Marvel Team-Up #126 (Story 1)
Background
A Marvel Team-Up double feature! This issue features the mighty duo of Luke Cage and Daimon Hellstrom in a battle against Satannish, the review of which I'm going to be quick about, since A) it isn't Spidey, and B) I don't like either character.
Story 'A Firm Offer!'
Marvel Team-Up #126 (Story 1)
| Editor: | Tom DeFalco |
| Writer: | J.M. DeMatteis |
| Pencils: | Bob Hall |
| Inker: | Mike Esposito |
| Cover Art: | John Romita, Jr. |
The former Defenders, Cage and Daimon Hellstrom, meet in an alleyway over a man who is near death. They fight momentarily before realizing that they know each other and that they didn't kill him. Cage moans that they will never get to the hospital in time to save the man, his buddy Tyrone (a street informant of some sort). Hellstrom tries to heal Tyrone, but the old man burns into ash before their eyes. Confused, they head back to the Heroes for Hire offices, where Cage says that he won't stop until he finds the killer. They search the streets, beating on thugs and pushing for information, finding little other than that Tyrone had become involved with the occult. Hellstrom opens a portal to the "unseen world," finding Satannish and his minions ready for an assault, and the two heroes are quickly subdued. Tyrone, still alive in Hell, reveals that he had forsaken life on Earth as Satannish had offered him an eternal place in Hell in exchange for his service. Cage and Hellstrom break free as Satannish whisks his minions away, but Cage feels that Tyrone was confused and acted like anyone else at the end of his rope would by joining up with evil, and attacks Satannish to give his old friend back. Satannish smacks Cage away, but gives Tyrone back in return for a good struggle. However, Tyrone had already sold his life away, and dies in Cage's arms, thanking him for showing what a true friend can be.
General Comments
I'm amazed at how a story that focuses on comicdom's epitome of blaxploitation coupled with a red-haired goth fighting Satan could end up being decent. That Cage is one loyal sucka, and I got to give him props for this here.
Overall Rating 
A little silly, though the themes within are golden. Four webs.