Beginning its life as “Hero for Hire,” this series introduced Luke Cage, the bulletproof, freelance super-hero. When Cage adopted the name “Power Man,” the series changed to follow suit, switching with issue #17 to “Power Man.” With the introduction of Cage’s partner, Iron Fist, it changed names again, becoming “Power Man & Iron Fist.”
Together, the two heroes ran “Heroes for Hire,” an agency which sold their services to people in need. The agency suffered dramatic success, then dramatic failure—ending in the apparent death of Iron Fist in issue #125. Cage, who was blamed for the death, was forced to go into hiding. He eventually reappeared in the pages of the Punisher, and later in a new series, Cage.
Power Man #27
"Just a Guy Named X!" Script by Bill Mantlo, pencils by George Perez, inks by Al McWilliams. When an overweight down-on-his-luck wrestler drinks a mysterious formula, he is endowed with super-human strength. Now, he's going to get back at everybody who laughed at him, starting with Luke Cage. Cover price $0.25.
Power Man #49
"Seagate is a Lonely Place to Die!" Part 3 of 3. Guest-starring Iron Fist and the Daughters of the Dragon. Story by Chris Claremont. Art by John Byrne and Dan Green. Luke Cage returns to the prison where it all began, and comes face-to-face with the powerhouse known as Bushmaster. But, can even Power Man's diamond-hard fists and the power of the "Iron Fist" defeat the ultimate product of the experiments that gave Cage his powers? 32 pages. NOTE: This is last issue titled just Power Man. Cover price $0.35.
Power Man and Iron Fist #57
"The Living Monolith!" Guest-starring the Uncanny X-Men. Story by Mary Jo Duffy. Art by Trevor Von Eeden and Frank Springer. Sure, Power Man is strong, and Iron Fist has very few rivals in the martial arts, but even the Heroes for Hire are as nothing next to the raw power of the Living Monolith. Luckily, they'll get some help from the Children of the Atom when they take on this titanic menace. 32 pages. Cover price $0.40.
Power Man and Iron Fist #115
"Stanley's War!" Part 1 of 2. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Cover by John Byrne. The Heroes for Hire take on a stir-crazy bazooka wielding psycho in the middle of a snow covered waistland. This one does not end pretty. Cover price $0.60.
Power Man and Iron Fist #116
Part 2 of 2. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Cover by John Byrne. Things go from bad to worse as Luke begins to loose his grip on reality. As Power Man becomes more and more irrational Danny is forced to do the one thing he never thought he'd have to...use the power of the Iron Fist on his friend. 32 pages. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #117
Daughters of the Dragon cameo. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. In the aftermath of last issue Danny Rand is diagnosed with acute radiation poisoning and is forced to wear medical spaceman-like suit to keep him alive. Unfortunately there is a madman out to kill his new boss Maxine Walters and with the cumbersome suit slowing him down will Iron Fist be able to save the day? 32 pages. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #118
"What's Eating Colleen...?" Part 1 of 3. Guest-starring Colleen Wing and Doctor Druid. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. In order to find a cure for the disease that is ravaging Danny's body, the Heroes for Hire go to the mystic, Doctor Druid, to help them reach the magical land of K'un Lun. But when they arrive things are far worse than at first expected as they find the Mystic City in ruins. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #119
"Daughter of the Dragon King!" Part 2 of 3. Guest-starring Colleen Wing and Doctor Druid. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Cover by John Byrne. Danny Rand has returned to the mystical land of K'un Lun in search of a cure for the disease that is eating away at his body. Meanwhile, Colleen Wing comes face-to-face with the legendary Dragon King. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #120
"Dragonslayer!" Part 3 of 3. Guest-starring Colleen Wing and Doctor Druid. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Iron Fist, the Living Weapon is back and he's more powerful than ever. As Danny battles a dragon one-on-on an evil threatens to consume him, that is unless his friends have anything to say about it. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #121
Secret Wars II crossover. "Heroes...and Other Strange Cats!" Guest-starring the Falcon, Beyonder, Nick Fury, Misty Knight, and Captain Hero. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Secret Wars II crossover. Tragedy strikes Captain Hero as he learns that he is dying. Plus, the Beyonder decides that he wants to be a super-hero and who better to learn from than everybody's favorite Hero for Hire, Luke Cage. However, S.H.I.E.L.D. feels the Beyonder is too dangerous to live and fire missiles to destroy him. Unfortunately, Iron Fist is at Ground Zero. 32 pages. Cover price $0.65.
Power Man and Iron Fist #122
"What's Eating Misty...?" Guest-starring the Daughters of the Dragon. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. The dragon Chiantang has made his way to the mortal realm and no one is safe. Meanwhile, Danny is haunted by the change that has come over him. Cover price $0.75.
Power Man and Iron Fist #123
"What's Eating Misty...?" Guest-starring the Falcon. Story by Jim Owsley. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Cover by Kevin Maguire and Joe Rubinstein. When an electrically charged menace begins to rampage, it's up to Power Man and the Falcon to bring it down. But when Luke Cage discovers the identity of this creature things really get ugly. NOTE: Marvel begins their 25th Anniversary celebration with a new logo in top left corner of the front covers of their books for the next year. Cover price $0.75.
Power Man and Iron Fist #124
It's kung-fu hustle at its best in "Crossfire!" Story by Jim Owsley and Mark Bright. Art by Mark Bright and Jerry Acerno. Cover by Keith Pollard and Bob Layton. An army of gun wielding mafia goons and ninja stand in the way of Iron Fist and the man who holds the key to his inner peace. They don't stand a chance. 32 pages. Cover price $0.75.
Power Man and Iron Fist #125
Final Issue. Guest-starring the Falcon, Misty Knight, the Avengers, and Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four. Spider-Man and Daredevil cameos. Written by Jim Owsley and Mark Bright. Art by Mark Bright and Mike Esposito. Cover by Mark Bright and John Beatty. It's the end of the road for the Heroes for Hire and crazy John Lumas wants to make sure they go out with a bang. And can it be...Luke Cage is accused of the murder of Danny Rand? Plus, Twelve year old Bobby Wright's (Captain Hero) condition gets steadily worse. Can the chi of Iron Fist save the boy? In this issue witness the tragic death of two heroes. All this plus Power Man and Iron Fist take on the 1985 Super Bowl Campions the Chicago Bears in a football game. 48 pages. Cover price $1.25.