- "You can't see this badge, Counselor, 'cause you're fuckin' blind, but my grandfather wore this badge, my father wore this badge, my brother wears this badge, four of my fuckin' cousins wear this badge, they're all knuckleheads, but they're good cops. So I wear this fucking badge with honor, Counselor."
- ―Connor Powell to Matt Murdock[src]
Officer Connor Powell is a police officer at the New York City Police Department and a member of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Coming from a family of police officers, Powell became a corrupt officer who idolized Punisher while being partnered up with his best friend Kel Shanahan. On New Years Eve, while coming into conflict with their informant Nicky Torres, Powell and Shanahan were confronted by Hector Ayala, which inadvertently resulted in Shanahan's death, as Powell arrested Ayala. However, in 2027, during Ayala's trial, Matt Murdock became his lawyer and stopped Powell when he attempted to kill Torres. Later, Powell became a member of the Anti-Vigilante Task Force, whose existence to the public was legitimized using Muse's death, and attempted to recruit the captured Punisher during Kingpin's city-wide blackout, although Punisher refused.
Biography[]
Joining the NYPD[]
Early Police Career[]
- "Me and Kel Shanahan, we were partners for eight years. You know, that's eight years of beers and kids, and just talking about how shitty the Knicks are. Kel Shanahan was my best friend."
- ―Connor Powell[src]
Connor Powell was born on October 3, 1978, coming from a family of the New York City Police Department officers.[5] On June 15, 2005, Powell joined the NYPD as a patrol officer, earning his promotion on August 20, 2006. During his tenure at the NYPD, Powell received four disciplinary warnings in relation to his excessive use of force, on September 15, 2008, June 13, 2009, Januray 10, 2011, and November 27, 2015 respectively.[1]
Powell joined a group of officers within the NYPD that idolized Punisher, getting a tattoo depicting his signature skull insignia.[6] Around 2013, Powell was partnered up with Kel Shanahan, whom he grew close with over years they spent as each other's partners, bonding over their kids and shared distain for the New York Knicks. Powell eventually received three commendations of excellence: one for integrity, and two for community service.[7] In 2018, Powell was a victim of the Snap and got resurrected five years later, resuming his police service.[4]
The Ayala Case[]
Death of Kel Shanahan[]
Powell orders Hector Ayala to stay away
- "What are you doing, Nicky? You trying to dodge us?"
- ―Connor Powell to Nicky Torres[src]
On December 31, 2026, Powell and Shanahan met with Nicky Torres in the 168th Street Station. The officers accused Torres of avoiding him, but Torres explained that he had been busy. As Powell began to rough up Torres, Hector Ayala got their attention and ran over to them. Powell told Ayala that what they were doing was not his problem, but Ayala retorted that them assaulting an innocent man was his concern. Despite Powell pushing Ayala away, the latter advanced on him once again, leading to a fistfight.
Powell arrests Hector Ayala at gunpoint
Ayala got the upper hand over Powell, but Shanahan came to his aid and wrestled with Ayala. Powell watched as Torres fled, ignoring him and ramming back into Ayala. Their fight neared the edge of the platform, and as Ayala brought Powell to the ground, Shanahan ran at them, tripping over Powell and into an oncoming train. Getting to his feet, Powell flashed his NYPD badge and aimed his gun at Ayala, ordering him not to move.[6]
Ayala's Court Hearing[]
Powell attends Hector Ayala's arraignment
Powell attended Hector Ayala's court hearing where he witnessed Benjamin Hochberg and Matt Murdock introduce themselves to Judge Jerry Cooper. Powell also witnessed Hochberg ask Cooper that Ayala be remanded without bail, which the judge granted. Powell heard Murdock give his arguments saying that Ayala was a decorated army veteran, had served as a CPA for 15 years and was a pillar of his community. Powell then witnessed Cooper dismiss the case.[6]
Assaulting Matt Murdock[]
Powell exits the 15th Precinct Police Station
- "You're the lawyer."
"If you're looking for the man Hector Ayala saved on the subway platform, sadly, he's no longer here."
"Move. I said move!" - ―Conner Powell and Matt Murdock[src]
Finished with his paperwork, Powell exited the 15th Precinct Police Station and started to walk home, unaware he was being followed by Matt Murdock. He continued making his way across the city with Murdock still following him. Powell made his way toward his home and turned on his TV. Powell then received a phone call from a fellow officer who found Nicky Torres. Later that day, Powell along with another officer made their way to Nicky Torres' Apartment only to find Murdock waiting for them.
Powell is beaten by Matt Murdock
Murdock then told Powell that Torres was no longer at the apartment. Powell tried to go through Murdock but was blocked. Powell asked Murdock to move and grabbed him by the collar and pushed him against the wall demanding he move. Powell demanded to know where Torres was, but Murdock refused. Powell and the other officer then started to beat Murdock until Murdock started to fight back against them, ending with Murdock knocking both officers out.[6]
Trial of Hector Ayala[]
Powell confronts Matt Murdock in the bathroom
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The next day, Powell encountered Murdock in the bathroom and threatened to tell Judge Cooper that he was interfering in a police investigation. Murdock told him he could receive a misdemeanor charge for tampering with a witness before telling him he would see him in court.
