The Punisher (2026-) #1

Punisher (2026) (Single Issues)

by Benjamin Percy, José Luís Soares (Artist), David Márquez (Cover Art)

CRIME'S WORST NIGHTMARE IS BACK IN AN ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES! As unflinching and uncompromising as ever, Frank Castle's memory is damaged and he's hunting for answers and criminals alike! He'll get more than he bargained for of both when the notorious and bloodthirsty JIGSAW returns…with THE PUNISHER dead in his sights!

Genres: Comics, Marvel, Graphic Novels

Kindle Edition

Published February 25, 2026

About the author

Benjamin Percy is the author of seven novels -- most recently The Sky Vault (William Morrow) -- three short fiction collections, and a book of essays, Thrill Me, that is widely taught in creative writing classrooms. He writes Wolverine, X-Force, and Ghost Rider for Marvel Comics. His fiction and nonfiction have been published in Esquire (where he is a contributing editor), GQ, Time, Men's Journal, Outside, the Wall Street Journal, Tin House, and the Paris Review. His honors include an NEA fellowship, the Whiting Writer's Award, the Plimpton Prize, two Pushcart Prizes, the iHeart Radio Award for Best Scripted Podcast, and inclusion in Best American Short Stories and Best American Comics.

Reviews

[James]

Decent first issue. Nothing mind blowing or anything. Frank is back in NY and the Jigsaw has a new plan to become the big boss of the city.Some nice artwork tho. I’m sure I’ll check out the trade.

[Rory C]

I read this on a whim and found myself really enjoying it.

The Punisher is a character that Marvel has messed around with a lot over the years (which, to be fair, is what happens to most of Marvel's characters) so it's good to see the Frank Castle potentially coming back to his roots. I like how he seems messed up and quite nasty. It's a reason I don't think he shouldn't be made a part of the general super hero community and why his inclusion in Spider-Man: Brand New Day doesn't feel right to me (Daredevil would have made far more sense...)

I liked that the art was grungy and detailed, with the scene in which Jigsaw revealed himself to Tombstone satisfyingly horrific and the story gave me enough that I wanted to continue reading straight away. One disclaimer though would be the fact this story was the direct continuation of a recent mini-series but you just have to accept that you'll never be a properly clean start for a series even when it's a number 1.

Honestly, the most enjoyable Marvel comic I've read recently.

*Read digitally on Marvel's Unlimited app

[Craig Schorling]

This picks up immediately after the red band series and isn't really a new series starting at number 1. That feels a little disingenuous. What is here is good. Dark tones, action and violence, and good art. Excited to see how this continues to play out.

[David Treichel]

Really like the visuals and the dark tone

[Jason]

4.5
Strong start! A good Punisher story has some good social commentary.

I enjoyed the Aaron limited series a good deal.

Hope it stays strong. Percy's a good fit.

[Neil Pearson]

Another Punisher #1 and it turns out yet another "false" relaunch of a title as this blatantly continues from the miniseries that only finished earlier this month and with the same writer. Editorial at least tells us where to find out several key things such as Frank's injury and apparent betrayal by Microchip. What I don't understand is how a non "red band" title requires the reader to pick up a "red band" book in order to get the background. Now, I imagine most readers are "mature" enough for this to be a non-issue but it still strikes me as a very odd approach. Maybe the "red band" wasn't selling well enough and they hope a more "all ages" book will perform better? Still, it's an odd thing to do.
That's not to say this book isn't violent, it still very much is and the swearing is present but in @£ mode so it probably is business as usual for the author. In that sense, Percy does a great job of delivering a crowd pleasing what fans demand of a Punisher book including a little bit of netflix/MCU synergy. Percy usually does a great job over time with his titles so I wouldn't be surprised if this develops with time. It fits well with the "Moon Knight" corner of marvel at the moment in that it's fairly street level and dark/gritty.

I can't fault the art - it's a little David Finch style but works well with a non superhero title. I like how they resist the temptation to depict Jon Bernthal but stick with the classic look instead. The colouring is a bit dark in places (it's mostly set at night or in prison cells) but clear for the most part.

I think if it had been a cleaner start and not just a continuation I'd have been more inclined to see how the title develops. It's not a bad book and is very "Punisher" but lacked a hook for me. Given "Wade Wilson: Deadpool" also launched this month, was by the same author, I'd be more inclined to pick that title up next month.

For those who enjoyed the red band book I presume they'd enjoy this unless they really want to see the swearing in print. I also think those wanting a Punisher that is Frank Castle, not magical/cosmic, not a comedy, and not wringing it's wrists about the use of the Punisher symbol in the real world , will po

Overall = 2/5
Writing = 2/5
Art = 4/5

Will I read the next issue? No

Wait for the trade collection? Given the price of this issue and not a great deal happening I'd probably collect trades rather than single issues.

Did I need to read previous issues/series? Yes, this is a marvel ongoing masking as a new series.


