John McIver, also known as Bushmaster, is an enhanced individual who had previously witnessed his family being murdered by Mama Mabel as he vowed revenge on the Stokes family. With a mission of vengeance, Bushmaster had soon arrived in Harlem to kill Mariah Stokes, the last member of the Stokes family, only to be challenged by Luke Cage who stood in the way of Bushmaster's revenge. All Bushmaster's continued attempts to kill Stokes resulted in him becoming almost mortally wounded, as he sought Tilda Johnson's aid for his recovery. However, Stokes took the opportunity to massacre the remaining members of Bushmaster's family, forcing him to make an uneasy alliance with Cage to stop Stokes' rampage before more innocent people got killed. Eventually, however, Bushmaster was forced to return to Jamaica to recover from his near fatal wounds, having failed to kill Stokes himself.
"When we were younger, they injected kids with a free vaccination. My madda didn't trust it, ya know? But a lot of people did. They gave us money. They gave us food. Johnny got the injection with all the other pickney dem. Them all die. But Johnny, him live."
Born in Brooklyn to Gwen McIver and Quincy McIver, John McIver lived a life as the son of one of the co-owners of Harlem's Paradise. John McIver's life faced upheaval when his father was murdered by Buggy Stokes. He and his mother moved to Kingston in order to get away from the Stokes family. McIver befriended Sheldon, Nigel Garrison, and Gideon Shaw when he was eleven years old, as Shaw considered himself as an older brother to McIver.[2] As a child, doctors came around with a free vaccination for the children of his community. McIver was the only survivor of the children who took the vaccination. He was regarded as special by his friends and families ever since.[3]
Meeting the Stokes Family[]
McIver listens to negotiations from the Stokes
For a time, McIver lived with his mother and his maternal relatives in Kingston, Anansi and Ingrid Mackintosh, working in the family's holiday resort. In one particular day, his mother met with the Stokes in order to negotiate for his father's share of assets of Harlem's Paradise. McIver witnessed the hostile negotiation between his mother and Mama Mabel. While watching the meeting, McIver was ordered by the young Mariah Stokes to find her something to drink, threatening to reveal his presence if he didn't do so.[3]
"I remember the bottle flying through the window. A Bushmaster bottle. Filled with gas and a lit cloth inside. When it landed, the flames went everywhere. The fire moved so fast. My madda put me outside the window and she told me, she yell, "Run!" So I did. I never saw her again."
One night, while sleeping in his home, McIver and his mother were attacked by Mama Mabel and the Stokes Crime Family. They threw a Molotov cocktail made with Bushmaster Rum into the house. With the explosive quickly setting their house ablaze, McIver and his mother attempted to make their escape. Despite McIver's plead for his mother to escape first, Gwen made her son get out of the house. She did not escape in time as McIver watched his home burn and crumble before him. Mabel had then arrived, taunting and throwing the legal papers into the fire. She mockingly apologized to McIver, before leaving.[3]
Two years later, McIver remained under the care of his uncle, Anansi and his aunt Ingrid Mackintosh. One day, while assisting his family by selling vegetables, he was approached by Pistol Pete. Unaware of the danger and not recognizing him, McIver was caught unaware as his assassin shot him in the stomach in retaliation for what his father did to Buggy Stokes.
McIver manages to survive his gunshot wound
Determined not to let his nephew die, Anansi carried McIver to the mountains to seek the aid of a healer who might be able to heal him. Once brought inside, Maddah Myrie began using the Nightshade in an attempt to heal the dying McIver. As he inhaled the smokes of the burning roots, McIver began rapidly healing from his gunshot wounds. Miraculously, McIver was saved from death and his hidden powers revealed. The assassination attempt and his mother's murder from two years prior has left McIver with a burning desire for vengeance against the Stokes.[3]
Life with the Yardies[]
"He's a boogeyman. Makes Jamaican bad men wet the bed at night. Started off as a baby Styler, but rose his way up through the ranks on his own."
McIver spent the next few decades honing his skills as an enforcer for the Yardies, earning him a fearsome reputation. Working within the Yardies, McIver had confrontations with Neville Barnwell and Nigel Garrison, warning them to never have any business with the Stokes Crime Family. Eventually, McIver disappeared from New York City and the Yardies believed that he will never come back.[2]
Calling himself Bushmaster, he began his quest for revenge against the Stokes family and reclaim Harlem's Paradise which he believed to be his birthright. He and Sheldon decided to make their first preparation to be establishing themselves in New York City. On his way to America, Bushmaster rode a yacht and asked Sheldon of where Harlem's location, saying it was from across the bridge from them. Sheldon asked if that is the place they needed to be, Bushmaster told him that Harlem needed to wait and needed to proceed to Brooklyn.
Bushmaster aimed to do that by usurping control from Nigel Garrison, who became the boss of the Yardies and decided to wait for Garrison at his hideout. Once Garrison went inside his hideout with his group, Bushmaster was spotted by him and questioned his identity to which he responded that he was in the worse shape than he thought for asking. Bushmaster clarified himself as Bushmaster towards Garrison, being told that he is now using an alias. Garrison told Bushmaster that his brother told him that Bushmaster will never come to Brooklyn but responded that his brother told him that he'll never do business with the Stokes.
Having to tell Garrison, Bushmaster tried to contact his brother only for him to end up dead as he began to realize. Once Garrison told him that he has no right to know what's good for his business and being talked down by him, Bushmaster was faced with him and told him that he speaks at him and to him, insulting him for his weak stature of power. Once Garrison was unfazed by his remarks and told him that he can't take over Mariah Dillard, Bushmaster interrupted him by saying that her last name was Stokes and declared that he will take control of Harlem since it was his birthright.
Garrison then told Bushmaster that even if he could take control of Dillard's property, he would still have to confront Luke Cage, saying that he would answer to no one, and he had demonstrated his powers as being bulletproof and crumbled guns like paper. Bushmaster walked a couple of steps backwards and told Garrison about paper covering rock to which he yelled at that he was the rock, too, but as Bushmaster turned around, expressing that he was the rock. Bushmaster apprehended Garrison and violently killed him with his dagger, slicing his eyes out and breaking his neck.
Seeing Garrison's remaining goons, Bushmaster dodged one of the bullets that were fired at him and lunched himself towards one of them with an acrobatic kick. Bushmaster began attacking another goon and kicked his gun and him across the room. When one of them got up to shoot him, Bushmaster began to grapple him in a headlock and pulled his gun away. Having apprehended the goon from the ground, Bushmaster was shot by the goons who were attacked by him. Once the goons ran out of bullets, Bushmaster pulled down his shirt to show his bullets had been embedded in his chest, yelling if anyone wants knows the time or stay for work that he is planned.[1]
Meeting his Family[]
Bushmaster pulling out the bullets in his chest
"Luke Cage is a hard man to kill. No bullet can kill him." "I don't have to use a bullet. Understand?"
With the Yardies under his control, Bushmaster prepared for the next phase of his plans before going to Harlem. Returning home, Bushmaster went over to his bathroom and painfully remove the several bullets that were able to penetrate him on his chest. Once he removed all of the bullets that were harming him, Bushmaster walked down the streets of Harlem and spotted two children play fighting as Luke Cage, having to stop them and asked what they were talking about.
