While working as a “Hero for Hire”, Luke Cage inevitably crossed paths with some powerful enemies. Here is our list of the Top Luke Cage Villains.
Bushmaster
while developing a successful criminal career in the Caribbean, Bushmaster decided to move his criminal operation to New York where he quickly came under investigation by the New York District Attorney – Misty Knight. In attempt to stop her, Bushmaster kidnapped Luke Cage’s friends and threatened to kill them if Cage did not bring Misty Knight before him. Bushmasters plan was foiled when Misty Knight’s boyfriend Iron Fist teamed up with Luke Cage to take him down.
Bushmaster The two managed to send him off to Seagate Prison and in the process formed a lifelong friendship. Later on, Bushmaster gained greater power than Luke Cage through the same means that Cage gained his powers. If this wasn’t bad enough, he gained the ability to absorb energy in later issues and became known as Power Master.
Diamondback
Once being Luke Cage’s closest childhood friend and fellow gang member, Willis Stryker soon became one of Cage’s deadliest enemies after the two competing for the same woman. Stryker planted drugs on Cage to frame him and resulted in Cage being shipped out to Seagate Prison. Styker eventually earned the name Diamondback due to his proficiency with sharp knives and his reptilian-like apparel.
Diamondback
Shades
Shades is a Villain whose roots are from early Luke Cage comics. He began as a gang members and due to his violent activity, he was sent to Seagate Prison. He soon broke out and formed the “Hoodlums for Hire” with Comanche. The Hoodlums for Hire were the criminal equivalent to Cage’s Hero for Hire role. In a later issue he was given a powerful pair of sunglasses that gave him the ability to fire beams from them. Shade’s persistence and criminal prowess allowed him the ability to often face off as a rival against Cage.
Shades
Black Mariah
Mariah Dillard, or as she is commonly known on the streets – “Black Mariah” – has proven to be one of Cage’s most formidable enemies. Having committing crimes ranging from stealing from dead bodies in a stolen ambulance to selling a powerful drug that made addicts crazy, Black Mariah quickly gained Cage’s attention. Though she does not have any special powers, her large size and cunning behavior allow her to face off against Luke Cage.
Black Mariah (on left)
Luke Cage’s involvement as a Hero for Hire has resulted in him facing off against many villains that we couldn’t fit in this post. Make sure to follow us on social media and let us know which of the villains we listed are your favorite or who you feel should be on the list. On a side-note we also update the Arctify Site theme to Luke Cage for July. The July tee will be shipped during the last week of July.
The Arctify Team
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