DETECTIVE KURTZ
Real Name: Alex Kurtz
Identity/Class: Human
Occupation: Detective
Group Membership: New York City Police Department
Affiliations: DA Algren, Black Panther (T’Challa), Daredevil (Matt Murdock), Angela Dinu, Gabe Dinu, Gladiator (Melvin Potter), Dante Govich, Megan Jeda, Jesse, Lowrie, Captain Madison, McHenry, Moss, Dakota North, Norman Osborn, Slater, Sofija, Judge Walden, Warren
Enemies: Enforcers (Fancy Dan, Montana, Ox/Ronald Bloch), Alfredo Guerro, Haley, Iris, Miranda Lavender, Mister Fear (Larry Cranston), Owl Razor-Fist (Douglas Scott), Rollinson, Max Sharp, Vlad the Impaler (Vlad Dinu), White Wolf (Hunter), Wrecker (Dirk Garthwaite)
Known Relatives: Belle Kurtz (wife)
Aliases: None
Base of Operations: New York City, USA
First Appearance: Daredevil II#101 (November, 2007)
Powers/Abilities: Kurtz is a trained police officer.
History:
(Daredevil II#101 (fb) – BTS) – A police detective and an informant to private investigator Dakota North, Detective Kurtz was assigned to investigate the explosion of the residence of Larry Cranston, the notorious Mr. Fear. He called Dakota with the information, owing her. Dakota informed him that it was not Cranston who’d been killed in the explosion, and Kurtz learned the body was Dante V. Govich, a teacher from Empire State University who had a record for selling drugs to students.
(Daredevil II#101 (fb)) – At Dakota’s request, Kurtz met with Daredevil at the crime scene and Kurtz expressed that he thought the super hero registration was ridiculous. Kurtz realized that Cranston was Mr. Fear, and that he was causing much of New York’s underworld to go mad from fear-inducing drugs.
(Daredevil II#102 (fb)) – Kurtz heard word that the Enforcers (Ox (Ronald Bloch), Fancy Dan, Montana) were fighting the Wrecker and Razor-Fist in the streets. He called Dakota to report it so that she could send Daredevil.
(Daredevil II#106) - While D.A. Algren, Franklin "Foggy" Nelson, and Matt Murdock stood by, Kurtz interviewed criminal Mr. Fear (Larry Cranston), who admitted to being behind the madness of Gladiator and Milla Donovan in a revenge plot against Daredevil.
(Daredevil II#107) - At Dakota's request, Kurtz met with her and showed her the police file on Big Ben Donovan, who'd confessed to killing and decapitating David, Ethan, and Frances Callinan, three white kids. Kurtz got worried when Officer McHenry walked past. Kurtz finished sharing the case's information and Dakota thanked him.
(Daredevil II#108) - Kurtz gathered mug shots for Dakota, who was looking for the identity of a recent attacker. He argued with her about Donovan's guilt. Warren then identified the man in photo as an officer, Moss.
(Daredevil I#112) - When Murdock was arrested because Daredevil was suspected of murder, Kurtz grew frustrated when Slater questioned him inappropriately. Dakota soon showed up, claiming she was with Murdock the night before, giving him an alibi, so Kurtz let him go.
(Daredevil II#113) - Dakota soon got a call from Kurtz, who informed her the witness to the supposed Daredevil killings had been murdered. He worried cop Slater would move on Murdock.
(Daredevil II#119 (fb) - BTS) - When a gang war erupted in New York, several criminals, including Alfredo Guerro, Max Sharp, and Miranda Lavender, turned up dead.
(Daredevil II#119) - Kurtz summoned Daredevil to talk about what was happening in the city, suspecting the Hand cult and maybe the Owl for being behind it. He chided Daredevil for not being involved thus far.
(Dark Reign: The List - Daredevil#1 (fb) - BTS) - When Norman Osborn, newly in charge of HAMMER, began authorizing excessive force on the police force and covering up the crimes of certain officers, Kurtz publicly spoke out against it.
