VisionQuest opens with Vision (Paul Bettany) working in an Edinburgh pub as he tries to figure out who he is after the very strange events of WandaVision. He’s practicing socializing, sifting through memories he can’t quite connect with, and hanging out with a group of other AIs in a digital mind palace. But that quiet contemplation is brutally interrupted when a hit squad attacks the pub and kills Vision’s kind boss.
The attack is led by Paladin (Todd Stashwick) as the opening gambit in an elaborate plan to capture the former Avenger. Vision and his allies go into research mode so they can get to know their enemy. If you want to do the same, here’s a primer on Paladin’s comic book origins, how he’s been changed for the MCU series, and what he might be up to.
Paladin’s first comic book appearance was in 1977 on artist Gil Kane’s cover of the 150th issue of Daredevil, which included a text box explaining: “Some call him hero. He’s Paladin, the man-stalker without equal! And Daredevil is his prey!” Writer Jim Shooter follows the classic Marvel team-up trope where Paladin and Daredevil fight before they realize they’re really on the same side.
Paladin has been hired to hunt the mind-controlling supervillain Kilgrave aka the Purple Man, whom Daredevil is also looking for. After their skirmish, they wind up exchanging information on their target. Paladin went on to appear as an honorable anti-hero across numerous comic runs.
While he always expects to be paid for his work, he’s teamed up with the Avengers and Spider-Man. He’s been part of Heroes for Hire and taken jobs for S.H.I.E.L.D. But he also worked for the Hellfire Club and took contracts to hunt the Punisher and Elektra.
Marvel Comics never gave Paladin much of a backstory, so VisionQuest creator and showrunner Terry Matalas filled in the blanks. This version of Paladin is part of a centuries-long line of hunters who chase down their targets for the highest bidder, killing heroes and villains alike. Once a Paladin takes a job, they’re bound by an unbreakable contract.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
