Melvin Potter

"Kid's half an idiot." "It's the other half that counts."

- Leland Owlsley and Wilson Fisk

Melvin Potter is a brilliant designer with some degree of mental health issues who was coerced into working for Wilson Fisk. He later made Daredevil's Suit when Daredevil asked him to make him a suit that will protect him from injury, in exchange for keeping Betsy Beatty safe.

Working for Wilson Fisk
"That'll be all Mr. Potter." "Okay, need anything else, Mr. Fisk, sir?" "Not today, Mr. Potter."

- Wilson Fisk and Melvin Potter

A talented designer, blacksmith and armorer despite some mental health issues, Potter was forcibly recruited by Wilson Fisk to design and build armour protected suits for him. When Potter refused, Fisk warned him that he intended to hurt his friend and carer Beatty if Potter did not do as instructed.

Fisk also made Potter build an armoured suit and waistcoat for Leland Owlsley, after he was attacked by a masked man. Owlsley made a comment to Fisk calling Potter half an idiot, but Fisk assured him that it was the other half that mattered.

Working with Daredevil
"You're not supposed to be here."

- Melvin Potter to Daredevil

When the man in the mask discovered that Potter was the one providing the body armor for Wilson Fisk, he tracked down his warehouse and looked at Potter's designs. Potter arrived shortly after and panicked, knowing that Fisk had ordered that no one enter Melvin Potter's Workshop without Fisk's permission. Potter told the intruder that he should not be there before attacking the masked man, using items around his shop, such as chains and saw blades which he threw, to fight off the intruder. Eventually Potter was defeated by the masked man and broke down crying, believing Beatty's life to now be in danger as Wilson Fisk would find out he broke his one rule that no one is allowed in the workshop without Fisk. Much to Potter's surprise however, the masked man comforted Potter and assured him that he did not work for Fisk but he knew people who had been hurt by Fisk and was planning on bringing down his reign of terror. The man told if he made an armoured suit for him, he would ensure that Fisk never harmed Beatty, when Potter asked him what kind of suit he required, the man told him he wanted a symbol.

Delivering the Red Suit
Potter did as instructed and made a suit designed around devil imagery and a specially designed Billy Club to the masked man's specifications. When the masked man came to collect the suit, Potter explained the design, noting which areas of the armor were more protective against bullets and knives. The masked man removed his glove and touched the material before telling him that the suit was indeed up to standard. The masked man later used it to fight Wilson Fisk, defeating him and putting him in jail, ensuring that Potter and Betsey were safe.

Abilities

 * Expert Martial Artist: Potter is highly skilled in combat. He was able to hold his own in a one on one fight with a injured Daredevil and came close to beating him.
 * Master Blacksmith: Potter is highly skilled in designing all kinds of body armor and weaponry. He can build light armor that protects the user without interfering with their mobility and speed.

Allies

 * Betsy Beatty - Carer
 * Leland Owlsley † - Customer
 * James Wesley †
 * Daredevil - Enemy turned Customer

Enemies

 * Wilson Fisk - Employer turned Enemy

Appearances

 * Daredevil
 * Season One
 * In the Blood (mentioned)
 * Shadows in the Glass
 * The Path of the Righteous
 * Daredevil

Trivia

 * In the comics, Melvin Potter is known as Gladiator and one of Daredevil's first enemies, eventually becoming an ally of Daredevil. The symbol that Potter uses on his costume in the comics, can be seen in his workshop.