The Marvel Comics Neflix Superheroes Series’ Merger

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

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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?