After several appearances in Netflix’s Marvel-verse, Luke Cage is once again the star of the show in Luke Cage season two. In Power Man’s sophomore season, Cage continues his work of cleaning up Harlem while slowly rebuilding his relationship with his estranged father. Meanwhile, Shades, Mariah Dillard, and a new enemy going by Bushmaster have Harlem underneath their thumbs in a turf war.

Luke Cage is a 2016 web television series starring Mike Colter as the titular lead, it is produced by Marvel Television & ABC Studios, and is available exclusively on Netflix. Season two is currently available in it’s entirety.

Is Marvel seriously about to give us a full on “Heroes for Hire” series? Hell yes please!

Editor’s Note: This review contains near complete to complete spoilers for Luke Cage season two.

Luke Cage is back running (mostly) solo in cleaning up the streets of Harlem. After taking on The Hand in The Defenders, Cage finds himself back home where a new drug taking advantage of his good name has hit the streets. As Black Mariah & Shades continue to gain ground on control of Harlem a new villain named Bushmaster invades the city looking to kill her due to a decades long family grudge.

Misty Knight (left) gets her mechanical pal in Luke Cage season two.

THE GOOD: Luke Cage returns in a far superior sophomore season. As Cage gets back to his job as the Sheriff of Harlem, a new drug bringing down his good name hits the streets. Mariah Stokes & Shades having taken control from Cottonmouth, have invited unwanted guest into the city, but for the purpose of getting out of the game for good, at least in Mariah’s case. Unbeknownst to them, a Jamaican gang, of which Mariah has a history with; the Yardies comes to New York looking to take over both Brooklyn & Harlem, and their leader Bushmaster wants Mariah dead due to her being responsible for the death of his mother.

Alfre Woodard provides a powerful performance as victim turned gangster Mariah Stokes, the true villain of season two.

Guest appearances from other Netflix Marvel series are present here as they are elsewhere with Foggy, Colleen, and Danny Rand crossing over. With recent developments of Luke Cage it feels like Marvel is getting closer and closer to giving us Heroes for Hire, and that should definitely be the next step moving forward. Honestly, there’s no real reason for Iron Fist season 3 or Luke Cage season 3. Misty has her mechanical arm, Iron Fist & Power Man are best friends, and Colleen is featured alongside the above mentioned, if we aren’t going to get The Defenders season 2, then this should definitely be the next big thing. There’s even multiple direct Heroes for Hire references spread throughout the second season of Luke Cage, including the aforementioned Cage/Rand relationship budding.

Marvel’s next big Netflix project?

Music continues to be an element at the epicenter of of Luke Cage. Rap & Hip Hop tracks play out most of the scenery like in the previous season, but the addition of Jamaican reggae also plays a part in expressing Bushmaster and the Yardies during their respective scenes. Cage the character seems to be much more in tune with his comic book counterpart this time around compared to past appearances. I was also a big fan of Bushmaster’s character, even though he’s savage as hell the writing staff never forgets to humanize him and his thirst for revenge against Mariah Stokes. Speaking of which Woodard’s performance as Stokes with her continued development up until her death was some of the best Marvel has produced to date. Mustfa Shakir & Theo Rossi’s performances as Bushmaster & Shades respectfully were excellent highlights as well.

Co-antagonist Bushmaster.

THE BAD: Season two doesn’t really pick up until episode three, but once it starts it keeps going and never stops.

Luke Season season two is a rare Marvel product that finally surpasses it’s drop off period issues.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Luke Cage season two is another step forward in things to come in both of Marvel’s Cinematic Universes, with big implications on what to expect within the next couple of years. With excellent acting performances and an entertaining soundtrack, Luke Cage’s second solo run is one that shouldn’t be missed if you stuck with Netflix’s universe from the start. Otaku Dome gives Marvel’s Luke Cage Season 2 an 89 out of 100.