Once he had asked what Luke Cage was about, one of the children told him to give Bushmaster his phone. When Bushmaster took the child's phone, Bushmaster saw the video of Luke Cage talking to the camera about his powers, saying that his enemies can't burn him, detonate him, or break him. Finished watching the video, Bushmaster proceeded to give the boy his phone and told them if Cage wanted anyone to test his abilities, they should let him know, bidding a farewell towards them. While walking down the streets, Bushmaster saw his uncle Anansi as a waiter at Gwen's and proceeded to walk down and greet him.
Inside Gwen's, Bushmaster sat down at the counter and was told that he shouldn't have come back. Despite his warnings, Bushmaster expressed that he wanted to see his family and the man who saved his life and gave him power, but Anansi told him that the power didn't come from him instead of within. Once they sat next to each other, Bushmaster was told that it was a long time ago since Gwen McIver had passed away and responded that he would vow revenge, but Anansi told him that Mariah Dillard was smart enough to ignore the past, much to Bushmaster's dismay. Anansi then commented on Bushmaster's shirt had blood on it.
Bushmaster demanded that he needed more Nightshade but was told by Anansi that the more he needed the more it hurts, working as steroid. Once Anansi gave a place that sold Nightshade, Bushmaster looked over to the television and listened to the program that claimed Luke Cage being faster than Usain Bolt, resulting into a rant by Bushmaster about him. Bushmaster then asked Anansi if Cage worked for Dillard to which he was told the opposite. Bushmaster then told Anansi that he needed Dillard's money and Cage's publicity, but was retracted, learning that Cage was a hard man to kill. Bushmaster would then tell Anansi that he wouldn't have to use a bullet to kill him.[4]
"May I help you?" "I heard you're the woman to see for the items I need. Is there a problem?" "This stuff is used for Obeah." "Just gimme what I want."
Following the address provided by his uncle, Bushmaster went over to Mother's Touch and was greeted by Tilda Johnson, who asked of what he needed. Bushmaster told her that she was the person to meet up for the items he needed. Bushmaster gave Johnson the ingredients, looking suspicious at the list she was given and responded that it looked as if it was used for Obeah. Bushmaster quickly told to just give him what he wants and make fast as possible. As he looked around the place and waited for the items he needed, Bushmaster was finally given his ingredients of Nightshade and gave Johnson some money to which she responded that it was too much. Bushmaster thanked her for being generous and helpful, saying his farewell to her.
Alone at his own home, Bushmaster performed an Obeah ritual in his bathroom and send his newly ordered Nightshade on fire. While the ounces of smoke had settled in, Bushmaster heavily breathe in each puff of smoke as he began to quickly suffer the side effects. Bushmaster channeled the plants' power of healing as his wounds had completely disappeared and his strength had caused him to break a part of his sink with his bare hands, taking in the moment that he had finally gained his powers again.[4]
"Her people dem, have to come to us to get Nigel's money. And dem nuh know say him dead." "So I'll give it to her." "You're mad. Why?" "I want her nice and fat when I kill her."
After a good night sleep with two women in bed, Bushmaster woke up from bed at sunrise and went up to the other room. Bushmaster then greeted Sheldon, asking if he wants any coffee that was imported from his home, but Bushmaster dismisses his offer since he expressed that he had two cups from the night before. Bushmaster then asked Sheldon what was the agenda, being told that Mariah Dillard had change location and it is best to go to Brooklyn for more attraction with the people. Bushmaster walked up to Sheldon and was informed that Arturo Rey III was dead, saying that Luke Cage has been on the scene.
Having suspicions upon Cage, Bushmaster asked Sheldon if he was close to Dillard, but was told that she hates him as much as he does. Bushmaster told Sheldon that Cage vexed him because of his existence, taking over Harlem will be a lot harder as two boons can't live together for this type of reputation. Being told by Sheldon he shouldn't be distracted, Bushmaster listened to him about Dillard and the people she worked for will end up knowing about Nigel Garrison but Bushmaster said that he will confront her, explaining that he needed her to be nice and fat when he kills her. After knowing Shades was at Harlem's Paradise, Bushmaster declared that soon he'll know everything and burn Dillard.
On the time when the deal with Garrison had to give money to Dillard, Bushmaster was greeted by Shades inside of his hideout where he was asked about wanting to speak with Garrison. Bushmaster then insisted on having all of Garrison's businesses was now his business. While Shades was unsure of him, Bushmaster was told that he was representing Mariah Dillard. Bushmaster then ordered Sheldon to give the handbag toward Shades and dropped it on the ground. Bushmaster walked over to the money that Garrison had promised.
Once Shades opened the bag and found Garrison's decapitated head on the money, Bushmaster told him that Garrison had a big head and mouth but had small ideas, saying that he had no vision. Once Shades became hostile toward him, Bushmaster wanted to reevaluate the value of their gun deal and wished for Shades to convince him to still continue with their deal. Once they were done with their new deal, Bushmaster promised Dillard's deal and gave them more money than Garrison was bidding towards them.[5]
"The enemy of mi enemy is mi friend. We could work together, you know. You don't know my story." "I know you're trouble and you're bringing that trouble to Harlem." "Harlem is not your birthright. It's mine, brethren."
When Luke Cage had broken into the Yardies' Hideout, Bushmaster and his group had walked up to him and talked about how mad that going up to his turf and how he was not faster than Usain Bolt. Cage told Bushmaster where was Nigel Garrison's location but he told Cage that he was gone and headed elsewhere. Asking if he had any to say, Bushmaster told Cage to ask him anything to which he demanded any attempt to build a deal with Dillard, but Bushmaster interrupted and told him that her last name was Stokes. Listening to Cage about stopping Dillard for himself and anyone associated with, Bushmaster was further told that he must stay out Harlem, causing to laugh at him.
Once Bushmaster taunted Cage for his righteous attempt to fight him, he ordered his goons to battle against Cage; however, when a few of them had suffered a beatdown, Bushmaster sent his firing squad to shoot at him, but Cage ricocheted one of the bullets off of his chest and ended up grazing one of his men. Bushmaster then ordered one of his goons to send a grenade and toss it at Cage only for him to suffer less when he withstand the explosion with his bare hands. Once Cage passed his attempt to hurt him, Bushmaster stared on as he walked out of the hideout, much to his dismay from Cage's confidence.
On the night of his another Obeah ritual, Bushmaster went on to use Nightshade and burn what he had remained to practice his moves before facing Cage, finishing his inhalation of the plant as began training. Using the footage that Sheldon had sent him while he was recording, Bushmaster used his fighting skills while watching and acrobatically used them to his advantage. Once the footage was finished, Bushmaster ended his practice with his final kick and looked head-on to relax. Once he was sufficiently prepared, Bushmaster left to confront his opponent in Harlem.[5]
Tracking down Luke Cage in Harlem, Bushmaster confronted him and knocked him down with a single punch. Once Cage was on the ground, Bushmaster taunted him in front of his face and proceeded to use his words against him by saying to stay out of his yard but Harlem is not his yard it is his. Once he got up, Bushmaster began to fight against Cage and once he managed to throw a punch toward Bushmaster, he became unfazed from the blow. As the fight had become more serious, Bushmaster continued to fight against Cage and soon gained the upper hand with a kick, pushing Cage toward a pole that he broke upon impact.
