Summary

• Wilson Fisk's return as Kingpin sparks mixed reactions among fans due to the perceived reversal of recent story developments.
• Daredevil #8 sets the stage for Fisk reclaiming his criminal throne as the Kingpin of Hell's Kitchen, stepping up to lead the violent new gang, the Heat.
• Daredevil #9 hints at the deeper reasons behind Fisk's "comeback," with recent demonic possessions being a key to his return.

Warning! Spoilers for Daredevil #8 and potential spoilers for Daredevil #9 ahead!

As Daredevil celebrates his 60th anniversary this year, Wilson Fisk has returned to claim his mantle as the Kingpin of Crime. Some fans are upset by the development, believing Fisk’s return to the top of New York’s criminal underworld negates months of storytelling. However, there may be more to the Kingpin’s comeback than it seems.

Last month’s Daredevil #8 was a special over-sized issue that marked six decades since Daredevil was introduced. The issue’s lead story, “Introductory Rites” by Saladin Ahmed, Aaron Kuder and Jesus Aburtov, features Daredevil and Elektra crashing a meeting of the Heat, a gang of ex-police officers that’s been terrorizing Hell’s Kitchen. Bullseye delivers a rousing speech wherein he introduces Fisk, who reclaims his title of Kingpin as he plans to wield the Heat as his own personal army.

After the recently-concluded Gang War event saw criminals vying to step up as the new Kingpin, Fisk resuming the role feels like a big step backwards to some readers. This fact is not lost on Matt Murdock himself in a preview for Daredevil #9, hinting that there’s more at play here than a simple reversion to the status quo.

Why Fans Are Upset About Wilson Fisk’s Return As Kingpin

The preview for Daredevil #9 by Saladin Ahmed, Juann Cabal, Jesus Aburtov and VC’s Clayton Cowles picks up immediately after Fisk reveals himself as Kingpin. As Daredevil and Elektra fight their way to the stage where Bullseye has delivered his address, Matt reflects on how Fisk coming back to Hell’s Kitchen “doesn’t make any sense.” Fisk has been the Mayor of New York City and the Black King of the Hellfire Club. He even considered a run at the presidency. For him to be running a street-level operation with thugs like Bullseye, “it’s like he’s stepped back in time.” There are some fans who can relate to the feeling.

Gang War was a months-long event that involved several criminal operations in New York fighting to take over the underworld. Madame Masque, Hammerhead, Beetle, Shang-Chi, Diamondback and more all battled over territory, while a coalition of heroes led by Spider-Man tried to restore order. Fisk appeared to throw his own hat into the ring at one point, only for it to be a plot to remove his son from the fracas. It all ended with Tombstone triumphant as the undisputed leader of New York City crime. If Fisk was just going to reclaim his throne two months later, does that mean all the events of Gang War didn’t matter? Not exactly…

Fans Shouldn’t Be Too Mad About Kingpin’s “Return”

Things have not been as they seem throughout the current run of Daredevil by writer Saladin Ahmed and artists Aaron Kuder, Farid Karami, German Peralta, and Juann Cabal. After his recent death, Matt Murdock is resurrected as a priest running a youth home in Hell’s Kitchen. While he’s tried to stop the Heat from spreading violence, he’s also dealt with a number of his friends being possessed by demonic entities representing the Seven Deadly Sins. Daredevil has had to exorcise Sloth from Elektra, Envy from Ben Urich, Gluttony from She-Hulk, and Lust from Wolverine. Each of these demonic possessions has caused their victims to act out of character, just like Wilson Fisk is doing now.

There are still three Deadly Sins left – Greed, Pride and Wrath. So far, these entities have only possessed Matt Murdock’s allies. But if one has taken control of Fisk, it could explain why he’s seemingly reverted to his old ways. Wilson Fisk’s return as the Kingpin of Hell’s Kitchen is likely not a case of Marvel reversing its recent stories, but instead a scenario where Daredevil will have to save his oldest foe from an even greater threat.

Daredevil #9 will be available May 8 from Marvel Comics.