Daredevil: The King’s Speech

The following transcript covers a recent speech by Wilson Fisk, Mayor of New York City

I want to begin by confirming that reports that I’m sure many of you have heard today. I was, in fact, attacked by the vigilante Daredevil last night while doing some late night work in my office. My security team was able to arrive before the so-called “crime fighter” could do much more than threaten me, and he ran away. I am glad to report to you today that I am fine.

[pause]

No. No that’s not accurate. I am not fine. And I will not pretend to be—because I do not want you to have to pretend either. You, the scores of New Yorkers who have been threatened, assaulted, and otherwise victimized every day by these costumed bullies, self-deputized and self-righteous, inflated by their own twisted sense of self regard.

That is why I call upon the City Council to take on the issue of these arrogant lawless thugs who have decided that they somehow know how to enforce the law better than the best-trained police force in the world; than the most passionate and competent set of District Attorneys in any city. The time is now to say, “No more!” The time is now to say we do not accept protection rackets dressed up as super heroics. The time is now to say vigilantism must be driven from this city so that we all may truly be safe once more.

And know this: My opponents will try to twist my words. They will try to tell you that I am against selflessness, against true heroes. But the scourge I speak of is not the Avengers who protect us from terrorists, alien invasions, and time-traveling tin pot dictators. I stand with true heroes like The Falcon, like Ms. Marvel, like the true Captain America who has returned to us. I stand with them and say, “We will not allow these false heroes, these pretenders, to sully your good name any longer. We, in the greatest city on Earth, recognize true heroism, and we will no longer allow those who do not represent sacrifice, honor, and justice to slip in under your shadows. We will not let them use your good names to enact their petty grudges.”

No, the violent costumed menaces I speak of are the likes of The Punisher—little more than a maniac with an arsenal to rival the armory of a small country on our city streets. I speak of the likes of Moon Knight—a religious zealot who perverts the rule of law and soaks his costume in the blood of our fellow citizens. I speak of Spider-Man—who has the nerve to make jokes as he destroys property and endangers innocent people in broad daylight through reckless behavior. And yes, I speak of Daredevil. Erratic. Unreasonable. Sadistic. The kind of man who would proudly call himself a devil and delight in spreading fear into a neighborhood he insists he “owns.”

As your mayor, I confess, I too have been guilty of being complacent, of looking the other way, of mumbling, “well, they do some good.” But I will do that no longer. No one should have to live their lives in fear of the bullet, the blade, the billy club. No one should have a person in a Halloween costume decide they are a criminal. No one should have their very rights trampled by men and women who decided their desire to harm takes precedence over the very laws of this great city, this great state, this great nation.

So City Council, I reiterate. The time is now. Let us be inspired by the acts of true heroes and use our skills and our tools, all legal and provided by the people themselves, to cease this covert costumed reign of terror.

I thank all of you here today. I thank all of you who consider themselves New Yorkers. And most of all I thank the real heroes—the NYPD, the FDNY, the Avengers, the Office of the District Attorney, and the elected officials of New York City. We must unite now to ensure a brighter safer future for us all.

Good night, and bless you all.

Fisk’s campaign continues in the pages of DAREDEVIL!