Kingpin’s Spider-Man Reference In Daredevil: Born Again, Explained

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Contains spoilers for “Daredevil: Born Again“

In the second installment of the eagerly awaited series “Daredevil: Born Again,” Vincent D’Onofrio’s character, Wilson Fisk, assumes the role of New York City’s interim mayor. From the outset, it was evident that under Fisk’s rule, vigilantes would no longer be permitted in his version of the Big Apple. Given that “Born Again” unfolds within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, filled with extraterrestrial invaders, multidimensional perils, and superhero personas in costume, one might assume vigilantes to be the least of New York’s concerns. However, Fisk is a man who bears grudges deep within him. Not only does he openly confront Daredevil (Charlie Cox) and the Punisher (Jon Bernthal), but he publicly calls out another street-level Marvel hero that is sure to excite fans: Spider-Man.

As a devoted fan, I’d rephrase it like this: “I, for one, don’t need a vigilante carrying guns and sporting a skull emblem on his chest, or a man donning a spider suit, or someone wearing devil horns to rescue us.” This sentiment was clearly expressed by Mayor Fisk during a recent press conference. It’s becoming increasingly evident that Kingpin is setting something in motion, and he won’t be deterred by anyone—not the police, not lawyers, and definitely not masked heroes like Spider-Man. Given that Tom Holland’s Spidey has been part of the MCU for nearly as long as Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, it’s no wonder Fisk would specifically mention him by name.

Contrarily, until now, Spider-Man hasn’t just been your average neighborhood hero. He’s had a significant role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, having been an Avenger and learning under Iron Man, played by Robert Downey Jr. However, “Daredevil: Born Again” hints at a shift in his status quo, suggesting there might be a deeper history to him, similar to Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), that we’re currently unaware of.

What does this mean for the MCU’s Spider-Man?

In the climax of “Spider-Man: No Way Home,” I made a tough choice to relinquish my happiness and rectify a predicament I had created. With the assistance of Doctor Strange, portrayed by Benedict Cumberbatch, I managed to wipe out everyone’s knowledge about my secret identity. However, it wasn’t just my superhero identity that was forgotten; people seemed to have completely erased Peter Parker from their memory as well.

Losing my family and the one I loved deeply, I opted for a life of solitude. I settled in the bustling heart of New York City to continue my mission as the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man. It’s safe to assume that I must have crossed paths with some of Kingpin’s minions during this journey – whether it was the Tracksuit Mafia, Echo (Alaqua Cox), or other villainous associates. Given my actions and the nature of his operations, it’s highly probable that Wilson Fisk has had me on his radar for quite some time now.

Since Fisk is now the mayor of New York, Spider-Man might not top his list of immediate threats, but he’s undeniably on Wilson Fisk’s mind. Characters like Daredevil and the Punisher are more vulnerable targets due to their lack of superhuman strength or agility compared to Spider-Man, but this doesn’t mean that Peter Parker can relax. It’s plausible that the storyline “Born Again” could influence Tom Holland’s next standalone film as well. After all, there have been whispers about “Spider-Man 4” potentially including two beloved Marvel characters, one of whom is Charlie Cox’s Daredevil. Given that Matt Murdock was part of “No Way Home” (and may have forgotten those events due to Doctor Strange’s memory spell), it seems fitting for these two heroes to join forces and protect their city.

Spider-Man and Kingpin have a long comic book history

Regardless of whether the Marvel Cinematic Universe explores Kingpin’s past with Spider-Man, there is a rich comic book history between them. In essence, Kingpin originated as a Spider-Man antagonist, making his debut in “The Amazing Spider-Man” (Vol.1) #50 during the “Spider-Man No More!” storyline. When it was announced that Spiderman was retiring, Fisk saw an opportunity to seize control of New York. However, Peter Parker eventually resumed his superhero duties, often foiling Kingpin’s plans over the years. As a result, Spider-Man has consistently been a nuisance for Kingpin, and they have had a long-standing rivalry. Although Daredevil later became Kingpin’s arch-nemesis, their relationship with Spider-Man remains significant.

Despite their history, things became deeply personal between Spider-Man and Kingpin following Marvel’s initial “Civil War.” After Peter Parker publicly unveiled his identity (before striking a deal with the devil to undo that decision), Fisk ordered a hit on Peter’s loved ones. His Aunt May was soon wounded, which infuriated Spider-Man. In issue #542 of “The Amazing Spider-Man” (Vol. 1), we see an enraged Spider-Man confront Fisk in prison without his mask. The fight ended brutally, with Peter leaving Fisk near death and vowing that if Aunt May dies, Kingpin will meet the same fate.

Apart from comic books, Kingpin has made appearances in different Spider-Man animated shows. Interestingly, the character portrayed by Michael Clarke Duncan in the 2003 “Daredevil” film also popped up in MTV’s “Spider-Man: The New Animated Series.” However, so far, there hasn’t been a live-action showdown between these two characters. Fingers crossed that “Daredevil: Born Again” hints at a more expansive MCU storyline.

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2025-03-05 08:37