- Written by: Benjamin Percy
- Art by: Julius Ohta
- Colors by: Yen Nitro
- Letters by: VC’s Cory Petit
- Cover art by: Marco Checchetto, Matthew Wilson (cover A)
- Cover price: $4.99
- Release date: September 10, 2025
The Punisher #1, published by Marvel Comics in 2025, opens with an amnesiac Frank Castle, wounded and confused, fighting for his life. His actions start a gang war, but his actions may not be within his control.
First Impressions
This issue is a bloody and brutal start, immediately grabbing you and refusing to let go and living up to the “Red Band” logo on the cover. The art is grim, and the story is even grimmer, creating a sense of unease that lingers long after you’ve finished reading. It’s not a comfortable experience, but it’s a memorable one that promises a relentless and violent journey ahead.
Plot Analysis
The story begins with an unnamed man, later identified as Frank Castle, waking up on a docked boat in the NYC harbor with no memory. He is grievously wounded and surrounded by dead bodies, with the lingering smell of sulfur in the air. He realizes he has been shot in multiple places, his weapon is empty, and he is losing blood quickly. He knows nothing of who he is or why he is there. When the police arrive, he jumps into the water and passes out.
We later learn the boat contains millions of dollars worth of drugs from Tombstone’s drug business. The gangster snatches up members of rival gangs and brutally tortures them for information about who is responsible. Elsewhere, Kingpin pays a visit to a priest and offers him the chance to kill himself for his involvement in human trafficking.
The next day, Frank washes up on shore and is found by an old woman walking her dog. He urges her to take him to her house for triage rather than go to a hospital. She complies. The issue ends with Frank learning, via the old woman’s examination, that his memory loss did not come from a gunshot to the back of his head, and the Kingpin activating his latest weapon.
Detailed Review
Writing
The writing is a highlight of this issue, with a narrative that is both mysterious and compelling. The dialogue is minimal, which works in favor of the story’s grim, silent protagonist. The internal monologue is used to great effect, revealing Frank’s skills and thought process even without his memories. The amnesia plot is a compelling hook, making the reader feel as lost and disoriented as the main character. It’s a sharp and effective script that pulls you into the story without a moment’s hesitation.
Art
The art in this issue is dark, gory, and gritty, perfectly capturing the brutal tone of the story. The linework is thick and heavy, and the colors are muted, relying on deep reds to accentuate the violence. The character designs are simple but effective. The art team effectively conveys emotion and character through the use of silent, action-based panels. The visual storytelling is strong enough to carry the narrative without needing a lot of dialogue.
Characters
Frank Castle is introduced as a blank slate, a man of action with no memory of his past. He is a force of nature, driven by instinct and a violent past that is only hinted at in brief flashbacks. The B-plots involving Kingpin and Tombstone weave together perfectly to set up a huge conflict to come.
Positives
The standout aspect of this comic is the way it uses the amnesia plot as a vehicle for character exploration. By stripping Frank of his memories, the creators are forced to show who he is through his actions, not his backstory. The silent, efficient violence that he dispenses is a powerful testament to his character, and it allows the art to do a lot of the heavy lifting in telling the story. The mystery surrounding Frank’s “injury” is also an excellent hook, as it leaves the reader with a number of questions and a desire for more.
Negatives
The most significant drawback is the over-reliance on a familiar amnesia trope, while ignoring what happened to Frank Castle in his previous miniseries. If you don’t remember, Frank previously gave up being the Punisher persona and took up residence on an alternate/alien world. No mention of how or when he returned isn’t even mentioned. While his memory loss serves a narrative purpose, it can feel like a cheap way to introduce a character and create a sense of mystery. The issue also ends abruptly, leaving a number of questions unanswered and not providing a satisfying conclusion to the first chapter. While the cliffhanger is effective, it feels more like a fragment of a larger story rather than a complete, standalone issue.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.Follow @ComicalOpinions on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter
Final Thoughts
The Punisher #1 is a strong and violent debut that sets the stage for a compelling new run. The writing is sharp, and the art is perfectly suited to the brutal subject matter. While the plot relies on a well-worn trope and completely fails to explain how Frank returned, it’s executed with enough style and wit to make it feel fresh. This is a solid, if slightly predictable, start to a new chapter for the character.
8/10
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