1st Appearance "PIRANHA JONES" (Raymond Jones)

Continued from Power Man #28 not #29, which was a one part story. It starts with a strong environmental lament about the conditions in New York City and then turns to Luke Cage chained to the bottom of a bridge. (This is easily the most wordy issue of Power Man ever produced.) As a barge approaches the troll bridge Luke knows that he only has moments to free himself before he will be pulled apart. As he fights to break free he thinks of Cockroach Hamilton, the man who chained him here.

Through the agony, Luke Cage is able to break free of the chains holding his legs. Dangling from his arms, he pulls his legs up to the bridge and pulls wildly. When he escapes the chains he is able to fall on the tug boat below. Or as the wordy writer says, “Cage hurtles though the copper skies. Somewhere in the distance, the Bronx is burning, flames and smoke adding a little color to the grey.”

Back at the Gem Theatre Luke tells D.W. about Adonis Chemical who is shipping toxins through New York. A guy named Wentworth stole some map routes for those deadly chemicals. He gave the maps to Cockroach, who then decided to blow him away with a six barreled shotgun, named Josh.

On 143rd street Cockroach Hamilton goes to his apartment. He starts eating a roach infested snack when he gets a call from Piranha, who wants him to come to his penthouse. Cockroach arrives at the Penthouse oasis of Piranha Jones. Piranha tells Cockroach that the raid on Adonis Chemical is still on for tomorrow morning.

Power Man is awakened by a knock on his door from a lawyer and Mr. Grundge from Adonis Chemical. The lawyer states that Luke is going to be charged with assault and battery. Luke says it was self-defense because Mr. Grundge attacked him first. As Luke taunts Mr. Grundge he goes after Luke with no success. They leave his apartment as Detective Chase enters.

Chase would like to see Luke’s social security card but Luke doesn’t have one. Chase returns to his idyllic life in Long Island.

On Manhattan’s west side a massive net drops on one of the transport vehicles for Adonis Chemical that is loaded with toxic chemicals. An armed force of people in orange and green costumes drops down on the convoy. Cockroach and Piranha are on a nearby rooftop watching the hijack of the convoy trucks.

Luke Cage shows up and starts fighting the costumed men, quipping the entire time. As he’s fighting Cockroach, Piranha Jones bites Luke’s neck with his stainless steel teeth. As the three men continue to fight a canister of chemicals gets cracked open. When they notice the glowing red and pink light they stop fighting.

Continued in Power Man #31
- Ron C.

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