By JV Tanjuatco
It’s hunting season again as everyone’s favorite vigilante Punisher returns to Netflix (now streaming!). For a seemingly one-note character (his family killed by the mob, ex-marine Frank Castle goes on a one-man war against all criminals), he’s been around for nearly 45 years! It helps that he’s had some talented writers and artists to tell his action-packed stories. Take a look at this line-up!
Garth Ennis
His relentless stories focus on the realistic atrocities that criminals commit, provoking feelings of outrage and sadness in his readers. This then usually leads to cathartic fulfillment when the Punisher comes along to unleash bloody retribution.
Recommended Reading: The Punisher #1-60 (2004)
Steve Dillon
Artist Dillon did several stints on the character (before he passed away in 2016). His older version of the Punisher with merciless eyes and a permanent scowl was the definitive take on the character at the start of the millennium.
Recommended Reading: PunisherMax #1-22 (2009)
Matthew Rosenberg
As the current Punisher writer, he’s been putting Castle on a no-holds barred thrill ride. He crafts a story of the Punisher wearing the War Machine armor to overthrow a totalitarian government with extreme prejudice that would terrify Tony Stark!
Recommended Reading: Punisher #218-228 (2016)
Whilce Portacio
Before he gained popularity drawing Uncanny X-Men, Fil- American artist Portacio garnered attention for his striking work on the original Punisher monthly. In his hands, Castle was menacingly intense – lean yet sinewy, his eyes were perpetually in shadow, similar to his skull emblem on his chest.
Recommended Reading: The Punisher #8-18 (1986)
Jason Aaron
Aaron is infamous for killing off the Punisher (not a hoax! He really dies!) He writes a vicious and poignant finale, ratcheting up the suspense by having Kingpin, Bullseye, and Elektra put Frank through the wringer!
Recommended Reading: PunisherMax #1-22 (2009)
Jim Lee
Like Portacio before him, Lee cut his teeth on the vigilante in the Punisher War Journal title before hitting hit big on the X-Men. At the time, he put a fresh new spin by drawing Punisher as an action hero with movie star looks, redesigning the costume into a military commando outfit, and arming with him realistic hardware. Lee’s version felt very real.
Recommended Reading: Punisher War Journal #1-13, and 17-19.
Rick Remender
On the other end of the spectrum is the outlandish run by Remender. He has Castle waging war against super villains with an arsenal that includes Ant-Man’s shrinking gas, Hawkeye’s bow and arrows, and a replica of Captain America’s shield! Despite these superhero trappings, Remender crafts a gritty and shocking ride that’s a must for Punisher fans.
Recommended Reading: Punisher #1-10 and Dark Reign: The List – Punisher.
Mike Zeck
He was the first artist to give Punisher an iconic look. His Frank Castle was brutish, borderline psychotic, and was always packing guns that looked like mini-cannons. While he did interior work on the title, it’s his glossy Punisher posters and comic book covers that gripped the eyes.
Recommended Reading: Punisher #1-4 (1986)
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