The status quo was rocked when Marvel first announced The Punisher: Red Band would not only bring back Frank Castle’s iconic skull, but do it in a mature-readers miniseries. Frank clearly made an impression, with writer Benjamin Percy continuing his blood-fueled adventure into a brand new The Punisher series this February.
Marvel confirms the new series will pair Percy with artist José Luis Soares (the upcoming Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger), and continuing the storyline set to reach its killer crescendo in December with The Punisher: Red Band #5. Considering the risk of spoilers, details are scarce, but the first David Marquez cover art depicts Frank restored to full glory, with the synopsis confirming the return of an iconic Punisher villain:
CRIME’S WORST NIGHTMARE RETURNS! 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!
The New Punisher Series Keeps Frank Castle’s Bloody Return Rolling
The Anti Hero’s Return Began With Red Band #1 from Benjamin Percy and Julius Ohta
As fans will already be aware, 2025 saw the return of the Frank Castle comic fans know and love, transported back into the main Marvel Universe (don’t ask) but lacking any memories of who he was, or where he had been. The resulting drama turned bloody fast, and it’s that high-stakes, high-speed, arterial-spray action that Percy says fans can expect as the tale moves into this standalone book come February 2026:
“PUNISHER: RED BAND was a new beginning for Frank Castle—and an unrelenting assault. The book was polybagged, because it was a biohazard, dripping with blood. Now that you know we aren’t fooling around, we’re entering a new phase of storytelling that will serve both as a continuation of Red Band and a fresh start for new readers.
“I’m joined in the dark alleys and rusting warehouses of New York by José Luis on pencils and Oren Junior on inks. Jose is stretching his incredible art in a new direction, channeling all the grit and scars and shadows you’d expect from Frank’s cracked-window view of the world. You’ll be amazed and disturbed by the grounding detail and physical menace and brutal action he’s bringing to this story. And who better to cast as our villain—in a story about Frank picking up the broken, jagged pieces of himself—than one of the greatest Marvel baddies: Jigsaw. Get ready. This is gonna hurt.”
Considering the beating Frank Castle has already taken, the fact that Percy is promoting the coming battles as the ones to truly “hurt” will be all the reason fans need to mark their calendars, and pre-order Issue #1 from their local comic shops.
The Punisher is Only Building Momentum as Marvel’s Biggest Star
Marvel Comic Fans Can Add Yet Another Punisher Book To Their Reading Lists
On its own, the announcement of a new Punisher comic following a ‘return’ miniseries might not convey the soaring stock value of Frank Castle, at least among Marvel editorial. This means fans can add yet another standalone Punisher comic to their upcoming reads, continuing on from what must be unofficially referred to as Marvel’s “Punisher Christmas.” With not one, not two, not three, but four Frank Castle comics arriving throughout December, the publisher couldn’t help but announce a new book shipping two months later.
Starting with Marvel: Black, White & Blood and Guts #3 on December 3, Marvel Knights: Punisher #3 following on December 10, a tease of Soares’ art coming in Daredevil/Punisher: The Devil’s Trigger #2 on December 17, and rounding out the month with Percy and Ohta’s penultimate The Punisher: Red Band #4 on December 31. Best of all, this new series is just another piece to add into what will already be a Punisher-filled 2026 in movies and TV.
Even if it hurst, we doubt Frank Castle will mind when The Punisher #1 launches February 25 from Marvel Comics.