For other uses, see Daredevil (disambiguation) |
For alternate versions of Benjamin Poindexter, see Benjamin Poindexter's Character Hub |
- "The FBI, the Army before that... they helped keep me on the straight and narrow path. But now, without that it's all... I'm drowning in deep water, and I don't know whether I'm swimming for the surface or the bottom."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Julie Barnes[src]
Benjamin "Dex" Poindexter is a veteran of the United States Army and a former FBI agent who possesses a remarkable talent for accuracy. Struggling with a mental illness, Poindexter relied on structure and rules to maintain his sanity while obsessing over Julie Barnes due to her caring nature. However, when he used his skills to save Wilson Fisk's life, he was manipulated into becoming Fisk's personal assassin. He was tasked with impersonating Daredevil in order to turn the public against him, while ensuring Ray Nadeem and Karen Page did not expose Fisk. Poindexter turned against Fisk as Daredevil had then revealed his manipulations and Barnes' death, as he went on a killing spree in an attempt to kill him. Poindexter was defeated by Daredevil and Fisk, resulting in his spine being damaged to the point of him becoming paralyzed.
Biography[]
Early Life[]
Losing His Parents[]
- "I mean, most kids, they have moms or dads to teach them right from wrong, to show them how to behave."
"My parents mostly got mad at me." - ―Eileen Mercer and Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Poindexter was born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. From an early age, his parents had failed to teach him right from wrong, as he felt no true love but anger from them. Poindexter suffered the traumatic loss of his parents under unknown circumstances, resulting in him being sent to Lyndhurst Home for Boys as an orphan, where he had then joined the baseball team, due to Poindexter's remarkable skills for accuracy.[4]
Developing Perfect Aim[]
During his time being raised at the Lyndhurst Home for Boys, Poindexter had spent most of his childhood without any close relations with anyone else. Having joined their baseball team, Poindexter continued to practice with his uncanny talent of pitching the ball with his perfect accuracy. As his talent grew, Poindexter had excelled at Baseball and became the most favored player of Coach Bradley. Before a game, Bradley found Poindexter throwing his ball at the brick wall again, so he urged Poindexter to get ready as the game would begin in twenty minutes.
Since Poindexter had refused to address Bradley as he was focused on throwing his ball at the wall, Bradley asked if everything was okay and questioned if the headmaster knew that Poindexter was drilling a hole in his wall. While Poindexter noted that the headmaster did not like it, Bradley simply promised to deal with their headmaster, knowing that it was good practice for Poindexter. Bradley then revealed that he had a gift for Poindexter, saying that he was planning on giving it to him after the game. He pulled a brand-new catchers mitt out from his bag and handed it to Poindexter.
As Bradley explained what that glove was made of, Poindexter just remained speechless with joy at the gift. Bradley suggested that they go break in the glove by playing the game. However, before they left, Poindexter requested a moment to show Bradley his new wind up throw that he had been practicing. Bradley allowed this and handed Poindexter a new ball to throw. Poindexter then excitedly demonstrated his latest throw, landing the ball on the same spot as all of his previous throws, further cracking the brick wall due to the power of the throw.[4]
Murder of Bradley[]
During the baseball game, Poindexter continued to excel in his role as the pitcher for the Lyndhurst Home for Boys, as nobody from the other team was able to hit a single ball that Poindexter threw, causing them to gain an easy advantage over their opponents. Poindexter gained more and more confidence as the game went along with their game, strongly in the lead by a considerable amount. However, while Poindexter was sure that he would prove himself, Bradley told Poindexter that he would be benching him.
Bradley claimed that he wanted to give his arms a rest, but Poindexter was completely mortified to be stopped from playing in exchange for Kanon. Poindexter noted that nobody had gotten a hit off him, yet Bradley insisted that he had to give the other children a chance to play. Poindexter then begged for a chance to keep on playing, but Bradley told him to calm down and breathe. Breaking down in tears, Poindexter explained that he might bring his parents back if he pitched a perfect game, so Bradley tried to explain that no number of games would bring his parents back.
Although he was extremely frustrated, Poindexter relented and sat on the bench, as Bradley told him to grab a popsicle as a reward. However, Poindexter struggled to contain his rage when he sat down, since he believed that Bradley had betrayed him by taking away his chance to play. Poindexter grabbed a baseball and proceeded to throw it with considerable force at a steel pole, causing it to ricochet and strike Bradley hard on the head, killing him instantly. Due to the way Poindexter had thrown the ball, it was believed that Bradley's death was an accident.[4]
Going to Therapy[]
- "We like honesty around here. When you hit Coach Bradley, was that an accident? Whatever you say stays between us. That's the law."
"No. It wasn't an accident. Am I in trouble?"
"No, no. It wasn't your fault."
"But, I just told you. I did it on purpose." - ―Eileen Mercer and Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Following the incident at the baseball game, Poindexter was sent to therapy at the Riviera Psychiatric Institute, where he was assigned Eileen Mercer as his therapist. Having spent some time getting to know one another, Mercer asked Poindexter about Bradley and how he died, questioning how Poindexter felt. Poindexter answered that he did not feel sad as Bradley was a jerk, claiming that Bradley had never let him do what he wanted.
Mercer mentioned how Bradley had named him MVP, so Poindexter admitted that he used to think Bradley was awesome. Poindexter continued sketching a picture of himself as a baseball player while Mercer wrote notes about Poindexter's current mental state. Mercer asked Poindexter to be honest with her, as she questioned if Bradley's death had been an accident, promising that whatever he said would remain between them. Poindexter confessed that it was not an accident. Poindexter then asked if he would be in trouble, Mercer promised he was not, since it was not his fault.
Poindexter was confused, having just confessed to killing Bradley on purpose, but Mercer reassured him that it did not mean it was his fault. Mercer explained it to him by pointing out the picture that Poindexter had been drawing, questioning if that was meant to be him in the picture, which Poindexter confirmed. Mercer noted how Poindexter had drawn himself alone, surrounded by emptiness, noting how she knew that things had been that way for most of Poindexter's life. He agreed with this, and they then discussed Poindexter's absent parents.
Mercer commented that most children had parents who could teach them right from wrong, while Poindexter then noted that his parents mostly just yelled at him before their deaths. Mercer explained to Poindexter that Bradley's death was not his fault since his parents had died and neglected to teach him basic life lessons and skills. Mercer promised that things would be better as he had her to support him from this point on. Mercer promised to establish routines to help Poindexter with his rage, and teach him empathy. They practiced, with Mercer giving Poindexter a phrase to say to empathize with people.[4]
Losing His North Star[]
- "I want... I want to kill you."
"Say more. Why do you want to kill me? To put me out of my misery?"
"To punish you."
"I'm not quite sure what I've done wrong." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Eileen Mercer[src]
Teaching him about the act of empathy, Eileen Mercer was eventually able to connect with Poindexter while advising him to control his psychopathic tendencies. Poindexter had become attached to her and managed to gain some stability in his life. However, Mercer was diagnosed with cancer, and her health began to deteriorate swiftly. To celebrate their final session together at the Riviera Psychiatric Institute, Mercer had presented Poindexter with some champagne.
The potential loss of Mercer had utterly devastated Poindexter, but he had attempted to appear strong for her, even turning down her offer for a drink as he was not twenty-one yet. Poindexter listened as Mercer explained how it had been a challenging day to say goodbye to a lot of people. Poindexter used his lessons on empathy to try and relate to her pain, and Mercer told him that she had been dreading their final session together ever since her diagnosis. Poindexter then began to beg Mercer not to leave him, insisting that they could keep meeting so he could keep getting better, but Mercer stopped him and tried to console him.
Mercer assured Poindexter that he would be fine, reminding him that he would soon be able to get himself a job with a rigid structure, whilst sticking to his medication. Mercer presented Poindexter with a box containing the recordings of their therapy sessions. She told him to listen to them when he felt lost to remember the progress that they had made. Mercer then gave Poindexter a business card for a new therapist, who she insisted had a lot of expertise with many cases similar to Poindexter, although Poindexter took great offense to the concept of replacing Mercer.
Losing his temper, Poindexter then charged across the room and stood over Mercer, insisting that he did not want another therapist. Mercer questioned if Poindexter was attempting to scare her with this aggression, to which he claimed that he wanted to kill her, as he pulled the oxygen from her nose. Mercer remained strong, asking if Poindexter wanted to kill her to put her out of her misery, but he claimed that he wanted to punish her for dying. Mercer then tried to explain to Poindexter that death would always win eventually, as she promised that it could be a beautiful event when it came naturally.
Calming down, Poindexter stepped away from Mercer, as she tried to convince him that they should allow death to take its course and never rush it. Poindexter told Mercer that he would never be able to live his life alone, remembering what he did to Bradley the last time he was alone. Mercer told him to find someone new who had a good heart. Mercer reassured Poindexter that he was not broken, but just needed somebody to help guide him in the right direction. Poindexter broke down in tears and collapsed in Mercer's arms. Mercer died shortly after this final meeting.[4]
Finding Structure[]
In the wake of Eileen Mercer's untimely death, Poindexter joined the United States Army, where he was able to hone his accuracy with multiple firearms, as well as learn combat training. Once Poindexter left the military, he went to work at the Brooklyn Suicide Prevention Center. Working there for a year, Poindexter had developed an obsession with one of his co-workers, Julie Barnes. During one call, Poindexter spoke with Craig who was considering shooting himself due to the abuse from his stepfather. Barnes praised Poindexter for helping Craig while on the call, but eventually Poindexter put down the hotline script and almost convinced Craig to kill his stepfather, as his stepfather was one who was wronging him. But before he could complete this sentence to Craig, Poindexter made eye contact with Barnes and snapped back into helping Craig.
Poindexter left the suicide prevention center shortly after Barnes left to take up ballet. Poindexter was then recruited into the FBI after graduating from Quantico.[2] Having proved himself as an exceptional agent, Poindexter was stationed at the FBI New York Crime Division under the direct orders of Tammy Hattley, working as the field sniper, due to his remarking skills at accuracy. Poindexter eventually built a rigid and structured life for himself, while keeping his sanity in check through his work at the FBI, maintaining his healthy lifestyle, although he had continued an obsession with Barnes from a distance.[4]
FBI Agent[]
Protecting Wilson Fisk[]
- "Convict... Don't move."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Wilson Fisk[src]
Poindexter was assigned to the team responsible with transporting Wilson Fisk out from Ryker's Island, following Fisk making a deal with the FBI to provide them with information on crime organizations in New York City. After Ray Nadeem fitted Fisk with his Ankle Monitor, Poindexter pushed Fisk out the door, only referring to him as a convict.
