Punisher has always been one of those Marvel characters that I could take or leave, but with Benjamin Percy continuing at the helm the new Punisher #1 was a must-read. Leaning into what he crafted with Punisher Red Band, Percy along with artist José Luis Soares hold nothing back in this new on-going series.
As unflinching and uncompromising as ever, Frank Castle’s memory is damaged and he’s hunting for answers and criminals alike! He’ll get more than he bargained for of both when the notorious and bloodthirsty Jigsaw returns… with The Punisher dead in his sights!
Punisher is one of those characters that you want to see go all out on the pages of a comic book, but Marvel has to hold back at moments due to the brutality and such that may be seen. That was the glory of Frank Castle’s Red Band series, but unlike the Red Band miniseries, this new series has been solicited as an on-going and fit better in mainstream comics. But don’t let that turn you away from what lays on the pages of this new number one.
Percy kicks off this new series with a bang, holding back nothing, and introducing us to a Castle seeking to find himself acting in more of a reflexive manner instead of what we have seen from the character in the past. We all know that this series would feature Castle taking some lives, but we get different version of the character that has a bit more depth to him and allows us to dive into a new tale featuring one of the most well known vigilantes in pop culture.
Punisher sees just enough brutality and gore to know we are deep within a Punisher comic, but goes just far enough not to make it something you’d shy away from. You get the no holds barred action you’d expect from Castle, but also a bit of emotional moments where Frank is searching for who he is. Not to mention the outstanding return of Jigsaw.
While I am in love with what Percy has done with the character, it’s the artwork from Soares that made this comic standout. Soares’ top-notch illustrations draws you into the streets of the city with tremendous detail and attention. It’s more than I would expect to come from a Punisher comic, but I was here for every moment. The amount of detail shown in the back alleys of the city as well as in the more gruesome panels was nothing short of perfection.
Writer Benjamin Percy and artist José Luis Soares have carved a spot for Punisher in the world of Marvel Comics that brings the character up to the level he deserves. With a brutal and somewhat emotional premiere issue of a new on-going series, Punisher is a must-read comic.
Punisher #1 hit local comic shops on February 25, 2026 from Marvel Comics.
Punisher #1 Preview
