Meet Paladin, the Mysterious Mercenary and Shadowy Gun for Hire

The Marvel Universe is full of mercenaries and heroes for hire, with Paladin being one of the most mercurial. Having been both a foe and ally to many Super Heroes, the gun-for-hire and private investigator made a name for himself operating in the shadowy corners of the Marvel Universe. While he usually works as a solo agent, Paladin has also served on several prominent teams such as the Thunderbolts, even though his elusive loyalties made him something of a wild card. Played by actor Todd Stashwick, Paladin recently made his MCU debut in Marvel Television’s VisionQuest, accepting a contract to hunt down Vision after the events of Marvel Television’s WandaVision.

While Paladin and Vision exchange blows over on Disney+, read on to learn more about the character’s comic book history dating back to the 1970s. Over the years, Paladin has tangled with some of the biggest names in the Marvel Universe and more than held his own on multiple occasions. Find out what Paladin is truly capable of, from the mercenary’s most memorable brawls to his ever-shifting allegiances.

WHO IS PALADIN?

Primarily seen in a striking purple costume and armed to the teeth, Paladin is a mercenary often tasked with hunting down persons of interest. Despite his willingness to kill and his more underhanded methods, Paladin does abide by his own code, relying heavily on deception and expressing loyalty to the highest bidder. But despite the mercenary’s extensive history in the comics, Paladin’s real name remains unknown, though the mysterious operative often uses the alias Paul Denning.

Paladin made his Marvel Comics debut in DAREDEVIL (1964) #150 by Jim Shooter and Carmine Infantino. The mercenary first crossed paths with Daredevil after taking on a contract to hunt down the Purple Man. Starting off on the wrong foot, Paladin hoped Daredevil would lead him to his target, but the pair quickly came to blows. This saga came to a close in DAREDEVIL (1964) #154 as Daredevil and Paladin worked together to defeat an army of mind-controlled villains after locating the Purple Man’s base of operations. After the Purple Man seemingly fell to his death in the waters below, Paladin resented Daredevil for costing him a lucrative contract but ultimately left the costumed hero alone.

Paladin later resurfaced in PETER PARKER, SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #105 where he helped Spider-Man and the Wasp battle mobsters, with a romance forming between Janet Van Dyne and the mercenary. This brief relationship continued in AVENGERS (1963) #271, with the couple working together against Grey Gargoyle.

PALADIN’S POWERS & ABILITIES

Paladin is a formidable melee fighter, highly trained in various forms of martial arts and other hand-to-hand combat techniques. He is also an expert marksman, possessing numerous firearms. Though he’s more than willing to employ lethal force, Paladin’s main weapon of choice is a powerful stun gun keyed to his bio signature so only he can use it. Paladin is also a master of disguise and stealth, making him skilled at deception, subterfuge, as well as a seasoned veteran when it comes to covert operations. The mercenary approaches many of his assignments strategically, finding ways to give himself the upper hand against various super-powered targets.

The master marksman has also displayed a level of superhuman abilities that allow him to hold his own against Super Heroes like Spider-Man and Daredevil. Paladin possesses enhanced strength, speed, and endurance, though certainly not as powerful as some of the Marvel Universe’s heavy hitters like the Thing or the Hulk. Simply put, Paladin is a major cut above most of the rank-and-file mercenaries, making him particularly dangerous if he is crossed.

PALADIN, HERO FOR HIRE

Silver Sable hired Paladin to help her protect a geneticist creating a bio-weapon in HEROES FOR HIRE (1997) #10 by John Ostrander and Pasqual Ferry. This put Paladin on a collision course with the Heroes for Hire who temporarily recruited Deadpool to stop the creation and sale of this weapon. During this operation, Paladin crossed paths with Misty Knight, marking the beginning of his rivalry with the fellow private investigator.

Their rivalry deepened when Paladin joined an iteration of Heroes for Hire headed by Misty Knight in HEROES FOR HIRE (2006) #1 by Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti, and Billy Tucci just as CIVIL WAR (2006) divided the Marvel Universe. Misty’s distrust of Paladin proved accurate when she found out he was secretly working for S.H.I.E.L.D., infiltrating the team just for the chance to apprehend Captain America. However, Shang-Chi foiled this betrayal by feigning defeat before overpowering Paladin, allowing Captain America and the others to escape safely in HEROES FOR HIRE (2006) #3.

When Misty Knight reformed Heroes for Hire, Paladin actually allied himself with this iteration of the team. He worked with Misty’s new team in HEROES FOR HIRE (2010) #2, helping to free her from the Puppet Master’s control. Though tensions between the two remained, Paladin and Misty Knight learned how to overcome their differences and become an effective team.

PALADIN JOINS THE THUNDERBOLTS

Following a calamitous Skrull infiltration, the U.S. government put Norman Osborn in charge of H.A.M.M.E.R., the espionage organization that replaced S.H.I.E.L.D. in the aftermath of SECRET INVASION (2008). During that time, Osborn created a secret Thunderbolts strike team and hired Paladin in THUNDERBOLTS (2006) #129 by Andy Diggle, Roberto De La Torre, and Carlos Magno. The mercenary joined the strike team alongside Yelena Belova, Ghost, Ant-Man (Eric O’Grady), and Headsman, who wore the Green Goblin costume at Osborn’s request.

Watch Marvel Television’s VisionQuest, streaming now only on Disney+.

In this article: Paladin,Daredevil (Matthew Murdock),Misty Knight,Heroes for Hire,Captain America (Steve Rogers),Thunderbolts

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