9 Classic Marvel Characters The Punisher Has Killed
Exploring Frank Castle's bodycount.
There's something about an unhinged ex-marine who shoots first and asks questions later that really stands out in world of spandex-clad boy scouts and do-gooders, and that's always been the appeal of The Punisher.
When Frank Castle made his Marvel Comics debut in 1974's Amazing Spider-Man #129, hired to put a bullet in Spidey, he wasn't so much a breath of fresh air as gale-force wind straight from the depths of hell. His tragic backstory and willingness to do what most Marvel characters never could saw him become an instant hit with fans, and his growing popularity ushered in a new age of anti-heroes in the world of comics.
Aside from a brief lull in popularity in the '90s, Punisher and his iconic skull insignia have been mainstays in the Marvel Universe for over five decades, featuring in mini-series, ongoing series and major crossover events across the generations.
What most of these outings have in common is a high bodycount, and it isn't just gangsters who have ended up in Frank's crosshairs. From time to time, comic book royalty has died by his hand, like this bunch of hapless heroes and villains...
9. Spider-Man
Although Spider-Man and Punisher have teamed up numerous times, the pair don't always see eye to eye, and that's hardly surprising considering Frank Castle tried to murder Spidey when they first met. Talk about getting off on the wrong foot.
On that occasion, Peter's Spider Sense saved him from a Punisher bullet and the pair later joined forces to take down the Jackal, the story's big bad, but Marvel has also explored what would have happened if the assassination attempt was successful.
This scenario played out in the 1994 alternate universe title What If The Punisher Had Killed Spider-Man? This time, Frank rigged a Doctor Octopus dummy with an explosive device and blew Spidey to oblivion, only to die in the proverbial fallout.
Sometime after the wall-crawler's death, Punisher realises he took out the wrong guy and goes after the Jackal. He put a permanent end to the villain, but finishes up on the wrong side of a fatal NYPD gunshot during this act of vigilantism.
In a sense, failing to kill Spider-Man saved Frank Castle's life.