However, during the FBI's transportation of Fisk to the Presidential Hotel, they were suddenly attacked by the Albanian Syndicate, as the cars surrounding Fisk's were destroyed, causing Fisk's car to crash and roll upside down. During all of the chaos, several FBI agents were killed and Poindexter was among those injured. When Poindexter regained consciousness, he discovered that Albanians had surrounded Fisk's car and were attempting to saw through the roof to kill him. Armed with only his handgun, Poindexter managed to get the drop on these Albanians.
Using the element of surprise, Poindexter then stepped out from the shadows and began shooting at the Albanians, killing several of them with perfect accuracy. Others retreated as Poindexter took cover behind a car. Sliding across the ground, Poindexter then managed to shoot a bullet that ricocheted off Fisk's car and killed an Albanian behind cover. Upon shooting a man hidden behind a car and then ricocheting a bullet from a pole and killing another man, the remaining Albanians realized that they stood no chance against Poindexter's and decided to surrender.
When two of the Albanians had come forward and pleaded for mercy, Poindexter unhesitatingly killed them. While emptying his magazine, Poindexter was ambushed by a couple of Albanians from behind, so he threw his gun at both of them with fatal accuracy, further displaying his ability to kill with almost any item. After checking if his teammates were alive, Poindexter picked up a new gun and approached Fisk, who exited the car. Pointing his gun at Fisk, who he referred to as convict, Poindexter told him not to move, taking him into his custody.[5]
Stationed at the Hotel[]
- "May I see your room key, sir?"
"Yeah, I got it."
"No, I need to see it."
"Oh sure, yeah. They gave me like three of them. You know I must have left it in my car."
"Then I can't let you through." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Matt Murdock[src]
In the aftermath of the Albanian Syndicate ambush,[5] Poindexter and the remaining FBI agents brought Wilson Fisk to the Presidential Hotel. Poindexter insured that the area was secure as he and several more agents escorted Fisk through the lobby and towards the elevator. While Poindexter discussed the ambush, they encountered Benjamin Donovan and Nicholas Lee, who then attempted to speak with Fisk as his lawyers from Donovan and Partners, only for Poindexter to order them to stay back.
Poindexter and Ray Nadeem got Fisk into the elevator and arrived at the penthouse. Nadeem ordered Poindexter to get a medic, so Poindexter noted that Fisk did not need one, only for Nadeem to explain that the medic was for him. Nadeem ordered Poindexter to check in with Tammy Hattley, much to Poindexter's annoyance. Nadeem insisted that they still had to follow protocol in the wake of the ambush. Nadeem also told Poindexter to return to the hotel as soon as possible while he dealt with Fisk.
Following the debrief, Poindexter was assigned to watch over Fisk while he was in the penthouse suite. As he listened to J. Lim discuss the agents who died, including Garcia, Poindexter noted that Andrews might survive, although he might never walk again. They discussed how hard the situation was and the fact that Fisk had been given a penthouse despite his crimes. They were then interrupted by Donovan and Lee, who demanded that the cameras inside the penthouse be switched off so they could have a private talk with Fisk, which Poindexter begrudgingly obliged with.
Poindexter was later assigned to guard the elevator downstairs to ensure that nobody came towards Fisk's penthouse. During this time, Poindexter encountered Matt Murdock, who attempted to get past him. Poindexter ordered Murdock to present him with a room key to prove that he was a resident at the hotel. However, Murdock claimed that he had seemingly lost his key. Poindexter became suspicious of Murdock's intentions, so he rested his hand onto his gun and denied to let Murdock go past him, causing Murdock to walk away.[1]
Wilson Fisk's Compliments[]
- "I owe those fallen agents a debt that I can never repay, but I also owe you. I've known extraordinary people, but I have never seen a talent like yours. May I ask you where you acquired such skill?"
- ―Wilson Fisk to Benjamin Poindexter[src]
In the evening, Poindexter was ordered to stand guard inside Wilson Fisk's penthouse. Fisk spoke directly to Poindexter, making it clear that he knew who he was, while also commenting on how Poindexter had saved his life during the Albanian Syndicate's ambush. As Poindexter joked that it had been a mistake, Fisk expressed his condolences for those dead FBI agents, while Poindexter attempted to ignore him.
Fisk continued to discuss the loss of Poindexter's friends, asking if his words would bring any comfort, or if the families of those lost would prefer to simply despise him. Poindexter stopped him from talking about the agents' bravery by reminding Fisk that he only had five minutes to finish his meal. Ignoring this, Fisk noted the debt that he owed to those fallen agents, as well as the debt he owed to Poindexter. Fisk noted how extraordinary Poindexter's skills were, and asked where he gained them until Poindexter had finally lost his patience and took Fisk's meal away from him.[1]
Therapy Sessions[]
- "If I were wearing a mask, the press would be calling me a hero. Instead, I'm sitting here trying to justify protecting myself."
"I'm not the enemy. I'm just trying to... Look, forget the psych bullshit for a minute. Just tell me for real, how are you?"
"It's hard. It's really hard." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Myman[src]
Poindexter was ordered to undergo a mandatory psychological evaluation, where he spoke with Myman about their ambush. Poindexter discussed why he risked his life for Wilson Fisk, insisting that it was his job to protect Fisk. Myman insisted they not discuss Fisk but focus on the ambush, which Poindexter was reluctant to do as Myman then noted that they had to talk so that Poindexter could be cleared for duty.
Poindexter talked about how he lost friends during the ambush, but Myman reminded him that he also used lethal force, noting that Poindexter should be on active leave from the FBI. Becoming frustrated, Poindexter argued that if he had been wearing a mask, like some sort of vigilante, then he would have been called a hero by the media. But instead, he was having to justify his actions to protect his job. Seeing Poindexter's frustration, Myman asked how he was doing, to which Poindexter finally opened up and admitted that he was finding this situation hard.
Myman and Poindexter discussed his use of lethal force in the past as an FBI Sniper as well as being with the United States Army. Myman explained that using lethal force could create trauma that could take a toll on the mind, with Poindexter suggesting that he might one day lose control, so Myman insisted that Poindexter process these events. Poindexter told Myman all about Julie Barnes, claiming she was his support system as well as the person who listened to him. Although Poindexter had not mentioned how he was stalking Barnes, claiming that they ate dinner together on Tuesdays.
Poindexter claimed that Barnes was always there for him and did not judge him. Having answered to Myman's satisfaction, Poindexter was then allowed to leave. Myman advised him that he should always talk about his feelings to Barnes, since it would do him good. Later that evening, Poindexter followed and observed Barnes from his car as she went to buy pizza, taking his medication before spying on her. While watching Barnes, Poindexter mimicked her, eating the same pizza she was and copying her smile, although he truly did not feel those emotions.[1]
Tormenting Wilson Fisk[]
- "We'll be conducting a mandatory sweep of the area. You're to cooperate with all instructions. You understand?"
"I understand."
"I'm searching your person to ensure you're not carrying anything that might be harmful to yourself or others. Do you understand?" - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Wilson Fisk[src]
As Poindexter continued to monitor Wilson Fisk, he and J. Lim took it upon themselves to torment Fisk at every opportunity. In the early hours of the morning, Poindexter and Lim burst inside Fisk's bedroom, demanding to do a room check, only for them to find that Fisk was already awake and facing against the wall as per Poindexter's instructions. While Lim searched the room and overturned Fisk's bed, Poindexter searched Fisk to ensure he did not have any weapons.
Once Lim confirmed that nothing suspicious had been found in their search, Poindexter ordered Fisk to turn around. Fisk questioned if they were finished, so Poindexter looked Fisk with a smirk and confirmed that they were all clear. As Poindexter and Lim walked out of the Presidential Hotel's penthouse, leaving Fisk's bedroom in a mess, Poindexter turned back around, seeing that Fisk was now out of his room and was looking down at him. This then unnerved Poindexter as he then walked out from the penthouse behind Lim.
While preparing to give Fisk his lunch, Poindexter looked through the food for anything suspicious and, in an attempt to antagonize Fisk, took a bite of the burger, while Lim removed all of the water, salt and ketchup from the tray to ensure that the meal was as unenjoyable for Fisk as possible. Poindexter then took all the food off the clean plate that the hotel had provided and had instead dumped it on a wooden tray, messily, much to the considerable amusement of Lim and their other FBI agents watching him. Poindexter put a steel lid on top as a further mockery, as he and Lim returned to the monitor room.
Returning to the monitor room, Poindexter and Lim waited for Fisk to react to the unfair treatment of the food, only to be disappointed that Fisk failed to react, instead just calmly eating his food with a spork. Poindexter pointed out how strange it was for someone to eat their burger with a spork. Both Poindexter and Lim were then interrupted by the unexpected arrival of Tammy Hattley, who introduced him to Winn. They asked Poindexter to get himself a cup of coffee while they interrogated Fisk alone, which had made Poindexter nervous.
As Poindexter stepped outside the monitor room, Ray Nadeem had followed him out and told him not to panic. Making it clear that this was not a conversation that they should be having officially, Nadeem informed Poindexter that the OPR had wanted to interview Fisk about the Albanian Syndicate's ambush, as a discrepancy has been discovered between Poindexter's official report and the analysis by the forensics. While Nadeem expressed his gratitude to Poindexter in saving his life, ensuring that his wife and son had him in their lives, Poindexter remained extremely nervous about the situation.[6]
Confronting Wilson Fisk[]
- "I don't need any favors from you, convict."
"But sympathy? Papers protest the mockery. I can carry this burden of humiliation, but you? You're a dedicated federal agent."
"You don't know anything about me."
"Neither does the Bulletin. The press is labeling the attack on my life as an FBI disaster." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Wilson Fisk[src]
Desperate to know what was discussed behind his back, Poindexter returned to the Presidential Hotel, finding J. Lim in the monitor room, who was surprised to meet Poindexter as he believed he had been relieved for the day. Having confirmed that all the other agents had gone home, Poindexter gave Lim some cash and told him to go downstairs and get himself a cup of coffee. Lim left Poindexter alone in the room with access to all the FBI's cameras.
Once Lim had gone, Poindexter sat down at the desk and began looking back at the security cameras, rewinding the footage until he found Tammy Hattley and Winn interviewing Wilson Fisk. Poindexter watched on as Hattley and Winn presented Fisk with pictures of the corpses of the Albanian Syndicate who had been shot by Poindexter during the ambush. However, when Winn questioned how these men had died, Fisk had claimed that Poindexter had shot them out of self-defense, denying that they had actually surrendered and were executed unlawfully, much to Poindexter's surprise.
Determined to get an explanation about this, Poindexter proceeded to turn off all the cameras in Fisk's penthouse before storming inside and demanding to know what Fisk's game was. Fisk denied any knowledge about what he was referring to, so Poindexter insisted that he did not need any favors from him. Before storming out of the room, having reminded Fisk that he was still a convict, Fisk expressed that while Poindexter might not need a favor from him, he may need his sympathy, noting how the New York Bulletin had written a humiliating story in which Poindexter had been blamed for the Albanian Syndicate's attack on the FBI.