Winning from the fight, Bushmaster began to taunt at Cage's fighting skills, talking on behalf that he can't talk tough if he can't breathe. Using his superior fighting style to his advantage, Bushmaster used his own enhanced strength and Cage's lack of knowledge and preparation to punch him and trade blows with each kick. As Cage became weary of how many kicks he had taken, Bushmaster single-handedly defeated Cage with a spinning back kick in front of the people of Harlem, knocking down his opponent unconscious, taunting further as he laid on the ground.
Bushmaster declaring his name to the public
When D.W. Griffith was done filming the fight, he asked Bushmaster of who he was and interrupted his unfinished question and introduced himself as Bushmaster. When Griffith asked who he was again, Bushmaster told him that he was the stone that the builder refused before leaving the scene with his task to undermine Cage's reputation achieved. Once he finished his fight with Cage, the news report was gaining more public outcry as they began to gaze upon Bushmaster's ability to go toe-to-toe against Cage during the fight.[2]
"Pleasure doing business with you, Ms. Stokes." "Dillard, bitch. You call me Stokes one more goddamn time." "Enjoy your little time on the hill 'cause life is so precious."
During the night, Bushmaster went over to Harlem's Paradise and looked over for anyone with Mariah Dillard. Bushmaster spotted Dillard and Shades on the upstairs floor and proceeded to walk forward into that particular area. Bushmaster was then greeted by Dillard, proceeding their mutual handshake. Given Bushmaster Rum, Dillard was glad that he came to visit and was disappointed to go back to Jamaica but Bushmaster told her that Harlem began to feel like home and will stay for a while. Bushmaster observed the craftsmanship of the bar and questioned Dillard about the design. Dillard responded that she had no idea when the bar was built but her grandfather had partners that renovated the place.
Bushmaster then asked Dillard about Quincy McIver to which she dismisses him and told him that he probably wasn't important. Being told that the public remembers Kings and Queens and not the flunkies, Bushmaster told Dillard about the blues that were on stage were a sign of the ancestors and how you can't erase it nor burn it, calling it magic and science at its pure form. Having Dillard failing to understand, Bushmaster told her to look where she was standing and how it was the perfect place to hear the music and see everything that is being said. Bushmaster further commented that the rum was smooth, being told by Dillard that it's only own for private stock and not sold in stores.
Bushmaster told Dillard that the rum was a family recipe and only two men know how to make it only for them to be dead. When Dillard told him that things are better left dead and frozen in the ice, Bushmaster told her that an old fire stick is easy to the light and her firearms will severe him well. Planning to walk out, Bushmaster told Dillard that it was a pleasure doing business with her, calling by her last name Stokes. After being sworn upon by Dillard after being called Stokes, Bushmaster was threatened by her and told to take care of herself as the life so precious, drinking his shot of the rum and leaving Harlem's Paradise.
After leaving Harlem's Paradise, Bushmaster arrived at Gwen's to meet his family. Bushmaster was then greeted by Jerome and talked about how he defeated Luke Cage. Bushmaster then noticed Ingrid Mackintosh and was told that he should have called, hugging her afterwards. Noticing his fellow uncle, Bushmaster then began to talk to him about what happened at Harlem's Paradise and how it felt like his kingdom and even got to drink Bushmaster rum. Bushmaster gave Anansi money but was rejected for never having to ask for anything. Bushmaster's money was then taken away by Ingrid. After having drinks with his family, Bushmaster then left Gwen's and hugged his uncle outside the restaurant.[2]
"The Stokes family, they take everything from we. Mariah must burn!" "Then kill her. Me can't argue that. But this terrorization make we people look bad."
With Dillard's weapons and her underestimating him, Bushmaster and the Stylers killed Cockroach Hamilton, Mark Higgins and Ray Ray. Decapitating the heads of his victims, Bushmaster placed them at the entrance of Shirley Chisholm Complex.[6] While watching a soccer game with his family, Bushmaster argues with Anansi about how much his national team should not lose, despite their optimism. When the game started to be interrupted with an WJBP-TV news report, Bushmaster and his family watched the incident of murders of the Shirley Chisholm Complex and the financier Piranha Jones has now been missing.
Bushmaster then listened to Anansi's about the news, saying the murder was pure savagery and only seeing fear. With that in mind, Bushmaster then pulled out his phone and walked out of Gwen's to call Sheldon. Bushmaster talked to Sheldon about what was happening in their situation and was informed that Jones was protected by Luke Cage. Bushmaster questioned Sheldon if he used the Harlem's Hero app and was told that he did but couldn't find Cage. Bushmaster then told Sheldon to order every cab and flood the streets until they find Jones and Cage, telling Sheldon to not show any weaknesses or make any excuses.
After finishing up some labor work at Gwen's, Bushmaster told Ingrid Mackintosh to go home, having a kiss from his aunt before she left the place. Bushmaster then argued with Anansi for showing disrespect for what they saw in the news. Bushmaster tried to reason with Anansi that the Stokes family took everything from him and needed to burn Mariah Dillard, having an agreement with Anansi that he should kill her. As Anansi began to rant about how this act of violence makes his people look bad, Bushmaster expressed how much he didn't care how his people will look.
Listening to Anansi about how once his people came to America they had to build everything from scratch and work hard over education, Bushmaster then began to argue that the country already turned on him and it all started with the Stokes, who think they could do whatever they want. Anansi explains that you can't change the past and all you could do is build for the next generation, telling Bushmaster to find peace in his heart. Bushmaster confronted his uncle and told him that in his heart it means war.[7]
"You have power. I have power. Why fight up one another when we could join together and take it from Mariah? Hmm?" "Because you're a homicidal criminal. And, for better or worse, I'm Harlem's Hero."
The next day, Bushmaster received a call from Luke Cage. His opponent challenged him to a fight, making a deal that if he won, Bushmaster and his gang must leave Harlem whereas if Bushmaster won, he will receive Piranha Jones. Agreeing to the challenge, Bushmaster told Cage that he will be meeting him at High Bridge at noon.
Heading to the agreed location, Bushmaster confronted Cage, talking to him and boasted his identity of what had happened to him in his past fights. Once again, they talked about their differences, and Cage made it known that he knew about Bushmaster's actions should be done by living in someone's life. Bushmaster countered his statement by telling him what will happen if he did, stating he would just get a job, loving a woman, and raising children. Bushmaster questioned if Cage would live the life of the family. Bushmaster made another offer of the alliance but, Cage refused again.
Knowing that they won't be able to come to terms, Bushmaster engaged in a fight for talking too much. At first, Bushmaster held the advantage during the fight through the usage of his fighting style and his agility. Bushmaster continued to land hits against his opponent; however, Cage was prepared, and his bulletproof skin protected him from suffering major damage. Having gotten used to his fighting style, Cage began landing hits on his face which injured Bushmaster. As the fight kept dragging on, Bushmaster, exhausted and injured, realized that he had to resort to trickery in order to defeat his opponent.
