Warning: This list contains spoilers for the first four episodes of Hawkeye.
There are several clues that the big bad of the Daredevil Netflix series. Just as that show built off some great Daredevil comic book storylines, some of the best Kingpin comic stories might be of interest to fans after watching Hawkeye.
Kingpin has been a major menace of both Daredevil and Spider-Man in the comics, and many of his best stories are connected to those Marvel superheroes. Much of Kingpin's character growth and development emerges from these classic stories and continues in more recent tales, where his connection to Echo has provided the single biggest clue that he will appear in the MCU.
Pieces Of A Whole
Comic book fans know that Echo first emerges in the Marvel Universe as one of the Kingpin's enforcers. "Pieces Of A Whole," which begins with Daredevil #9 in 1998, introduces Maya and her tragic backstory. Not only is she a lieutenant of Kingpin's, she's also his adopted daughter, and one of the closest family bonds Fisk has in the comics.
The storyline becomes more complicated as Maya falls in love with Matt Murdock and eventually discovers that Kingpin had her true father killed. This twist could foreshadow developments in the MCU, given Maya's relationship to her mysterious 'uncle.'
Hardcore
Hardcore is a storyline by writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Alex Maleev that sees Kingpin on the warpath. Villains rarely get such spotlights in Marvel Comics, and Kingpin continues his long character development by trying to regain his standing in the criminal underworld after losing everything.
Kingpin's determination to get back on top leads to an all-out war and one of the bloodiest and biggest battles between Wilson Fisk and Matt Murdock, which was adapted in some respects for the third season of the Netflix series.
Last Rites
Kingpin was primarily known as a Spider-Man villain before his emergence as one of Daredevil's coolest villains in Marvel Comics. That turn takes place in the 80s and the Last Rites storyline is one of the best examples of it. Running across Daredevil #297 to 300, the storyline sees Daredevil systematically dismantle Kingpin's empire.
Kingpin loses everything after Daredevil undermines him by spreading rumors in the criminal underworld that Wilson Fisk is aligned with HYDRA and is not his own man. Fisk is run out of town, defeated and dishonored.
The Autobiography Of Matt Murdock
The enmity between Daredevil and Kingpin is staggering, and The Autobiography Of Matt Murdock is one of the best Kingpin comic books to display it. Emerging from the Mark Waid and Chris Samnee run on Daredevil, Kingpin gets all the leverage back in the relationship after Matt Murdock comes to him for help.
The storyline is as intricate as their other major battles, but there's nothing subtle about Kingpin's hatred for Daredevil in an iconic scene where Kingpin meets with Murdock in his art gallery. Numerous gruesome paintings showing a dying Daredevil are on display.
Learning Curve
Just as there are many powerful versions of Spider-Man in Marvel Comics, there are also many versions of Kingpin. One of the best comes in "Learning Curve," a great storyline that introduces Kingpin into the Ultimate Comics universe. The story is a standout for Kingpin immediately unmasking Spider-Man and defeating him in their first encounter.
This Kingpin is far more dangerous and ruthless than even his Earth-616 version. He's also far more entrenched in corporate America, making him on the surface appears to be more of a legit businessman despite his evil deeds.
Back In Black
Back In Black is one of the best Kingpin comics as he finally brings the same level of ruthlessness he displays with Daredevil to Spider-Man. When Peter Parker reveals his secret identity to the world in the Civil War storyline, Kingpin takes the opportunity to get revenge.
Aunt May is mortally wounded in the attack, and Spider-Man holds nothing back as he goes after Kingpin. After decades of mostly typical superhero showdowns between the two, the story becomes very personal and very bloody in its final moments.
Gang War
The "Gang War" storyline running through Daredevil #170-172 is where Kingpin formally transitions to a Daredevil villain and also becomes a more fully rounded character. Written by Frank Miller, this story features Kingpin trying to go straight for once, but unable to get out of the life of crime he's lived.
Rival gangs kidnap his wife after he cooperates with authorities, leading to a bloody war that ultimately sees Kingpin come out on top. In the process, he becomes the bitter rival of Daredevil, with disastrous consequences for both.
In The Clutches Of The Kingpin
Kingpin's first appearance in The Amazing Spider-Man #50 is also one of his best comic book stories. "In The Clutches Of The Kingpin" introduces readers to a villain who first emerges thinking Spider-Man has retired. His actions bring Peter Parker back to the role and generates one of the best rivalries in comics.
The storyline, which runs through issue #52 of the classic series, gives Kingpin his iconic look and lays the groundwork for the character he will become in later years as a major figure in the criminal underworld of the Marvel Universe.
Last Hand
Those consequences emerge fairly quickly in Daredevil #181, one of the best Daredevil comic issues ever. Kingpin orchestrates a series of events that leads to his assassin taking on and ultimately killing Elektra, the love of Matt Murdock's life.
It was a shocking moment for readers and Daredevil, leading to an epic escalation in the war between Matt Murdock and Wilson Fisk that arguably has never abated. Written by Frank Miller with art by Klaus Janson, it's a must for Kingpin readers.
Born Again
Just as Matt Murdock once took apart Wilson Fisk's life, Fisk returns the favor in Born Again, arguably Kingpin's best comic book storyline. Written by Frank Miller with art by David Mazzucchelli (the same team that created the iconic Year One storyline in Batman comics), the story features Kingpin at his most brilliant, cruel, and petty.
Kingpin slowly takes apart Matt Murdock's life, getting his law license suspended, destroying his apartment, and beating him down, much as he does in the Netflix series and may yet again when the two inevitably appear in the MCU.