Fisk reminded Poindexter of the protests and mockery that would be coming in the wake of the Bulletin's article, commenting that while he could handle all that humiliation himself, he claimed that Poindexter should not have to carry that weight due to being the decorated FBI agent that he was. Poindexter insisted that Fisk did not know anything about him, but Fisk countered by stating that the Bulletin did not know anything about him either. Fisk showed Poindexter the new headline on the Bulletin that called the ambush a complete disaster, but Fisk insisted that Poindexter was exceptional at the ambush.
Fisk affirmed how Poindexter had saved his life, as well as the lives of several FBI agents, noting how the Bulletin had failed to report on Poindexter's heroism, claiming that they had instead villainized and demeaned his actions. When Fisk stood up, Poindexter reached for his gun. Fisk declared that the world was changing, and any real heroes like Poindexter were ridiculed and dismissed. Fisk insisted that he only wanted to offer Poindexter his sympathies due to the new reality they were in. Considering Fisk's words, Poindexter walked out of the penthouse.[6]
Return to Duty[]
- "The public is easily distracted. Which makes the solution for my problem quite simple. The city needs a new villain. And I think I might have found him."
- ―Wilson Fisk to Benjamin Donovan[src]
The next morning, Poindexter read a copy of the New York Bulletin while drinking his usual cups of coffee. As Poindexter prepared to leave, he showed signs of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, as he placed his paper on the stacks of older papers that he had been collecting, and delicately cleaned his mug, ensuring everything was placed in the correct spot and remained spotless. Poindexter glanced at his photograph of him with the Brooklyn Suicide Prevention Center team, including Julie Barnes. He walked out the door, only to return when the picture dropped slightly on its hook, ensuring it was still straight.
Having returned to the Presidential Hotel, Poindexter followed behind Ray Nadeem to go over the updates in Wilson Fisk's deal with the FBI in the wake of Fisk's assistance with several recent cases. Poindexter stood by while Nadeem spoke to Benjamin Donovan who went over their demands in the wake the intel had provided to them leading to the Albanian Syndicate being wiped out. Poindexter listened on while Donovan also demanded that Nadeem provide Fisk with several personal items that had been confiscated from him.
As Nadeem had confirmed that the FBI would drop all of the charges against Vanessa Marianna, Poindexter remained silent while Donovan also demanded that Fisk be allowed supervised movement within the hotel, in exchange for continued support. Although he tried to ignore it, Poindexter then noticed that Fisk was staring at him throughout the entire meeting. Fisk commented on how much the FBI had sacrificed for him, while maintaining close eye contact with Poindexter. Fisk then told Nadeem about Matt Murdock, who he claimed was a criminal he had employed to launder his money.
As he considered his situation involving Fisk, Poindexter continued his stalking Julie Barnes from afar, following closely behind during her usual jog through New York City. Poindexter kept a close watch on Barnes, stopping when she stopped and observing her as she gave some money to a homeless woman. Seeing Barnes' kindness comforted Poindexter, although he had still kept his face hidden from her, to ensure that Barnes did not know that he was following her. Once Barnes finished talking with the homeless woman, she continued jogging as Poindexter followed.[4]
Reunion with Julie Barnes[]
- "You worked at the hotline for three years. I think you of all people would believe everyone deserves a second chance."
"How did you know I worked there for three years? You were only there for one."
"You mentioned it earlier. You quit doing ballet."
"Did I also mention ballet earlier? Specifically?" - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Julie Barnes[src]
While taking his break at the Presidential Hotel's bar, Poindexter was approached by Julie Barnes, who questioned if he wanted something to drink. Poindexter was so shocked to see her there that he failed to answer her question and sat in stunned silence. Barnes recognized Poindexter but assumed he did not remember her. However, as they shook hands Poindexter insisted that he did still remember her.
Poindexter noted that he had not seen Barnes working at the hotel before, so she revealed that it was her first day, having been offered twice the money to begin working there immediately. Poindexter assumed that Wilson Fisk had somehow arranged this to get in his head. Poindexter told Barnes that he lived in New York City and revealed that he worked for the FBI, guarding Fisk upstairs. Barnes teased Poindexter and called him a G-Man. Poindexter asked her what time she got off of work, and she invited him to dinner to catch up, which Poindexter nervously agreed to.
An hour later, Poindexter and Barnes sat down for dinner together. They discussed all their favorite routes to jog through New York, with Poindexter not mentioning that he had been following Barnes during her jogs, even jokingly claiming about Barnes stalking him. Poindexter asked why Barnes was no longer doing social work, so she explained that she had attempted to pursue her career as a dancer but was forced to quit due to an injury. Poindexter used Eileen Mercer's technics to appear empathetic, but seemed genuine in complimenting her on being brave enough to try it.
Barnes opened up about failing to make a backup plan due to her parents being overly supportive of her dance career. Poindexter replied that his parents were never very involved with his life, so she said that he did not need their support as he had done great on his own. Barnes questioned what working for Fisk had been like, although Poindexter immediately corrected her, insisting that he did not work for Fisk. Barnes then questioned if it was scary to work so closely to somebody so dangerous, asking if he thought Fisk deserved a second chance.
However, that comment threw Poindexter off his guard and he made the comparison to Barnes working at the hotline for three years. Barnes questioned how he knew the exact amount of time she worked there, as he had only been there for one year. Although Poindexter tried to pass it off, he made it worse by mentioning that Barnes quit doing ballet, despite her never mentioning ballet. Barnes then made an excuse that she had to feed her dog, but Poindexter knew she did not have a dog. Knowing more than he should, Barnes quickly got up to leave, so Poindexter panicked and desperately tried to explain himself.
Barnes desperately attempted to leave, but Poindexter grabbed her by the arm, insisting that she was very special to him. Barnes demanded that he let go of her and stormed out. Completely devastated by the disastrous meet up, Poindexter left the Presidential Hotel and he returned to his apartment, slamming the door behind him. Poindexter began having a meltdown, knowing that he had ruined his only chance to have a connection with Barnes. In anger, he punched the wall, breaking the plaster and cutting his knuckles.
Seeing that he had gotten blood onto his white shirt, Poindexter panicked and removed it and began hearing auditory hallucinations in his head as his mental state grew more fragile. As he struggled to get the blood off the shirt, Poindexter continued to panic and threw his possessions across the room in a fit of rage. He then grabbed a knife and threw it at his picture of the Suicide Hotline Team, which went directly into Barnes' face. This action caused Poindexter to see that he was losing control of his sanity, so he managed to get ahold of the tapes that Mercer had given to him, and he sat on the floor and listened to his old therapy sessions until he began to calm down.[4]
Still reeling from his disastrous dinner with Barnes, Poindexter spent the night having nightmares, hearing the voice of Barnes demanding he let go of her. Poindexter finally awoke, covered in sweat, with the voices still inside his head. Needing to calm himself down before work, Poindexter went into his safe and collected the other tapes. He sat on the edge of his bed and listened to Mercer's voice, ensuring him that his internal compass was not broken, but he just needed a North Star or a strong structure from his work life to guide him onwards.[2]
Mental Breakdown[]
Confronting Wilson Fisk[]
- "You got it in your head that she means something to me. But she doesn't. She doesn't mean shit to me. So you have me tailed for a few days you think you know me? Think you got me dialed? You don't, all right? You don't know anything about me."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Wilson Fisk[src]
Despite still hearing voices in his head while barely getting any sleep, Poindexter returned into the Presidential Hotel, where he was teased by Alvarez for his appearance. She mentioned that Poindexter was two hours early for work, so Poindexter claimed that his neighbors had kept him up all night. He began watching the security cameras in the penthouse but found it hard to concentrate due to the voices of Julie Barnes and Eileen Mercer in his head.
Poindexter offered to give Wilson Fisk his breakfast and requested that Alvarez get him a cup of coffee. Once Alvarez had left the room, Poindexter shut off the security cameras inside the penthouse so he could have a private talk with Fisk. Confronting Fisk inside the room, Poindexter told him that whatever he had planned did not work, claiming that Fisk had wasted his time with getting Barnes hired at the hotel. Poindexter insisted that the FBI had trained him to deal with these exact sorts of situations, as he questioned if Fisk had him followed.
Poindexter tried to convince Fisk that he did not care about Barnes, as he insisted that no matter what research he had done, Fisk did not know who he was. Despite his attempts to appear confident and unfazed, Poindexter was visibly thrown off, as his right hand kept twitching. He then lashed out in rage, furiously throwing Fisk's breakfast tray across the room. However, Fisk remained silent and let him breathe out his emotions. Fisk finally spoke out and told Poindexter about how he beat his father's skull in with a hammer as a boy, commenting on how he had been extremely young for his age.
Fisk told Poindexter about how it felt to watch his father die by his own hands, suggesting that Poindexter was familiar with that feeling. Poindexter listened as Fisk told him that he had been trained to hide behind many fictions to become something that the world would tolerate, commenting on his time in the United States Army and the FBI, as well as becoming a watchful companion of Barnes. Poindexter commented on how Fisk had destroyed his connection with Barnes, only for Fisk to claim that if it had been honest and true, then nothing could have destroyed it.
Poindexter responded that he should have let Fisk die during the Albanian Syndicate's ambush when he had the chance. Fisk calmly stepped closer towards Poindexter, despite being warned to stand back. Fisk claimed that neither Barnes nor society itself would ever be able to truly understand who Poindexter was, telling him that the world punished people like him, Fisk compared himself with Poindexter, only for Poindexter to become disgusted and horrified by the suggestion, as he shook his head and stormed out from Fisk's penthouse suite.
Following the conversation with Fisk, Poindexter left the penthouse and went back to the monitor room with his mind now distracted. As Poindexter continued to watch Fisk walking through the penthouse, he heard Fisk's voice in his head. Poindexter was eventually broken from his thought by Alvarez, who had returned with Poindexter's cup of coffee and her copy of the New York Bulletin. Alvarez revealed that the FBI was throwing him under the bus, as the Bulletin was running a story, blaming Poindexter for the Albanian Syndicate ambush.[2]
Fired from the FBI[]
- "That is what I want for you. Someone to accept you, without shame. I do. And I've sent you a gift, an opportunity to become your true self. And if you accept this, unlike everyone in your life, I will never abandon you. The decision is yours."
- ―Wilson Fisk to Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Having learned that the FBI were now blaming him for their Albanian Syndicate, Poindexter had returned to the FBI Office where he had his meeting with Tammy Hattley and Winn, who formally asked him to step down from his position in the FBI during their ongoing investigation. Hattley claimed that this was due to optics and that it should be seen as his paid vacation. Poindexter sat in silence, listening to the voices in his head and looking at the New York Bulletin article before he handed over his gun and badge to Hattley.
