The Kingpin of Crime aka Wilson Fisk is
a huge figure who casts a long shadow. That shadow still continues to hang over
the first several years of the Spider-Girl series, the Darkdevil
mini-series and across the very History of the MC2 in significant ways. Let’s
explore how the fallen crime boss’ expansive influence continued to loom large
over the MC2.
Even though he doesn’t appear, the after effects of Fisk’s
reign as Kingpin are first obscurely
referenced when we learn in What If #105 that Daredevil aka Matt
Murdock had been killed. It all starts with the very first published MC2
story.
You’d be forgiven for thinking Mr Nobody is the main
villain in Spider-Girl #1 but it’s clear by the issue’s end that Wilson
Fisk is the man behind the curtain. Despite being in prison, The Kingpin
continues to control organized crime. While it’s not overt, I’ve always found
it interesting that Fisk’s organization seems to be taking an interest
in Peter Parker.
Kingpin next orchestrates the attempted escape of the
super criminal Crazy Eight from custody, using his employee Mr Nobody
to both provide cover and deliver equipment and weaponry to Eight prior
to his trial. The attempt is thwarted by Spider-Girl and her father Peter
Parker in his civilian identity and Darkdevil delivers a warning to Fisk
by teleporting into his prison cell (Spider-Girl #8). It appears Crazy
Eight was either working for the Kingpin previously or paid for his services,
but either way the two characters are now tied, as is Mr Nobody.
Wilson Fisk is a new trial in the courts for his
release, represented by Murdock’s former law-partner and friend Foggy
Nelson. He is visited in jail by Darkevil who warns Fisk that
Kaine is out for revenge and plans to kill him, however Fisk is
unconcerned. Kaine attempts to kill Fisk on the steps of the courthouse,
only to be soundly beaten by Spider-Girl, but not before Kaine
reveals to Nelson that Fisk is the one who ordered Matt
Murdock’s death. This prompts Nelson to step down as Fisk’s lawyer
and, though we don’t see how it played out, the trial does not result in Fisk’s
release. Kaine is imprisoned next to Fisk in Ryker’s Island
Prison (Spider-Girl #17).
Throughout the Darkdevil mini-series, The Kingpin
acts as one of the primary antagonists. Fisk arranges for Kaine’s
release from prison in order for the Scriers to assassinate him. Meanwhile,
Wilson has also sent the Scriers to eliminate loose ends in his
plot to steal the New York Mayoral Election and in the process putting
his puppet politician in power. These loose ends include Darkdevil, who
is targeted by the demonic Zarathos residing within the body of the Scrier
Prime as he attempts to prevent The Kingpin’s plot. It’s also
revealed via flashbacks that Kaine was formerly in Fisk’s employ
until the fearless Daredevil sacrificed his own life to save the
mercenary from Fisk’s firing line (Darkdevil #1-3).
This incident proves to be a turning point in the gang war
with Funny Face going rogue, breaking his mother Angel Face out
of confinement. The pair go on a rampage against the smaller criminal
organisations regardless of their loyalty to the Kingpin or Canis
seeking revenge on those they held responsible for Eight’s death-Mr
Nobody and Spider-Girl. With such a massive disruption to daily operations
and heavy financial cost for both crime bosses, Fisk arranges a meeting
with Canis (Spider-Girl #42).
Canis meets face to face with Fisk at Ryker’s
and the two men discuss a truce. Fisk reveals he has terminated Mr Nobody’s
employment and cut all ties, leaving the gunman to be captured by the combined
efforts of Darkdevil, the young Spider-Man and a temporarily back
in action Peter Parker as the original Spider-Man. Having reached
a truce and made concessions to Canis, Fisk remains confident he
will win with patience in due time. Meanwhile, Spider-Girl convinces the Faces
to leave New York and cease their destructive rampage, mostly out of sense of
guilt for the death of Crazy Eight (Spider-Girl #43).
This truce remains in place until the ‘Marked for Death’
storyline, where it appears both Canis and Kingpin are targeted for
assassination. With bombs being set off at Canis’ mansion and the Ryker’s
Island Prison, along with several other lower-level crime bosses
being killed, it appears the hit is being orchestrated by a South American crime
lord known as the Black Tarantula. Wilson Fisk is left in
critical condition and a visiting Darkdevil goes missing following the bombing,
but Canis is left unscathed thanks to the intervention Spider-Girl.
Soon after, Spider-Girl is also targeted when a bomb goes off in her
secret hideout, nearly claiming her friend and ally Normie Osborn (Spider-Girl
#61).
Spider-Girl learns that one of the suspects, Mr
Nobody, remains in prison and shortly afterwards encounters other former
criminals who should also be behind bars while following up on a tip from Canis (Spider-Girl #62).
Requiring emergency surgery, Fisk lays unconscious on the operating table and
has visions of his deceased son and wife, Richard and Vanessa who
urge him to renounce his criminal ways. Fisk dies at 6:47 PM as
the medical team are unable to stabilize him (Spider-Girl #63). His
death is confirmed the following issue in Spider-Girl #64 and with it,
the reign of the Kingpin of Crime comes to an end. Fisk never learns that Canis
was the mastermind behind the takeover plot that killed him (Spider-Girl #66).
Even after his death, The Kingpin’s imposing legacy
persists. A stolen DVD belonging to Wilson Fisk which was believed to
contain a list of all his contacts and every government official who was ever
on his payroll becomes the focus of a new war on the streets, this time with
the Hobgoblin, Black Tarantula and other crime lords all vying
for its possession (Amazing Spider-Girl #1-6, #13-18).
I should have done this post two years ago when Kingpin
was everywhere: Daredevil Season 3, the Spider-Man PS4 game and the
Into the Spider-Verse movie. Oh well!
Until I go bald, pack on the muscle and rule a criminal empire
from prison, I remain
frogoat
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