Marvel Comics Hot Pick Spotlight – Punisher #1

Punisher #1 – Release date 11-8-23
Marvel first introduced the Punisher character back in 1974 (Amazing Spider-Man #129). A simple calculation puts this character at 49 years old. It’s safe to assume that Marvel never thought back in 1974 that the character would be as pulverizing as it would become in recent times. The Punisher symbol itself was the onset of the “beginning of the end” for the cancelation of the character. Marvel fans have not seen nor heard of the character for a very, very long time. If you don’t know the whole story, Google it.
Since the dust settled a bit regarding the “symbolism” the Punisher stood for and how the court of public opinion perceives the character, Disney/Marvel have decided it’s time to forge ahead and try to bring one of its most iconic characters to a truer form back into the Marvel fold. They brought it back not too long ago, a few months back, with a “new look” chest symbol that didn’t bode too well with comic book fans. Disney/Marvel replaced the iconic weaponry of the Punisher guns with swords. This too did not bode too well either. Disney realized right away, through fan outcry, that they’d made a grave mistake and are looking to make it right THIS time around.
Along with a new Punisher chest symbol, one that is a tad closer to the one most fans are accustomed to seeing, the guns are back too. One major change here, this Punisher is not Frank Castle. Fans will be introduced to a new Punisher here. Who is the new guy? Where is he from? Why is he donning the Punisher gear? So many questions and we’ll have to await the answers. Some may be answered out of the gate in the debut issue, but we look forward to the unfolding of the new Punisher’s background throughout the series.
Writer David Pepose and artist Dave Wachter usher in the new era of the Punisher this Wednesday.