Kingpin

Few Marvel villains cast as long a shadow as the Kingpin, who muscled his way onto the scene in The Amazing Spider-Man #50 back in 1967 — a Silver Age debut courtesy of Stan Lee and Johnny Romita that announced the arrival of a criminal force unlike anything New York's street level had seen. Over nearly six decades and 572 catalog appearances, he has proven himself one of Marvel's most enduring antagonists, racking up 18 key-issue appearances and planting his imposing presence across Daredevil, Ultimate Spider-Man, and The Amazing Spider-Man alike. He keeps extraordinarily dangerous company — Spider-Man, Daredevil, Wolverine, and their alter egos Peter Parker and Matt Murdock all know him well — which tells you everything about the tier of Marvel storytelling he inhabits. If you're serious about street-level Marvel, the Kingpin isn't just worth knowing; he's essential.