Unfortunately, the MCU's shared universe model is now working against Marvel when it comes to introducing new heroes and villains. The MCU has existed for over a decade now, meaning every new character introduced needs to come with an explainer - why haven't they been seen before? Marvel's been trying to handle this issue with care, establishing reasons for absence as a core part of character design; the Eternals were disbanded and sworn not to interfere in human affairs, for example, while Shang-Chi was too young to get involved in any of the superhero chaos. But Kingpin is a lot trickier; he's a threat precisely because he's in a position of power, and the fact superheroes like Spider-Man haven't crossed paths with Kingpin is rather odd.

Related: Kingpin’s MCU Return Can Deliver On Marvel’s Best Unresolved Cliffhanger

Still, Hawkeye episode 4 has subtly explained this. One scene sees Hawkeye confront a member of the Tracksuit Mafia, and he notes Echo's obsession with Ronin isn't just his problem - it's an issue for her boss, too, one that could potentially get her killed. According to Clint, Echo's boss doesn't like anything that draws attention to his operations; he prefers to stay in the shadows, avoiding any public attention - and open conflict with an Avenger would certainly be drawing a lot of attention. His modus operandi is a smart way of explaining why Kingpin hasn't turned up in the MCU before now.