Throughout the comic universe, Luke Cage’s Power Man has left a long list of enemies in his wake. Now, it seems one of his most recognizable comic book villains is taking the leap from page to screen for the second season of Luke Cage. Do you know who this is?
Created by Chris Claremont and John Byrne, John McIver, a/k/a Bushmaster, made his debut appearance in Iron Fist Vol. 1 #15 in 1977. McIver grew up on an unidentified island in the Caribbean Sea with his brother Quincy. McIver’s violent temper led him to become heavily involved in street crime. Gradually he rose through the criminal ladder and became a powerful crime boss, criminal financier, and organizer. Adopting the name John Bushmaster, he managed to take over the European branch of the international crime syndicate Maggia. As he expanded his crime operations into the U.S., he attracted the attention of the FBI, CIA, and Interpol. This in turn led him into constant conflict with Luke Cage, Misty Knight, and Iron Fist.
Later on, Bushmaster coerced scientist Noah Burnstein into utilizing the Power Man process on him to an even greater extent. Power Man, Iron Fist, Misty Knight, and Colleen Wing arrived to fight Bushmaster and found him to be more powerful than Luke Cage. During the battle, Power Man and Bushmaster pierced a chemical vat and were doused in chemicals. Bushmaster was presumed dead in the resulting explosion, but managed to survive as his body mutated into an unliving metal. His transformation continued to accelerate and eventually began to crumble leaving only a metal skeleton behind. After the fact, Bushmaster’s son Cruz had his father’s remains taken to an island fortress so Burnstein could adjust the issues in the Power Man process. He placed the remains in a chamber alongside Luke Cage, so he could absorb the negative effects. Bushmaster was revived by the efforts and took over Cruz’s body.
The latest trailer for the second season of Luke Cage teased the arrival of Bushmaster, portrayed by Mustafa Shakir (The Cavern). Arriving June 22, 2018 on Netflix, Luke Cage stars Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Alfre Woodard, Theo Rossi, and Rosario Dawson.
