Marvel Comics: Ares turned Frank Castle into the Punisher

Marvel Comics Punisher No. 6 explains how Ares had a hand in starting Frank Castle’s never ending war. 

The story of how Frank Castle became The Punisher is one of Marvel Comics’ most tragic origins. On a fateful day, he took his family to the park for a picnic. While there, he, his wife, and his kids were caught in the middle of a gang war. Frank was the only person in his family that survived the onslaught of bullets.

For years, this is where the Punisher was born. However, Garth Ennis and now Jason Aaron have a different interpretation of how the Punisher was created.

Punisher Born

Garth Ennis’ Punisher: Born is where Castle was on his last tour during the Vietnam War. While there, a mysterious voice kept speaking to him. It was telling him that they could help him continue his war forever. No one knew who the voice speaking to him was. While close to death, the voice said that they could save him and let Frank carry on with his war. However, it would come at a price. With blood in his mouth and fury in his heart, Frank said yes.

At the end of the story, the Punisher Skull formed around his family. That’s when readers found out that Frank’s family was the cost to continue his war.

Jason Aaron continued and concluded Garth Ennis’ Punisher Max series. Instead of Frank being happy when he returned home, he was numb. He didn’t know how to be a father or husband. He didn’t even know how to love some. Inside him was a need to hurt people.  Jason Aaron wrote that Frank took his family to the park to tell his wife he was leaving her. A twist to the tale that had been canon for decades.

Punisher Max may have been in a different reality, but it looks like there was someone speaking to Frank. Apparently, the Greek God of War, Ares was the voice speaking to him. Not only that,

Punisher: Disciple of War

"“It was war that made you all those years ago. And I am War”-Ares"

In the newest Punisher comic (written by Jason Aaron), Frank Castle became the Fist of The Hand. He is their leader and has been killing for The Hand for who knows how long. When Ares found out, he was disappointed. At first, it seemed like this was because Ares loved what and who Frank Castle was. In Marvel Comics Punisher No. 6, Ares reveals that he’s the one who created him all those years ago.

While Ares is beating Punisher unlike anybody has, the God of War tells him the truth. Ares informs Frank that he’s the reason for Frank’s bloodlust, unending war, and why he’s never died. Ares also reveals that he’s why his family died. That a sacrifice was made and undoing that (Frank’s wife being resurrected) made Frank Castle weak.

"“You were the purest of my disciples. You cast aside all Earthly things and devoted yourself solely to me. And in turn, I mad you a slaughterer of men ”-Ares"

Ares wasn’t exaggerating. In the world of Marvel Comics, gods exist and anoint people and Ares blessed Frank Castle. Imagine doing that just for that person to turn their back on you. It’s no wonder Ares was disappointed. He considered Frank his son. This won’t be the last time Ares and Frank Castle fight. Next time, The Punisher may not survive the encounter. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow for more on their war as it develops.

What do you think, readers? Does Ares creating the Punisher make sense? Let us know in the comments below.