1st APPEARANCE 'BLACK MARIAH"

When Frank Jenkin's is murdered in the Gem Theater, Luke Cage informs his widow of his demise. However, Luke is shocked when the another ambulance arrives after one already picked up Jenkin's body. When Jenkin's widow shows up at the Gem, Luke tells her the bad news, and tells her that he'll find her husbands body -- free of charge. As it turns out Jenkin's body was stolen by Black Mariah, a obese criminal who's men would pose as ambulance drivers and steal people who died in public and loot their possessions.

While tracking down Black Mariah, Luke Cage seeks information from the street informant known as Flea, who sells his information to Cage for fifty dollars. However, Luke refuses to pay until he checks out the information. After Flea's information turns out to be incorrect, Luke still manages to track down Black Mariah and battle her and her goons. During the battle, Luke makes short work of Mariah's men, while Mariah tries to escape in a boat. However, Luke pounces on the boat, destroying it and sending Mariah in the water.

After Black Mariah and her gang are turned over to police, Jenkin's widow arrives on the scene to thank Luke. Flea takes this moment to come to collect payment from Luke. Believing that Luke was trying to make her pay for his services she throws the 50 dollars in his face and storms off. Flea takes the money and leaves, and Luke ponders over his decision to be a "Hero for Hire"

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