During an opening, Bushmaster pulled poisoned powder from his pocket and blew it at Cage's face, instantly paralyzing him. Cage was confused about why he couldn't move his body and began to stand his ground. Bushmaster had told what is happened to him and explained that it was caused by the power that he wouldn't understand. Having grown to admire his opponent's tenacity, Bushmaster declared his respect for Cage and sincerely wished that they could have been friends before kicking him off a bridge and into a river to drown. Victorious, Bushmaster went to claim Jones.[7]
Bushmaster enters the warehouse where Piranha Jones was held captive and had to talk to Sheldon directly about passwords. Bushmaster then touched Jones on his shoulders and expressed that he needs to have everything that Mariah Dillard has ever own. Being handed a laptop, Bushmaster then offered Piranha Jones to let him move her money assets to him but he reluctantly did not want to because of his professional integrity. Bushmaster gave Piranha the laptop and told him that he has to do give all assets to him. Being aggressive towards him, Bushmaster told them to call her Stokes after Piranha told him that he had nothing to do with Dillard's business.
Trying to persuade him, Bushmaster spoke about making Jones do the things he asked what was considered the right thing, as putting it is right as rain. Once Jones typed up his password, Bushmaster was told that Luke Cage would come after Jones, much to Bushmaster's sarcastic chuckle. As Jones kept talking about how Cage could not be killed, Bushmaster became more hostile and told him to type faster. Once Piranha Jones had been given what the Stylers wanted, Bushmaster ordered his goons to decapitate him and put his head on a fish tank of water with piranhas.[8]
"My question is why don't you have more fury? More anger?" "Because you can't bring Gwen back. Vengeance belong to the Lord." "Well, the Lord can have it back when I'm done with it."
Arrived at Dapper Dan, Bushmaster and Anansi were picking out suits and having then tailored beforehand. While getting his measurements, Bushmaster told his uncle what was wrong and joking around. Bushmaster listened on about how would Gwen McIver would feel about his vengeance against the Stokes Crime Family from his uncle. Bushmaster told a story from his childhood about his mother would get mad at him for getting his school clothes dirty and wanting him to look respectable. Bushmaster went on about how she always cooks and cleans but walked around like a queen and how she talked about his father was well adept.
Furthermore, Bushmaster talked about how he got his shirt ripped, clothes bloody, tie loose, and wearing one shoe so he could protect his family name, but would get his mother quiet when she sees him like that. Noticing how mad she was with him, Bushmaster saw her eyes as she was proud of him, realizing her mother knew that he was a warrior and never a puppet or slave. Wanting to have all that Dillard has, Bushmaster was told that he could not be fulfilled with money while other Jamaicans are being harassed by the police.
Being asked of what he really wanted, Bushmaster wanted Dillard's soul for her mother's, saying that you can't drown sorrow with tears and if you want to get rid of sorrow you must burn it. Turning to question Anansi, Bushmaster asked him why he did not have more fury and was told that he did not look into the past and that vengeance belonged to the Lord, responding that the Lord could have it back when he should be done. McIver was then informed by Sheldon about Mariah Dillard's time for her demise.[8]
Breaking into Mariah Dillard's Brownstone, Bushmaster confronted her before taking bullets from her Stokes' Revolver gun. Bushmaster apprehended Dillard and recognized Tilda Johnson from Mother's Touch, telling her she could have mistaken her as one of the Stokes. Having both of them tied up before the Stylers were about to set them on fire, Bushmaster told them that he always thought of this day in his head but now after planning his revenge so long he now thought that this situation was better.
Before he could kill them, Bushmaster then told the story of how Quincy McIver and Buggy Stokes were friends while working as dishwashers and began to create a place called Harlem's Paradise only for his father to die after he was planned to be assassinated by dealings with Italian gangsters, Irish cops, and corrupted politicians for letting Buggy to get rid of Quincy so he could own Harlem's Paradise and Bushmaster Rum to himself. Further telling Johnson, Bushmaster explained that once he settled life with his mother in Kingston, she was then killed from her home and let Bushmaster survive the fire.
After seeing Dillard becoming upset, Bushmaster looked at Johnson and had an idea of taking her away, using his knife to cut her ties from her chair and pulled her away from the scene. Bushmaster told Johnson that he will give her the choice to save her mother so that she could prove herself to be a better daughter than he was a son. Walking towards the Dillard as she tells him to die, Bushmaster used one of the matches to lit them on fire and threw it on the floor that was dripping with gasoline, leaving her home and letting her burn alive.
Believing his vengeance to be completed, Bushmaster and the Stylers went over Harlem's Paradise and planned to have control over Harlem. Once his planned attempt to kill succeeded, Bushmaster entered Harlem's Paradise and let his group killed the bodyguards that followed him. Smiling around the place, Bushmaster settled in the club as happy as he was to own it for himself. Settling down, Bushmaster proposed a toast for now taking down Dillard and owning the club for himself. Bushmaster looked on from the balcony with Sheldon and Stephanie Miller, and listened to the music that was playing on stage.[8]
The next morning, Bushmaster then ordered his gang, the Stylers, to put up a new poster for his wall and have a talk with his uncle, Anansi. Bushmaster talked to Anansi about how his father built Harlem's Paradise and now it belongs to him. Being asked by Anansi on what he'll do with the club, Bushmaster told him that he will use it for the people, making money from them to put it back to home at Jamaica to repay the suffrage he experienced. Looking at the poster on his wall, Bushmaster reminisced his mother if only she would see of what he owned but Anansi disagreed with him, saying that he burned Mariah Dillard and her daughter alive at her house and adding Gwen would be proud of what he has and not how he got it.
Bushmaster getting infuriated with his failure
Bushmaster told Anansi to not worry about him letting his darkness consume, taking pride in his vengeance. Bushmaster was then greeted by Mouse and asked what he wanted to which he responded that Dillard and her daughter were spotted at the 29th Precinct Police Station. Furious with this news, Bushmaster asked Mouse why Dillard had survived and was given an answer about Luke Cage saving her. Now knowing his plan had been foiled, Bushmaster broke his chair in half and ordered Mouse to leave his office. Once Mouse left his office, Bushmaster suddenly felt pain on his wrist but ignored it when his uncle tried to look at it.
Feeling pain on his wrist, Bushmaster told his uncle that Nightshade was supposed to make him strong and not weak but Anansi proposed that it is like a steroid and his body can't handle too much. Bushmaster continued that he needed to face Dillard but was told by Anansi that he won and had all of her money and the club, questioning his motives. Bushmaster quickly told his uncle that Dillard didn't burn and wanted the smell of flesh from her and repay for her wrongdoings from her relatives. Once Anansi couldn't understand his crusade, Bushmaster yelled out for the Stylers and got up from his seat.