(Dark Reign: The List - Daredevil#1) - Lured to an alleyway under the pretext of meeting his CI, Kurtz was confronted by policemen Haley and Rollinson, two of Osborn's cops. Kurtz, showing no fear, stood up against them and stated he knew Judge Walden was corrupt as well, not knowing Walden was listening. As Walden revealed himself, Kurtz felt threatened, but suddenly Walden, Haley, and Rollinson were violently killed and dismembered by an unknown party before Kurtz could hardly react.
(Daredevil I#503) - Kurtz investigated a bloody scene where several cops had disappeared. He wondered what had happened and where the cops had gone.
(Daredevil I#504) - As Kurtz looked into the missing cops, complaining to Officer Lowrie, a Hand ninja appeared in the window and said that the cops needed to abandon their precinct as the Hand was taking over. When Lowrie tried to draw his gun, the window exploded and the ninja disappeared.
(Daredevil I#508 (fb) - BTS) - When Daredevil and the Hand built Shadowland in Hell's Kitchen and declared it off limits, Kurtz and other detectives were assigned to different precincts.
(Daredevil I#508) - Against the wishes of his wife Belle, Kurtz walked the ninja-infested streets of New York, leaving his gun and badge behind so as to avoid notice.
(Daredevil I#509 - BTS) - Kurtz loaned the keys to a safe house to Dakota North and Foggy Nelson.
(Daredevil I#510) - Noticing crime back in the streets, Kurtz stopped a few kids robbing a store with a thrown can of beans. When the kids opened fire on him, another group of kids dressed as Hand ninjas intervened and one, Jesse, was shot and killed.
(Daredevil I#511) - At Mayor Jameson's order, Kurtz led the police against the rioting citizens near Shadowland. After nearly being blown up, he ran into Dakota North and explained what was happening. She rushed off, looking for Foggy Nelson and Becky Blake in the mess.
(Daredevil I#512) - After the Shadowland mess was officially over, Kurtz told reporter Ben Urich that the city had to let Shadowland stand since it was there legally, but admitted off-the-record that it was still too dangerous to take apart. When Captain Madison called him in, Kurtz tried resigning, but Madison didn't take him seriously and ordered Kurtz to arrest Daredevil, aka Matt Murdock, personally. Though recognizing what a tall order it was, Kurtz agreed.
(Shadowland: After the Fall#1) - Kurtz began looking for Daredevil, but struck out with Luke Cage, Iron Fist, and Moon Knight despite there being sightings all over the city. Kurtz went to interview Nelson at the same time Urich did, but ended up with no leads still. Later, while reflecting on the resilience of New Yorkers, Kurtz tried intervening in a crime but it was broken up by the Black Panther. When several cops, including Higgins and Walker, asked Kurtz to drop the Daredevil case, reminding him of all the good the hero had done over the years. After reporting to an angry Captain Madison that he couldn't find Daredevil, Kurtz decided not to retire.
(Black Panther: Man Without Fear#516) – Kurtz questioned detained suspect Vlad the Impaler about his criminal activities and the murder of his wife, Angela Dinu, but the villain wouldn’t answer Kurtz’s questions, even when he threatened to charge obstruction of justice. Later, the Black Panther questioned Kurtz about a series of killings, the most recent being Angela’s, and against his better judgment, Kurtz told the hero what he knew about the serial case.
(Black Panther: Man Without Fear#517) – Operating on a tip from the Black Panther, Kurtz learned a social worker named Iris might be the serial killer. With disgust, he questioned Dinu, who took the picture but claimed to know nothing, and Kurtz let Dinu know the Black Panther was on his trail. Then, hitting a pot hole while driving away, he got out of his car and his files were stolen when he returned. Later, at Iris’ apartment, they found evidence that she was their killer. Kurtz talked to the Black Panther outside, and the other detectives saw him and didn’t seem to mind.
(Black Panther: Man Without Fear#518) – Kurtz arrived on the crime scene after the Black Panther had battled Vlad the Impaler and Iris was defeated. The Black Panther pushed his way through to speak to the prisoners and suspects, including Vlad’s son, Gabe Dinu.
(Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive#523.1 (fb) – BTS) – Kurtz responded to three murders, each killed at 10 pm with a white scarf wrapped around their necks, three days in a row, all women who appeared to know their attackers. About the same time the Daily Bugle figured it was a serial killer (and Kurtz asked them to keep the story quiet), Kurtz realized they were all women the Black Panther had saved.
(Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive#523.1) – Kurtz called in the Panther to the latest crime scene and let him know the killer was trying to get his attention. After the mother of the victim yelled at the Black Panther for being to blame, the Black Panther started touching things in the crime scene and demanding access to the investigation. He then grabbed a hesitant Kurtz by the collar, and Kurtz had to order his men to stand down and he took the Black Panther for a walk. They made an agreement where Kurtz would share information as long as the Black Panther made sure the arrest was by the book. The Black Panther rushed off, already having a suspect in mind. The next night, Kurtz waited in the apartment of Megan Jeda, the next identified victim, while the White Wolf attacked the Black Panther’s assistant, Sofija. The White Wolf refused arrest and took Sofija hostage, so Kurtz called the Black Panther in to stop him. After the White Wolf’s defeat, Kurtz saw him arrested, knowing it would be a jurisdictional nightmare to keep him in jail. He walked away from an angry Black Panther, hoping it was a long time before they met again.
Comments: Created by Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark (pencils), and Stefano Gaudiano (inks).
Profile by Chadman.
CLARIFICATIONS:
Det. Alex Kurtz has no known connections to
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Haley and Rollinson (Daredevil I#501 (fb) - BTS) - New York City police detectives Haley and Rollinson were among the police who put on riot gear and tried to break up a protest outside an Oscorp building. They used excessive force, hospitalizing several rioters, and then charged the victims with crimes. (Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 (fb) - BTS) - Haley and Rollinson were suspended from the force. When Norman Osborn was put in charge of H.A.M.M.E.R., he recruited the two back to the force and had them work with corrupt Judge Walden. They grew concerned when Detective Alex Kurtz spoke out against the detectives. They pretended to be Kurtz's confidential informant and set up a meeting with Kurtz. (Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1) - Rollinson and Haley confronted Kurtz, who had bad things to say about both of them as well as Walden revealed he was there as well, ready to teach Kurtz a lesson. Before they could act, the Hand attacked. Kurtz was pulled aside while Walden, Haley, and Rollinson were slaughtered. --Daredevil I#501 ([Daredevil I#501 (fb)], [Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 (fb)], Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 |
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Jesse (Daredevil I#510) - Jesse and other criminals tried robbing a gas station near Shadowland, one with Det. Alex Kurtz inside. The Hand intervened, striking Jesse down. --Daredevil I#510 |
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Belle Kurtz (Daredevil I#508) - Belle Kurtz, wife of police officer Alex Kurtz, worried about her husband in the line of duty, with news of missing police officers and roaming ninjas everywhere. --Daredevil I#508 |
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Lowrie (Daredevil I#504 (fb) - BTS) - Lowrie was among the cops, like Alex Kurtz, who watched many corrupt cops go missing during a time when Norman Osborn and H.A.M.M.E.R. were in charge, and Daredevil led the Hand in the streets. (Daredevil I#504) - Lowrie and Kurtz were discussing the situation in the city when a Hand ninja appeared in the window, telling the cops to abandon their precinct immediately or face the consequences. --Daredevil I#504 ([Daredevil I#504 (fb)], Daredevil I#504 |