Feeling utterly humiliated, Poindexter walked through the FBI office, passing the other agents who were reading the Bulletin article and staring at him. Poindexter continued hearing Eileen Mercer and Julie Barnes' voices in his head. Poindexter saw Ray Nadeem and asked to have a private conversation, explaining the situation to him, still in a state of dread. However, Nadeem told Poindexter to take in a breath, insisting that everything would be okay. Although Poindexter noticed that Nadeem could not look him in the eyes as he said this, making Poindexter panic.
Nadeem insisted that he was on his side, so Poindexter begged him to do something to help, desperately insisting that he needed this job. However, Nadeem told him that he had already made a point to commend his conduct in the ambush. Poindexter struggled to hear him while the voices of Mercer and Barnes continued getting louder in his head, as the voice of Mercer commented on how alone he was. Nadeem then told Poindexter once again that he had nothing to worry about, before walking away, leaving Poindexter alone and unsure about what was going to happen to with the career.
Poindexter returned into his apartment, where he looked at the photograph he impaled with a knife earlier. Feeling completely broken from losing his position in the FBI, as well as the failure of his connection with Barnes, Poindexter collected all of his medication into a bag and placed it down beside Mercer's tapes. Poindexter then collected his gun and placed it underneath his chin, preparing to end his life, while he began to hallucinate Barnes' voice in his head telling him to do it.
However, just before Poindexter could pull the trigger, he was interrupted by a sudden phone call. He was shocked to discover that it was Wilson Fisk on the phone, who told Poindexter about how his mother had passed away while he was in Ryker's Island. Fisk told Poindexter that his mother had left him a box of memories, including the hammer he had used to kill his father, telling Poindexter that his mother was proud of who he was and like his mother had done for him before her death, he wanted to accept Poindexter for who he was, and who he was meant to become, without shame.
Fisk told Poindexter that a gift had been sent to him, which would let Poindexter become who he was, promising that if he was to accept this, then he would never abandon him. Once Fisk hung up the call, Poindexter answered the door to Felix Manning, who invited him to join him downstairs where their car was waiting.[2] Poindexter was given a replica of Daredevil's Suit by Melvin Potter and was ordered to impersonate Daredevil to assassinate Jasper Evans, who was being interviewed later that night by the New York Bulletin about the crimes he committed for Fisk.[7]
Attack on the Bulletin[]
Donning the Daredevil Suit, Poindexter was taken to the New York Bulletin building. After incapacitating two guards at the entrance, he proceeded to cut out the lights across the entire building before he began his attack on the staff. As one employee attempted to ask why he was there, Poindexter struck the man's leg before stabbing his Billy Club into his throat. Poindexter continued using the Billy Club as a projectile weapon, as he launched it at staff members, causing devastating injuries to Amber, who he left brain dead, while also striking people across the face and breaking another man's neck, leaving multiple people dead in his wake.
Poindexter stood surrounded by all the corpses of the staff members he had killed, and he tore the Billy Club out of the throat of a female journalist. He turned around to see Foggy Nelson looking at him. Poindexter continued hearing the voices of Julie Barnes and Eileen Mercer inside his head, but they were drowned out by the voice of Wilson Fisk, who had given Poindexter the peace that he had required. Poindexter threw the Billy Club towards Nelson, only for it to be caught by the actual Daredevil, much to the surprise of Poindexter.
Poindexter and Daredevil then squared off against each other, which allowed Nelson to get to safety. Having stared each other down for a moment, Daredevil questioned who Poindexter was, only for Poindexter to claim that he was Daredevil. In response, Daredevil then threw the Billy Club back at Poindexter, who dodged it, and the two charged towards each other. They began to fight, finding themselves equally matched, as Daredevil was able to land several heavy punches which knocked Poindexter back, although the suit offered him more protection.
Poindexter deduced that he was at a considerable disadvantage as he fought Daredevil in close quarters. So he allowed Daredevil to knock him back to create distance, before throwing the Billy Club onto the ground, causing it to then bounce up and strike Daredevil on the chin with considerable force. Poindexter used this momentary distraction to charge into Daredevil and push him up against a table, which Poindexter also ducked under to ensure that he maintained a distance between himself and Daredevil. Poindexter grabbed nearby stationery to throw at Daredevil.
As he continued using the items at hand as weapons, Poindexter then threw the Billy Club up at the ceiling, causing the lights to crash down, which Daredevil barely avoided. With Daredevil getting himself out of danger by overturning a table and hiding behind it, Poindexter grabbed a handful of pens and scissors and threw them at his enemy, embedding the items in the table. Daredevil continued running from the danger, but Poindexter was able to use the distance between them to his advantage, throwing the various items at Daredevil, even hitting Daredevil in the hand when he had tried to reach for a blade.
With Daredevil continuing to move around without being seen, Poindexter calmly grabbed a computer screen and threw it at him, but Daredevil used a chair to block the attack. Remaining silent, Poindexter figured out where Daredevil was hiding, and tormented the hero by simply throwing a baseball at the wall, causing it to ricochet into Daredevil's face. He then threw a stapler as Daredevil tried to move to the other side. Daredevil managed to trick him as he kicked out a trashcan which distracted Poindexter, allowing Daredevil to use a piece of the desk as a shield to get behind him and begin punching him multiple times in the head and chest.
Poindexter had once again found himself at a complete disadvantage as he fought Daredevil in close quarters. They both desperately grappled with one another, only for Daredevil to break Poindexter's grip before he slammed his head on a printer. Daredevil then knocked Poindexter onto the floor before kicking him across the room. Having gained distance from Daredevil, Poindexter responded by grabbing a snow-globe and then throwing it at Daredevil, which he caught, only for Poindexter to throw a pencil into it, which had smashed the glass, showering Daredevil with water and glass which distracted him.
Having regained distance, Poindexter grabbed any pens and scissors he could find and then began launching them at Daredevil, who had tried to use bookshelves for cover before they grappled with one another again. As Daredevil tried to get him into a headlock, Poindexter responded by stabbing him into the shoulder with a pair of scissors, which caused Daredevil to fall backwards. Poindexter then smashed a bookcase on top of him. With Daredevil trapped, Poindexter finally ended their fight by kicking him in the head, which had then knocked Daredevil unconscious.
With nothing standing in his way, Poindexter continued his mission to assassinate Jasper Evans. He found the room that Nelson was hiding in and forced himself inside. Poindexter discovered Evans being protected by Karen Page, who had held her gun up to Poindexter. In response, Poindexter threw his billy club at Page's hand, causing her to drop the gun. Nelson ran forward and punched Poindexter, which did nothing to Poindexter and Nelson was easily subdued. Mitchell Ellison attempted to block his path, so Poindexter threw his remaining billy club into Ellison's gut, subduing him. Page was only left standing between Poindexter and Evans.
Without saying a word, Poindexter calmly picked up Page's gun and approached Evans. Page desperately pleaded for their lives, but Poindexter lifted the gun to Page's head. He then turned it and shot Evans directly in the face, killing him instantly and covering both himself and Page in Evan's blood. With his mission now completed, Poindexter pulled the gun apart, before smiling and telling Page that it had been nice to see her again. Poindexter then turned around and walked out, leaving Page in a state of complete horror.
However, as Poindexter attempted to escape through the back stairs, he was confronted by Ray Nadeem and a team of FBI agents, who all ordered him to surrender. Reacting quickly, Poindexter had disarmed Nadeem before engaging the FBI agents in the narrow hallway. He swiftly managed to overpower the agents and knock them down the stairs, punching them in the throat, and throwing guns at their heads to take them out of the fight. Nadeem aimed his gun at him, so Poindexter shielded himself with an agent, forcing Nadeem to lower his weapon, and Poindexter escaped by jumping down the stairs.[2]
Having managed to get away from the FBI during the chaos, Poindexter returned to his apartment, where he removed the Daredevil helmet. Having ensured that he was safe from being discovered, Poindexter managed to gain some semblance of self by listening to Eileen Mercer's tape recording on how he would need to build his life upon structure and order. Knowing that he did something outside his rules, Poindexter cleaned his messy apartment from his last mental breakdown as an attempt to return his life to stability.[8]
Attempts to Rebuild[]
- "I'm sorry for scaring you. I just wanted to explain myself. When we worked together at the suicide hotline, I saw the way you were with other people. Patient, compassionate, and I... I need that right now. My life is out of control. I have no family, and I'm about to lose my job. Please. I just want to talk."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Julie Barnes[src]
Poindexter managed to find Julie Barnes on her run, so he pushed another jogger out of his way to get closer to her. Although Barnes asked him to stay away, Poindexter begged her to hear him out. He offered to speak with her in public so that she felt safe, promising not to come any closer than he needed to ensure that she was not threatened.
Poindexter immediately apologized for what happened at the Presidential Hotel, clarifying that he did not mean to scare her and wanted to explain himself. Poindexter told Barnes that during their time working together, he witnessed her compassion and kindness, and needed that in his life. He explained that everything falling apart around him due to the FBI firing him, and he had no family to support him, so he wished to talk with Barnes, promising to go anywhere she felt safe.
Barnes agreed and they went to Coffee A Go-Go. Poindexter claimed that he wasn't attracted to Barnes, and attempted to convince her that he was not stalking her, acknowledging that he understood why it seemed like he was. Poindexter confessed that he only wanted to be more like Barnes, and hoped that if he watched her, he would become more like her and be able to express the compassion and kindness she does. Barnes pointed out how creepy that still sounded, and they both sat down.
Poindexter told Barnes how he saw that she was so good and kind when they worked together, while she noted how he saved lives. However, Poindexter detailed that his life as an FBI agent, as well as being in the United States Army had helped to keep him on the straight and narrow path, but now he was feeling that this was falling away from him and he was drowning, and he did not know which way he was swimming. Seeing signs of him having a panic attack, Barnes told Poindexter to breathe, as he noted how this was an example of how Barnes was able to help people.
While Barnes was getting nervous, Poindexter reiterated how she helped people to right themselves and asked her to think of him as another person calling for help. Barnes asked what had happened with the FBI, so Poindexter told her that they had needed a scapegoat for the Albanian Syndicate's attack on Wilson Fisk. Poindexter did an awkward impersonation of a goat in a badly timed attempt at a joke, which they both laughed at. Barnes recommended that Poindexter get a good therapist, while Poindexter remembered Eileen Mercer and noted that he used to have one.
