25 Years Ago, this Greatest Ever Punisher Story Kicked Off the Anti-Hero’s Best Era

by

I’ve always been fascinated by the Punisher. He first showed up way back in an old Spider-Man comic in 1974 as just a villain, a hired gun after Spidey. But then, in the ’80s, he really took off as this incredibly popular anti-hero. It made sense to me, because that decade was all about big, explosive action movies, and the Punisher fit right in. What really set him apart was that he actually killed bad guys – something heroes hadn’t really done in a long time. Honestly, I think he changed the whole game for superheroes, and people still debate whether his methods are justified. He’s been controversial ever since, and I think that’s part of what makes him so compelling.

Despite the debate surrounding his brutal methods, The Punisher has become one of Marvel’s most beloved characters over the past half-century. He’s a star in comics, movies, and more, all thanks to the consistently strong stories he’s been featured in. Frank Castle is a compelling character who has appeared in a wide variety of narratives, with many fans considering Garth Ennis’s run as the definitive era. This began 25 years ago with the acclaimed The Punisher (Vol. 5) #1-12, a story arc titled “Welcome Back, Frank” that revitalized the character after a period of less successful portrayals.

“Welcome Back, Frank” Is a Brutal and Entertaining Return to Form

I remember when the Punisher was HUGE back in the early nineties! He was right up there with the X-Men and Spider-Man. But things changed quickly at Marvel, and sadly, the Punisher started to slip. The stories just became repetitive, you know? It always felt like the same old thing. Then came this storyline called “Over the Edge” where they had Frank Castle going up against Nick Fury and a bunch of other heroes. Honestly, it was a disaster. It really tanked the series and, for a while, it felt like it even meant the end for the Punisher himself.

In 1998, Frank Castle, the Punisher, got a fresh start with the launch of the Marvel Knights comic line. Marvel brought in Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti to oversee a series of comics featuring characters who weren’t performing well, including Daredevil, Black Panther, the Inhumans, and the Punisher. A new Punisher series (Vol. 4) attempted to reinvent the character with a horror twist, portraying him as an angelic being who hunted demons. While the acclaimed artist Bernie Wrightson illustrated the story, the weak storyline didn’t resonate with fans, who felt it strayed too far from the Punisher they knew.

At DC Comics, Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon were wrapping up their hit series Preacher when Marvel recruited them for a new Punisher story as part of the Marvel Knights line. Ennis and Dillon were famous for blending beautifully written, insightful moments with wildly over-the-top action, and their comics always balanced humor and genuine emotion. While Punisher (Vol. 5) wouldn’t be as unrestrained as their Vertigo work, fans had a feeling this series would be something extraordinary – and they weren’t wrong.

“Welcome Back, Frank” was the ideal title for this story. It captured the Punisher we’d grown to love, but with an added intensity thanks to Garth Ennis’s powerful writing. This was Frank Castle at his absolute best, brought to life by Dillon’s incredible artwork. The visuals were stunning and truly immersive. It’s a standout 12-issue run in Marvel history, offering a complete and compelling story from start to finish. It was smart, thrilling, moving, and even funny – everything a Punisher fan could ask for, and it launched the character’s most impressive period.

Ennis Would Go On to Revolutionize the Punisher

“Welcome Back, Frank” quickly became a classic. I recall all the buzz surrounding its release. At the time, my local comic shop had closed, and Wizard magazine was my only connection to the comic world, so I had to wait for trade paperbacks. When I finally read it, I understood the hype – it presented a Punisher character that was truly compelling. Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon clearly understood and respected the character, and their work really showed. Fans wanted more, and Marvel delivered.

Fans really enjoyed the return of Ennis and Dillon on Punisher (Vol. 6), a popular Marvel Knights series. It was a fantastic run that re-established the Punisher as a strong solo character. Darick Robertson later took over the art, and the quality remained high. Ennis eventually got to work on a MAX series, which allowed for even more intense storytelling, and it was a great fit. For several years in the 2000s, we got a string of excellent Punisher stories that truly shaped the character, thanks to creators who were invested and willing to take risks. It all started with the hugely successful “Welcome Back, Frank” storyline – and it certainly lived up to its name.

https://comicbook.com/comics/news/10-greatest-marvel-stories-of-the-2020s/embed/#

Read More

2025-12-27 01:15