Bushmaster asked the Stylers about where they find Dillard at the precinct, but Sheldon asked him for a plan, telling if Dillard survives part of the club still belongs to her. Bushmaster then proposed that before she could sue, he will call up a lawyer and make sure they don't find any illegal. Being questioned about Cage, Bushmaster told the Stylers that he owes him death and will renegotiate with him. Being questioned on how he would reason with Cage, Bushmaster told the Stylers that they should take whatever he loves and squeeze, letting him know the attention.[9]
While one of the Stylers attacked the precinct, Bushmaster was under investigation by the New York City Police Department, being visited by Misty Knight and Nandi Tyler for the attempted murder of Dillard. Bushmaster then greeted Knight as Babylon's finest and told her that he didn't hold a bounty on Dillard after he was accused as such. Bushmaster was then visited by his lawyer Benjamin Donovan and surprised Tyler for the spontaneous gain after Dillard lost her possessions. Bushmaster emphasizes that Harlem's Paradise was his club and his birthright, handing them information that his father owned the club using an old photo of a newspaper.
Further questioned by Tyler, Bushmaster emphasized that Dillard's name was Stokes and expressed that he did not order a bounty. Being remarked by Knight's statement about losing heads, Bushmaster then told that arms to are being lost, insulting Knight. Bushmaster insisted that the NYPD can believe whatever they want but unless they have evidence they can't do anything. While Knight questioned Bushmaster over burning down of Dillard's Brownstone, Bushmaster insisted that it had nothing to do with it and that they did not have any proof, telling Knight that he had the power and did not need a gun or a Prosthetic Arm to use it.
Bushmaster being suddenly feeling exhausted
After Donovan stopped Knight for any harassment and an officer informed them that the search had come up empty, Bushmaster witness Knight and Tyler leaving just as he felt weak from abusing Nightshade, being told from Donovan if he was okay and dismiss him as well. Bushmaster walked over to his chair and began sitting down. Feeling exhaustion, Bushmaster had to breathe heavily from the Nightshade that is crumbling abusing his body. Bushmaster's supply of Nightshade had depleted and he began suffering from the withdrawal of it, making him grow desperate.[9]
While setting up his routine of using Nightshade, Bushmaster then talked with his uncle about even if he killed Dillard, he will need his strength and power to defeat Cage. Being told if all the Nightshade will be gone, Bushmaster told Anansi that he will find more, making his uncle mad at him for his attempt. Bushmaster proposed the idea of making the Nightshade at Harlem, but Anansi told him that it was impossible that he can't replicate the soil and texture of the plant. Being told he can't make Nightshade that is not from the roots of the blue mountain, Bushmaster told his uncle he will make it work and keep him strong.
Knowing it has destroyed his mind, soul, and spirit, Anansi warned Bushmaster that he must stop using the Nightshade but Bushmaster tried to persuade him to help him finish what he started. Once his uncle told him that he could not help him, Bushmaster dismissed his uncle continued with his ritual with Nightshade. With his uncle gone and not supporting him, Bushmaster used his Nightshade that was held up inside his compartment and mashed it with his bowl. Bushmaster then burned the remains before he could inhale the smoke and gained the power of strength, knowing he would put a bounty on Cage and anyone associated with him.[9]
"What about the ikkle birdie who own di shop?" "She might still have some 'ere." "It's gone, it's gone! All the Nightshade! She took it all! Hear mi now! Up di bounty! Three million each! Mariah Stokes and she pickney! I waan dem alive!"
Bushmaster began noticing his men lying on the floor in pain upon his arrival and looked for any Nightshade that was left. Asking for where the Nightshade was towards one of his men, Bushmaster realizes it was all gone and being taken by Johnson. Becoming furious with his men, Bushmaster began destroying all of Johnson's supplies and flipped over her table full of herbs. Angrily, Bushmaster then ordered his men to find Dillard and Johnson and needed them alive. Going back to the club, Bushmaster and his remaining goons continued their search for Dillard.[10]
As the Stylers began to arm up with their firearms, Bushmaster was meeting with Anansi at Harlem's Paradise and was told that the Nightshade he's been using wasn't meant to use in the way he intended. Listening on about how his body and mind is falling apart, Bushmaster stubbornly told Anansi that needed more Nightshade to finish his crusade against Dillard. Asking for his pleading support, Bushmaster was rejected by his uncle, much to his resentment. After Anansi left the club, Bushmaster met Sheldon about having Dillard as a bounty for three million dollars but Bushmaster was unimpressed with those odds.
Asking for the production of any synthetic Nightshade, Bushmaster was disappointed to hear that it might take some time due to its difference in soil. Not caring for any time being wasted, Bushmaster told Sheldon that he needs it, much to his relief of understanding. After witnessing one of his goons playing with one of the explosives, Tyler entered the club and surprised his goons with their guns armed up. Once Sheldon ordered their guns to be freed, Bushmaster was offered by Tyler to know the location of Dillard and Cage. Using her Dillard's name as Stokes, Bushmaster listened on to Tyler's knowledge of being held up at Rand Enterprises Research Facility.[10]
"You wanna stop me? Kill me. Because I will never stop coming. As long as I breathe air, I'll keep..." "And I'll be here to stop you. Every single time. As long as I breathe."
Now knowing the location of Mariah Dillard, Bushmaster and the Stylers arrived in front of the Rand Enterprises Research Facility, as they began to arm themselves with their Hammer Industries weapons. Bushmaster yelled in front of the facility and spoke to Luke Cage about being hard to kill, pleading to not fight for what he wants. Warning everyone inside the facility, Bushmaster told them to give him Dillard in an exchange for letting the rest of the people close to Cage live. Waiting for a response to his claims, Bushmaster was disappointed by Cage's decision and yelled out for war, letting his goons raid the place and shoot anyone in sight.
When Cage began to throw a couch off the window and distracted Sheldon from sending the rocket launcher into the air, Bushmaster noticed him landing on the ground and prepared himself for battle. Once one of his goons failed to kill him, Bushmaster began to fight against Cage with his acrobatic skills and attempted to paralyze him again with his powder only to be snatched away from him. Holding off on his own, Bushmaster managed to slam Cage against the ground. Bushmaster was then given a bat from Sheldon and began to beat Cage with it. Bushmaster was then thwarted into having to battle Cage with a metal rod and fought with each blow as they could from one another.
Once Cage was apprehended from his blunt weapon, Bushmaster was then taken his bat away from him with a swift kick at the back of his knee. Bushmaster took another opportunity to put him in a chokehold and blind him with a knife only for Cage to pull his arm away and punched him directly in his face. Landing on the side of a car, Bushmaster told Cage he will never stop coming after him and Dillard only for getting punched in the face once again by Cage, being threatened to keep coming after him. When the NYPD arrived, Bushmaster was taken into custody, forced to wear Electrified Handcuffs and was given a ride inside one of their vehicles.[10]
Escaping from the Police[]
Bushmaster telling a story in front of the police
"Deh British, dey had deh technology, but deh Maroons had deh will, deh determination, deh magic. Dey fought off deh British for eighty years and won. Dat is deh true birth of the real Jamaica. Resistance, independence, fiya."
