, all while incorporating larger-than-life villains, including Black Mariah and Doctor Doom! This Epic Collection presents page after page of classic Luke Cage adventures, including his amazing origin, his growing relationship with Claire Temple, the first appearance of Cottonmouth, a battle against Iron Man and a fight to the finish with a classic Marvel foe for the name Power Man! Collecting HERO FOR HIRE #1-16 and POWER MAN #17-23.
Rated T
In Shops: Feb 03, 2021
SRP: $39.99
MARVEL PREVIEWS Page #102
This article originally appeared in Gemstone Publishing’s e-newsletter Scoop.
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Amanda Sheriff is Gemstone Publishing’s Associate Editor, serving as the writer/editor of the e-newsletter, Scoop. She is the author of The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Movie Posters, The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Concert Posters, and The Overstreet Guide to Collecting Horror, and co-author of The Overstreet Price Guide to Star Wars Collectibles and The Overstreet Price Guide to Batman.
