Claire Temple

Claire Temple
Claire meets Luke Cage, from Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #2 (August 1972)
Publication information
Publisher	Marvel Comics
First appearance	Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #2 (August 1972)
Created by	Archie Goodwin (writer) George Tuska (artist)
In-story information
Team affiliations	Heroes for Hire
Supporting character of	Luke Cage
Abilities	Doctor

Claire Temple is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. An African-American doctor, she is primarily affiliated with the superhero Luke Cage and is one of his early love interests.

Starting in 2015, a version of the character, portrayed by Rosario Dawson, has appeared in multiple episodes of the Marvel Cinematic Universe web television series, such as Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, Iron Fist and The Defenders. She is a composite of Claire and the comic character Night Nurse.

The character of African-American superhero Luke Cage was created shortly after Blaxploitation films emerged as a popular new genre. In Luke Cage, Hero for Hire #2 (August 1972), Cage meets Dr. Claire Temple, who works with Dr. Noah Burstein at his 42nd Street storefront clinic. Cage has been shot by hitmen sent by the criminal Diamondback, and Claire is surprised to find him only bruised by the bullets. She is subsequently kidnapped by Diamondback, whom Cage discovers is his old friend Willis Stryker, the man who had framed Cage for the crime that sent him to prison. Cage frees Claire but Diamondback is killed by one of his own weapons. Claire corroborates Cage's story with the police, and the two become romantically involved. In 1973, Claire is surprised to see two grateful clients kissing Cage, but spending Christmas Eve together they are assaulted twice by the criminal Marley, whom Cage later subdues. As Claire and Cage continue dating, Dr. Burstein—who is partially responsible for giving Cage his powers—continues to keep the secret from Claire (Daily Bugle reporter Phil Fox) that Cage escaped from prison. Cage is tortured by his complicity in the death of the criminal Lionfang, but Claire helps him to realize that the villain brought it upon himself. Having discovered Cage's secret but unable to publish it, Fox teams up with Cage's prison guard nemesis Billy Bob Rackham to get revenge on Cage by kidnapping Claire. They kidnap the wrong woman, Fox is killed and the police find Claire holding the murder weapon. Cage creates a distraction to talk to Claire in custody, and she tells him that she now knows he is an escaped convict. Cage vows to find Fox's real killer. Rackham is revealed as the murderer, exonerating Claire, who is reunited with Cage.