Punisher: Welcome Back, Frank

by Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon (Illustrator)

The Punisher makes his return by eliminating the ruthless Ma Gnucci’s crime family — pursued by the NYPD’s two-detective Punisher Task Force, crazed contract killer the Russian and super hero Daredevil…and emulated by three copycat killers who want to join forces with him. The over-the-top action builds toward a showdown in the apartment building Frank shares with his colorful fellow residents. Castle must survive to finish his vendetta, making sure his neighbors aren’t caught in the crossfire while evil is punished. With this series, writer Garth Ennis and artist Steve Dillon — together with inker Jimmy Palmiotti and iconic cover artist Tim Bradstreet — gave the Punisher a redefining fresh start that once more made him a force to be reckoned with!

Collecting Punisher (2000) #1-12.

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels, Graphic Novels Comics

288 pages, Paperback

Published March 10, 2026

About the author

Ennis began his comic-writing career in 1989 with the series Troubled Souls. Appearing in the short-lived but critically-acclaimed British anthology Crisis and illustrated by McCrea, it told the story of a young, apolitical Protestant man caught up by fate in the violence of the Irish 'Troubles'. It spawned a sequel, For a Few Troubles More, a broad Belfast-based comedy featuring two supporting characters from Troubled Souls, Dougie and Ivor, who would later get their own American comics series, Dicks, from Caliber in 1997, and several follow-ups from Avatar.

Another series for Crisis was True Faith, a religious satire inspired by his schooldays, this time drawn by Warren Pleece. Ennis shortly after began to write for Crisis' parent publication, 2000 AD. He quickly graduated on to the title's flagship character, Judge Dredd, taking over from original creator John Wagner for a period of several years.

Ennis' first work on an American comic came in 1991 when he took over DC Comics's horror title Hellblazer, which he wrote until 1994, and for which he currently holds the title for most issues written. Steve Dillon became the regular artist during the second half of Ennis's run.

Ennis' landmark work to date is the 66-issue epic Preacher, which he co-created with artist Steve Dillon. Running from 1995 to 2000, it was a tale of a preacher with supernatural powers, searching (literally) for God who has abandoned his creation.

While Preacher was running, Ennis began a series set in the DC universe called Hitman. Despite being lower profile than Preacher, Hitman ran for 60 issues (plus specials) from 1996 to 2001, veering wildly from violent action to humour to an examination of male friendship under fire.

Other comic projects Ennis wrote during this time period include Goddess, Bloody Mary, Unknown Soldier, and Pride & Joy, all for DC/Vertigo, as well as origin stories for The Darkness for Image Comics and Shadowman for Valiant Comics.

After the end of Hitman, Ennis was lured to Marvel Comics with the promise from Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada that he could write The Punisher as long as he cared to. Instead of largely comical tone of these issues, he decided to make a much more serious series, re-launched under Marvel's MAX imprint.

In 2001 he briefly returned to UK comics to write the epic Helter Skelter for Judge Dredd.

Other comics Ennis has written include War Story (with various artists) for DC; The Pro for Image Comics; The Authority for Wildstorm; Just a Pilgrim for Black Bull Press, and 303, Chronicles of Wormwood (a six issue mini-series about the Antichrist), and a western comic book, Streets of Glory for Avatar Press.

In 2008 Ennis ended his five-year run on Punisher MAX to debut a new Marvel title, War Is Hell: The First Flight of the Phantom Eagle.

In June 2008, at Wizard World, Philadelphia, Ennis announced several new projects, including a metaseries of war comics called Battlefields from Dynamite made up of mini-series including Night Witches, Dear Billy and Tankies, another Chronicles of Wormwood mini-series and Crossed both at Avatar, a six-issue miniseries about Butcher (from The Boys) and a Punisher project reuniting him with artist Steve Dillon (subsequently specified to be a weekly mini-series entitled Punisher: War Zone, to be released concurrently with the film of the same name).

Taken from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Garth_Ennis

Reviews

[Benji's Books · Rating 5 out of 5]

The definitive Punisher book and a great starting point for the character. Garth Ennis has always written the best Punisher stories, from his very first time writing him, seen here in "Welcome Back, Frank", a collection of the 12-issue miniseries.

