Created by writer Jim Shooter and artist Carmine Infantino, the character first appeared in Daredevil #150 (January 1978).

He clashed with Daredevil a second time after the crime fighter inadvertently interfered with Paladin's search for the Purple Man.

Paladin allied with Daredevil in battle against the Cobra, the Jester, and Mister Hyde, who were under control of the Purple Man.

[19] Paladin was later employed by Silver Sable to investigate a conspiracy which threatened her native country of Symkaria, and he allied with Spider-Man.

He briefly dated the Wasp at a time when she was separated from Hank Pym, much to the Black Knight's jealousy, who was also attracted to her.

[volume & issue needed] He single-handedly defeated Captain America and the entire Heroes for Hire team, with the exceptions of Tarantula and Orka, who were not present when the fight took place, with a special gas weapon that affected the nervous system.

[29] However, he did not account for Shang-Chi's ability to hold his breath over an extended period (thanks to his martial arts training) and was overpowered by him.

[volume & issue needed] Shang-Chi then aided Captain America, who afterwards switched his costume with Paladin, causing S.H.I.E.L.D.

[30] In Dark Reign, Paladin joins the Thunderbolts, Norman Osborn's personal black ops team.

[volume & issue needed] Paladin, finally having had enough of serving a madman like Osborn, turned on his teammates and tried to take back the object.

Ant-Man recovered the Spear of Odin and gave it to Paladin who decided to take the object to keep Osborn from using its power for his own ends.

[33] During the "Shadowland" storyline, Paladin is paired with Silver Sable, Misty Knight, and Shroud when Daredevil's Hand ninjas end up targeting members of the mafia.

[35] In "Venom War", Paladin, Solo, and their fellow mercenaries battle Eddie Brock, Bedlam, Tyro, and Wilde when they crash a wrestling match in Grand Garden Arena.

While he has been known to use lethal force, his preferred weapon is his stun gun, firing a beam which scrambles the signals within the target's nervous system sufficiently to render most people unconscious.

Paladin wears a bodysuit of synthetic stretch fabric, and his boots, gloves, helmet, torso, and knee and elbow guards are made of bulletproof composite materials.

[40] The Ultimate Marvel version of Marc Spector used the Paladin name for a period of time while working for the Roxxon Corporation.