Poindexter revealed that Mercer had died so Barnes offered her sympathies. She then decided to help Poindexter with his mental health, however, Barnes made it clear that she did not want Poindexter to make her regret her decision. Poindexter promised that he would not let that happen. Their conversation was interrupted as Poindexter got a text message from Ray Nadeem, telling him to come back to the FBI Office that evening. Poindexter put his phone away and continued talking with Barnes.[8]
Ray Nadeem's Offer[]
- "I don't care about back pay. What am I going to do for those six months?"
"I know it seems like a stretch, but you have got a bright future ahead of you in the Bureau. Play the long game." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Andrea Morales[src]
That evening, Poindexter returned to the FBI Office where he was greeted by Ray Nadeem. Poindexter walked past several other agents who gave him dirty looks. Nadeem thanked Poindexter for coming in, although he noted that Nadeem had made it clear that he had no choice. Nadeem told him that there was someone who wanted to meet him. While he was still nervous about being caught for the attack he pulled on the night prior, Poindexter followed Nadeem.
To his surprise, Poindexter was introduced to Andrea Morales, who Nadeem explained was an old friend and an attorney. Nadeem told Poindexter that their fellow FBI agents had taken up a collection to pay for any of Poindexter's legal fees with suing the FBI for wrongful termination. While Poindexter was in shock, Morales explained that she should pursue this case, which Nadeem promised would be paid for. Poindexter expressed his gratitude to Nadeem, who replied that Poindexter saved his life, so he did not owe him anything, which made Poindexter visibly uncomfortable.
Once Nadeem had gone, Poindexter and Morales discussed his case. She told him that they would not get as far as arbitration in a courtroom, but Poindexter commented on how amazing it all was. He questioned how long the case would take, Morales stated that he would likely get his job back in six months. Poindexter was shocked, despite Morales offering to get him back pay, although Poindexter did not care about that. Poindexter could not imagine what to do with himself for six months, but Morales promised that he would have a bright future in the FBI if he played the long game.
Morales got a phone call and left the room, leaving Poindexter to consider his situation. Once he was alone, Poindexter text Julie Barnes, asking if they could talk, only to get a text back where Barnes told him that she never wanted to speak to him again and asked Poindexter to leave her alone. When Poindexter tried to text and call Barnes, he found that he had been blocked from contacting her phone number, leaving him feeling as if he had been completely abandoned by the one and only person who he seemingly could rely on.[8]
Defending His Apartment[]
Heading back home, Poindexter felt completely distraught with his last message with Julie Barnes and the meeting with the lawyer. As he walked upstairs to his apartment, Poindexter heard someone inside. Grabbing some small glass pillars from a nearby lantern, Poindexter then entered his home only to find it empty. He looked around to see if anything was taken, or if anyone still remained inside.
Going inside further he noticed his headphones were on his kitchen table. Entering his bedroom, Poindexter went to the vault, discovering that it was unlocked. Poindexter turned on the closet light and noticed that one of his tapes were gone, assuming that thief had stolen it. After Poindexter had found out that his cassette player was stolen as well as one of his tape recordings, he picked up his handgun and grabbed his sniper scope. Poindexter walked towards his open window and looked out for any targets after realizing that the thief might have been Daredevil.
Looking at the reflection of the floor above, Poindexter decided to take a shot at his target by ricocheting the bullets on the metal bars of a fire escape from the building across his apartment. Poindexter had been right about his invaders, as they turned out to be Ray Nadeem and Daredevil. Poindexter managed to shoot and wound Nadeem in the side. Once Nadeem and Daredevil had taken cover to the floor, Poindexter took another look with his scope and aimed once again just in case they had been visible.
Poindexter shot at any sudden movements from Daredevil when he used a newspaper to flank his aim. As he noticed Daredevil on a mirror, Poindexter attempted to ricochet the bullets onto him but wasted his shot, leading Nadeem to escape while he was reloading. Poindexter tried to chase only to be knocked by Daredevil. On the fire escape, Poindexter tried to hit Daredevil with the glass pillars but his foe blocked them with a grill plating. Poindexter was stopped from this assault when the New York City Police Department arrived and he explained the situation to them.[8]
Recruited by Kingpin[]
- "Dex, rage cannot stay inside. It needs to go somewhere or it becomes a poison. It will kill you from within."
- ―Wilson Fisk to Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Once the police left his apartment, Poindexter reflected the situation and made his decision. Feeling like Eileen Mercer's rules were no longer working for him and had only caused him pain, he gathered all of her tape recordings and burned them. Not long after, Felix Manning knocked on his door again and asked to follow him.
Heading back to the Presidential Hotel, Poindexter followed Manning to the suite and went inside the elevator. He stood silently and dissociated due to the recent events in his life, letting the insanity get to him, hearing incoming voices inside his head. Heading inside the hallway where a Cleaning Crew, who was secretly working for Wilson Fisk fixed up the complex. Poindexter was escorted into a room where the Fisk was located. Poindexter was completely surprised to discover that Fisk was outside his penthouse and had monitors on the agents and other locations to spy on.
Feeling betrayed by Ray Nadeem and the FBI, Poindexter informed Fisk about his problem, saying that Nadeem knows about his crime. Fisk assured Poindexter that they will solve the problem and that he has nothing to worry about. Noticing his distress, Fisk advised Poindexter to not let all his rage be bottled up inside him or it will kill him from within, telling him that to let out his anger out in a primal scream, as the only satisfaction of release. Poindexter did as Fisk said and with that, Fisk embraced him with a hug, becoming firmly loyal to him, as well as Fisk's agent due to the belief that now Fisk was the only person who cared about him.[8]
Kingpin's Pawn[]
Threatening Ray Nadeem[]
- "What does he want from me, Dex?"
"Your friend. The one you brought to my home."
"I don't know who he is. Or where he is."
"Yeah, you do." - ―Ray Nadeem and Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Now loyal to Wilson Fisk, Poindexter visited Ray Nadeem to scare him into surrendering to Fisk's influence. Poindexter was welcomed inside of the Nadeem Residence by Seema Nadeem and greeted Sami Nadeem. Poindexter advised Sami on how to throw a curveball before Nadeem arrived. Poindexter was asked by Nadeem about his reasoning to be in his house. Poindexter responded that he needed to taste Seema's cooking to which she was flattered and invited him for breakfast.
Heading outside to talk, Poindexter confronted Nadeem about his betrayal and breaking into his home. Poindexter furiously stated that Fisk wanted Nadeem alive and wanted to know the identity and whereabouts of Daredevil. Nadeem told Poindexter he did not know his location or identity. Poindexter then got close to Nadeem in a way to intimidate him and mockingly told Nadeem that he was bleeding and that he'll cover Seema once he changed his shirt.[9]
Arresting Crime Bosses[]
- "We only refer to him by his code name."
"What code name?"
"Kingpin." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Ray Nadeem[src]
Arriving at the New York City FBI Office, Poindexter insisted that Ray Nadeem needed to call Daredevil and help them prepare a trap against the vigilante on Wilson Fisk's orders. Poindexter was reinstated by Tammy Hattley, who was also under Fisk's influence. Poindexter joined a meeting with the other corrupted FBI agents, where he smugly informed Nadeem that they only refer to Fisk as his code name "Kingpin." Hattley ordered the agents to apprehend all of the influential criminals that Fisk has listed.
Among the criminal figures that the FBI arrested, Poindexter arrived at the workshop of John Hammer to apprehend him through exceedingly aggressive measures. Driving to Everett Starr's residence, Nadeem arrested Starr on the spot, but was horrified by his partner's actions. Poindexter then arrived towards Rosalie Carbone's ceremony, ready to apprehend her with force, but Nadeem interjected that he will be the one to do it, fearing what violent acts he may do to her. As the public celebrated, Carbone was lead away for Poindexter and Arinori to take Carbone custody.
Going to the Presidential Hotel, Poindexter returned to the monitor room and ordered the reaming agents to be removed, making an excuse that Tammy Hattley ordered the switch. As the agents were ready to leave, Poindexter grabbed a cup of coffee and made a passive joke about his suspension, smiling at some of the unknowing agents and to himself at the prospective motive. Poindexter was tasked for the time being that he would be manned by other corrupted agents.[9]
Meeting of Criminals[]
Kingpin had Ray Nadeem contact Daredevil to try to capture him, at which point, Kingpin and his team of corrupt agents would ambush and finally kill him. Having caught their targets and brought them to a disclosed location, Poindexter was told by Kingpin that he should be ready, noting that Daredevil would know this would be a trap but would still likely come regardless. Poindexter got ready by dressing up on his suit.
Poindexter joined Kingpin at the meeting to negotiate with the other crime bosses about paying him twenty percent of all their earnings as protection money. When Everett Starr told Kingpin he would not be contributing to his demands, Poindexter promptly killed him with his Billy Club, throwing it at his head before standing by Kingpin's side. The crime bosses looked in horror as Kingpin raised the price to twenty-five percent, which Carbone was impressed by and stared at Poindexter, and the others agreed after her in fear.
As the meeting continued, it quickly became apparent that Daredevil failed to make an appearance, so Poindexter went over to the other room to see if he had arrived. Poindexter searched for Daredevil inside the restaurant and found nothing, which caused Kingpin considerable anger. Noticing Kingpin's barley canceled rage, Poindexter questioned Nadeem if he had warned Daredevil, but Nadeem insisted that they had all heard him on the phone and therefore he had no chance to warn Daredevil.[9]
Duel at Clinton Church[]
- "I want you to kill Karen Page."
"Consider it done." - ―Kingpin and Benjamin Poindexter[src]
Once they left the restaurant, Poindexter was told by Kingpin about James Wesley, who was like a son to him before Karen Page murdered him. Kingpin implied that Poindexter was like the new Wesley to him. Poindexter asked Kingpin if there was something he wanted him to do, to which Kingpin immediately asked him to kill Page. Poindexter dutifully accepted and headed to Clinton Church, where Page was.
Arriving at the church, Ray Nadeem questioned Poindexter about what he was about to do, to which he told him to park at the side of the street. Poindexter told Nadeem that he should wait for him after he was finished and that it won't take long. Nadeem again asked what Poindexter was going to do, only to respond that he will make the team proud. Before entering, he locked all the doors so there would be only one exit and he could control the situation. Poindexter entered the Church and yelled out for Page's name, interrupting [[Father Paul Lantom's sermon.
When his call for Page went unanswered, Poindexter equipped his Billy Club and clanged them along the pews as he walked closer to strike fear into the church goers. Poindexter reached three bystanders in front and decided to attack them with his Billy Club when he got no answer on Page's location. Before he could kill more of them, Page revealed herself, which brought a smirk to Poindexter's face. He approached Page, saying it was nice to see her again. Before he could kill her, Poindexter was attacked by Daredevil from behind who had arrived to save Page.
