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Punisher, The
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Creation & Design

The Punisher was created by writer Gerry Conway and artists John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru. He was designed as an anti-hero who uses lethal force against criminals, contrasting with the more traditional heroes of the Marvel Universe.

Early Years

Frank Castle was a Marine who became a vigilante after his family was murdered by the mob for witnessing a killing in New York City. He adopted the persona of The Punisher and began a one-man war on crime.

Character Development

Over the years, The Punisher has evolved from a simple anti-hero into a complex character who grapples with the consequences of his violent actions. His stories often explore themes of justice, morality, and the impact of trauma.

Cultural Reception

The Punisher has received mixed to positive reviews, with some praising his anti-hero status and others criticizing the glorification of violence. The character has become a symbol of vigilante justice.

Character Details

Real Name:
Frank Castle
First Appearance:
Punisher #14
Aliases:
The Punisher, Frank Castle
Species:
Human
Gender:
Male
Affiliations:
S.H.I.E.L.D., The Avengers, The Hand
Abilities:
Expert marksman, Hand-to-hand combat, Tactical genius
Equipment:
Firearms, Explosives, Body armor
Weight:
210lbs
Height:
6' 10"
Eye Color:
blue
Hair Color:
black
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Punisher #14
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2015
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Punisher #14
 
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$4
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$14
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$40

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Steve Dillon

ESPN IN For The National Championship variant

Punisher #1
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2016
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Punisher #1
 
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$4
Mid
$12
High
$45

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Alex Maleev

Thanos #13
Marvel ⋅ 2017
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Thanos #13
 
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$10
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$30
High
$100

Key Facts

1st appearance of Cosmic Ghost Rider, who was once the Punisher until he became a Herald of Galactus

1st appearance of King Thanos

Venomverse #5
Non-Key
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2017
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Venomverse #5
 
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$3
Mid
$9
High
$35

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Declan Shalvey

Punisher #218
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #218
 
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$5
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$15
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$50

Key Facts

1st cameo appearance of the Punisher War Machine armor

Legacy numbering based on #1 of the 1987 series continues with #218 thru #228

[Aug 2019 - Overheard at Boston Comic Con: Jon Bernthal's Punisher could return to the MCU in the Punisher War Machine armor]

Punisher #218
Photo Cover ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #218
 
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$15
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$50
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$180

Key Facts

Variant photo cover featuring Jon Bernthal from The Punisher Netflix TV series

Punisher #219
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #219
 
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$4
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$12
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$45

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1st full appearance of the Punisher in War Machine armor

Punisher #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #1
 
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$2
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$8
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$20

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Frank Cho

Punisher #1
Non-Key
1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #1
 
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$5
Mid
$18
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$60

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Mike Zeck

Hidden Gem edition

Punisher #1
Non-Key
1:500 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #1
 
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$5
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$15
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$50

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Variant black and white cover art by Mike Zeck

Hidden Gem edition

Old Man Logan Annual #1
Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Old Man Logan Annual #1
 
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1st appearance of Old Man Punisher

Punisher #2
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #2
 
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$3
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$9
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$35

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Variant cover art by Gabriele Dell'Otto

Store exclusive

Punisher #2
Non-Key
1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #2
 
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$2
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$8
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$25

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Mike Zeck

Hidden Gem edition

Punisher #2
Non-Key
1:500 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #2
 
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$5
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$15
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$50

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Variant sketch cover art by Mike Zeck

Hidden Gem edition

Punisher #1
Variant ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Punisher #1
 
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$2
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$5
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$15

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Clayton Crain

1st cover appearance of Spider-Man Earth-1048 (Playstation 4)

Cover art inspired by Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1974)

Marvel Knights 20th #1
Non-Key
1:100 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Marvel Knights 20th #1
 
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$2
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$8
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$25

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Variant wraparound cover art by Joe Quesada

Marvel Knights 20th #3
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2018
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Marvel Knights 20th #3
 
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$1
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$18

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Variant cover art by Jae Lee

Negative space variant

Daredevil #3
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019
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Daredevil #3
 
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$8
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Second printing

Copies ordered by retailers: 2,211

Punisher #13
Marvel ⋅ 2019
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Punisher #13
 
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Key Facts

Topical reference involving the Punisher’s emblem being used by the police and the character's in-story response to the controversy

[January 2024 - the Punisher hunting corrupt cops who assimilate his emblem is a rumored subplot for the Daredevil series]

War of the Realms: Omega #1
1:50 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2019
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War of the Realms: Omega #1
 
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$2
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$8
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$25

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Variant cover art by David Yardin

Punisher Soviet #3
Non-Key
1:25 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
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Punisher Soviet #3
 
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$2
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$8
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$20

Key Facts

Variant cover art by Mike Dowling

Empyre #1
1:6 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2020
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Empyre #1
 
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$1
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$5
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$15

Key Facts

Variant Funko Pop cover

Retailers must purchase 6 of the War Machine Funko Pop figures to receive one variant

Timeless #1
Marvel ⋅ 2021
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Timeless #1
 
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$1
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$2
High
$8

Key Facts

1st appearance of Anatoly Petrov

Debut of the Punisher's warlord of The Hand emblem, brief

1st cameo team appearance of a new, young Avengers team

Mary Jane dons the Spider-Man mantle in the mainstream universe

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1st cameo appearance of Lin Lie as Iron Fist

Timeless #1
Non-Key
2nd Print ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Timeless #1
 
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$1
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$2
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$6

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Second printing

1st cover appearance of the Punisher with new chest emblem replacing the original skull

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3
Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3
 
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$1
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$2
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$4

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Debut of the Punisher's, warlord of The Hand emblem, in full, briefly seen in Timeless #1

1st appearance of the Archpriestess of the Hand

Punisher #1
Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Punisher #1
 
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$1
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$2
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$6

Key Facts

Series with the Punisher as a warlord for the Hand

1st team appearance of the Apostles of War

Punisher #1
1:200 ⋅ Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Punisher #1
 
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$8
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$20
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$80

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Variant sketch cover art by Alex Ross

Timeless variant

Punisher #2
Marvel ⋅ 2022
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Punisher #2
 
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$1
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$2
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$4

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Debut of Punisher superpowers

Punisher #12
Marvel ⋅ 2023
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Punisher #12
 
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The Punisher abandons his famed moniker electing to be addressed simply as Frank

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