Marvel Revives The Punisher Thanks to Jon Bernthal!

We have Jon Bernthal to thank for Marvel Comics bringing back Frank Castle as The Punisher.

In 2022, Marvel Comics decided to revamp The Punisher character. They redesigned the logo and introduced a new persona, following a trend of updating numerous other characters such as Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Nova (NINO), Ironheart, Falcon (Captain America), among others. However, these changes have not been universally well-received.

Marvel Comics took a drastic step in altering the character of Frank Castle (a.k.a The Punisher), eliminating the core motivation behind his vigilantism: they brought back his deceased wife, Maria, from the dead. This development left Frank disheartened and alienated by the return of his resurrected spouse, as reported by IGN.

The reason Frank Castle was eliminated from the storyline is because those in charge dislike the ideals that The Punisher symbolizes. Many law enforcement officers and military personnel – in reality – find inspiration in The Punisher, sometimes even adopting his emblem. However, those who identify as ‘woke’ have a strong disdain for these institutions, including the police, the military, and figures like Trump. Consequently, they chose to remove The Punisher from the narrative. They made Frank Castle abandon his crusade against crime and introduced a new character instead.

Well, the most recent series was canceled after four issues. How’d that work out?

Frank Castle returns in Punisher: Red Band

Returning to Jon Bernthal: It’s unclear if he played a significant role in this, but details have emerged about a new Marvel Comics series featuring Jon Bernthal reprising his character, Frank Castle, as The Punisher, complete with the iconic skull emblem once more.

As a discerning cinematic connoisseur, I’m thrilled to announce the arrival of an electrifying five-chapter saga entitled “Punisher: Red Band“, penned by the gifted Benjamin Percy and beautifully illustrated by Julius Ohta. This captivating limited series is set to hit the shelves in September.

Frank Castle is BACK

Here is the synopsis:

Read and re-familiarize yourselves, True Believers – Frank Castle makes his return. With no recollection, a fully loaded weapon, and an insatiable thirst for vengeance fueled by rage, he embarks on a brutal quest for the truth. This bloody trail of events can only be documented in a mature-rated series! Prepare for a barrage of bullets, a flood of blood, and fear to grip both citizens and criminals of New York City as THE PUNISHER strikes once more!

Frank Castle is back in R-rated Red Band book

The writer added in the press release:

I’ve always wanted to write for the Punisher series, featuring one of my favorite characters, Frank Castle—a vigilante with a dark past. He is often referred to as a relentless force of vengeance, a monster who fights monsters. Now, I finally get the chance, and this story will be rated Red Band, meaning it’s going to be raw, intense, and packed with violence.

In collaboration with artist Julius Ohta, whom I previously worked with on Hellverine, we are aiming to create a gritty, action-packed tale that showcases the best of the ‘hairy psychopath’ genre. This story will be as brutal and bloody as it gets, filled with street-level mayhem.

Jon Bernthal back as The Punisher in the MCU

Absolutely, I’m thrilled to share that I, a die-hard cinema enthusiast, can confirm Jon Bernthal is back as The Punisher in the upcoming Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series on Disney+, titled “Daredevil: Born Again”. What’s even more exciting is that Bernthal is also working on a standalone Punisher special for the streaming platform.

Now, Marvel Comics brings back Frank Castle as The Punisher. Coincidence? Nope.

Tom Brevoort, a key figure at Marvel Comics, openly acknowledged that their comics primarily function as inspiration for future movies and animations. This likely contributes to the fact that about half of comic book stores have closed down, along with the sustained success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

Disney and Kevin Feige are the worst things to have happened to Marvel Comics

In a new approach, Marvel Studios is now encouraging their team to generate unique concepts rather than drawing inspiration from the original comics. This shift has been criticized as the initial success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was largely due to its fidelity to the source material. Recently, it appears that Marvel producers have instructed directors not to delve into comics post-“Endgame”. Previously, visionaries like Jon Favreau, Joss Whedon, James Gunn, and the Russos were avid comic fans who drew inspiration from their love for the source material to create the MCU. The question remains as to whether this latest move will yield the same level of success.

It might be more constructive and polite to express this idea as follows: Some people feel that Disney and Kevin Feige’s involvement in Marvel Comics has significantly shifted the narrative, and they suggest that these entities should focus on the Marvel Cinematic Universe instead, as it seems that comic book readers may not align with the fanbase of the movies. Critics argue that this shift could potentially impact the comics industry negatively.

Thank you, Jon Bernthal

Gratefully, I bear witness to Jon Bernthal’s return as The Punisher. His portrayal is nothing short of commendable, and I can’t help but yearn for more artists with his caliber. Here’s to you, Mr. Bernthal, keep up the valiant struggle in your creative endeavors.

In 2021, this is how he expressed his thoughts on The Punisher and ensuring its proper portrayal prior to its inclusion in the Marvel Cinematic Universe: (alternatively, This was his stance on The Punisher in 2021, emphasizing its accurate representation before its MCU appearance.)

This character holds a profound, heartfelt significance for me. He feels like an integral part of me – both emotionally and physically. I guard him fiercely, as my love for him runs deep. I’ve expressed before that nothing is more valuable to me than my family, and only those who have experienced selfless love can understand the depths of sacrificing for someone. Losing them would plunge me into a path and despair that terrifies me and reminds me of dark places I’ve strived to leave behind in the past 20 years. Therefore, I was both thankful, cautious, and wary of the emotional journey that portraying this role took me on, and the world it required me to inhabit.

Essentially, this character should be situated in a dark setting. If we soften or lighten their portrayal, it would undermine the character’s integrity, the legacy of all previous representations, and the devotion of fans who deeply identify with them, particularly those in military service. Therefore, as I mentioned earlier, it’s not just about playing the character; it’s about doing justice to the character, and that’s what I aim to do.

2025-05-24 14:32