The underworld will now be run like a business.. and the Chairman of the Board will be .. The Kingpin!
„
~ Wilson Fisk declaring himself as "The Kingpin" and as the ruler of the underworld of crime.
Wilson Grant Fisk, or also better known as the Kingpin, is one of the main antagonists of Marvel Comics, most commonly appearing as an enemy to Spider-Man, Daredevil, Ghost Rider, and the Punisher. He is the most powerful crime lord of New York City's underground, while presenting himself to the public as a successful and philantropic businessman.
As the overlord of all crime in New York, he is often depicted as the arch-nemesis of Daredevil and the main antagonist of the Daredevil comic book series as a whole as well as the main antagonist to other street level superheroes such as Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Iron Fist. He is also a major antagonist in both the Spider-Man and Punisher comics.
Wilson Fisk grew up in poverty and was tormented by his classmates for being overweight. Tired of being bullied, he began to train himself in physical combat. When he gained a powerful physique, he forced his former tormentors into joining his gang, and thus, his desire for absolute control began. Later on in life, he met a crime boss named Don Rigoletto. At first, he fostered an alliance with Rigoletto, but then, betrayed him and murdered him. Fisk then took over Rigoletto's gang, and took Rigoletto's place as the most powerful crime boss in New York City. He would later join the international terrorist syndicate HYDRA and become a prominent figure as one of their heads of operations.
The Daredevil Grudge
Although the Kingpin started off as a Spider-Man villain, Frank Miller, during his classic run on Daredevil comics, effectively transferred him to become the arch-nemesis of the Man Without Fear. Miller had Fisk focus on street level crime and New York City politics, rather than the superhuman and supernatural exploits of times past.
It was in Miller's later storyline, Born Again, that the Kingpin earned this title. Using information from Murdock's former girlfriend, drug addicted porn star Karen Page, the Kingpin slowly began to ruin Matt Murdock's life, destroying his home, having him barred from practicing law, and leaving him an insane derelict. It was only thanks to a reunion with his long-lost mother that Matt regained his confidence to fight again. Eventually, Matt's efforts saw to it that the Kingpin was exposed as a criminal, fleeing as a homeless fugitive, a harsh taste of ironic justice.
Other Media
Police Academy: The Animated Series
Kingpin appears as a guest star, serving as the main antagonist in the TV animated series Police Academy from 1988.
In the TV animated series Spider-Man from 1994, Kingpin appeared as the most-recurring villain and secondary antagonist for the majority of the show's run. He is also one of the few villains to be present in all 5 seasons. He was voiced by the late Roscoe Lee Browne.
Daredevil (Film)
Michael Clarke Duncan as the Kingpin in Daredevil (2003)
Kingpin appears on the Netflix series, Marvel's Daredevil, set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He is the main antagonist of season 1, a minor antagonist of season 2 and the main antagonist of season 3. He is portrayed by Vincent D'Onofrio.
Kingpin appeared in the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse as the main antagonist, where he is the Miles Morales' arch-nemesis. He is voiced by Live Schreiber who also voices the Storm King from My Little Pony: The Movie (2017).
Personality
In recent years, the Kingpin has evolved from a typical mob boss and comic-book villain to a complex and conflicted character. He has attempted to retire from crime life and has even spared Spider-Man's life after promising his fiancé to no longer be a criminal. However, while he is a caring family man, the Kingpin is ruthless as a crime boss. He is willing to murder traitorous goons with his own bare hands and is bad tempered, especially when fighting Superheroes. However, the Kingpin is calm and methodical with his plans, willing to take as much time and sacrifices needed to fulfill his goals.
Powers and Abilities
Peak Human Strength: Fisk is composed almost entirely of muscle that has been developed to enormous size, much like a sumo wrestler, and he possesses peak human strength with 2% of his body being fat. His vast bulk shields him from many forms of injury, either providing padding or causing penetration wounds to only strike him relatively superficially.
Master Martial Artist: Fisk has extraordinary skill in hand-to-hand combat, specializing in a number of martial arts, including sumo wrestling, judo, and hapkido. His fighting skills and unusual agility for a man of his size compensate for a great difference between his human level of strength and that of Spider-Man when the two engage in unarmed combat (Spider-Man also has severe inhibitions about using his strength against an opponent without superhuman powers for fear of killing him or her).
Criminal Genius: Fisk is a criminal genius and a highly skilled planner and organizer. He employs numerous henchmen, scientists, and even superhumans, almost all of whom are fiercely loyal to him due to dedication, fear, or both.
Indomitable Will: Fisk has a great willpower. He was able to resist psychic attacks from Zebediah Killgrave the Purple Man.
Multilingualism: Fisk is fluent in English, Spanish, Mandarin, Japanese, Russian and various others.
Trivia
The Kingpin's design is inspired by Kasper Gutman from The Maltese Falcon and his actor Sydney Greenstreet.
Kingpin was created by the late Stan Lee and John Romita Sr.
Villains
Villains
Villains