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Captain Madison (Daredevil I#512) - Detective Alex Kurtz turned in his resignation to his superior, Captain Madison, after the Shadowland business in New York City. Madison convinced Kurtz to stay and try to take a warrant to arrest Daredevil. --Daredevil I#512 |
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McHenry (Daredevil II#107) - Officer McHenry briefly interrupted a meeting between Alex Kurtz and Dakota North. --Daredevil II#107 |
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Judge Walden (Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 (fb) - BTS) - Judge Walden was a corrupt judge in New York City who was known among cops as not caring much about crime or justice. When Norman Osborn was put in charge of H.A.M.M.E.R., Walden cast his lot in with Osborn. Walden and cops Rollinson and Haley grew concerned when Detective Alex Kurtz spoke out against them. The cops pretended to be Kurtz's confidential informant and set up a meeting with Kurtz. (Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1) - When Kurtz arrived, he was confronted by Rollinson and Kurtz, but Kurtz called them corrupt along with Walden, then Walden revealed himself, with nefarious purposes, but before he could act, the Hand attacked. Kurtz was pulled aside while Walden, Haley, and Rollinson were savagely attacked and killed. --Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 ([Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 (fb)], Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1 |
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Warren (Daredevil II#108) - Officer Warren helped Dakota North and Alex Kurtz identify a picture of federal agent Moss. --Daredevil II#108 |
images:
(without ads)
Daredevil II#101, p15, pan3 (main)
Daredevil I#508, p8, pan1 (Belle Kurtz)
Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1, p6, pan1 (Haley and Rollinson)
Daredevil I#510, p10, pan1 (Jesse)
Daredevil I#504, p7, pan1 (Lowrie)
Daredevil I#512, p4, pan2 (Captain Madison)
Daredevil II#107, p13, pan3 (McHenry)
Dark Reign: The List: Daredevil#1, p6, pan5 (Judge Walden)
Daredevil II#108, p12, pan5 (Warren)
Appearances:
Daredevil II#101-102 (November-December, 2007) - Ed Brubaker (writer),
Michael Lark (penciler), Stefano Gaudiano (inker), Warren Simons
(editor)
Daredevil II#106 (April, 2008) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark
(penciler), Paul Azaceta, Stefano Gaudiano (inkers), Warren Simons
(editor)
Daredevil II#107-108 (July-August, 2008) - Ed Brubaker, Greg Rucka
(writers), Michael Lark (penciler), Stefano Gaudiano (inker), Warren
Simons (editor)
Daredevil II#112-113 (December, 2008-January, 2009) - Ed Brubaker
(writer), Michael Lark (writer), Stefano Gaudiano (inker), Warren
Simons (editor)
Daredevil II#119 (August, 2009) - Ed Brubaker (writer), Michael Lark
(penciler), Stefano Gaudiano (inker), Warren Simons (editor)
Dark Reign: The List - Daredevil#1 (November, 2009) - Andy Diggle
(writer), Billy Tan (penciler), Matt Banning (inker), Warren Simons
(editor)
Daredevil I#503-504 (February-March, 2010) - Andy Diggle (writer),
Roberto de la Torre (penciler/inker), Warren Simons/Stephen Wacker
(editors)
Daredevil I#508 (September, 2010) - Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston
(writers), Roberto de la Torre (penciler/inker), Stephen Wacker (editor)
Daredevil I#509-511 (October-December, 2010) - Andy Diggle, Antony
Johnston (writers), Marco Checchetto (penciler/inker), Stephen Wacker
(editor)
Daredevil I#512 (February, 2010) - Andy Diggle, Antony Johnston
(writers), Marco Checchetto (penciler/inker), Stephen Wacker (editor)
Shadowland: After the Fall#1 (February, 2011) - Antony Johnston
(writer), Roberto de la Torre (penciler), Marco Checchetto (inker),
Stephen Wacker (editor)
Black Panther: Man Without Fear I#516 (May, 2011) – David Liss (writer), Jefte Palo (penciler/inker), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Black
Panther: Man Without Fear I#517-518 (June-July, 2011) – David Liss
(writer), Francesco Francavilla (penciler/inker), Bill Rosemann (editor)
Black
Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive I#523.1 (November, 2011) – David
Liss (writer), Jefte Pallo (penciler/inker), Bill Rosemann (editor)
First Posted: 01/31/2008
Last updated: 11/23/2019
Any Additions/Corrections? please let me know.
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