Given a ride from the New York City Police Department, while still being forced to wear the Electrified Handcuffs, Bushmaster began to talk with the two police officers about how the story of Nanny and the Maroons being at war with the British who were held captive. Further telling this old tale, Bushmaster told the officers that the Maroons resisted their oppressors and began to put their heads on spikes, fighting them for eighty years and won. Telling the two officers that the Maroons have in the story, Bushmaster told them that they had the determination and gave them the true birth of his people.
Talking about Jamaica's independence, Bushmaster gave the police officers the middle finger and whispered fire while letting the Hammer Industries Explosive Charge destroy the van, killing the two officers. Once they were dead, Bushmaster managed to contact Sheldon and arrived at Mother's Touch. When Tilda Johnson went inside her store again, she was greeted by Sheldon and told her that Bushmaster was waiting for him and directed her behind. Sitting in a chair, Bushmaster was coughing up from the explosion he went through and pleaded Johnson to fix him.[10]
Mariah's Clapback[]
A Temporary Truce[]
Bushmaster lying down while getting treated
Being brought up to a disclosed location, Bushmaster was taken into her living room and being taken care of Sheldon. Using a dose of morphine, Bushmaster was treated by Tilda Johnson despite Sheldon's instructions to use Nightshade but she needed to fix his cardio contusion beforehand. Bushmaster was then motivated by Sheldon's words, being told that he was a survivor.
Bushmaster temporarily wakes from his rest
As Johnson kept Bushmaster under control from his continuous pain, Bushmaster was temporarily awakened from his rest as he slightly made noises with his troubled breathing. Being told he can't take much pain, Sheldon insisted on letting Bushmaster alive, saying that he was always a survivor. Asking about Bushmaster's medical history, Sheldon told Johnson that Bushmaster had been vaccinated and survived its doses, unlike the other kids that died later on. Continuing to tell Bushmaster's history, Sheldon told Johnson that ever since he survives his close relatives always told him that he was special.
Bushmaster finally survives his open wounds
Once his pain was getting worse, Bushmaster was given Nightshade once it was mashed into pieces and spread it onto his wounds. Once they were set in, Bushmaster began to spas out of control and felt incredible amounts of pain, but was soon healed his wounds once the shards were out of his body. Being fully recovered, Bushmaster then got off from the couch and was greeted by Sheldon. After surviving from near death, Bushmaster was told about letting his family know they're okay, ordering Sheldon to make the call.
Bushmaster being informed of the bad news
Bushmaster then asked Johnson about what was the cost of his body's overexposure to Nightshade, being given the answer that was not good. Being told that his body's internal organs are deteriorating from Nightshade, Bushmaster expressed that it was no big deal and told her that he cheated death before. Bushmaster was then told by Sheldon the news that he wasn't prepared, questioning him what was going on. Looking upon Sheldon's upsetting face, Bushmaster asked him what was going on but Sheldon couldn't, leaving him distraught.[11]
Now knowing the news about Anansi's death, Bushmaster went to Gwen's and broke into the area where the massacre had occurred. Bushmaster looked over towards the blood puddles that were on the floor and was left upset from all that it took place. Bushmaster was then asked by Sheldon of what to do with Johnson and told him to let her go. As Johnson witnessed the aftermath of the massacre, Bushmaster expressed his gratitude over her, letting her leave after an apology. Looking down on the floor, Bushmaster picked up Anansi's piece of his belt buckle, mourning his death.
Showing up at the morgue, Bushmaster arrived inside to see Anansi's corpse and mourn his death, apologizing for what he had caused. When his aunt and Luke Cage arrived at the morgue, Bushmaster was going to fight Cage only to be stopped by Ingrid. Bushmaster then waited for his aunt out near a window shield and looked at her closely. With Cage by his side, Bushmaster thanked him for protecting his aunt, being told that it was the right thing to do. Bushmaster dismissed Cage's morals and told him that the world is a complicated place. Cage told Bushmaster to stop his quest to kill Dillard as he would be there to stop him.
Expressing that his whole life was a pain, Bushmaster faced Cage and was told about being stopped to kill Dillard and one he turned around he was displeased that he could have taken Cage as his brethren. Respecting his opponent's conviction, Bushmaster simply replied to Cage that he did not look forward to killing him. After being told by Cage that he should be ready to run with his aunt, Bushmaster walked over to his aunt and hugged her, comforting her as they mourn the death of Anansi.[3]
"You realize Mariah is behind all this, yeah? All to destroy mi name. You must protect your name." "Yeah. That's about the first thing you and I agreed on."
As Hai-Qing Yang and Mariah Dillard left the Calderwood Auction House for a secret meeting, Yang calmly told Dillard that his security had believed that Bushmaster will be watching them. Once he spotted Yang out in the auction, Bushmaster followed Yang and hid in front of the Yangsi Gonshi Warehouse. Once he was hidden, Bushmaster personally confronted him as he was inspecting the heroin that was tainting his name. Furious with this revelation, Bushmaster told Yang that he was putting the poisonous heroin on the Harlem streets to make the people believe that it was him doing it.
With him now exposed, Bushmaster noticed Yang's men were being suspicions with there movements and as Yang had provoked him, the members of the Yangsi Gonshi surrounded him, grabbing their guns as they prepared to gun him down. However, just before he was being fired at, Bushmaster was assisted by Luke Cage and handed him a car door to protect himself while using his unbreakable skin to deflect the gunshots. Entering inside of the warehouse, Bushmaster and Cage were followed by Yang's men and while they prepared, Bushmaster agreed with Cage to team up on the condition that if he kills anyone then he will be on his own.
Bushmaster began fighting against Triad members and battled their way with their attempt to kill them with hatchets. Apprehending one of them, Bushmaster attempted to kill one the men with their own hatchet, only to hit Cage in the back, much to his irritation. As the battle continued, Bushmaster defeated Triad members above the warehouse's shelves and began to fight them on the ground. As their team-up had ended up destroying the Heroin's packages, Bushmaster and Cage defeated all of Triad members as they agreed upon always protecting their name.
As his anger grew, Bushmaster swore to revenge the Triad members who made the heroin and kill Dillard, angering Cage. As Cage questioned him for his murders, Bushmaster told him as long as they would get in the way and equipped him Hammer Industries Explosive Charge, telling him he would destroy the warehouse and that Cage won't have a choice. Bushmaster then defeated Cage and handed him the explosive, mush to his surprise. As the explosion started, Bushmaster escaped the warehouse as the evidence was intact.[12]
Being called by Tilda Johnson, Bushmaster entered a dislocated environment and greeted her accordingly. Bushmaster teased Johnson as if she misses him, having a chuckle as his friend Sheldon told him about an announcement. As Johnson told him about the confirmation of Mariah Dillard being the one who killedAnansi by setting him up on fire and shooting him dead, Bushmaster became furious with her for telling him this and was told that she needed to be taken down. Bushmaster listened on about how Dillard can't be quarantined so there must be another way and it is to confront her head-on.
Liking the prospect of killing Dillard, Bushmaster did not want to attract attention from the guards to which Johnson decided to let him enter inside a backdoor room that leads to Harlem's Paradise. Once Johnson proposed the idea, Bushmaster was offered a dose of liquid Nightshade from a syringe that can be used in small amounts and was warned that it could destroy his mind and body if he takes it all at once. Just as Sheldon was worried for him, Bushmaster decided to take the risk for it for his mother, father, Anansi, and anyone close to him, taking the Nightshade and going through the plan to kill Dillard.
