Marvel's The Punisher: 31 Easter Eggs & References You Need To See

27. Welcome Back, Frank

At the very end of the first episode, Ebon Moss-Bachrach's Micro appears watching Frank's attack on the Gnucci family enforcers and greets him with a "Welcome back, Frank".

Fans will recognise that as the title of a 2000 Marvel Knights Punisher story written by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon, in which Frank "returns" after years of poor stories. The story sought to take him back to basics, getting rid of lots of silliness and focusing instead on a satirical portrait of a one man army with a vengeance.

Welcome Back, Frank also inspired both 2004’s The Punisher and 2008’s Punisher War Zone: the former in story and the latter in tone.