‘Luke Cage’ episode 4 included an Easter egg joke about Luke’s original costume

Culture

In the tradition of Netflix's Marvel series keeping its storylines as realistic as possible for superhero-centric television, the newly released Luke Cage doesn't have its titular character sport his original costume from the comic books. 

(Editor's note: Spoilers for the first four episodes of Luke Cage ahead). 

After all, Cage — who was conceived in the '70s — would feel out of place in modern-day Harlem with his Power Man outfit: a silky yellow shirt, a chain belt, blue spandex pants and a metallic head brace and wristbands. 

Marvel

Instead, Cage (played by Mike Colter) has a subtler nod to the character's roots, as the inside of the black hoodie he wears is yellow. But the show had a clever tie-in to the character's original look in its fourth episode, in which viewers learn about the origin of Cage's superpowers. 

While Cage is locked up in Seagate Prison — basically, a Marvel equivalent to Alcatraz based in Georgia — he is beaten to a pulp by two inmates after word gets out that he wants to leave the illegal fighting ring one of the prison guards operates. In a last-ditch effort to save his life at the facility, he undergoes an experimental medical procedure that would seemingly help heal his wounds (this is when he's given a head brace and wristbands). 

The procedure takes a wrong turn, however, when the guard attempts to intervene, and the subsequent meddling causes the tank to explode, killing the guard and leaving Cage with his newfound powers. 

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With his super-strength, he's able to punch his way through the prison walls and swims ashore. Then, when he makes it to land, he snatches a yellow shirt and blue jeans from a clothesline with a makeshift belt. Just like that, he bears a strong likeness to his original outfit — but once he sees himself in the reflection of a car, he's less than impressed. 

"You look like a damn fool," he tells himself. 

Fans on Twitter took note of the clever Easter egg, too.

Luke Cage is currently streaming in its entirety on Netflix.