For nearly a decade now, Marvel has been dominating over DC in theaters notwithstanding that the latter only officially made known its intention to give the Marvel Cinematic Universe a run for its money with the showing of ‘Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice’ in March this year.
DC Comics have partnered with Warner Bros to develop the DC Expanded Universe on theaters to match up against Marvel Comics and Disney/Marvel Studios which ushered the Marvel Cinematic Universe as early as 2008 with the showing of “Iron Man.”
However, on the small screen, it seems that DC still lords it over Marvel with at least five superhero TV series in two different networks including “Arrow,” “The Flash,” “Supergirl,” and “Legends of Tomorrow” on The CW, and “Gotham” on Fox.
It was barely three years ago when Marvel decided to foray into TV territory with “Agents of SHIELD,” “Agent Carter,” “Jessica Jones,” and “Daredevil” and just this year, “Luke Cage.”
However, judging from the first season of the just aired American web TV series “Luke Cage” on Netflix, where there were plenty of Easter eggs for other up and coming Marvel superheroes, it looks like Season 2 would continue to feature more of the same.
Critics believe that it is meant to hype possible up and coming TV series for Marvel featuring its second-liner superheroes not normally dominating those in the big screens. This also means that Marvel shall also be taking its battle with DC on the TV front to a new level.
Plenty of references and Easter eggs
Marvel movies are known for making references to other Marvel productions and comic books. It seems that “Luke Cage” Season 1 also did the same by peppering it with plenty of Easter eggs and references.
In fact, a number of videos have been uploaded on YouTube and on social media clearly identifying the Easter eggs in the new superhero TV series “Luke Cage.”
Fans and critics both say that some of the references and Easter eggs are pretty obvious but there are also some which are more subtle, and thus requires a bit of critical thinking, notes the Parent Herald.
The more obvious ones include the other heroes and villains of Marvel including Misty Knight and the origins of Luke Cage based on the comic books.
The subtle references, on the other hand, involve other characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the Marvel Comics. One of the most talked about Easter eggs in “Luke Cage” Season 1 was found in its 12th episode where Stan Lee is seen in a poster on the wall of a convenience store.
The iconic Marvel Comics writers did not do a cameo for “Luke Cage” Season 1 but his subtle appearance through a poster was exciting enough for the fans.
There are also references to Jessica Jones, Hellcat, Wilson Fisk, and some villains in “Daredevil” and “Jessica Jones” were mentioned quite a number of times by Luke Cage himself.
During the Season 1 finale, Claire grabs a flyer for a self-defense class under Colleen Wing who is expected to appear in “Iron Fist.” Colleen will make friends with Misty and they will build a detective agency based on the Marvel lore.
Apart from Marvel characters, Marvel movies are also referenced in “Luke Cage.” One of them is the “Avengers” film that was mentioned as “The Battle of New York” or “The Incident.”
Luke Cage has been in the Marvel universe since 1972. His character is the first black superhero who had his own title in “Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #1.”
A TV series with an incredible production value
“Luke Cage” Season 1 made its debut on Netflix on September 30 and it is expected that most of the fans have already seen or streamed all its episodes by this time.
More importantly, the TV series was both warmly received by viewers and gone over fairly well with critics. Some describe the show as a solid TV series with an incredible production value, details the Inquisitr.