Thanks to a few quick shots in the new teaser for The Punisher, we have our first look at the show's comic book villain. This past Friday's The Defenders served as the culmination for the four shows that have come before it in the Netflix corner of the MCU. But one notable absence from the series was Frank Castle. That's because his mission will take him someplace darker when The Punisher comes to the streaming service later this year.

While we don't know a ton about The Punisher, it seems set to explore more of Frank's past and what brought him to the place he was in season 2 of Daredevil. We also know that Karen Page will be back in his life, adding some sympathy to a story that walks the line between one of a hero and villain. But with the release of The Defenders, Marvel are now ready to fully put the spotlight on The Punisher. The move began with a new teaser trailer for the show that came after the credits of the new miniseries. And though it was brief, it features a few looks at one of the villains Frank will face.

Screen Geek was able to pick apart the rapid flashes in The Punisher teaser and locate at least one of the villains we'll meet in the show. Last year, Marvel announced Paul Schulze (Nurse Jackie) would join The Punisher as "Rawlins, a high-ranking member of the CIA whose operations in Afghanistan intersect with Frank Castle." Thanks to a careful viewing of the teaser, it's clear to see Schulze's Rawlins will mirror his comic counterpart.

In the comics, William Rawlins, who fits the description Marvel gave for the character, is a key antagonist in the 2005 Punisher MAX series by Garth Ennis. While the show likely won't adapt the full story, it looks like the tale will have a heavy influence on The Punisher. Along with being a corrupt CIA official with ties to the mafia, Rawlins wears an eyepatch—something alluded to in the image from the teaser featuring Rawlins' damaged left eye. A later scene also shows two soldiers pulling Frank off of Rawlins, who's left eye is covered in blood. It seems clear that Frank and Rawlins will have a violent falling out in the past, likely teeing up the Punisher's mission in the present.

Along with the new teaser, Marvel also recently unveiled a full look at Jon Bernthal in his new Punisher costume. The show will clearly be drawing from the comics visually, but it looks more and more like themes from the page will be carried over as well. We know Bernthal fought to make sure the Punisher didn't come off as too heroic, and it's clear this anti-hero angle will help shade the story of the series.

Next: The Punisher Explores Men Suffering Tragedy and Trauma

The Punisher season 1 will come to Netflix in November of 2017. Premiere dates for the new seasons of Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist have yet to be announced.

Source: Screen Geek