Daredevil Season 2: 10 Reasons This Is The Definitive Punisher

Enough time has now passed since the premiere of Daredevil Season 2 that we’ve all had time to binge and digest and can now reflect on what worked and what didn’t. While there may be some debate on how the new season stacked up to the previous one, it seems that above all else, most people agree that it gave us an amazing iteration of the Punisher.

This is the fourth screen version of Frank Castle we’ve seen since 1989. It becomes very difficult to give a fresh and exciting take on a character that audiences have seen so often (something that Batman V Superman has learned) and it’s even more of a challenge given the fact there has yet to be a satisfying interpretation of the beloved character.

But Marvel and Netflix have pulled it off to great acclaim. It’s hardly controversial to say this was the best version of Frank Castle and the Punisher that we’ve be given, but what made him the best? 

The answer is a combination of things that melded together into something special. With a mixture of smart writers, respect for the character and a solid actor, let’s look at why this is the best Punisher ever.

One strength of the Marvel Cinematic Universe that continuously puts them ahead of their competition is their stellar casting choices. Most all of Marvel’s heroes have been perfectly cast, from franchise juggernauts like Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark to more supporting heroes like Paul Bettany as The Vision. This trend continues with the selection of Jon Bernthal as The Punisher.

Bernthal showed his considerable talent as Shane in the first few seasons of the Walking Dead and has since been impressing critics and audiences in films like The Wolf of Wall Street, Fury and Sicario. When it was announced he would be taking the role of Marvel’s most merciless vigilante, no too many people were complaining as Bernthal had the look, the skills and the intensity to do the character justice.

Now that we’ve seen the final product, it is clear the fans’ faith was well placed.

None of the previous Punisher actors were particularly bad (Dolph Lundgren may have been a miscast), but they all pale in comparison to what Bernthal brought to the table. He effortlessly pulled off the soft-spoken tough guy in intimidating fashion, and he certainly carried himself well in the action sequences. But it was in Frank Castle’s quieter moments, when he reluctantly opens up about his past loss, that Bernthal really made his mark.

Here’s hoping it’s not too long before he’s back in the role again.