Powell sits next to Judge Jerry Cooper
Powell was brought before the jury and reminisced his time in the NYPD and being partners with Kel Shanahan. When Hochberg asked Powell what he was doing on New Year's Eve, Powell gave a falsified account on what happened to his partner, saying Ayala came out of nowhere and killed Shanahan. Murdock questioned if there was anyone else with him, to which Powell denied. When Murdock asked if he knew Nicky Torres, Powell denied ever knowing him.
Powell pulls over Cherry's van
Soon, Powell got word that Torres was on his way to the courthouse so he could testify in court. Powell then chased the van in his motorcycle and managed to stop it by going in front of it. Approaching the van, Cherry introduced himself, Powell then demanded that Cherry get out of the van. Demanding Cherry to open the back of the van, he did so, only to find no one there.[7]
Accosted by Matt Murdock[]
Powell is greeted by Matt Murdock
- "And I don't know nothin' about nothin' to do with what happened to Hector Ayala. But here's somethin' that I know. An attorney who assaults a police officer? Who obstructs an active investigation? Not somethin' that the Bar Association's gonna take lightly if you catch my meaning."
- ―Connor Powell to Matt Murdock[src]
Powell soon learned that Hector Ayala had been found not guilty on all counts and that he had been assassinated. Powell was on a phone call in the 15th Precinct Police Station when he was greeted by Matt Murdock. Powell hung up and told Murdock it was funny how they continued to run into each other.
Powell holds Matt Murdock against the wall
Murdock made small talk before suggesting that Powell had had Ayala killed because of his not guilty verdict or his own pride, as Ayala had embarrassed him. Powell attempted to end the exchange, but Murdock told Powell that Ayala had a family and future, and the latter had been taken by Powell. Angered, Powell pressed his badge against Murdock's chest and held him against the wall, telling him that he and many of his family members wore the badge with honor.
Powell fails to intimidate Matt Murdock
He asserted that he had no part in Ayala's murder and that he did not know who had killed him but that a lawyer who assaulted a police officer would be punished by the Bar Association. Powell also threatened Murdock, mentioning his overzealous coworkers in the department, but Murdock chuckled and wittily remarked that there would need to be more than the last altercation. Powell simply told Murdock he would see him around and left.[5]
Hunting Vigilantes[]
Recruited by the Mayor[]
Powell asks Wilson Fisk why he chose them
- "A serial killer is roaming our streets. He needs to be stopped!"
"Okay, but, uh, why us?"
"Because some of you... You're victims of bad luck. Others, you've been a little overzealous." - ―Wilson Fisk and Connor Powell[src]
Powell was called by Mayor Wilson Fisk to the NYPD Fleet Services Division Shop with several other NYPD officers. As Powell joked around with Cole North, Fisk and Buck Cashman entered, with the former declaring that New York City was facing a crisis. He noted that a serial killer was prowling the streets and that his crimes had to be prevented. Powell asked why Fisk had chosen them, and he replied that they were the best in their fields and had shown initiative.
Powell listens to Cole North's backstory
Powell listened as Fisk used North's backstory as an example, asking him why he had moved from the Chicago Police Department to New York. North told Powell and the group that he had witnessed a man selling a child drugs and had bribed him to get him to confess, having been fired because of it. Fisk thanked North and said that creative thinking was occasionally required when things needed to get done.
Powell receives a vest from Buck Cashman
Fisk then revealed that he had chosen them specifically because of their ability to get results, telling them that they were to be the first members of the NYPD's Anti-Vigilante Task Force. Cashman tossed a bulletproof vest to Powell while Fisk rallied the officers, telling them the city was theirs. The officers then stepped up to receive their vests while Powell and North eyed each other in approval of Fisk.[8]
Investigating Muse[]
- "Yeah, I'll... I'll put out an APB."
"No! Don't. The Task Force can handle this. You are the thin, dark line protecting this city. Remind them of that." - ―Connor Powell and Wilson Fisk[src]
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To be added[9]
Black & White Ball[]
- "That was assault. And you're not gonna charge me with shit. In case you haven't noticed, I don't answer to you anymore."
"Listen, what you... What the Task Force is doing is dereliction of duty."
"Go have a fuckin' canape, Commissioner." - ―Connor Powell and Phil Gallo[src]
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To be added[10]
Failed Recruit[]
- "And I lost a lot of guys 'cause of you today. And I'm hopin' that this is fuckin' worth it. Listen, Frank, everything that you do, you know, you can do that with us, and you don't gotta run anymore. These guys fuckin' idolize you, man. We all do. It'd be an honor to serve with you, Frank."