Will I read previous issues? I probably need to read the recent "red band" miniseries if I want to understand Frank's injury.

[Connor]

Marvel need to seriously get their shit together because DC is seriously giving them a Whuppin to remember. Stop constantly relaunching titles when theres no good reason to, that includes The Punisher which was on Red Band before this Punisher does not need to be Red Band bagged he should automatically be a Red Band character he's a mean son of a bitch so he should already be for mature audiences. That isnt a slam on this book because it is good that is just a slap on the wrist to the Marvel higher ups alienating long time fans over casual fans who really dont give too much of a shit about comic books.

So this takes place following on from The Punisher: Red Band. Tombstone has a puzzling visitor at Ryker's Island and Frank Castle is still dealing with the fallout of being mind controlled by Kingpin.

[RubiGiráldez RubiGiráldez]

Y aquí está de vuelta... Aunque Benjamin Percy mantenga a Frank un "poco tocado" de su manipulación mental para ser el mejor brazo ejecutor de Kingpin, este número reasienta al personaje en su perfil clásico (y rutinario) de azote del crimen. Por supuesto, tras deshacerse de los grandes capos como Fisk o Lápida, un vacío de poder tan tremendo necesita ser rellenado. Y por supuesto que más vale viejo conocido...

No hay mucha sorpresa o cosa que destacar. Soy de quienes la etapa de Jason Aaron realmente proponía algo más interesante y renovador con El Castigador de lo que Marvel ha decidido pasando de atender a los problemas de nuestra realidad a ciertas quejas de lectores... De todas formas, sabiendo que estamos en "más de lo mismo" que por lo menos tenga mejor nivel que la miniserie previa.

[Marcus]

Frank is back….but without his memories intact? Meanwhile he’s not the only one making a resurgence in New York as an old for returns to settle scores and make a grab for power.

I havnt kept up with the punisher comics so what’s going on with Frank is new to me. That being said I was able to get into the issue easily. The art and the vibe are excellent here, I friggin loved how the back alleys and dirty streets are showcased here. They feel lonely and desolate, even more so with Frank wandering around driven by his phantom habits to make evil doers quiver.

I’m curious where things will go from here.

[jeff]

i really am enjoying how the punisher is being written as of recently. it feels fresh after so long of being stuck in a box of one thing that kept getting on my nerves. this bounces back directly from punisher: red band and it does a good job tying everything together. i think benjamin percy is a blessing in disguise for frank castle, 'cause i been complaining for too long about him being poorly written. i am very much enjoying where this seems to be going with micro and jigsaw being back.

[Ale]

Creo que mejora lo propuesto en Red Band. Castle continúa en una línea similar, pero esta vez el villano resulta más grotesco y, sobre todo, hay un mayor peso dramático en los conflictos internos del personaje. Se nota cierta influencia del Punisher MAX de Ennis, tal y como el propio Percy ha reconocido.

Yo estoy bastante dentro, especialmente después de un final impactante. De las pocas series actuales que realmente me interesan y de las que tengo ganas de ver cómo continúan.

[Nolan McNulty]

Woooooo yeah, I’m excited for this run. Jigsaw working with Tombstone hunting down Punisher sounds like a fun time. I also really liked how Frank rarely spoke in this issue, thought it was a cool thing because he still played a cool role. I think I should probably go back and finish the Red Band series though…

[Madeesonxoxo]

“ You know how, when people almost die, they see a light at the end of a tunnel? I saw a light at the end of a tunnel. And in that light was a different life than the one I been living.”

sorry y’all lowkey meeting me a very jigsaw time in my life 😕

[Xaanua]

: buen lanzamiento. Historia con tres capas diferentes. por una parte la de Punisher, que necesita la ayuda de un amigo para fijar su cerebro. luego la periodista que cubre las noticias. y un enemigo que quiere acabar con Punisher. Violencia a raudales

[vk chompooming]

This is written by the same guy who wrote Punisher Red Band, Benjamin Percy. This is a continuation of that limited run and it may b better than the Red Band issues. The artwork is crisp and visceral. The story is engrossing. I hope this series stays on top.

[Andy Waldron]

frank is back baby!! some familiar tropes being retread here but this is still a promising start. good art too!

[Ushnav Shroff]

Fun!

[alejandro galvez]

Frank the Tank!

Its been long overdue but Frank is back! I hope he sticks around this time. Too good of a character to keep in the dark. Lets do this!

[Vijay Williams]

...ok.

[Mikey Baker]

You really need to read the red-band before reading this.

[Kevin Halter]

Decent artwork and story, the return of a dangerous enemy, and a wounded Frank Castle
It feels like classic Punisher is back.

[David Dalton]

From from Red Band! My kind of Punisher! Pure action!

[Blue]

I probably should've finish reading punisher red band before starting this....

[Anthony Lacroix]

the draw is very cool, like a poster in must of the pages, but the script have, because of that effect on the readers, a lot of hole.