Inside of his home with Sheldon, Bushmaster prepared himself for the upcoming plan, looking at the portraits of his family and picked out the one with his mother and him in it. As looked at the picture of his mother and mourning her death, Bushmaster put down the portrait and was given a jacket from Sheldon. Sheldon then asked Bushmaster about what he'll do without back up when there are too many guards. Bushmaster told him that if the guards at the club won't be a problem and will bring justice to his mother once the plan will go through.[12]
Arriving at the back of Harlem's Paradise, Bushmaster met Tilda Johnson while she was waiting out the back of the basement. Getting out of the van, Bushmaster confronted and stood near to Johnson's view and was promptly told to go inside the door and enter the club where he was heading. As he was going inside, Bushmaster was interrupted by Johnson and was told to be careful. Agreeing with Johnson, Bushmaster gave her his watch and told her to wait for him after he was done.
Upon arriving underneath the floorboards of the bar, Bushmaster took his syringe that was filled with Nightshade and injected him with a higher dosage. Once the Nightshade was inside him, Bushmaster gained his powers in full fury and began to open the vault under the bar. Bushmaster entered the club and began to go inside the office of Mariah Dillard's room, going up the second floor before he took down one of the guards. Bushmaster fought all of the guards as people were running out of the club in panic.
As Luke Cage was caught in the crossfire, Bushmaster was attacked by him and dodge his punch and hit him the face, letting him bleed. Once Misty Knight enters the room, Bushmaster began fighting her and took her out before she shot him from behind. Cage continued to fight Bushmaster, but he was thrown out of the room. Bushmaster gained the upper hand by catching one of Cage's punches and kicked up out of a window, much to his dismay. Bushmaster entered Dillard's secret basement and reached the security door, furiously starting to pound on it.
Bushmaster breaking down a steel door
As Bushmaster's anger and enhanced strength then allowed him to damage the door, Shades was given the Stokes' Revolver and Dillard had hidden behind him, as each blow was damaging the steel door. After angrily beating down the door with his fist, Bushmaster finally broke into the room with a charging kick and began confronting Dillard. As the bullet was shot, Bushmaster avoided Shades' attempt to kill him before disarming and throwing him across the room. Before Bushmaster could assassinate Dillard, he was attacked by Cage and Knight and began battling with them simultaneously.
Getting irritated, Bushmaster then subdued Knight out of the fight and fought Cage in a tight space, as they exchange multiple blows with each hit, he later escapes the area and threw Cage across the room and hit the surveillance. With Shades getting to his feet and fighting against him, Bushmaster then easily taken down Shades as he kneed Shades in the face. While Cage stepped back into the fight in order to keep Bushmaster away from Dillard, he was then shot at by Shades with Dillard's gun; however, Bushmaster saw the gunshots coming and used Cage's unbreakable skin as a shield before kicking Shades through a wall.
Once he took down Cage from the front as he landed hard on through a wall, Bushmaster attempted to take Dillard's head and crush her skull, taunting her in front of the face. As he was killing Dillard, Bushmaster was hit in the head by Knight's Prosthetic Arm and swiftly kicked her off across the room for her interference. Bushmaster was then caught off guard by Cage as he began to punch him hard enough to knock him out and put him in a chokehold. However, when Cage refused to commit murder, Bushmaster hit him the face with his elbow and escaped the club before the police could find him, failing to kill Dillard.[12]
As he was hiding away from the New York City Police Department and Misty Knight at Mother's Touch, Bushmaster was waiting for medicine in a case of his concussion was going mildly bad. As he entered the shop with Ingrid Mackintosh and Sheldon, Bushmaster was told that he was weak from taking all the Nightshade he was given, despite helping him becoming stronger than ever.
Seeing how urgent it was getting for Bushmaster, Tilda Johnson gave medicine for Bushmaster to drink to help him with his memory, drinking the cup in full. As Johnson was telling him to relax and heal, Bushmaster asked her if she killed Mariah Dillard and was disappointed to hear that didn't. Bushmaster grabbed Johnson's arm and told her that Dillard must burn, saying that it was the only way before left the shop to rest. Once they left the shop, Bushmaster and his had been handed Anansi's body and ordered a coffin back at home for his proper burial.
At night at the open view of a dislocated street, Bushmaster was in aid with his aunt and Sheldon. When their van stopped by to meet with Tilda Johnson, Bushmaster began to be carried out from outside and taken into another van. As they were ready to bury Anansi from the back of the van, Bushmaster looked at Sheldon who was staying in New York City to stay put and let him leave Jamaica. Bushmaster send a farewell with his aunt and returned home and bury his uncle out of respect for his death, succeeding his expectations for being at the top of the hill.[13]
Personality[]
"She knew, that I was a fighter, a warrior. I'd always be free. A McIver like me fada. Never a puppet or a slave. So I won't let go until we get everything that belong to us. And nothing less."
After witnessing the death of his mother and barely surviving an attempt on his own life, John McIver became heavily fixated on revenge against the Stokes Crime Family. His vendetta against the Stokes, Mariah Dillard in particular, was so strong he frequently insisted on referring to her by her maiden name whenever mentioned. Despite his obsession with revenge and brutal methods, he had a great deal of respect for his close friends and remaining family, namely his aunt Ingrid and uncle Anansi.
McIver was also very proud of his Jamaican heritage, being particularly defensive of Usain Bolt after it was commented that Luke Cage was faster than Bolt. He even implied that he had attacked Cage purely to prove his inferiority for the comment.
Regardless of his rage and ruthless demeanor, McIver showed both an envious side and a respectful side in regard to Cage. McIver disliked his reputation in Harlem, stating he wanted to win Harlem's heart, which Cage has. However, he was not unwilling to cooperate with Cage, even stating they could've been friends, pointing out parallels between them and even having a mutual understanding over wanting to stop gangs using their names as branding for street drugs.
Despite this, McIver was shown to be willing to use underhand tactics to beat Cage such as paralyzing him with a drug and despite his apparent willingness to not kill any Yangsi Gonshi members due to teaming up with Cage, he did attempt a lethal blow on one but was blocked by Cage. He also showed gratitude towards Cage for saving Ingrid Mackintosh and towards Tilda Johnson for saving him. In fact, Sheldon and he once considered killing Johnson upon discovering her relation to the Stokes family, but their mutual hatred of Dillard had created a friendship between the two where McIver thanked her for her help and requested that she waits for him when he attempts to assassinate her mother for the greater good.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
"I'm just saying, anyone who can take you on barehanded can't be good for Harlem."
Nightshade Enhancement: After going through an Obeah ritual, performed on him by Maddah Myrie, Bushmaster gained superhuman abilities due to inhaling a lucid compound called Nightshade. Despite granting him enhanced abilities, nightshade's healing properties are not everlasting, meaning Bushmaster must take nightshade if he ever suffered severe injuries.
