So, Marvel Comics and Netflix have signed a deal to stream
Daredevil, Power Man, Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, and the
Defenders as Netflix’s Originals.
The deal may or may not come as a surprise to some streamer. Especially after Netflix success their original series Borgias, Hemlock Grove, and
the more recently renewed for a second season House of Cards, which will return on Valentine Day in 2014.
But, you might say, “. . .
comic books superheroes”? Well, what better place than Netflix to produce series that can explore and/or exploit the
nuances of the superhero and his/her nemeses. The most recent blockbuster
movies have followed a trend of darker and bolder hero the best example are Superman
kills for the first, Batman more brute than gentlemen and Iron Man
and his deadly army of robotic clone.
Netflix is fertile for opening up that world in which younger viewers would not
understand that yes, sometime a hero must blur the boundaries of right and
wrong to bring the justice about. So, why not develop for internet viewers
streaming comic based series that can surely compete with the movies, cable and
broadcast television.
Here is a brief description
of each of Marvel’s Comics heroes to
dominate Netflix’s streaming viewers attention
as early as 2014.
Daredevil:
As a Stan Lee comic hero, Daredevil has had a
regular appearance in Marvel Comics
since 1964. He is the alter ego of Matt Murdock. Murdock is blind
but that does not stop him from training his remaining sense, which were heightens
during a radioactive exposure, and fighting crime.
As a film, Daredevil (2003) was for whatever reason
a major flop for Marvel and its star Ben Affleck. To semi-quote the
actor was, 'The only movie I regret is Daredevil - it just kills me”.
Hopefully, for Netflix that Marvel’s writers can produce a script worthy of the character.
Power Man:
The first Power Man
was discovered by Daredevil and often collaborates with Iron Fist. Power Man (Victor
Alvarez) is the sole survivor the horrific destruction of the building in
which he, his mother, and 106 other lived and died. As to the origin of his,
during the destruction the building, he absorbed the ‘chi’ of all the deceased
people in self-defense and was then able the reform his bold into an iron-like
shielding.
Today’s Power Man
is Luke Cage
and he too is often partner with Iron Fist. He is Harlem borne native and
he grew up as a member of the gang, The Rivals.
After a betrayal by another gang member and close friend, Cage is sent
to prison. While in prison Cage meets research scientist Dr. Noah
Burstein, who recruits him for experimental in cell regeneration in order to
create a super warrior based on a variant of the ‘Super-Soldier’ experiments he
used to create Warhawk earlier. Captain America is thought to be
the first ‘Super-Soldier’.
A relatively new
character, Power Man has appeared in Marvel
Comics since 2012 and has made many appearances as a teen crusader in the
animated cartoon, Ultimate spider Man.
Iron Fist:
Danny Rand, adventurer and formerly co-owner of Rand-Meachum, Inc., his alter ego
is Iron Fist. Unlike Power Man, his iron-like superpower come
from great
concentration and training that allowed him to harness his spiritual energy, or
chi. In doing so he augment his physical and mental capabilities to peak
superhuman levels. His best friend is Power Man and the two characters
appear in many Marvel Comics.
With two characters having similar superpowers, it
is likely that the two will appear in one Netflix
series. Iron Fist first
appearance was in 1974, Marvel Premiere
#15.
Jessica Jones:
Now, we have a little
return of some girl power
.
Like Power Man, Jessica Campbell Jones has had two incarnations. Thee first is Jessica Jones alias are that Jewel,
Knightress, and currently
Power Woman. Jessica first appearance was in Amazing Spider-Man Volume 1- 4. She was
one of Peter Parker classmates. Jessica major power is her strength,
which is off the scales. She can lift a car as one lifted a toothpick. She
gained powers after being doused with a chemical substance spilling from a
truck that a first left her in a coma for two years. Today she is married to Luke
Cage.
Jessica Jones second incarnation is that of a Skrull (a race of
green-skinned humanoids from the Andromeda Galaxy.). For a long time she believed she was the
human Jewel and later hid her shape-shifting abilities to blend in and
to be accepted. Besides her ability to shape-shift, this Jessica has all
the power of the first. These powers are superhuman strength, superhuman durability, the Skrulls unarmed
combat techniques, marksmanship, and she is telepathic resistance, telepathy
being a skill that Skrulls often use against its enemies.
What incarnation will Netflix’s Jessica Jones possess?
Jessica Jones is a supporting character in the Young Avengers series and the New Avengers.
Last but not least, The
Defenders:
The
Defenders first appeared as a feature in Marvel
Feature #1 on December 1971. They included a superhero team comprised of
the Hulk, Namor, and, Silver Surfer and the group was leader was Dr Strange. Later
on Valkyrie, Nighthawk, Hellcat, the Gargoyle, Beast,
the Son of Satan, and Luke Cage gradually replaced the Hulk
and Namor. In The New Defenders
of the late 90s only Valkyrie, the Beast, and the Gargoyle
were featured as regulars.
Today the Defenders have taken the place of the
disbanded Avengers and consist of Doctor Strange, Captain America,
Wolverine, Janet Van as the Wasp - Dyne, Captain Marvel, Thing
(from the Fantastic Four), Cable, Hulk, and Star-Lord.
The group is a resistance against Morgan le Fay who has conquered half
of Earth.
Of these noticeable
characters, which of them will make the cut as main characters in the
miniseries for Netflix?