He would then go on to write the Marvel Knights Punisher series for a while and then finally his MAX run on the character, aimed for adults, which many consider (including myself) to be the greatest run on the character out there.

Steve Dillon's artwork is fantastic in here too and really works for the gritty, often comedic storytelling that Ennis does best. They truly were a superb duo whenever they became the creative team on something.

Highly recommended.

[Iain · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just the right amount of dark humour, action, interesting characters, and a little bit of thought about vigilante justice. Great fun and looks great. Frank Castle jumps straight up towards the top of my graphic novel/comic reads.

[Nicholas Dehler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really exceeded my expectations, it is so awesome! Ennis’ take on the brutal and unforgiving Punisher is very self aware. The plot’s included in this book are all excellent and really well integrated, from the vigilantes that take to the streets inspired by the Punisher’s return, the “task force” working on taking down the Punisher, and Frank Castle’s war against the Gucci crime family. Each plotline is very interesting and they all tie together extremely well. There is a ton of depth to the characters and narrative as well. Frank’s oddball, somewhat annoying neighbors grow to become memorable and even important characters in this story. Each of the vigilantes have intriguing ideals and unique origins. Detective Soap’s movie title game is such a small detail that adds so much depth to the book as they continue to play it throughout the book, interweaving it with regular conversations. That’s probably my favorite detail in this book honestly. The Punisher just looks really awesome here as well, and also is awesome lol the action is great and watching the Punisher operate is crazy. I was hoping I would like this book but i didn’t know I would love it so much. What a nice surprise!

[James Bateman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brutal Punisher classic

Garth Ennis’ Welcome Back, Frank is exactly the kind of Punisher story I was hoping for: violent, darkly funny, fast-paced and full of attitude. Frank Castle feels relentless, dangerous and completely uncompromising, but the story still has enough humour and character moments to stop it becoming one-note.

The artwork captures the tone brilliantly, with plenty of grit, action and expression throughout. It feels like a defining Punisher story and a great entry point for anyone wanting to understand why this version of Frank is so well regarded.

A brilliant read. Brutal, stylish and very easy to recommend.

[Arran Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Garth Ennis as it turns out is very good at writing Frank Castle. Steve Dillion’s art style is absolutely perfect for the Punisher, it feels incredibly New York City.

Welcome Back, Frank! is a stand out story and my third story that I have read of the Punisher. It’s quite self contained, has an interesting selection of side characters and beautiful, brutal violence that you come to expect from the character.

I found the three side villians that form the Vigilante Squad, to be very one note characters. The main villian being Ma Gnucci’s crime family was a highlight for me. I loved reading the fight between The Punisher and the Russian.

Daredevil does make an appearance in one of the issues and I finally know where the origin of the rooftop scene and the taped gun is from. I’m of course referring to the second season of Daredevil (2015-2018)

I do like these smaller volumes that I’ve been reading and adding to my collection, (DC Compact Comics) so I think it’s good that Marvel has started doing their own version. The book size works well for my shelf!

Collects The Punisher (2000) Issues #1-12

Marvel Premier Collection | Gareth Ennis

[Josh · Rating 2 out of 5]

just mean and ugly

[Chris Gooch · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never got around to reading Welcome Back Frank, however with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher: One Last Kill out early next month, I thought I’d finally sit down and read it.

This book has a reputation for being a peak Punisher story so I’ve always been concerned that it would not live up to the hype and be a disappointment.

Thankfully, it lives up to the hype. And why wouldn’t it? It’s Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon doing what they do best. A dark, cynical tale of madness that is so simple on the surface but managed so well. Social commentary told through the three vigilantes that are inspired by the Punisher could be ripped from today’s news and current discourse (the fact that it was written 25 years ago shows how little has actually change in society during that time…)

It’s also hard to deny just how influential this story has been to all TV and film iterations of Punisher since its release: From Daredevil being chained to a post with a gun duct-taped to his hand with a single bullet in the chamber, to The Russian vs Punisher kitchen fight, and I’d go as far as saying even with Punisher War Zone helped influence some of the more cartoonish villains in that film, along with some of the outlandish kills.

