Many people may have discovered Marvel Comics’ Misty Knight on Netflix’s Luke Cage and The Defenders. That iteration of the character was played by Simone Missick. Knight is a feisty detective known for her bionic arm, amazing intuition, and extreme intelligence. On the TV series, and even in the MCU, the character often takes a back seat to other principal characters. On the TV series, we saw her lusting after Luke Cage, who ended up breaking her heart. In comic book world, she actually dated Iron Fist while Luke Cage (Power Man) was the rebound romance, but we will get to that in a minute. Let us start at the beginning.
Mercedes “Misty Knight,” also known as Maya Corday, first appeared in Marvel Premiere #21 (March 1975). The character was born and raised in New York City where she graduated from the police academy. She excelled in the NYPD and rose to became lieutenant. She was already a skilled combatant and had near perfect aim with firearms. In her story arch, Misty lost her arm in an explosion at a bank and she was relegated to a desk job.
Knight was not willing to be on the sidelines, so she left the NYPD and started Knightwing Restorations, LTD, a private investigation firm with her good friend Colleen Wing. Tony Starks, yup THE Tony Starks aka Iron Man, took notice of the young hero and was inspired to gift her with her signature bionic arm. The arm granted Misty superhuman strength, the ability to create energy blasts, gravity fields, control machines, and more.
Misty’s organization affiliations include Knightwing Restorations, LTD, Heroes for Hire, Daughters of the Dragon, and Valkyrior. She has also been involved in the Civil War storyline, she was once roommates with Jean Grey (aka Marvel Girl, Phoenix, and Dark Phoenix) and has helped the X-Men, was included in the short-lived Black Panther & The Crew comic book series, and more.
As far as her relationship with Iron Fist, they met through mutual friend Colleen Wing (Knightwing Restorations, LTD and Daughters of the Dragon) and hit it off. Their relationship was intense, and they were known for sharing the first interracial kiss between superheroes in a mainstream comic book series (1977). Iron Fist broke up with Misty Knight after a while because he didn’t feel like he was a good boyfriend, but they continued having a rollercoaster off and on relationship. Misty became romantically involved with Luke Cage (Power Man) at one point shortly after the Iron Fist break up. Her love affair with Luke Cage was short lived but it caused some tension between “heroes for hire” Luke Cage and Iron Fist. The tension did not last forever but Misty Knight obviously left an impression. In one version of the Marvel Universe, because there are always several different storylines per character (and Misty is in at least six, probably more), Misty Knight and Iron Fist jump the broom, give up being superheroes, and live a simple life with their little girl.
Misty makes a cameo appearance in the Marvel vs. Capcom video game series but is not a playable character. She is obviously a key player in the Marvel Universe who always seems to play a supporting role though she deserves a series of her own. It is time for somebody to recognize Misty Knight!