Bushmaster possesses enhanced physical strength when inhaling Nightshade. He was able to snap Nigel Garrison's neck with ease. His grip strength is great enough to break the sides of a sink. When enraged, he has easily ripped a chair in half. His strength is sufficient enough to knock down and injure Luke Cage, and even cause internal damage to his body. After taking an enhanced strain of nightshade, Bushmaster was able to effectively overpower Luke, as well as break down a steel door with multiple blows that damaged it severely from the outside.
Superhuman Durability: After inhaling his first nightshade, McIver's skin was hardened, making him far more resilient than a normal human. While not as durable as Cage, he is bulletproof to some extent, with bullets embedding into his skin rather than bouncing off him. He was able to survive a point-blank explosion inside a police van, which had enough force to kill two guards and demolish the van; although it should be noted that he was left in a critical state, and required Tilda Johnson's help to heal him.
Superhuman Speed: Bushmaster can move at speeds exceeding that of the finest human athlete. He was able to fight Luke Cage in close combat, outmaneuvering his attacks as fast as possible and even dodging bullets that are aimed at him. Cage described him to Bobby Fish as "unnaturally fast."
Superhuman Agility: Bushmaster is able to perform athletic feats that make him agile, using his acrobatic abilities to excel at close combat and survive from great heights with a simple jump and a roll.
Superhuman Stamina: His body was shown to produce less fatigue than an average human, allowing him to continue through multiple activities.
Superhuman Reflexes:
Bushmaster dodging a bullet
Bushmaster was able to evade a bullet shot at him from close distance by Shades.
Regenerative Healing Factor: After inhaling the herb of smoke during the Obeah ceremony, his bullet wounds had completely healed in mere seconds. When near death, Bushmaster suffered tearing and scars on his skin, after having nightshade spread onto him, Bushmaster's wounds were fully healed in a short amount of time.
Abilities[]
"Damn! Hate to see such a positive brother like Luke Cagego down like that, but as they say, the game is the game. Everyone hits the canvas eventually. Ali, Tyson, Frazier, Rousey, De La Hoya. There's always another predator. Someone faster. Someone better."
Bushmaster is an extremely skilled and formidable hand-to-hand combatant and martial artist, being able to easily incapacitate Nigel Garrison and kill him. He utilizes Boxing, Capoeira, Taekwondo, and Judo in his fighting style. Bushmaster is skilled enough to take down multiple opponents, members of the Yangsi Gonshi, and Luke Cage, a highly skilled combatant. Bushmaster also went head-to-head with Cage, Misty Knight, and Shades at the same time, though he eventually lost due to facing multiple opponents, as well as Cage's superior durability.
Blade Proficiency: Bushmaster can wield various bladed weapons, including knives and hatchets. he uses his knife to gouge his opens eyes out which he did against Nigel and attempted on Luke Cage.
Stick Expertise: Bushmaster is skilled at using stave-like weapons in combat. He used a metal baseball bat given to him by Sheldon during his third fight against Luke Cage who was wielding a large pipe.
Master Acrobat: Bushmaster is extremely skilled in acrobatics, able to take down Luke Cage with a flip kick and utilize his acrobatics in his fights. He was able to move up and around a drug compound's construction platforms when fighting alongside Luke Cage.
"Mi nuh waan four cab. Mi waan every cab. Flood di street, and him float to di surface. You hear?"
Master Tactician: Bushmaster is a highly skilled planner. He was able to trick Mariah Dillard and Shades into an arms dealing arrangement in order to weaken their criminal organization. He was able to analyze Luke Cage's fighting style by viewing video footage of him, allowing him to defeat Cage in their first fight. He ordered the successful capture of Piranha Jones in order to take Dillard's finances and Harlem's Paradise club away from her.
Bilingualism: Bushmaster is fluent in his native Jamaican Patois, as well as English, often interspersing the two languages in conversation with other Patois speakers.
Bushmaster had carried his knife, which he had used to brutally cut Nigel Garrison's eyes out, before breaking his neck. He would later attempt to do the same to Luke Cage, although Cage was able to push him away.
Hammer Industries Explosive Charge: During preparation for an attack, the Stylers were equipped with timed explosives that detonate upon close range. In an attempt to destroy the Yangsi Gonshi Warehouse, Bushmaster went to use one of these bombs, although Cage took it from him and absorbed the explosion in his own hands. While Bushmaster was arrested and sent to a police van, he activated one of the bombs in order to escape, causing considerable injuries to himself in the process.
Paralysis Powder: Bushmaster used a powder that can cause temporary paralysis. He used this in his second fight with Luke Cage, which led to his victory. Bushmaster attempted to use it on Cage again during the Attack on the Rand Enterprises Research Facility, but it was knocked away from his hand.
Metal Baseball Bat: Bushmaster temporarily used a metal baseball bat in his third fight with Cage; however, he was eventually disarmed by him.
Bushmaster took a hatchet from one of Yangsi Gonshi members when teaming up with Cage against them. Bushmaster attempted to kill one of the thugs with it but was stopped by Cage, causing him to throw the hatchet aside in frustration.
Other Equipment[]
Nightshade: Nightshade is a plant native to Jamaica; it is known to have healing properties. Used by a woman named Maddah Myrie, she used the plant to heal Bushmaster's gunshot wounds. Throughout his life, Bushmaster has used nightshade to gain superhuman abilities, including the ability to heal. Bushmaster bought the herbs from Mother's Touch, and use to inhale the fumes of smoke in an Obeah ritual. Later on, Tilda Johnson has given Bushmaster a synthetic dose of nightshade in a syringe. While infiltrating Harlem's Paradise, Bushmaster used the needle filled with nightshade and break into Mariah Dillard's office in order to kill her.
McIver Residence: McIver lived in his home, and was sleeping in it when it got destroyed by Mama Mabel, when he watched it get destroyed.
Gwen's: Bushmaster regularly met with his family at Gwen's, a restaurant which was named after his mother. He returned to the restaurant to talk about his successes against Luke Cage and Mariah Stokes. He occasionally helped Ingrid Mackintosh by working at the restaurant as well. He returned to the restaurant when he heard about a massacre which had occurred at the restaurant.
Yardies' Hideout: Bushmaster ran the Yardies out of their hideout, where he completed a deal that Nigel Garrison had with Shades. Luke Cage later confronted Bushmaster in the hideout, prompting Bushmaster to have the Yardies attack Cage. Cage eventually left, and Bushmaster prepared to fight Cage while in the hideout.
Harlem's Paradise: As part of his revenge plot against Mariah Stokes, Bushmaster seized control of Harlem's Paradise. He intended to send money from the club to his home in Jamaica, and was questioned in the club by Misty Knight and Nandi Tyler. Bushmaster argued with Anansi about further use of Nightshade, and was given information about Stokes and Luke Cage's whereabouts by Tyler from in the club. He attack the club and was almost arrested, but escaped.
Mother's Touch: Bushmaster regularly visited Mother's Touch to get Nightshade from Tilda Johnson. He attempted to steal Nightshade, but got frustrated when he could not find any. Sheldon later brought Bushmaster to be healed in Mother's Touch, and hid from the NYPD there.
