Luke Cage Throws Down In New Season 2 Photos

Though Marvel’s TV output has arguably been shoved to the sidelines in favor of Avengers: Infinity War, over on Netflix, the Hero of Harlem is getting ready for his second solo outing.

After dropping an action-packed trailer on us the other week, the studio’s now debuted a fresh gallery of photos for Luke Cage season 2, in which we see Mike Colter’s Power Man and Simone Missick’s Misty Knight throwing down with some unlucky goons as well as new adversary: John McIver (AKA the Bushmaster).

Whereas Mahershala Ali’s scenery-shewing Cottonmouth preferred a smoke and mirrors approach as he ruled over Harlem’s Paradise, Bushmaster is all about brute strength, it seems – so much so, in fact, that a single swing of his mighty fist is enough to floor Luke Cage. Suddenly Marvel’s Hero for Hire doesn’t seem so unbreakable after all, eh?

Also included in this gallery (pulled from Empire Magazine) is a new peek at Mariah Dillard (Alfre Woodard) and the ice-cool Shades (Theo Rossi), who appears to be plotting to seize control of the empire that Cottonmouth left behind.

Of course, it’s not just Mariah and Shades who will be returning, as also on board for another round is Claire Temple (Rosario Dawson), who’s quickly becoming a mainstay of Marvel’s television output, what with her roles in Daredevil, Iron Fist and last year’s Defenders team-up, which may well be remembered as a heroic flash in the plan.

For more, here’s a reminder of season 2’s official logline, courtesy of Netflix:

After clearing his name, Luke Cage has become a celebrity on the streets of Harlem with a reputation as bulletproof as his skin. But being so visible has only increased his need to protect the community and find the limits of who he can and can’t save. With the rise of a formidable new foe, Luke is forced to confront the fine line that separates a hero from a villain.

“Just so we’re clear. I’m not in the market for a sidekick.” Though based on the Bushmaster’s untold strength, we imagine Luke Cage could do with a partner watching his back. And we’ll find out whether Marvel’s Power Man forms a new alliance with the souped-up Misty Knight when season 2 premieres on June 22nd.