- ―Connor Powell to Frank Castle[src]
| This section requires expansion |
To be added[11]
Personality[]
Connor Powell is a corrupt cop who has a streak of aggressive and corrupt tendencies. He reacts to any challenge to his authority as a personal affront and defaults to violence and intimidation to assert it. Though Powell claims to wear his police badge with honor, he uses it instead as a means to abuse his power. When he was caught by Hector Ayala while assaulting his informant Nicky Torres, Powell and his partner Kel Shanahan engaged in a brawl with Ayala without revealing their affiliations as policemen, during which Shanahan was accidentally thrown into the path of a subway train. From this point, Powell immediately drew his badge, held Ayala at gunpoint, and then lied about the altercation by framing Ayala as Shanahan's murderer. Powell lied under oath in the courtroom to hide his corrupt activities, showing he was not beneath perjuring himself. Powell was ruthless in covering his tracks, even going so far as planning to kill Torres himself at his apartment to prevent him from exposing his crimes. Before Powell could act on his plan, it was thwarted when Ayala's blind attorney Matt Murdock, who not only helped Torres escape but physically overwhelmed Powell and his partner, for which he received a black eye.
For all his bluster, Powell's pride begins showing cracks the moment someone resists his intimidation. Powell was visibly shaken both times he confronted Murdock one-on-one following their first fight. In the courtroom lavatory, Powell faltered when Murdock not only stood his ground but threatened to have him charged with witness tampering, forcing Powell to retreat. Powell's later attempt to physically intimidate Murdock by pressing his badge against him did little to rattle Murdock; he not only rebuffed Powell's intimidation attempt, but called out Powell's insecurities about being outclassed by Ayala. Time and again, Powell is physically humbled by those he underestimates: Ayala held his own in their initial clash, Murdock defeated him both in and out of the courtroom, and when Powell stumbled upon Daredevil in Muse's lair, he was swiftly knocked out with a single blow to the head.
His promotion to Wilson Fisk's Anti-Vigilante Task Force enabled Powell both power and protection to indulge his worst instincts. Now operating with state-sponsored impunity, he became openly sadistic. When a reporter snapped unauthorized photos of Fisk at his Black & White Ball, Powell dunked their hand into burning hot oil in a deep fryer until it blistered. When confronted by Commissioner Phil Gallo, Powell made no apology, stating plainly that he answered to Fisk, not the NYPD. Like many of his AVTF cohort, he worshipped the Punisher while completely missing the nuance behind his violent methods, and had the Punisher's insignia tattooed on his arm. When Powell made a real attempt to recruit Punisher into the AVTF after capturing him at Red Hook Pier, he laughed him off, humiliating Powell once more.
Powell's redeeming qualities only come in fleeting glimpses. He did genuinely grieve for Shanahan, his partner and a friend who he spoke fondly of, having shared memories with him over the years. Additionally, in a rare moment of honesty, when Murdock accused Powell of shooting and killing Ayala, Powell admitted he was not the one who killed Ayala, insisted he was not involved and had no knowledge of who killed him, and indicated that he wouldn't do it himself. Matt's enhanced senses confirmed that Powell was telling the truth.
Facilities[]
- 15th Precinct Police Station: As an NYPD officer, Powell was stationed at the 15th precinct.
- New York City Police Department Fleet Services Division Shop: Powell and several other NYPD officers were called by Wilson Fisk to the department's vehicle storage building. There, Fisk announced his plan for an Anti-Vigilante Task Force and informed the officers that they were its founding members.
Relationships[]
Family[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
In chronological order:
Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.02: Optics- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.03: The Hollow of His Hand
- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.04: Sic Semper Systema
- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.06: Excessive Force
- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.07: Art for Art's Sake
- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.08: Isle of Joy
- Daredevil: Born Again | Episode 1.09: Straight to Hell
- Daredevil: Born Again | Season Two (unreleased)[12]
Behind the Scenes[]
- David Anthony Buglione was a stunt double for Hamish Allan-Headley in the role of Connor Powell.
References[]
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- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Connor Powell's NYPD File - Daredevil: Born Again: 1.06: Excessive Force
- ↑ 4/30/2018 on Scott's laptop in Ant-Man and the Wasp
- ↑ Marvel Studios' The Marvel Cinematic Universe: An Official Timeline
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 In The Hollow of His Hand, set in January 2027, Powell states that he has been with the NYPD for “just over 15 years.” Powell's file reveals that he became a patrol officer in June 2005 and a police officer in August 2006, which would be 20/21 years prior. This five year discrepancy indicates that Powell was a victim of the Snap.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Daredevil: Born Again: 1.04: Sic Semper Systema
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Daredevil: Born Again: 1.02: Optics
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Daredevil: Born Again: 1.03: The Hollow of His Hand
- ↑ Daredevil: Born Again: 1.06: Excessive Force
- ↑ Daredevil: Born Again: 1.07: Art for Art's Sake
- ↑ Daredevil: Born Again: 1.08: Isle of Joy
- ↑ Daredevil: Born Again: 1.09: Straight to Hell
- ↑ Chris Gallardo on X - March 20, 2025
