- "It won't make a difference, he owns the cops."
- ―Carl Hoffman to Masked Man[src]
Carl Hoffman is a former corrupt detective in the New York City Police Department who was forced to go into hiding after murdering Christian Blake. He was eventually located by the man in the mask who convinced him to confess to his crimes, leading to the arrest of Wilson Fisk and everyone connected to Fisk's criminal empire.
Biography[]
Dirty Cop[]
Working for Wilson Fisk[]
- "That's what I pay them for, isn't it?"
- ―Wilson Fisk[src]
Graduating from the police academy, Carl Hoffman joined the New York City Police Department, together with his childhood friend Christian Blake. Both Hoffman and Blake were approached by Wilson Fisk who offered them money in exchange for aiding his illegal activities from inside the police, which they accepted.[1]
Arrest of Karen Page[]
As Wilson Fisk ordered the murder of Daniel Fisher, Karen Page was framed and arrested, so Hoffman and Christian Blake were put in charge of the case. When Page barely survived an attack by Clyde Farnum, Hoffman and Blake were confronted by Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson, who demanded to release Page from the cell to avoid a scandal. Hoffman was slightly taken aback while Blake had tried to threaten Murdock in spite of his blindness, but they ultimately comply and released Page.[2]
Executing Piotr[]
Piotr was arrested after an encounter with the Masked Vigilante and Hoffman and Christian Blake were assigned to question him. Piotr offered the detectives the name of the man in charge of the criminal organization in exchange for a deal. When he told them Wilson Fisk's name, Hoffman and Blake knew they would have to kill him for betraying Fisk and asked whose turn it was to be punched to give the illusion of a fight. Hoffman was selected as the one to be hit and Blake punched him in the face before shooting Piotr.[3]
War with the Russians[]
When Wilson Fisk ordered the Russian Mafia's strongholds to be destroyed and Hoffman and Christian Blake were both sent to investigate the burning buildings to find survivors. They found Ivan who had been injured in the explosion and was unable to move. Hoffman and Blake began torturing the man by stepping on his wounds and asking where Vladimir Ranskahov had gone, as he had survived the explosion. Ivan claimed to not know so Blake shot and killed him before ordering the rest of the officers to kill anyone they find.
Hoffman and Blake were sent to an abandoned warehouse where the man in the mask had taken Sullivan hostage while protecting Ranskahov. They had to deal with Ben Urich, who demanded to know information about the situation. When Blake and Hoffman mocked Urich for no longer mattering in the world of television media, Urich told them that he had plenty more stories in him and maybe the pair of them would make it in one day. Under Fisk's orders, they organized a SWAT team to arrive and kill everyone inside the building. Without warning, Blake was shot by the sniper, with both Hoffman and Urich desperately attempted to save his life.[4]
Killing Christian Blake[]
- "See, he's more than my partner, alright, he's my friend. Known him since I was a kid, that's 30, 35 years."
"How much are each of those years worth to you?" - ―Carl Hoffman and Wilson Fisk[src]
With Christian Blake shot and in a coma, Wilson Fisk feared he would speak against him if he was ever to wake up, so he called for a meeting with Hoffman to discuss what to do about him. Fisk and James Wesley suggested that Hoffman kill Blake but Hoffman was reluctant as he told them of his and Blake's history of knowing each other for 35 years. Fisk was able to change his mind by pointing out Blake's flaws, claiming Blake was responsible for the masked man's gaining of valuable information from Vladimir Ranskahov. Fisk bribed Hoffman with a sum of his choosing into injecting poison in his partner's catheter to finish him off.
Hoffman reluctantly agreed after being threatened and arrived at the hospital; Brett Mahoney was guarding the door but allowed Hoffman in after inspecting his bag, which contained a sandwich with a syringe hidden inside. Hoffman injected Blake with the poison, but, to his surprise, Blake awoke. Before Blake could raise the alarm, Hoffman was knocked out by the masked vigilante, who then questioned Blake. Although the man was able to gain information, Blake did indeed die and Hoffman was able to claim that the masked man was the one who assassinated his partner.[5]
Going into Hiding[]
Saved by Masked Man[]
Afraid that he might be next, Hoffman was approached by Leland Owlsley, who offered him a safe place to hide from Wilson Fisk. They agreed to a deal in which Hoffman was paid ten million dollars and if Owlsley was ever killed by Fisk, then Hoffman would go to the police to testify against him. Hoffman lived in hiding for the next few weeks, with a team of armed guards around him at all time. One day, however, a team of corrupt cops under Fisk's pay, led by Corbin, stormed the location and quickly shot Hoffman's guards, leaving Hoffman covered in his guard's blood. Before Hoffman himself could be assassinated, he was saved by the masked man.
The masked man offered Hoffman the chance to bring down Fisk, promising that he would be protected by Brett Mahoney and could use Nelson and Murdock as his lawyers as they could not be bribed. Hoffman was reluctant as he believed Fisk would have him killed for betraying him, but the masked man assured him that the alternative was worse. As Hoffman tried to stand, the Masked Man knocked him down, stating he would be tracking him on his way to the precinct and warned him not to flee otherwise the vigilante would make him wish he hadn't saved him.[1]
Bringing Down an Empire[]
- "I need to make a statement."
- ―Carl Hoffman to Brett Mahoney[src]
Hoffman traveled to the 15th Precinct Police Station, face still wet with blood, and met with Brett Mahoney. After hiring Matt Murdock and Foggy Nelson as his lawyers, Hoffman made a statement to the NYPD and the FBI in which he confessed to accepting bribes from Wilson Fisk and named all the people associated with Fisk's organization. This action resulted in the arrests of everyone involved with Fisk's plans, along with Fisk himself.[1]
Personality[]
Despite being just as greedy and corrupt as his partner Christian Blake, Hoffman still retained a conscience and felt remorseful for his wrongdoings. While he was willing to carry out any orders given to him by Wilson Fisk, Hoffman was still loyal to his best friend, Blake, and was distraught at having to kill his own friend to prevent him from exposing their illicit acts. Hoffman is also very cowardly and easily manipulated by anyone with power.
Abilities[]
- Expert Investigator: Hoffman was a detective for the New York City Police Department, meaning he had great skills in investoigating to allow him to supply Wilson Fisk with information. When an Abandoned Building was burned, Hoffman and his partner Christian Blake were sent to investigate.
- Interrogator: As a part of his job, Hoffman often interrogated subjects such as Karen Page and Piotr.
Facilities[]
- 15th Precinct Police Station: As a member of the NYPD, Hoffman worked out of the 15th Precinct Police Station. He returned to the station and confessed to working with Wilson Fisk and got everyone who worked with him arrested.
Relationships[]
Allies[]
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Enemies[]
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Appearances[]
In chronological order:
- Daredevil | Episode 1.01: Into the Ring
- Daredevil | Episode 1.05: World on Fire
- Daredevil | Episode 1.06: Condemned
- Daredevil | Episode 1.08: Shadows in the Glass
- Daredevil | Episode 1.09: Speak of the Devil (mentioned)
- Daredevil | Episode 1.12: The Ones We Leave Behind (mentioned)
- Daredevil | Episode 1.13: Daredevil