Warning! Spoilers for Punisher #1 by Marvel Comics
Frank Castle's Punisher is back in a newly announced series that will see the antihero get a logo as he works alongside the Hand. On Monday, Marvel Comics revealed the Punisher will star in his own 13-issue prestige limited series that will explore the popular character's past, present, and future. A superstar creative team of Jason Aaron, Jesus Saiz, Paul Azaceta, and Dave Stewart will usher in the newest era of the Punisher, where he will sport a new logo and serve the Beast.
Marvel Comics has sidelined the Punisher for the last couple of years, as his previous ongoing title ended in 2019. However, despite not having his own series for more than a year, the character's logo has made the news for unfortunate reasons, as it's been adopted as a symbol of division and hatred - including being worn by several people who stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6th. As a result, there have been calls for Marvel Comics to retire the hero and/or his logo, and it seems Marvel Comics will be examining what it means to be Punisher in the brand new series.
On Monday, Marvel Comics revealed the new Punisher series from Aaron, Saiz, Azaceta, and Stewart. The monthly oversized comic will examine Frank Castle's past, present, and future, as it's being solicited as the "definitive chapter" of the character's life. Saiz will draw the Punisher in the present-day, while Azaceta will tackle flashbacks. The series will feature Castle teaming up with the Hand, where he will serve "the Beast." In addition, he will get new armor and a sword as he works alongside the assassins. Check out a preview for the series below, including a cover from Saiz.
Interestingly, both Aaron and Marvel Comics Editor-in-Chief, C.B. Cebulski, mentioned the series would serve as the next evolution for the Punisher. Aaron said he's as excited for the series as anything else he's done for Marvel Comics.
This story is the destined next step in the dark and tragic evolution of Frank Castle, from troubled kid to heroic soldier to revenge-driven vigilante…to the duly anointed King of Killers. Believe me when I say, I am as excited about this story as anything I’ve ever written for Marvel.
Meanwhile, Cebulski said Punisher will build on Frank's legacy while setting the stage for an evolution that "we'll find was inevitable."
The story Jason is telling – a truly epic tale about darkness, violence, and choices – can only be told with the Punisher at its core. This series will build on Frank’s legacy while introducing us to a side of him we’ve never seen before, setting the stage for an evolution that we’ll find was inevitable.
It sure seems like Marvel Comics is teasing something game-changing for the Punisher in the new Punisher series. With a new logo (seen in the art above) and direction, Frank Castle's next chapter is set to define the character for years to come. Punisher by Jason Aaron, Jesus Saiz, Paul Azaceta, and Dave Stewart arrives in comic book stores in March 2022.
Source: Marvel.com