Superman & Lois season 4 has managed to perfect the DC show’s equivalent of the MCU’s Kingpin a year before the Marvel character returns to screens in Daredevil: Born Again. Vincent D’Onofrio’s depiction of Kingpin is regarded as one of the best on-screen adaptations of a supervillain of all time, with Wilson Fisk feeling as human and believable as he is merciless and wrathful. This is no doubt a big part of the reason his version of Kingpin returned alongside Charlie Cox’s Daredevil in the MCU, since recasting would’ve been theoretically possible for both roles.
As such, comparisons between the MCU’s Kingpin and other villains found in superhero media are not uncommon, as the engaging take on Fisk is a prime example of a quality supervillain performance. Interestingly, DC have recently cemented another series’ villain as a solid equivalent of the MCU’s Kingpin, though the pair haven’t seen many fan comparisons – likely because of the antagonist’s place in a live-action Superman show making this less transparent. However, the Superman & Lois season 4 cast is all the better for this addition.
Superman & Lois’ Lex Luthor Is A DC Version Of The MCU’s Kingpin
Michael Cudlitz’ Luthor & Vincent D’Onofrio’s Fisk Have Some Core Similarities
Superman & Lois‘ version of Lex Luthor – played in the DC show by Michael Cudlitz, who viewers may also recognize as Abraham Ford from The Walking Dead, or as the voice of Red Rush in animated superhero show Invincible – has effectively established himself as the DC show’s version of Vincent D’Onofrio’s depiction of Kingpin. Just as Daredevil’s Wilson Fisk aims to project a veneer of calculated and business-focused civility in order to conceal a deep and profound inner rage, Luthor also has a courteous outer layer that he uses to conceal a deep layer of inner fury and malice.
The extent of their ruthlessness – and their ability to control others – is also made clear through their respective focal shows. In Superman & Lois season 3, Lex is shown essentially breaking the prison system to his whim while serving his sentence, to the extent he’s able to use another prisoner as a human chair while eating a fancy-looking meal as the rest of the prison lines up and waits for him to give orders.
This has immediate and apparent parallels with Kingpin’s own story in incarceration in Daredevil, as the show’s story also put him in jail and then saw him take over Ryker Island from the inside. While these stories were given differing levels of focus – with Luthor’s being relatively short and Fisk’s taking place over a more extended period of time – both work to show their respective villain as a force of nature in their own right, and a master of playing chess with those around them to get power over everyone in their vicinity.
The pair both even have estranged daughter figures, with Superman & Lois’ Lex partially focused on trying to find his daughter Elizabeth – who appears to be in hiding from him – and Echo showing Kingpin’s somewhat twisted attempts to bring Maya Lopez back under his thumb after years of control over her as his adoptive child of sorts. Superman & Lois hasn’t yet shown the dynamic between Lex and Elizabeth, but given she has abandoned any contact with him and seemingly is avoiding giving him any way to contact her, it seems likely this too will parallel the Marvel equivalent.
Superman & Lois Season 4 Has Proved The DC Show’s Lex Luthor Is Truly Ruthless
Lex Luthor Has Somehow Only Gotten More Unhinged Since Season 3
While Superman & Lois‘ season 3 story provided an immediate parallel between the show’s Lex Luthor and the MCU’s Kingpin, it’s season 4 that truly underlines this, as the extent Luthor is willing to go to in order as a result of his grudge against Lois Lane for his time in prison is immense. Luthor not only kills Superman because of his animosity towards the hero and Lois, but also steals his heart, and then decides to destroy said heart in front of Superman’s son after learning the familial connection between the two.
To top all of this off, Lex makes sure to target Lois’ bond with her children specifically, leaving her a call where she’s forced to pick which of her children to save – and then telling Jordan that Lane picked Jonathan’s life over his, driving a wedge between mother and son. Season 4 has seen Luthor’s plans amp up now he’s had time to begin carrying out schemes after being let loose from prison, and it’s clear he’s handling these plans with both intelligence and a complete ruthlessness – an approach that also feels similar to seeing the machinations of Kingpin.
Why Superman & Lois’ Lex Luthor Being Like MCU’s Kingpin Is Good For The Show
Superman & Lois’ Last Main Villain Deserves To Be As Menacing As Possible
Superman & Lois‘ specific depiction of Lex Luthor hasn’t been universally well-received, with some citing that they find this iteration of the character too gruff to feel like the same figure from the comics. However, using a more hardened take on Luthor makes sense in a universe wherein he’s a seasoned supervillain who’s been locked up planning what he’ll do when he gets out for 17 years, especially since anything short of him carrying out unhinged plots and being a menace with this build up would feel something of a let-down.
On a not dissimilar note, having a version of Lex who is as intimidating as possible seems particularly wise given he’s seemingly the final main villain of Superman & Lois itself, thus placing a considerable amount of importance on his ability to seem dangerous. While this take on Lex Luthor isn’t the only way the show could have approached things, the combination of a Lex Luthor who seems tough in every sense combined with Michael Cudlitz’ solid ability to channel the menacing sort of authority that blends ideally into Lex’s story seems set to pay dividends for the final chapter of the DC series.
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Superman & Lois
Based on the characters from DC Comics, Superman & Lois follows Clark Kent and Lois Lane, attempting to live a quiet life in Smallville with their twin sons Jonathan and Jordan. Unfortunately for the couple, their lives continue to be effected by Clark’s superhero identity and powers. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch star as Clark and Lois, with Jordan Elsass and Alex Garfin portraying the couple’s sons.