The Punisher Finally Gets His Own Joker in Marvel Comics

It’s unrealistic to expect every villain to be as chaotic as The Joker, but it’s interesting to think about which Marvel villain could be considered The Punisher‘s greatest enemy. A sneak peek at an upcoming Marvel project suggests we might have found that villain.

In the latest issue of Punisher, Billy Russo, also known as Jigsaw, makes his comeback. Frank Castle is still recovering from being mind-controlled by Kingpin and Tombstone, which forced him to work as a mercenary. This manipulation makes it difficult for him to fight Jigsaw, an enemy from his past.

Billy Russo, now known as Jigsaw due to severe facial scars, targets his old enemy, hoping to fill the power vacuum left by the criminals The Punisher recently eliminated. He also possesses incredibly lifelike masks, letting him convincingly disguise himself as anyone – a skill remarkably similar to another’s.

Jigsaw has a horrifying plan for The Punisher, reminiscent of a classic horror movie. He wants to steal The Punisher’s identity by surgically removing his face and wearing it as a mask, allowing him to commit crimes while appearing to be The Punisher.

This idea also subtly echoes Scott Snyder’s 2011 run of Detective Comics during the New 52 era. But, more importantly, the way Russo acts against Castle mirrors the complicated and often violent relationship Batman has with the Joker.

Jigsaw’s Ruthlessness Proves That The Punisher Killing Him Would Be Meaningless

Wow, Punisher #5 really shook things up! I’ve seen Billy Russo go head-to-head with the Punisher a lot, but this issue showed a totally different side of him. He wasn’t just seeking revenge – he was genuinely craving power, and he was way more brutal than I’ve ever seen him before. It’s a real turning point for the character, honestly.

Jigsaw has publicly stated that with Kingpin and Tombstone gone, a power gap opened up in the city’s criminal world. He sees an opportunity to take control, but realizes he can’t do it as long as The Punisher is still around.

Batman consistently thwarts The Joker’s attempts to throw Gotham City into complete disorder, but their connection goes much deeper than just being enemies.

Simply eliminating crime by removing one villain like The Joker wouldn’t solve the problem; another dangerous person would inevitably rise to challenge those who oppose them. Jigsaw’s reappearance, aiming to become the new top criminal, demonstrates that Frank Castle will always face new enemies, no matter how many he defeats.

Benjamin Percy, known for his work on DC’s Green Arrow, is currently writing Marvel’s Punisher comic. He’s also contributed to other Marvel titles like X-Force, Wolverine, and Ghost Rider. In addition, Percy has written stories combining Marvel characters with the Predator alien.

The art for The Punisher is created by Jose Luis Soares, a penciller known for his work on Daredevil, and Sergio Davila, who has illustrated various Marvel titles including Werewolf By Night and X-Vengers. Oren Junior, who previously collaborated with Soares on Conquest 2099, and Jonas Trindade, who has worked with both Soares and the writer on multiple projects, provide the inking.

Punisher #5 hits the shelves on June 17.

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2026-06-16 19:22