During today’s Heroes, Hulks, & Super-Soldiers panel today at San Diego Comic Con, Marvel Comics announced the upcoming debut of an all-new Punisher in their own ongoing series. The series is written by David Pepose, with art by Dave Wachter. Rod Reis provides the cover art for the first issue, which is set to drop in November.
Here’s how Marvel describes the new Punisher ongoing series:
Is this the return of Frank Castle—or the start of something else?
Frank Castle has disappeared, but evil will always need to be punished. With all-new threats rising to claim innocent victims, criminals will need to beware of a dangerous vigilante hunting them from the shadows. Who is the new Punisher? What put him on his path of vengeance? And when the smoke clears, will he even make it out alive?
This marks the second time writer David Pepose has written a Punisher who is not Frank Castle. During his time as writer on Savage Avengers, Pepose took a turn at writing Jake Gallows, the Punisher of 2099.
The news of a new Punisher ongoing series comes following the conclusion of the previous series last month. That series, from writer Jason Aaron and artists Jesus Saiz, Paul Azaceta, and Matt Hollingsworth, wrapped with Frank Castle apparently having given up being The Punisher. How the new series will pick up on threads left over by the previous creative team remains to be seen.
Check out design artwork for the new Punisher below. Punisher #1 is due out in stores and digitally in November.
UPDATE 8:45 PM EASTERN: Marvel has sent an official press release introducing the new Punisher. That PR is below.
Last week, Marvel Comics teased a single question: Who is the Punisher? Series writer David Pepose revealed the answer: Joe Garrison.
“The man might be different, but the punishment remains the same,” said Pepose. “I wanted to introduce the Danny Ketch to Frank’s Johnny Blaze.”
In this action-packed new PUNISHER saga, Frank Castle has disappeared, but evil will always need to be punished. With all-new threats rising to claim innocent victims, criminals will need to beware of a dangerous vigilante hunting them from the shadows. Enter a new Punisher: retired S.H.I.E.L.D. black ops agent Joe Garrison. But what brings him back into action? What put Joe Garrison on his path of vengeance? And when the smoke clears, will he even make it out alive?
Pepose continued, “I asked myself ‘How do we build a bigger table? And how do we invite as many readers as possible?’ For existing fans of the Punisher and for new fans, this is a story that’s not going to sacrifice any of the attitude, any of the action, and we are not letting the pedal off the metal.”
The Marvel Universe will meet the next generation of punishment this fall! Don’t miss the start of a new PUNISHER era on shelves at your local comic shop starting November 8.
Miss any of our earlier SDCC ’23 coverage? Find it all here!
