Marvel announces new Punisher (and it’s a shocker)
By Mark Lynch
Former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Joe Garrison will replace Frank Castle as the Punisher in Marvel Comics. Is this a good move or will this cause an uproar in the comic book community?
In the final issue of Jason Aaron’s Punisher, Frank Castle’s wife Maria chastised him for using her and their kid’s name to fuel his war on crime. That leads Castle to give up his title. It appears that his new mission is protecting kids in Weirdworld. He may no longer be punishing criminals, but his absence has left a void.
Marvel reported that a new Punisher would replace Frank Castle. However, the news was initially left as a mystery. That secret didn’t last long. During the Marvel: Heroes, Hulks, and Super-Soldiers panel at San Diego Comic-Con, it was revealed that a new original character, former S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent Joe Garrison, will fill Frank’s shoes.
JUST ANNOUNCED AT #MARVELSDCC: Frank Castle has disappeared, but a new Punisher saga begins. Joe Garrison, a retired S.H.I.E.L.D. black ops agent, is brought back into the action after his past rears its violent head. Read more: https://t.co/53vrhUEeoQ pic.twitter.com/my3d3SYCK1
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) July 21, 2023
In Marvel Comics, some characters will always exist. There are multiple futures where characters like Spider-Man, Captain America, and Black Panther have retired or passed their mantle to someone else. This could be the same for the Punisher. As Khonshu said in Moon Knight No. 10 (written by Charlie Huston), Frank was the avatar of a god. Jason Aaron’s story made that god Ares. That means someone has to become the newest Disciple of War. Instead of using a current character, Marvel created Joe Garrison to become the Punisher.