Poindexter got back from the ground and briefly brawled with Daredevil. As they trade blows, Poindexter attempted to use a bystander to shield him, only for Daredevil to attack him directly, releasing the bystander. After being kicked by Daredevil, Poindexter threw him into a stand of candles, and once down, Poindexter hit Daredevil in the face with his Billy Club. Using this opportunity, Poindexter walked in front of the crowd and threw his Billy Club at Page, only for Lantom to move himself in front of her, taking the hit to protect her.
After witnessing Lantom's death, Daredevil became enraged and violently beat Poindexter. When Daredevil stopped attacking, Poindexter fought back, but was still no match in close combat. Poindexter gained some distance and threw a book and candles at Daredevil. As they fought, Page tried to run, so Poindexter threw the other Billy Club at her, but she avoided it. Nearly killing Daredevil, Poindexter was stopped when Page got his attention. He turned his focus on her, throwing rosary beads at lethal force at her. Page ran away from Poindexter, so he pursued her up the balcony.
Poindexter searched for Page, but was interrupted once again by Daredevil, and the two continued fighting. Having dealt more damage to Daredevil in the fight, Poindexter was able to knock his opponent down. After savagely punching Daredevil in the face until he was unconscious, Poindexter broke off a piece of wood and prepared for the killing blow. Before he could, Poindexter was knocked off the balcony by Page, who used a crucifer. Defeated, Poindexter made his retreat and escaped from the church before he could be apprehended.[10]
Continuing the Pursuit[]
Poindexter quickly retreated from Clinton Church. Infuriated by his failure, Poindexter removed his helmet and punched a few boxes in rage. Poindexter tried to compose himself, but was spotted by two workers. He proceeded to effortlessly kill them with a couple of beer bottles.
Enraged, Poindexter headed back to the car and took off his Daredevil Suit. He ordered Ray Nadeem to head to the church, that has now become a crime scene, and take over for the New York City Police Department. Nadeem questioned Poindexter's actions, only to be aggressively talk down to. Poindexter told Nadeem that their job was not done, and once they arrived, they took command away from Strieber. Knowing that Karen Page and Daredevil were still inside the church, Poindexter ensured that the building would be searched.
Poindexter began his hunt for his targets, but when Nadeem saw Paul Lantom's dead body, he questioned what had happened. Poindexter ignored his question and gave Nadeem a glare. Nadeem told him that he never signed up for this kind of work, but Poindexter proceeded to angrily tell him that he did. Poindexter then spotted Maggie Grace praying for Lantom and walked over to her. Trying to suppress his anger, he asked to see the rest of the church, so Grace escorted Poindexter and his squad to the other room.
As soon as Grace dropped her keys, Poindexter ordered his squad to bust down the door with a saw. Once the door was opened, Poindexter went inside and tried to find Daredevil to no avail, so he cursed at himself quietly at his failure. Using a flashlight, Poindexter looked over the room but was stopped by Grace, which caused him to be suspicious of her. Grace then gave Nadeem and Poindexter directions to the rooftop of the church and proceeded to lead them out of the room. Despite his effort to look on over, Poindexter couldn't find his targets.
Poindexter waited outside, trying to console his growing anger while talking to Arinori about their investigation. Arinori stated that they needed to call Kingpin about Daredevil and Page's escape, agitating Poindexter about his failure. Nadeem interrupted them, repeating that they needed to call Kingpin and let the investigation go, but Poindexter demanded they find them by any means. Nadeem was startled by Poindexter, so he agreed to stay for a few more hours, and they continued the search for Daredevil and Page.
The police brought in dogs to help the search, with one sniffing at Poindexter, who made a joke to brush off suspicion. Once Foggy Nelson arrived, he revealed that Page was surrendering herself to the police, as Brett Mahoney led his team to arrest Page. Poindexter saw what was going down and went over to question Mahoney, who shot down Poindexter, stating that Page was an accomplice according to state law. Poindexter refused to allow Mahoney to take Page, so Nadeem told Poindexter that they should be working on the same side to finish their investigation.
Nadeem told Poindexter that Page would remain in police custody, which enraged him as he had to be held back by Nadeem, who told him that he couldn't kill Page now. Poindexter coldly told Nadeem that he had made a big mistake. Poindexter returned downstairs, where he realized that Grace had helped the targets. Poindexter went outside to confront Grace, losing more control. But, upon hearing comments about the violence he caused, Poindexter was disturbed. With his sanity becoming dire, Poindexter went inside a van and screamed.[11]
Regaining Kingpin's Favor[]
- "Some lady had it. Wilson couldn't get her to sell it."
"That must have been very disappointing for him. It's the painting in his collection that means the most to us."
"I figured that so I thought I'd ask her just one last time." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Vanessa Marianna[src]
Poindexter waited inside of the Presidential Hotel for Wilson Fisk to return, still struggling with his mental stability. When Fisk arrived, accompanied by Vanessa Marianna, Poindexter went to report to him what had happened, only to disregarded. Poindexter tried to explain that it was important, but Fisk once again dismissed him and went into his penthouse.
Disappointed with his failures, Poindexter arrived inside of Fisk's penthouse, along with his breakfast in hopes to talk to Fisk and make it up to him. After asking if he could get him anything else, Poindexter gave his apology for his failure of killing Karen Page and blamed Ray Nadeem's interference with Brett Mahoney for Page managing to get away from him with her life. Despite his promise of taking care of Nadeem and Page, Poindexter was rejected by Fisk in his attempts to apologize. Facing rejection, Poindexter became more determined to regain Fisk's trust.
Knowing that Fisk failed to buy his favorite painting from Esther Falb, Poindexter killed Falb and brought the painting back to the penthouse. There, Poindexter introduced himself to Marianna, referring to himself as the new James Wesley and told her that if she needed anything, she could just ask. In an attempt to connect with her, Poindexter told Marianna that Fisk had great taste in art. He informed her of Fisk's dealings with the previous owner, and that he "asked" one last time. Marianna asked Poindexter to hang up the art to which he responded that it would be his pleasure.
While the New York State Supreme Court filed testimony on Nadeem for working on Fisk's behalf, Page had been broadcasted on television where she would expose Fisk's actions. Upon knowing this, Poindexter watched the television program where Page had told the press about Fisk lying to the public and working for the person who dressed as Daredevil and attacked the New York Bulletin. While watching the program with Arinori, Poindexter grew furious with Page bringing him up without using his name and becoming allies with Nadeem, but was able to control his anger.[12]
Assassination of Ray Nadeem[]
- "I'm more than a fed now. I feel more myself than I have in my whole life. Fisk gave me that."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Ray Nadeem[src]
Following Ray Nadeem's attempts to inform the grand jury about Kingpin's activities, Poindexter was tasked with killing Nadeem. Poindexter found Nadeem at his backyard and tried to get him inside, but Nadeem rejected this, accepting his fate. Poindexter ridiculed Nadeem for his decision to betray Kingpin. Nadeem tried to convince Poindexter that Kingpin will discard him after he was done with him, and that he was being used like everyone else.
Nadeem offered Poindexter the chance to help take down Kingpin, but he turned it down, claiming that he had never felt more himself than now, and he owed that to Fisk. Poindexter once again tried to get Nadeem to go inside, but he refused, telling him that whatever he was going to do, he had to do it right where they were standing. Conflicted, Poindexter was forced to execute Nadeem once he pulled his own gun on Poindexter, swiftly shooting Nadeem in the head directly in the forehead. Nadeem's body fell into the pit behind him, and Poindexter stared at him before leaving.[12]
Framing Ray Nadeem[]
- "Suck it up."
"I'm only doing this because I have to." - ―Benjamin Poindexter and Tammy Hattley[src]
Upon the news of Ray Nadeem's sudden death, the FBI was called for a press conference on the behalf of the public outcry. Poindexter participated with Tammy Hattley in the middle of the FBI office, lying that Nadeem had killed Agent Winn, and when agents arrived at his house to arrest him, he pulled his weapon, causing his fellow agents to kill him in self-defense.
Foggy Nelson arrived at the FBI office, where Poindexter greeted him by claiming that he had won a bet on whether Nelson would show up. Nelson responded that he would always help the FBI if they needed it. Nelson then took a picture of himself with Poindexter and posted it to his campaign web page, stating that now police officers were aware of his location. Poindexter told Nelson that he wasn't in any danger, but in fact would be useful as the next district attorney. Nelson asked why he was brought in, so Poindexter answered that it was because he was Nadeem's lawyer.
Poindexter brought Nelson to a conference room where Seema Nadeem was sitting with Hattley. Seema explained that she wanted to be part of the investigation on her husband. Poindexter added by saying that Nadeem fooled a lot of people and didn't blame the people in his life, claiming that she was still part of the FBI family. Seema was then left alone with Nelson, and Poindexter and Hattley exited the room together. Standing outside, Poindexter coldly told Hattley to suck it up, but she expressed that she was only going along with the deception because they were forcing her.[13]
Seeking Revenge[]
Revelation[]
Poindexter received a call from Felix Manning, which turned out to be Daredevil, who mentioned Poindexter killing birds as a child and wondered what Eileen Mercer would think of him now, but he was unfazed. Daredevil then brought up Julie Barnes and that she would be disappointed, which infuriated Poindexter and he threatened the vigilante. However, Daredevil revealed that Kingpin had killed Barnes, which only angered him more.
Daredevil gave Poindexter an address, so he headed there and entered an abandoned restaurant. Checking the freezer, Poindexter found several frozen bodies, including those of the Cleaning Crew and Barnes. Horrified by the discovery and realizing that Nadeem and Daredevil were right about Kingpin, Poindexter screamed in rage. Poindexter then got a call from Daredevil, who he threatened, believing that he was the one who killed her, but Daredevil restated that Kingpin was the one who killed Barnes.
Daredevil explained how Kingpin manipulated Poindexter, such as giving Barnes the job at the Presidential Hotel and knowing he stalked her, only to have her killed so he could replace her as his North Star. Daredevil then told Poindexter that Kingpin was getting married that night and did not think he deserved a happy ending. Poindexter reached a breaking point, as his auditory hallucinations got worse and he slowly fell to the ground, cradling his head.[13]
Battle at the Presidential Hotel[]
Now aware of Kingpin's manipulation, Poindexter was determined to kill him. Donning the Daredevil Suit and bringing along the frozen corpse of Julie Barnes, Poindexter drove to the Presidential Hotel where the venue was held. J. Lim stopped Poindexter, only to be freaked out by the corpse. Poindexter talked to Barnes as if she was alive, and told Lim to walk away and continued onwards.
Killing multiple guards throughout the building, Poindexter managed to interrupt Kingpin's and Vanessa Marianna's dance. He mockingly made a toast to Kingpin, giving his best wishes, before throwing the microphone at Marianna to kill her. However, the attack was blocked by Daredevil, which allowed Kingpin and Marianna to escape. Poindexter furiously stared at Daredevil for preventing his revenge. Kingpin's security opened fire at Poindexter, so he took cover, where he threw a plate at one agent before taking another one hostage.
