Spoilers ahead for Free Comic Book Day 2021: Spider-Man/Venom #1!
Marvel is setting the stage for Kingpin to massacre Spider-Man, Daredevil and a host of other Marvel heavy hitters. In Spider-Man and Venom: Free Comic Book Day Special, readers are treated to a horrific vision of Wilson Fisk, one that promises to unleash his fury on the heroes that have thwarted him at every step. The issue is available for free at comics shops and online.
Despite a lack of superpowers, Wilson Fisk, AKA the Kingpin, is one of Marvel’s most ruthless villains. While he has tangled with many Marvel heroes, two, in particular, loom large in Fisk’s mind: Spider-Man and Daredevil. In the case of the latter, Fisk’s hatred knows no bounds. The battles between Kingpin and Daredevil are the stuff of legend, particularly Frank Miller’s mid-80’s epic Born Again. Thanks to his intimidating presence and ability to game the legal system, Kingpin remains untouchable. Recently, Kingpin was elected mayor of New York City and Matt Murdoch, as Daredevil, was sent to prison for murder; Elektra has become the protector of Hell’s Kitchen in his absence. Kingpin also tried to clone Bullseye, but the attempt backfired. But the Marvel Universe has not seen the worst yet, as Kingpin promises to show the heroes a side of himself never before seen. The story is written by Daredevil writer Chip Zdarsky, with art by Greg Smallwood and letters by Clayton Cowles.
The story opens with Jessica Jones investigating a rash of murders; the victims were all private detectives. Luke Cage, at home with their child, cautions her. She finds Joey, a friend, in his office, dying. He warns Jessica that “Fisk is cleaning house.” The scene then cuts to Fisk standing in his penthouse residence, surveying the city. As he watches over the skyline, he reflects on how much he has held back over the years, saying that he has only given hints at what he is capable of doing. Fisk thinks of his hatred for Daredevil, and how it has inspired him. Fisk promises the heroes will see the “blinding sun of [his] fury.” Fisk then looks down at his hands and they are covered in blood—and behind are the corpses of some of Marvel’s greatest heroes—including Spider-Man and Daredevil!
The scene, clearly a vision, ends there but it is enough to give readers a horrifying look at what is coming. Chip Zdarsky’s current run on Daredevil is ending in November, but the writer is promising more to come—is an out-of-control Kingpin one of them? The seeds for such an event are being laid in the pages of Daredevil. What is interesting to note is that heroes other than Daredevil and Spider-Man are seen; readers can also see Iron Man, Mister Fantastic, Ms. Marvel and Emma Frost, among others. Fisk’s rage is clearly going to spread beyond Spider-Man and Daredevil, and if his vision is any indication, there will be hell to pay.
Kingpin is one of Marvel’s most terrifying villains, and he is set to try and kill not only Spider-Man and Daredevil, but all of the other heroes he feels are holding him back.