Marvel Comics has revealed that its ongoing Punisher series will begin in February, with a script by Benjamin Percy and art by Jose Luis Soares and inker Oren Jr. (Daredevil). The first arc, a continuation of Percy and Julius Ohta’s current miniseries Punisher: Red Band, finds Frank once again facing off against his archenemy Billy Russo, aka Jigsaw.
Punisher #1 (2026) Cover by David Marquez
As unflinching and uncompromising as ever, Frank Castle’s memory is damaged and he searches for both answers and the criminal. When the notoriously bloodthirsty Jigsaw returns, he’ll get more than he bargained for with both… a dead Punisher right in front of him!
Percy said, “‘Red Band’ was a new beginning for Frank Castle, a relentless attack. It was a bloody biohazard, and the book was in a plastic bag. Now that we know we’re not kidding, we’re entering a new phase of storytelling. It’s a sequel to ‘Red Band’ and a new start for new readers.”
“Jose stretches his incredible art, taking all the grit, scars, and shadows you’d expect from Frank’s Cracked Window worldview and taking it in new directions. You’ll be surprised and unsettled by the grounded detail, physical threat, and brutal action he brings to this story.” And who better to cast as our villain than Jigsaw, one of Marvel’s best villains, in a story where Frank picks up the broken and jagged pieces of himself?
The book cements Castle’s return to fame after his last run ended in 2019, and he had become an increasingly toxic figure thanks to his popularity among police officers and right-wing extremists, including those involved in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot. Castle was written by Jason Aaron, Jesús Sais, and Paul Azaceta in the Maxi series the following year, and featured a new incarnation of Joe Garrison. It was introduced in a series by David Pepose and Dave Wachter that aired from late 2023 to 2024.
But the tide clearly changed when Jon Bernthal returned to the MCU as the Punisher in this year’s Daredevil: Born Again, tackling head-on the issue of corrupt cops who worship him. Bernthal is set to reprise the role next year in (deep breath) Born Again Season 2, an untitled Disney+ special (also written by the actor), and Spider-Man: Brand New Day (in theaters July 31, 2026), so all in all, it’s definitely time for Marvel to bring back the Punisher mainline comic.
The new Punisher #1 will be released on February 25th and will feature David Marquez on the main cover. Red Band issue #4 will be available in advance on December 31st, and the series will conclude with part 5 on January 28th.
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