Back in 2023, writer Jason Aaron wrote a 12-issue Punisher series where Frank Castle led the Hand. In exchange, he was given superpowers, and Maria (his wife) was resurrected. He became so powerful that he even killed the Greek God of War, Ares. It seemed like a good deal for a while, but eventually, the superheroes of Marvel Comics stopped him. After that, Punisher went to Weirdworld and protected lost children.
In 2025, during Punisher: Red Band by Benjamin Percy, Frank returned to Earth, but without his memory. In issue No. 5, Wilson Fisk and Frank have a confrontation. Fisk tells Punisher that he knows what his enemy needs, and that’s a final big fight between the two of them. Rather than take his offer, the Punisher does the thing that everyone with common sense would have. He unleashes a barrage of bullets on the Kingpin. Finally, it looks like someone put down Fisk.
Yes, he will probably be back. No one stays dead for long, especially someone as popular as Kingpin. For now, there's a new player looking to become the Kingpin of Crime in New York, and it’s one of Punisher’s oldest enemies. Welcome back, Frank. Jigsaw has returned, too.
As Frank wanders New York without his memories, Jigsaw puts the skin of a dead lawyer on himself to visit the former New York Kingpin, Alonzo "Lonnie" Lincoln, aka Tombstone. Jigsaw tells Tombstone (who's in prison) to sign over all of his properties to him, or he’ll torture and kill Lincoln’s family. We don’t see the papers signed, but it’s clear that Tombstone does it because Jigsaw crosses Lonie off his list. The only person left to take out is his rival (and the person who scarred his face), Frank Castle.
As great as it is that Wilson Fisk is dead and that Punisher is back in action, things aren’t going well for Frank. Sure, he still has his skills and is killing the worst people in New York, but he doesn’t have his memory. All of his acts of violence have been him going on autopilot. Luckily, his old friend Micro (who Frank kept in a locked room) may be able to help him.
If people enjoy a comic character from a show or movie, they’re usually inclined to read the source material. At the very least, they'll look into them. So, instead of trying to buy decades of back issues, new fans can grab the most recent series that may only have half a dozen issues. It’s likely why this Punisher series, Stephanie Phillips’ Daredevil, and Alias: Red Band (starring Jessica Jones, written by Sam Humphries) are premiering to coincide with season 2 of Daredevil: Born Again. It’s a smart move that will certainly bring in readers.
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