Now that the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is coming out at the beginning of summer, it’s time to take a look at one of the best aspects of the first one: the villain. Kingpin proved many things throughout the animated film, but a major one is that he was the best and most downright cruel villain that was showcased in an animated film. Spider-Man certainly isn’t exclusive when it comes to its audience, but when you have an animated movie, it’s expected that more kids are going to want to see this film. It’s more attractive—the coloring, the songs, and the character designs. So for Kingpin to be downright nasty and violent in a movie that would cater to audiences of all ages, it was fantastic.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

The character is voiced by Liev Schreiber, and he brought that certain tone that made you shiver when you first heard it. The raspiness, the mocking voice he took on when he was singing Spider-Man’s theme song before literally killing him. Kingpin is so great because of how unapologetic he is, and while his character is also seen in live-action shows such as Daredevil, there’s something more sinister about seeing him in an animated form. While we’re waiting to see who the newest villain will be in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, we can confidently say that Kingpin is easily the best villain in a Western animated film.

Related: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Short Film, The Spider Within, Announced

Ruthless

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)

One quality that Kingpin has that is most memorable about who he is, is that he is ruthless. In the beginning, we quickly learn that he hates Spider-Man and ruthlessly kills Peter Parker without a second thought. We know that he’s creating a dangerous machine to bring back a different version of his wife and son because he can’t live without them. Even if he played a rather large part in their demise. Finally, we know that he would kill just about anyone to get his family back, whether it’s by his own hand or one of his goons.

A very obvious thing is that Miles Morales is a young kid. He’s not as big as Peter Parker or Peter B. Parker, and it’s not like it’s a hard thing to figure out. So does that stop Kingpin from trying to kill him with a gun, but when that doesn’t work, with his hands? No, it doesn’t, and that just proves how ruthless the Kingpin really is. Even knowing that Miles is on the young side and grossly inexperienced, he’s desperate to kill him. Also, the way he shot and killed Prowler, who turns out to be Miles’ uncle Aaron, was proof that he didn’t value anyone who wasn’t completely dedicated to his plan.

Motive

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)

When it comes to motive and bad guys, it can range from a number of things. Mostly, the motive is a result of revenge. Sometimes, the motive is because they want ultimate power or to destroy the world, but most of the time it’s for someone else. Wilson Fisk, aka Kingpin, lost it all when his wife and son walked in on him about to murder Spider-Man. This is a broken man who destroyed his family due to his own actions, because as his family was escaping, they were hit and killed by a truck. So in return, Kingpin detests all Spider people and wants nothing more than to get his family back.

Kingpin is scary, but he has more of a story since he does, in fact, have a heart but only shows it to his son and wife. He wants them back; he wants to make amends, but at the same time, he still has that killer instinct. He blames himself for what happened to Vanessa and his son Richard, but he still wants to destroy any and all Spider-Man that pops up, which turns out to be quite a lot. Kingpin has a great motive because it’s so classic.

Related: Is Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse in Two Parts a Bad Idea?

Character Design

Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE)

In the case of Kingpin, size really does matter. To see him so large and so demanding of space that at one point the entire screen is just his body and head, you understand how much power he has. You understand the level of evil and wrongdoing Miles is dealing with, and how easy it would be for him to win. Kingpin is not only physically huge, but he’s also smart, since he hires outside help to do his dirty work. He has goons and evil men that tag along with him, such as Prowler, Doc Ock, Tombstone, the Green Goblin, and Scorpion. Since Kingpin is such a notorious crime lord, it’s smart to have other people in the line of fire before things get too serious.

Kingpin’s strength is also something to note, because while he is a large mass of a man, he’s able to run fast, fight combat style, and defeat Spider-Man quite easily. When Peter Parker is trapped under debris and tells Kingpin that his plan isn’t going to work, Wilson Fisk crushes Parker with his fists, and that version of Spider-Man instantly dies. Even though Kingpin doesn’t have superpowers or unnatural abilities, it’s like he doesn’t feel pain and is quite literally unstoppable until Miles manages to use a venom strike, but even then, he’s still alive. Kingpin is such a great villain because just when you think he’s dead, he’s still alive.