The Top 10 Punisher Stories Of All Time

Which Punisher stories go for the kill?

Not Available Lead
Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

Not Available Lead

The Punisher may not have the name value of Captain America or Spider-Man, who have blockbuster movies (he has three awful ones), but his simple, black and white skull shirt and Dirty Harry demeanor have accumulated a cult following and produced of the best comic books that Marvel has ever put out. The story of Frank Castle, a former Marine who engages in a one-man war on crime after his family is viciously gunned down in front of him, is one that strikes a chord with people due to its simplicity and grounded emotions. These tales tend to be more relatable than the typical superhero fare, and fans devour them every month. 

Armed with enough knives, pistols, machine guns, flamethrowers, rocket launchers, grenades, and bombs to equip a small army, the Punisher has graced Marvel stories for the past four decades. Originally appearing in Amazing Spider-Man #129 as a villain hired by the Jackal, the Punisher has been portrayed as a lone vigilante, a Spandex wearing superhero (ugh), a supernatural guardian angel, and he has even teamed up with Archie. But no matter how outlandishly some dork writes him, the character always retreats back to his grim, violent roots.

In honor of Marvel’s latest relaunch of The Punisher, featuring writer Greg Rucka and artist Marco Checchetto, we’re counting down The Top 10 Punisher Stories of All Time. Here’s a fun drinking game if you want to have your stomach pumped halfway through the list: simply take a shot for every story written by the legendary Garth Ennis. Like most Punisher villains, shots will have you laid flat in no time!

Written by Jason Serafino (@Serafinoj1)

10. VALLEY FORGE, VALLEY FORGE (2008)

Not Available Interstitial

9. UP IS DOWN, BLACK IS WHITE (2006)

Not Available Interstitial

8. KINGPIN (2010)

Not Available Interstitial

7. PUNISHER: YEAR ONE (1994)

Not Available Interstitial

6. THE CELL (2005)

Not Available Interstitial

5. THE SLAVERS (2005-2006)

Not Available Interstitial

4. CIRCLE OF BLOOD (1986)

Not Available Interstitial

3. WELCOME BACK, FRANK (2000-2001)

Not Available Interstitial

2. IN THE BEGINNING (2004)

Not Available Interstitial

1. BORN (2003)

Not Available Interstitial

Latest in Pop Culture