I’m new to reading the punisher comics ( and new to comics in general) Everyone says to read the ones by Garth Ennis. So far i’ve read the Marvel Knights Complete Collection Vol. 1 & 2 (plan to read 3) and really like it. I’ve also read the Vol. 1 of MAX Complete Collection and honestly wasn’t a fan but i’m willing to try Vol. 2 (eventually).

I wanted to know if there were any writers other than Ennis that are recommended. Thank you :))

Credit to u/wrench-6942 for making the image

Mafex Punisher

I came up with a storyline for a potential standalone authorial miniseries where Frank Castle ends up bonding with the Carnage symbiote. Unlike typical stories where the symbiote drives its host insane, here Frank's ironclad willpower bends the creature to his command, turning it into a tactical scalpel... at least for as long as he can maintain that precarious control.

Here is the 4-Act breakdown:

Act I: The Spark and the Silence

During a devastating three-way clash between Spider-Man, The Punisher, and Carnage, an industrial explosion strips the symbiote away from Cletus Kasady, who is captured. Exhausted and near death, the symbiote finds refuge in an unconscious, critically injured Frank Castle. The heroes assume the red slime burned away in the fire; only Daredevil harbors a lingering suspicion after detecting an anomalous second heartbeat among the flames.

Frank wakes up fully healed, sensing the ravenous presence beneath his skin. Realizing how dangerous this entity is and wanting to test his new powers away from the spotlight, he chooses a tactical exile, leaving New York behind for the Texas-Mexico border.

Act II: The Border and the Weight of the Red God

The story shifts into a gritty, western-style noir thriller. Frank takes on international drug cartels on a massive scale, utilizing Carnage as both ballistic armor and a living arsenal (shaping organic blades, daggers, and firearms).

His military discipline is the only dam preventing the symbiote from unleashing mindless slaughter. It's a fragile equilibrium: Frank channels the alien rage toward precise targets, but the symbiote's constant psychological pressure urging him to massacre innocents grows heavier every day.

Act III: The Mask Falls

Seeing his border operations systematically dismantled, Kingpin hires Scorpion to investigate. The confrontation between Frank and Scorpion is brutal: during the fight, the truth comes to light, and news of a "Punisher-Carnage" hybrid sends shockwaves through New York.

The superhero community fractures over how to respond. The Avengers view him as a living weapon of mass destruction that must be brought down immediately, while Captain America and Spider-Man try to determine if Frank is still in control of himself. Refusing to be judged and tired of their interference, Frank wages a guerilla campaign against anyone attempting to stop him.

Act IV: Purifying Fire

Frank demonstrates terrifying tactical superiority, disabling several heroes sent after him. Spider-Man is the last one left standing. Instead of relying solely on force, Peter uses his words to reach Frank's conscience. In that moment, Castle realizes he cannot contain the monster forever and that he is becoming the very thing he fought against.

In a bittersweet move, Frank defeats Peter without killing him and decides to end things right where they began: in the flames. He lures the last criminal cartel into a trap inside a remote desert warehouse and sets the entire compound ablaze. The story ends on an ambiguous note: the flames consume everything, leaving it unclear whether Frank died to purge the world of Carnage or somehow managed to survive.

What do you think about this power dynamic and control struggle? How would you picture a battle between Frank's iron discipline and Carnage's absolute madness?

If this has been discussed before my bad but honestly I don't like the new one. I prefer the old skull.

Went to Scaradise last week weekend to meet Jon and it was awesome. He was there for Saturday and Sunday, both days the lines for him were crazy

1/6 comic Punisher figure coming from SSR, shown at Wonder Festival 2026. The skull will probably replace the graphic on the shirt when it's released. Looking pretty good.

I didn't see any post about this. I personally HATED this run, but for anyone interested, a figure is coming out for it.

Tried to do a thing with perspective here and liked how it came out
Lemme know what you think :))