The hostage was freed when Daredevil attacked Poindexter from behind, wrapping a tablecloth around his head and hitting him. Daredevil went to pursue Kingpin, leaving Poindexter, who used the cutlery to kill Arinori and Mockta. Grabbing a gun, Poindexter shot Tammy Hattley in the abdomen as she crawled towards a gun. Poindexter kept his aim on his former superior, but when he pulled the trigger to kill her, he discovered that the gun had run out of bullets. As he walked away, Poindexter threw the gun behind him, hitting Hattley directly in the face without looking.
Poindexter made his way to the penthouse, where he came across Marianna as she opened the door to escape. Poindexter spotted that Kingpin was too far away to interfere, so he smirked as he approached Marianna to kill her, only to be stopped again by Daredevil. Poindexter quickly knocked down Daredevil by throwing a bowl at his head, but was then attacked by Kingpin, who repeatedly slammed Poindexter against the wall. Poindexter tried to escape from Kingpin, but he was too strong, and threw Poindexter around, causing him to crash through the glass staircase.
Poindexter picked a knife, which he threw at the chandelier above Daredevil and Kingpin, causing it to fall. Both were able to dodge it, so Poindexter picked up more cutlery and viciously threw them at Kingpin, until Daredevil challenged him. Poindexter threw the cutlery at Daredevil, who skilfully blocked them. Daredevil managed to close in on Poindexter, and the two fought hand-to-hand, taking them to the balcony. However, Poindexter hit Daredevil through the window, bringing them back inside, where Poindexter threw a piece of broken glass at Kingpin, stabbing him in the side.
Daredevil got back up and hit Poindexter with a series of blows, knocking him onto a chair. Poindexter looked up at Marianna and menacingly smiled at her. He took the opportunity to kill her by using a paper weight and throwing it at her. Daredevil quickly leapt and deflected the attack, saving her once again from him. Poindexter was then picked up by Kingpin, turned horizontally, and crashed into the corner or the wall, directly impacting the vertebrae in his spine. Poindexter was defeated and passed out from his injuries.
The fight concluded with Daredevil defeating Kingpin, and shortly after, a team of police officers led by Brett Mahoney arrived at the penthouse to arrest Kingpin and Marianna. Regaining consciousness, Poindexter realized that he had been paralyzed in the three-way fight. As his mask was removed, Poindexter announced that he could not move. Poindexter was also taken into custody by the police. Mahoney acknowledged to the other officers that Poindexter was not Daredevil, clearing the real Daredevil from all of Poindexter's crimes while impersonating him.[13]
Spinal Surgery[]
- "The patient knew the risks. We continue."
- ―Kenji Oyama[src]
Poindexter was hospitalized for his injuries during the confrontation with Daredevil and Kingpin. Once he got medical treatment, Poindexter came into contact with Doctor Kenji Oyama, who offered him surgery that could potentially fix his paralysis. Despite knowing that there were risk involved, Poindexter accepted his offer to undergo the surgery.
Once Poindexter agreed to go through the experimental surgery on his broken spine, knowing that it could permanently paralyze him, the doctors put him under as they worked on his vertebrae, which would be reinforced with Cogmium. In the middle of the surgery, as one of the doctors discussed the procedure with Doctor Oyama, being doubtful that they would be successful, Poindexter awoke. A bullseye symbol was reflected in his iris, signifying that he had now begun his journey into becoming Bullseye.[13]
Personality[]
- "The neighbor brought home a box of stray kittens. They were in the yard. I killed them with rocks, Dr. Mercer. I tried not to, but I liked it."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Eileen Mercer[src]
Benjamin Poindexter is the ultimate byproduct of a broken and dysfunctional home and childhood trauma which has rendered him a violent, unhinged, vengeful, insecure, ruthless and nearly irredeemable individual. Due to suffering from Borderline Personality Disorder, he struggled with serious issues of abandonment which stem from neglect and loneliness at an early age which made him very vulnerable, emotional and yearned to be loved by others at a very young age. However, due to his serious psychiatric issues he heavily struggled with this and was prone to fits of rage, antisocial behaviour and heinous offending. All he remembers from his parents is anger and neglect who failed him in for not showing and expressing to him the true love he needed and teaching right from wrong, something that warped his conscience, moral compass to the point that he grew up unable to properly empathize with anyone or feel remorse for most of his wrongdoings. This is what has made him incapable of true love. Subconsciously, Poindexter never truly loved anyone from his coach, his therapist, his coworker at the FBI, Wilson Fisk, and Julie Barnes, and deep down he used them for his own selfish needs and desires, and even hated them when they tried to leave him. The attempts he made with Julie to garner a friendship with her were him hoping if he was around morally good people enough, that he himself would truly become good and he would not have to fake the emotions. He did not care for her beyond the potential of it benefitting him to become a hopefully better person, and when she initially denied his attempts at a closer bond with Dex he grew emotional and destructive.
But he was horrified by the way he reacted afterwards. Dex is terrified of his inner true self and urges, and because of that he did anything he could to stay on the right path. That included him listening to the tapes Mercer gave him so he wouldn't regress to his old urges and using other tactics she tought him to stay on track, like getting a job with a rigid structure so he could keep his mind off himself and his struggles and focus on the work, as well as keeping his apartment clean and tidy as that would hopefully keep his mind tidy and organized as well. When any of these things got slightly off course or ruined, this would set off Dex into an episode and spiraling.
However, when Wilson Fisk killed Barnes, his current North Star, it left him enraged, anguished, and betrayed and prompted him to try and murder Fisk in revenge for her death and accept that his true self and expressing amusement and hatred in his murder spree. However, this also shows that even though he was not fully capable of connection, he really held care and fondness for Julie and did whatever it took to avenge her due to her truly wanting to help him. He was also genuinely saddened by the deaths of his parents and therapist. He also had a code of honor and morals since he refused to kill his team during his first confrontation with the FBI unless deemed necessary, initially wishing to not dive too deep into total depravity even when liberated by the anonymity the Daredevil Suit provided him.
However, this does not prevent Dex from his darker side as he was homicidal and violent from a very young and vulnerable young age. Most likely from growing up in an abusive and neglectful family and as a result of the emptiness and mistreatment, he became dangerously unstable and developed an unquenchable and insatiable bloodlust and engaging in sick hobbies like killing animals which he enjoyed but tried to avoid. His homicidal tendencies to the point of killing coach Bradley because he felt as though his coach betrayed him and that he was not good enough for his parents to come back to him, despite them being dead. This superiority complex, however, was a coping mechanism for the loss of his parents as the reason why he was determined to score perfect pitches was to remain in control of his life and fill the voids he has with praise and love.
Growing up his murderous tendencies began to escalate as he got older despite receiving therapy, he would frequently murder criminals on the job and claim to have to use lethal force when in reality, he used that as an excuse because he truly enjoyed it. In addition, he would overthink and have second thoughts characterized by the psychotic and hallucinatory sounds of swarming insects which he frequently hears that reflect his internal conflict against his chaotic self.
His mental instability came to a head and worsened when his structured life and routine started revolving around an obsession with a former coworker and his career collapsed and this struggle became even more evident when she became aware of his obsession with her and he scared her off, and he lost his job.
Dex can be quite charming and charismatic when necessary, having spent years teaching himself to blend in with normal society, like when he interacted with Nadeem’s child, teaching him how to throw a baseball and giving the ball to him but this only serves as a front to manipulate Nadeem into getting what he wants.
In the end, Poindexter is, at his deepest core, a broken, scarred and damaged person but when he accepted Fisk’s “offer” of a “job”, there’s was no turning back for him and became a completely aberrant, vile, cruel, insensitive individual who gleefully relishes in hurting and killing people, claiming that it was his real self. However, he isn’t completely unfeeling as he did feel some remorse for his actions as the burden of his crimes and the weight of being Fisk’s hitman drove him to seek out Julie’s help and guidance in hopes that if he was around her more he would eventually become more like her. However, upon losing Julie and being driven away from the structure of the FBI while being unaware of it being part of Fisk's plan to make him his murderous hand-man, Dex lost his chance of redemption.
Powers and Abilities[]
Powers[]
- "The Cogmium steel reinforcing framework is–"
"Can't replace pulverized vertebrae, Dr. Oyama." - ―Kenji Oyama and Surgeon[src]
- Bionic Enhancement: Being paralyzed during the Battle at the Presidential Hotel, Poindexter was brought to Kenji Oyama, who worked on Poinexter's spine and gave him bionic enhancements made of Cogmium in hopes he could walk again.
Abilities[]
- "I've known extraordinary people. But I've never seen a talent like yours."
- ―Wilson Fisk to Benjamin Poindexter[src]
- Master Marksman: Poindexter has extraordinary, near-inhuman talent in marksmanship; he could wield firearms with superior accuracy and precision, shooting members of the Albanian Syndicate, Jasper Evans, and Ray Nadeem all in the head and even ricochet bullets to hit his intended targets. Kingpin stated that he had never seen anyone with a talent like his, even after he previously admitted to being highly impressed with the Punisher's capacity for violence. He can use practically any object as a lethal projectile, even when he was only a child, he could drill a hole into a brick wall by repeatedly throwing a baseball in the same spot. He later ricocheted a baseball off a pole into his coach's head, killing him. He was also able to use the deconstructed parts of his gun to kill two Albanian Syndicate members, and stationery supplies in the New York Bulletin Building, like staplers, pens, pencils, a hole punch, and a pair of scissors, which successfully impaled into Daredevil's chest, even outpacing the perception of the latter's superhuman senses. Moreover, he was able to use chandelier crystals to hurl at Daredevil and Ray Nadeem with extreme velocity and deadly precision. He also threw edible forks, spoons, and knives at several agents at Wilson Fisk's wedding. He was even able to throw a gun backwards at Tammy Hattley's head while he was not looking and still managed to hit his target. Other items which he threw with deadly precision, including plates, Kingpin's breakfast tray, Daredevil's billy club, fire extinguishers, a computer monitor, a trash can, a snow globe, the Bible, votive candles, a statue, rosary beads, a collection plate, beer bottles, a microphone, decorative bowls, Daredevil himself, and broken glass shards. Poindexter is also able to pull off curve-shots and trick shots with an unerring amount of accuracy.
- "He found someone as fast and as skilled as I've ever seen, and I couldn't take him. He found someone to kill me."