A great read. Not going to say anything that has been said before about this fantastic book, but it is definitely a must read for any fan of The Punisher. Knowing that Bernthal has used this as a basis for the Punisher one-shot special, it does make me wonder what, who and exactly how he plans to elements of this story. Especially with the inclusion of Ma Gnucci being cast as the villain - will they really go as far as to have her be ripped apart by polar bears in the New York Zoo only to survive and continue to be a dangerous threat as a limbless crime boss?

Only time will tell.

[Nick Pell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First dive into Marvel comics after reading a handful of the DC Compact Comics and I liked this a lot. I appreciated that it felt very self-contained and I didn't need to really know anything going in. Lots of creative kills too along with some funny lines here and there. Frank also makes for an interesting character. Very set in his ways and his vigilante mission but with the acceptance that he may very well be punished himself for all the death he's caused and seems to embrace it at times. Hope to see more of this version of the character in this premier collection eventually.

[Roman Colombo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven’t actually read a lot of Punisher comics, but this felt like a good start. I know enough about the Punisher to know that this is a classic Punisher story for a reason. It’s fast-paced and brutal. And Steve Dillon’s art is great too.

Definitely makes me want to read more Punisher comics.

[Tyler Gourdin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the quintessential story of this character. If you could only pick one to read, this one gives you the purest essence of who Frank is at his core. I’ve read it before and it was a pleasure to read again in this new collected edition.

[Zachary King · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably the single definitive Punisher comic. No past, no nuance; just Frank wrecking cartoonish bad guys because he needs to do it.

[Scott A. Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought I wasn't a fan of Garth Ennis or The Punisher, but this won me over on both fronts.

[Irwin Mesic · Rating 4 out of 5]

The most Punisher story you could read probably.

[Dylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hesitant to purchase and read this at first, unsure how much I’d like it. But with the Punisher Special coming out next week I thought what the heck — and my god was this worth it.

Insanely palatable read, I absolutely flew through it and could honestly go for much more. Great writing by Garth Ennis here, perfectly blends the violence with splashes of humour and levity. The art by Steve Dillon is standout too. Nothing extremely fancy, but very nice, clear imagery with plenty of detail within to seek out.

Franks characterisation is excellent here. As mentioned by Jon Bernthal in this editions foreword, through Frank we vicariously live the primal urges in life that the lowlife scum he slays evoke upon us. And even with the antagonist remaining simple enough for 12 issues it never even dares become a slight bore.

The “Vigilante Squad” were a fun side thread to this too — showing how despite Frank inspires these primal wants, it doesn’t make it necessarily the right thing to do.

[Gunther Ramysen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ik wist niet veel over The Punisher. Ik weet dat hij zijn familie is kwijtgeraakt en in het leger heeft gediend. Maar verder wist ik wel dat ik benieuwd was naar deze Welcome Back, Frank-run van Garth Ennis, Steve Dillon en Jimmy Palmiotti. En het heeft me absoluut niet teleurgesteld want wat een bad-ass is deze Frank Castle wel niet. Deze 12 comics werden mooi gebundeld in deze Marvel Premier Collection met een erg leuk voorwoord van acteur Jon Bernthal en Garth Ennis zelf. 12 Comics waarin The Punisher terug is en hij vooral een heuse tocht onderneemt om de genadeloze Ma Gnucci onderuit te halen. The Punisher is redelijk expliciet met de manier waarop een heleboel slechteriken doodgaan. Maar al bij al een erg leuke en entertainende verzameling die voor een klein prijsje te verkrijgen is als deel van de Marvel Premier Collection.

[Nick Billings · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was solid. Good enough story to carry you through to the end, some great action scenes and violence that is sometimes too over the top. This book does exactly what the foreword says that it does, give you an unapologetic look at Frank. The covers for these issues are breathtaking and some of my first memories of the punisher are the covers from this series. The interior art is not for me really but I boil it down to the coloring style of the 90s - 2000s. Also, some of the humor is incredibly dated to those times.

I just wish that it had something more to say. The final scene feels like Ennis is trying to make a statement but doesn’t really lead to any meaningful conclusion other than Payback was sloppy. Liked this, didn’t love it. Hope this isn’t the peak of the character but I’ll continue with Punisher comics. 4 Spacker Dave’s/ 5 Spacker Dave’s.

[Chad Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frank goes after Ma Gnucci and takes them all down.

[Eli Seibert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sophomoric.

[Reed · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best comics I've read in awhile