ORIGINALLY published on July 9, 2015 From InvestComics!

Netflix recently announced that Frank Castle a.k.a. The Punisher will make his way onto the Daredevil series. Good news for comic fans! The fans have responded well, and we decided it was time for a Punisher checklist.
As always, there will be comics that did not make the list. No big deal. If you have something to share or add to the list, please feel free to do so in our social media posts.

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Amazing Spider-Man #129 (1974) The first appearance, with a classic cover from Gil Kane, John Romita Sr., and Gaspar Saladino.

Amazing Spider-Man #134 (1974) The second appearance of the Punisher and the first appearance of the Tarantula.

Power Man Annual #1 (1976) Frank Castle is mentioned outside of a Spider-Man comic. Chris Claremont writes.

Amazing Spider-Man #162 (1976) The first appearance of the villain Jigsaw. He’ll go on to become one of Frank Castle’s main adversaries.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marvel Tales #106 (1979) The very first comic reprint of Punisher’s first appearance with the original cover from Spidey #129. The first of many Punisher origin reprints throughout the years.

Captain America #241 (1980) The first time Punisher appears in a comic other than a Spidey book in the Marvel Universe. An early Punisher appearance and classic too. The first comic cover the Punisher graces that is not Spider-Man related. Bob McLeod and Frank Miller cover.

Daredevil #181 (1982) The first appearance in the Daredevil title. This comic has it all. The death of Elektra, Bullseye appearance, Frank Miller writes, art, and cover. As explained in the Creator Spotlight: Frank Miller; Netflix already announced the Punisher will be making his way into the Daredevil series. This book here is all kinds of awesome already and any collector should already own one. Because of the characters and probable story line on the Netflix show, it would be wise to get one if you don’t have one yet……BUT that said, on the flip side, there are way, way too many copies of this comic available. Being too accessible puts it in the “New Mutants #98” category. So many copies, way overpriced. Be smart.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Punisher Limited Series (1986) The official breakout for the Punisher character. Everything changed after this limited series. Mike Zeck and Steven Grant took Castle to another level.

The Punisher #1 (1987) After the highly successful limited series, the Punisher received his own ongoing series. The series went on to last 104 issues. A very nice run indeed.

The Punisher #4 (1987) The first appearance of Microchip.

The Punisher #10 (1988) Daredevil appears for the first time in the regular Punisher series. A great story that features two sides of a battle. In this comic, Frank gives his side of the tussle with Matt. And in…..

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Daredevil #257 (1988) Matt shows readers what he thought of the encounter with Frank. Same story, two different perspectives. Kudos Marvel.

Marvel Age #67 (1988) Punisher/Wolverine/Namor cover. Jim Lee art. First Lee Punisher.

The Punisher War Journal #1 (1988) This successful series lasted 80 issues.

The Punisher War Journal #6 (1989) The first meeting ever between Wolverine and the Punisher. A two-part story. Covers by Jim Lee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power Pack #46 (1989) Punisher appears in the Power Pack comic? Yep! Pencils and cover by Whilce Portacio, words by Terry Austin.

What If…? #2 (1989) In this super cool Danny Fingeroth story, Punisher makes an appearance, and one of the coolest things about this comic? Pencils by Greg (Batman) Capullo.

The Punisher Return To Big Nothing (1989) is an Epic Comics graphic novel-sized. Awesome story here, told by Steven Grant. Pencils by Mike Zeck. And classic cover by Mike Zeck and Phil Zimelman.

Marc Spector Moon Knight #8 (1989) Castle’s first run in (of many) with the Moon Knight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Punisher War Journal #14 (1990) The very first time Spider-Man appears in a Punisher comic. A significant book here. And a Punisher/Spidey cover from Jim Lee, too!

Ghost Rider #5 (1990) First run in with the Ghost Rider. Jim Lee cover.

The Nam #52 (1991) “The Punisher Invades The ‘Nam”. When this storyline came out, it was huge. The story took readers back to Frank Castle’s roots in Vietnam.

Uncanny X-Men #272 (1991) The first time in an X-Men title. Jim Lee pencils.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

What If…? #26 (1991) ….What if the Punisher killed Daredevil?

Punisher P.O.V. (1991) A four issue mini-series from writer Jim Starlin and artist Bernie Wrightson.

Deathlok #7 (1992) The first meeting between the Punisher and Deathlok. A fabulous Denys Cowan cover as well.

Marvel Age #108 (1992) John Romita Jr. cover. Punisher included on cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Punisher War Zone #1 (1992) With his popularity booming at its peak, Punisher gets a third title. John Romita Jr. art, Chuck Dixon writes. The series would last 41 issues.

The Incredible Hulk #395 (1992): Frank Castle’s first-ever appearance in a Hulk comic. Written by Peter David and art by Dale Keown.

Quasar #42 (1993) A team-up with Quasar! Yes, it happened. Right here.

The Punisher: Origin of Microchip #1 (1993) Here’s an important comic if the Punisher ever takes off anyplace on Netflix and they take this particular origin. Microchip is an intricate part of the Punisher’s life.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Venom Funeral Pyre (1993) A three-part mini-series team-up with Venom.

What If…? #58 (1994) Punisher story; “The Day I Killed Spider-Man.”

Batman Punisher Lake of Fire (1994) The world’s greatest detective and the world’s most dangerous vigilante team up. Dennis O’ Neil writes and Barry Kitson pencils.

The Punisher Meets Archie #1 (1994) One of, if not the strangest, comic book character team-ups of all time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Punisher Batman Deadly Knights (1994) Another team-up with these two. This time with the creative team, writer Chuck Dixon and artist John Romita Jr. Joker and Jigsaw appearances.

The Punisher Year One (1994) Here is an awesome four-issue mini-series that any Punisher fan should definitely have.

Punisher Kills The Marvel Universe (1995) The title says it all, and it lives up to its billing. Maybe because Garth Ennis writes it. Still a very popular book today.

The Punisher #1 Marvel Knights 4 Issue Limited Series (1998) A four-issue mini-series. Pencils by Bernie Wrightson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Punisher #1 Marvel Knights 12 Issue Limited Series (2000). This 12-issue series was written by Garth Ennis.

The Punisher Painkiller Jane (2001) This one-shot was from the Marvel Knights imprint. Written by Garth Ennis and art by Joe Jusko.

Deadpool #53 (2001) The first meeting between the Punisher and Deadpool. Although they meet in this issue, Frank isn’t on the cover until the next issue. Deadpool #54 is a classic standoff cover between the two of them. Steve Dillon provides that cover.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Punisher #1 Marvel Knights Regular Series (2001) Garth Ennis writes and Steve Dillon pencils this new ongoing Marvel Knights series. The series would last 37 issues.

The Punisher vs. Bullseye (2006) A five part Marvel Knights story. First time these two are in a comic together as a solo story.

Punisher #1 (2009) Here is a new Punisher series that lasted 16 issues before the series changed its name over to a new title with issue #17……Franken-Castle. Yes. Franken-Castle. The cover to issue one here pays homage to Amazing Spider-Man #129.

Thunderbolts #1 (2013) Castle, never really a dude that beats to anyone’s drum, becomes a part of the Thunderbolts team here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Invest wisely. Read comics.
Carpe Diem.

Jay Katz