- ―Matt Murdock to Maggie Grace[src]
- Master Martial Artist: Poindexter is a highly skilled and formidable martial artist and hand-to-hand combatant, having trained extensively in the United States Army and the FBI. His fighting style seems to be comprised of Boxing, Karate, Jujitsu, Kali, Krav Maga, and Muay Thai. He was able to fight opponents such as Daredevil and Kingpin, as well as quickly defeat a group of FBI agents with ease. While he is skilled, Poindexter was unable to beat Murdock in hand-to-hand combat during their first duel to the latter's greater training, and thus during their fights required his marksmanship and ranged attacks to even the odds. During their second fight, Poindexter faired better, though won due to Murdock being distracted by civilians. In their third fight involving Kingpin, he was able to briefly overpower Daredevil in close quarters combat.
- Knife Mastery: Poindexter is a highly skilled knife-thrower. He accurately threw one at a photo of Julie Barnes in a fit of rage, hitting her face, threw knives at two FBI agents during Kingpin's wedding, and threw some during his fight against Daredevil and Kingpin.
- Staff Mastery: Poindexter can throw Daredevil's billy club with lethal accuracy. He killed Everett Starr by throwing it at his head, and impaled Paul Lantom from a distance, nearly doing the same to Foggy Nelson if not for Daredevil's interference. He can even use them effectively in close quarters combat, such as his first fight against Daredevil. At Kingpin's wedding, he threw a microphone with the same form as a billy club.
- Expert Acrobat: Poindexter had a moderate degree of parkour skill when he escaped from the FBI after the Attack on the New York Bulletin Building. During his attack on Kingpin's wedding, he was able to flip back up off the ground and throw projectiles in one motion.
- Master Assassin: Poindexter is an extremely skilled and dangerous assassin due to his deadly talent in marksmanship. While still a child, he could easily kill an adult such as Bradley using nothing but a baseball. Poindexter was ordered by Wilson Fisk to kill Jasper Evans and Ray Nadeem, which he did successfully, as well as Amber, Everett Starr, Paul Lantom, Esther Falb, Arinori, Mockta, and Markham. Poindexter has also killed many other hostiles on behalf of the FBI and the United States Army working as a sniper.
- "I like making things happen without anybody knowing it's me who did it."
- ―Benjamin Poindexter to Eileen Mercer[src]
- Expert Tactician: Poindexter is a capable planner. As an agent of the FBI, he helps coordinate their missions such transferring prisoners, guarding secure places, searching areas, and arresting suspects. He used his knowledge of FBI protocols to bypass security and ambush Kingpin at his wedding. He is skilled at tracking and gathering intel such as when he spied on Julie Barnes. He is shown to be skilled at deception to where he can hide his psychopathy for years, nearly convinced Craig to kill his own stepfather, and kept his identity as the impostor Daredevil hidden from his co-workers. He also prefers to use the environment to his advantage when in a fight, using any objects around him to throw as deadly projectiles at his opponents. To try to appeal to Fisk, Poindexter got the Rabbit in a Snowstorm from Esther Falb. However, Fisk got angry at this saying he intended to keep Falb's wish. Poindexter only did this to become Fisk's new James Wesley.
Equipment[]
Weapons[]
- M11: During his time with the United States Army, Poindexter was equipped with an M11 semi-automatic pistol due to its reliable use.
- Glock 17: Poindexter carried this handgun as his standard sidearm. He resorted to use it when the convoy transporting Wilson Fisk from Ryker's Island to the Presidential Hotel was ambushed, and accurately shot the members of the Albanian Syndicate, even the ones who surrendered. Once he was reinstated to the FBI, but this time as an operative loyal to Wilson Fisk, he carried his gun while he searched for Daredevil in the Clinton Church right after attacking him. It was also the gun he used to kill Ray Nadeem in his own house, and when he was lured by Daredevil to a warehouse where he found Julie Barnes' corpse.
- FN FNS: Poindexter owned this handgun and was about to use it when he was considering killing himself for scaring Julie Barnes away and being suspended from his job, but was interrupted before doing it by a call from Wilson Fisk. Later he used the gun on Ray Nadeem and Daredevil when they broke into his apartment, ricocheting the bullets to shoot the apartment upstairs, and he lost the gun when he went to try and chase Daredevil through the fire escape.
- Llama III-A: Poindexter took Karen Page's gun when he attacked the New York Bulletin Building dressed as Daredevil, quickly disarming her when she tried to stop him with it. Poindexter took the gun and shot Jasper Evans in the head, dismantling the gun afterwards.
- Glock 19: Poindexter obtained one of these guns from an FBI agent as he attacked Wilson Fisk's wedding at the Presidential Hotel. He used it to shoot Tammy Hattley in the side as she tried to reach for her gun, and as the gun ran out of ammunition, he threw it to her, knocking her down.
- Colt Model 933: Poindexter and the rest of the FBI tactical agents tasked with the transport of Wilson Fisk from Ryker's Island to the Presidential Hotel carried these rifles when they were ambushed by the Albanian Syndicate, engaging in a shootout against them.
- Baseball: As a child, Poindexter had used his masterful pitching skills to murder Bradley with a baseball. Poindexter later used a baseball during his first fight with Daredevil.
Other Equipment[]
- Bulletproof Vest: While on his missions with the FBI, Poindexter wears a bulletproof vest under his jacket or FBI SWAT uniform, able to withstand ballistic impact from many calibers.
- Daredevil's Suit: After being recognized by Wilson Fisk, Poindexter was given Daredevil's impermeable armored suit and decided to take it in order to be used in the New York Bulletin, in an attempt to shut down any plan to expose Fisk. The suit was created by Melvin Potter, who made Fisk's suit, Potter was persuaded by Fisk to make another suit by replicating it in case Daredevil will betray him. The second suit that Poindexter equips is a red and black suit with a mask and helmet resembling the Christian Devil, leading to him taking the name and slandering it. This suit is highly durable, allowing him to be nearly unfazed by an opponent's attacks and recover more quickly from being hit, such as taking hits in the head with a punch by the real Daredevil.
- Billy Club: When Poindexter was asked by Wilson Fisk to put on the armored suit for him, Poindexter also utilized Daredevil's special Billy Club. It can be used as a short staff, or two individual sticks joined by a high tensile wire for grappling. It can also be split into two individual short sticks for close-quarters combat. It is kept in a holster on the suit's left thigh.
Facilities[]
- Lyndhurst Home for Boys: Poindexter was sent to live in the Lyndhurst Home for Boys after his parents passed away. He would join the baseball team until he would be sent to a psychiatrist after killing Coach Bradley.
- Riviera Psychiatric Institute: After the murder of Bradley, Poindexter was sent to therapy at the Riviera Psychiatric Institute for psychiatric evaluation and treatment. Poindexter was assigned to psychiatrist doctor Eileen Mercer, who would help and counsel him for his violent tendencies and give him advice on how to proceed with life before Mercer passed away.
- Brooklyn Suicide Prevention Center: Poindexter formerly worked for the Brooklyn Suicide Prevention Center, an organization that answers suicide hotline calls around New York City. While working at the suicide hotline, Poindexter met Julie Barnes which resulted in him having her full attention throughout the workplace.
- Benjamin Poindexter's Apartment: Poindexter's hotel apartment was his former residence that he keeps it tightly neat and clean. However, when his date with Julie Barnes went completely wrong, Poindexter began breaking his furniture due to his sanity. Eventually, Poindexter would later clean his floor from the aftermath of his rage.
- New York City FBI Office: Poindexter's workplace was the headquarters of the FBI Crime Division in New York City, where he spent his time as an FBI agent such as socializing with his co-workers and talking to many suspects that walk into their headquarters.
- Presidential Hotel: While monitoring Wilson Fisk, Poindexter had watched him from the security room and take orders for his routine. Once he worked for Fisk, Poindexter had visited him from time to time such as bringing his food into his penthouse.
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
|
Enemies[]
|
Appearances[]
Trivia[]
- In the comics, Benjamin Poindexter is a psychotic assassin and mercenary commonly known as Bullseye and the arch-nemesis of Daredevil, who worked as the right-hand henchman of Kingpin, and caused the deaths of both Elektra and Karen Page.
- Benjamin Poindexter's name is derived from the Ultimate Universe version of the character. The mainline comics continuity did not give the character a name originally, with Bullseye using Benjamin Poindexter and Lester as aliases. Following the introduction of the Ultimate Comics version of the character going by Benjamin Poindexter, this name was then applied to the main comics universe version as well.
- In the sixth episode of the first season of Daredevil, a hidden sniper appears for a brief moment with an ace of spades in his bag, a nod to the character's weapon of choice in the comics. When showrunner Steven S. DeKnight was asked about the scene in an interview with IGN, DeKnight said: "I can say absolutely nothing except people have a fine, fine astute eye. Whether or not that was Bullseye, time will tell."[14] This version of the character was apparently scrapped, as Poindexter was introduced as an FBI agent in the final season.
- Poindexter's apartment number is 131, a reference to Bullseye's first appearance in Daredevil #131.
- The black baseball cap with a white target worn by Poindexter in the episode The Perfect Game is a reference to Bullseye's symbol on his original costume.
- Poindexter's iris turned into a bullseye in the final episode A New Napkin is also a reference to the Bullseye symbol.
- Poindexter adopting Daredevil's Suit and persona is a loose reference to the Born Again storyline, where Kingpin let a mental patient loose in Daredevil's costume to kill Foggy Nelson.
- Poindexter's jacket shown in Episode 8, when flipped up, has a Bullseye on the collar in reference to his comic costume.
- Poindexter is six feet 172 pounds.[15]
Behind the Scenes[]
- Wilson Bethel's character was listed as Steve before his official reveal.
- Rj Wolfe was a stunt double for Wilson Bethel in the role of Benjamin Poindexter.
- Benjamin Poindexter in the Marvel Cinematic Universe is the second live-action incarnation of the character, following an incarnation portrayed by Colin Farrell.
- Erik Oleson said that if the show had not been cancelled, Poindexter would have returned in the fifth season.[16]
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Daredevil: 3.03: No Good Deed
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Daredevil: 3.06: The Devil You Know
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Wilson Bethel's Bullseye Returning for Daredevil: Born Again (Exclusive)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Daredevil: 3.05: The Perfect Game
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Daredevil: 3.02: Please
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Daredevil: 3.04: Blindsided
- ↑ Daredevil: 3.07: Aftermath
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Daredevil: 3.08: Upstairs/Downstairs
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Daredevil: 3.09: Revelations
- ↑ Daredevil: 3.10: Karen
- ↑ Daredevil: 3.11: Reunion
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Daredevil: 3.12: One Last Shot
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 Daredevil: 3.13: A New Napkin
- ↑ Spoiler Conversation with Showrunner Steven DeKnight
- ↑ Marvel Prop Store Auction Daredevil Lot #355
- ↑ A Conversation with Daredevil Showrunners Erik Oleson and Steven DeKnight