After months of speculation, new castmember Wilson Bethel finally confirmed during New York Comic Con that his character FBI Agent Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter would become the iconic comic book villain Bullseye.
The Marvel Report is here to give you the rundown on Bullseye’s comic book origin and role in Season 3.
In the Comics
A skilled mercenary, Bullseye first appeared in Daredevil #131 (1976). In addition to being a master assassin, Bullseye is also an expert acrobat, master marksman, and master martial artist. At some points in the comics, he even has enhanced durability due to strips of adamantium fused to his skeleton. His major weakness is he suffers from mental instability and has even been characterized as a psychopath.
Although he has had several origin stories in the comics, he first came into Matt Murdock’s life after a murder spree in New York City which Daredevil sought to stop.
He was later hired to kill Matt Murdock and partner Foggy Nelson but was again stopped by Daredevil which furthered their rivalry.
Later he becomes an assassin for the Kingpin, which leads him to kill Elektra out of jealousy when Kingpin hires her to replace him. He eventually kills another of Matt Murdock’s love interests Karen Page.
Outside of the Daredevil comics, Bullseye has also been a member of the Thunderbolts team when it was led by Norman Osborn during the Civil War event.
In the Show
While the season hasn’t aired yet, we do know a few things already about what role Bullseye will play (You can read our spoiler-free advance review of Season 3 here).
Wilson Bethel joins the show this season as FBI Agent Benjamin “Dex” Poindexter, who is assigned to protect Wilson Fisk after he makes a deal with the FBI. However, as seen in the teaser clip released, Agent Poindexter might not be the best person to assign to master manipulator Fisk.
Under Fisk’s influence, Poindexter becomes even more unhinged and makes it his mission to kill Matt Murdock.
“If I was wearing a mask, the press would be calling me a hero,” says Poindexter in one clip.
He does just that by stealing the Daredevil persona and putting on the red devil suit. Bullseye will be the toughest enemy Daredevil has faced to date, with Bullseye rivaling him in physical ability.
Although the Bullseye in the show will be similar to the comics, showrunner Erik Oleson has explained that Marvel gave them a lot of room explore Bullseye’s origins. He teased things will get “weird” on the show, and if the clip is any indication we believe him.
Are you excited to see the debut of Bullseye?
Daredevil Season 3 premieres on Netflix on October 19th, 2019.