Turk Barrett

Turk Barrett is a fictional character appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics. The character is usually depicted in stories featuring Daredevil, in which his inept schemes are played as comic relief.^[1]

Turk Barrett
Publication information
First appearance	Daredevil #69 (Oct. 1970)
Created by	Roy Thomas Gene Colan
In-story information
Species	Human
Team affiliations	Infinity Watch
Notable aliases	Mauler Stilt-Man

Barrett was a recurring character in the Marvel shows Daredevil (2015-2016), Luke Cage (2016-2018), The Defenders (2017), The Punisher (2017-2019), Jessica Jones (2018), and Iron Fist (2018) set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Rob Morgan.

Publication history

Turk Barrett first appears in Daredevil #69 (Oct. 1970) and was created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Gene Colan.^[1][2]

Fictional character biography

Turk Barrett was a small-time crook operating in Hell's Kitchen, Manhattan. Roscoe Sweeney once sent Barrett to pay Jack Murdock to throw a boxing match.^[3] Barrett was associated with a street gang called the Thunderbolts.^[4] Barrett also worked for Eric Slaughter.^[5] Barrett once stole Mauler's armor from Aaron Soames to confront Daredevil, but he is defeated in seconds during their confrontation.^[6] Barrett later stole Stilt-Man's armor, offering his services but the Kingpin declined to employ "idiots", and Wilbur Day contacted Daredevil with knowledge of how to defeat him.^[7] Barrett has spent quite a bit of time at Josie's Bar in New York City. His criminal associate Grotto often reluctantly participates in Barrett's schemes. Barrett once mugged someone at Christmas and intended to use the Yuletide attire of Santa Claus to swindle charitable donations. When Matt Murdock told him to take the Santa suit off, Barrett stabbed him with a knife, thus carelessly foiling his own plan by getting blood all over the suit.^[8]

During the 2016 "Civil War II" storyline, Barrett is with the Kingpin when they hear from the barista Armand that his girlfriend Sonia went missing. They track Sonia down to a human trafficking business that Man Mountain Marko and Janus Jardeesh (Kingpin's former minion) were working for.^[9]

During the 2018 "Infinity Countdown" storyline, Barrett comes into possession of the Mind Gem.^[10] While doing a ride-sharing scam as he's driving through Greenwich Village, Barrett stumbled upon Skrulls ambushing the monks tasked with delivering the Mind Infinity Gem to Doctor Strange at the Sanctum Sanctorum. Snatching the Mind Gem in the confusion, Barrett realizes his ambition to build a criminal empire that could suplant the former Kingpin organization. After briefly confronting Barrett, Daredevil regains his sight when in his presence. Mastering the gem's power, Barrett uses it to brainwash the judges overseeing criminal cases involving several key underworld players, offering them light sentences in return for their money and connections. Daredevil caught wind of Barrett's goals and warns him against playing in the "big leagues".^[11] Strange later tracked down Barrett in order to take the Mind Gem back from him, only for Barrett to evade the Sorcerer Supreme. He is among the Infinity Gem holders who are contacted by Strange to reform the Infinity Watch and safeguard the Infinity Gems from such calamities including Thanos.^[12]

During the "Infinity Wars" storyline, Barrett is compelled to attend a meeting of the Infinity Watch in Central Park. He is accompanied by fellow holders Bullseye, Sandman, Spot, Tombstone and Typhoid Mary.^[13] As the heroes are fighting Gamora's Requiem form, Doctor Strange takes the opportunity to transport Barrett to an alternate dimension. Frightened by being shown the true power of the Mind Gem, Barrett turns it over to Strange without hesitation.^[14]

Other versions

In the alternate timeline of the 2005 storyline "House of M", Turk Barrett is a member of Willis Stryker's gang. After Stryker was defeated, Barrett willingly followed when Luke Cage took control of the group.^[15]

The Ultimate Marvel version of Turk Barrett is a gangster. A criminal acquaintance of Aaron Davis, he has Jefferson Davis as his main enforcer, eventually leaving his territory to Wilson Fisk's criminal empire.^[16]

During the Secret Wars storyline, two variations of Turk Barrett are seen in different Battleworld domains. The first one resides in the Battleworld domain of Technopolis and is a cowardly henchman of Kingpin. He accompanied the Kingpin to a meeting with the War Machine Deputies. When a fight ensued, Barrett tried to make an excuse to leave the fight.^[17] The second one resides in the Battleworld domain of the Valley of Doom, which is based from the remnants of Earth-51920 where every Marvel character is depicted in Wild West form. He is one of Mayor Wilson Fisk's minions. Barrett and the rest of Mayor Fisk's men attack Red Wolf when he tried to destroy Roxxon Dam. Upon being tipped off by Ben Urich, Sheriff Steve Rogers intervened and was able to put him in sheriff custody. Later that night, Mayor Fisk sent Barrett and the other men to lure Sheriff Rogers out of the Sheriff Department so that they can kill Red Wolf. This plan fails as Sheriff Rogers and Red Wolf kill Barrett and those involved in the attempt on Red Wolf's life.^[18]

In the "Old Man Logan" prequel "Old Man Hawkeye", Turk Barrett works as a bartender at Josie's Bar in Paste Pot Creek and is the uncle of Dwight. He is later killed by the Venom symbiote (possessing the Madrox Gang).^[19]

In other media

Marvel Cinematic Universe

Turk Barrett is a recurring character across the Marvel's Netflix television series set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), portrayed by Rob Morgan.^[20] This version is an associate of Wilson Fisk and is engaged in smuggling and arms dealing.^[21] Introduced in Daredevil, Barrett makes subsequent appearances in Luke Cage,^[22] The Defenders,^[23] The Punisher,^[24] Jessica Jones,^[25] and Iron Fist.^[26]