Shades is a notorious Luke Cage villain from the comics. He’s slick, dangerous, and always on the lookout for an opportunity. The featured quote on his poster lays down his approach to playing multiple sides of a situation: “The key to a good lie is that it runs parallel to the truth.” He’ll likely be executing a great many schemes and double-crosses to further his goals, whatever they may be.
Dillard is another Luke Cage comic book foe. In the Netflix series, however, it seems she will be a politician with a mission rather than a hoodwise gang leader. Dillard is also the cousin of the series’ chief antagonist, Cornell Stokes (played by Mahershala Ali). As evidenced by her quote — “Politics is where the power is” — she aims to gain enough influence to enact lasting change in Harlem, where the show is primarily based.
Ali’s Cornell “Cottonmouth” Stokes. Cottonmouth is another classic Luke Cage villain from his ’70s heyday as Power Man.
Luke Cage” will be available for streaming on Netflix Sep. 30. The series also stars Mike Colter, Simone Missick, Frank Whaley and Rosario Dawson.
