Punisher (Castle)

Profile

  • Real Name: Frank G. Castle (legally changed from Francis Castiglione)
  • AKA: Frank Rook, Charles Fort, Francis Stronghold, Johnny Tower, Ted Bishop, Frankie Villa,Cliff Callador, Big Nothing, Fred D’Amato, Mr. Chaloner, Frank Hut, Mr./Herr Schloss, Mr. Villa, Mr. Smith/John Smith, Big Boy, James Maxwell, Kanapua’a, Captain America, Frank Tower, Scourge of the Underworld, sadprincess14 (used to catfish a pedophile), John Conway, Skull-Face Guy
  • Family: Mario Castiglione (father, deceased); Louisa Castiglione (mother, deceased); Fredo Castiglione & Rocco Castiglione (paternal uncles, deceased); Unnamed paternal aunt (deceased); Esmerelda Castiglione (aunt by marriage, deceased); Unnamed sister; Unnamed brother-in-law; Maria Castle (wife, deceased); Lisa Castle (daughter, deceased); Frank Castle, Jr. (son, deceased); Unnamed nephew; Unnamed niece
  • Base of Operation: Mobile; usually New York
  • Identity: Public Identity
  • Citizenship: American
  • Martial Status: Widowed
  • Occupation: Vigilante, Formerly U.S. Marine officer
  • Education: Extensive military training, partial priesthood training.
  • Gender: Male
  • Height: 6′ 3″ (1.91 m)
  • Weight: 225 lbs (102.06 kg)
  • Eyes: Blue
  • Hair: Black
  • Origin: Human; A Marine Corps veteran, Frank Castle became a vigilante after seeing his wife and children gunned down for accidentally observing a Mafia “hit”. Since then, he has devoted his life to the task of destroying organized crime wherever he finds it.
  • Universe: Marvel Prime Universe (Earth-616)

During the 70’s and 80’s, comic books were moving towards a darker, more violent tone. No character in Marvel’s history embraced this change more than the Punisher. Created by Gerry Conway, John Romita Sr. and Ross Andru, Frank Castle first appeared in Amazing Spider-man #129 (1974), where Spidey was framed for murder and Frank was tricked by the Jackal into hunting down Spidey. The former Vietnam veteran (or whatever war is closest to the current timeline), Frank realized that he was tricked and stopped hunting Spidey.

It wasn’t really until his now iconic fight with Daredevil that Frank became known as the vigilante he is known as today. After that, it was revealed that the reason he kills criminals is because his family was murder in front of him because they happened upon a gangland killing. Punisher is a character that makes readers question the morality of whether it’s all right to just send people to prison or put them down before they hurt anyone else. He has fought and teamed up with many heroes like Spidey, DD, Cap and Wolverine as well as being a member of the Marvel Knights and the Thunderbolts.

As one of Marvel biggest cult following, Punisher has gotten quite a few figures over the years, mostly redoing his classic version done in different artist forms, with a few exceptions.

Have

First Appearance

Recommend Figure:  Toybiz Marvel Legends Face-Off Series 2 First Appearance Punisher (2-pack with Jigsaw)

  • Background:
    • Punisher as he first appear after being tricked by the Jackal into hunting Spider-man, who was framed into being believed to have killed Normal Osborn. After he saw Spidey’s heroic acts he realized that Jackal had tricked him and went to his hideout only to find he had escaped. He was then seen in this costume in another team-up with Spidey and Nightcrawler, which also saw the first appearance of Jigsaw.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • As people know, I love first appearances so this figure is a must for collectors of those. Punisher fans will need this as well but for everyone else, this can be skipped.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No, only if they do a Punisher wave for his Netflix series and they need another comic costume.

Classic

Recommend Figure:  Marvel Legends Vintage Wave 1 Punisher

  • Background:
    • Like many people, it wasn’t long until Frank got a new costume. rather than a complete change, this costume is basically an updated version of his FA version. It was seen when he had the famous battle with Daredevil and has since been the basis for all Punisher suits.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • Toybiz did a number of versions of this with various paints and a Jacket. However, Hasbro has done one (a repaint for of the Walgreen one). This one is a more recent version so it will be easier to find.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No, this suit has been done to death.

Jim Lee’s

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Walgreens Exclusive Marvel Legends Punisher

  • Background:
    • This is from Jim Lee’s run of the Punishers solo story.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • This is the figure I highly recommend people try and get as this is one of the best Punisher figures to date. It still should be cheap online at the moment.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No, just got released.

War Journal Vs Bushwacker

Recommend Figure: Hasbro Fan Channel Exclusive Marvel Legends Punisher: War Journal – Punisher with Bushwacker

  • Background:
    • In the Acts of Vengeance arc, Bushwacker, formerly a DD villain, was sent to attack the Punisher. Punisher would wear and all black costume (Minus his skull) to sneakily attack Bushwacker. This would lead to a life long rivalry between the two.
  • Why do you need it for your collection?
    • If you missed the previous version of Punisher and would like a more classic costume, then you may want to get this.
  • Does it need a remake?
    • No. 

Tim Bradstreet’s

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Marvel Legends Nemesis/Holocaust Wave Punisher

  • Background:
    • One of the things that some writer realized is that Punisher is not a superhero, so he doesn’t really need a costume. Thus, during the early 2000s, they started drawing him in more street clothing rather than a costume. The skull remains because it is believed that it draws the attention of the criminal as a target, with Frank wearing a bulletproof vest under it.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • The figure itself was made during the Dark days of ML, was an exclusive and was held back for many years that people skipped it. It is also a bad figure with only the BAF piece only making it worth it. Only get it if you’re a huge Punisher fan.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No, while the figure is bad, it just not worth wasting a slot for it.

Welcome Back Frank

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Marvel Legends Epic Heroes Wave Punisher

  • Background:
    • After Punisher was almost ruined during the Purgatory arc, he was later revitalized in Welcome Back Frank, where Frank returned to what he does best and hunted down criminals starting with the Gnucci familia, which the first movie was mostly based on.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • The third figure I recommend only because it’s one of the most recent figures. The figure itself is pretty bad using an old, out of date build. It was a wasted slot that should have been the Blade figure that was supposed to be the variant.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • Yes, if Hasbro can do a proper trench-coat figure.

Thunderbolts

Recommend Figure: Hasbro Marvel Legends Epic Heroes Wave Punisher (Variant)

  • Background:
    • After the Dark Reign, Punisher was invited to join the Thunderbolts by Red Hulk, where they hunted down criminals. However, he was tricked into believing that Red Hulk wanted to kill him and attacked the team, before leaving to go solo again.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • I say only try and find this rare expensive figure if you want to complete the Thunderbolts’ exact costume. Otherwise, it can be skipped.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • Yes, maybe in a Thunderbolts box set with new Red Hulk and Elektra?

Hulkbuster

Recommend Figure: Hasbro Marvel Legends ? – Hulkbuster Punisher

  • Background:
    • During his time with the Thunderbolts, Frank became very paranoid. In his insanity, he developed a suit to take down the T-bolt.
  • Why do you need it for your collection?
    • If you want to recreate the scene from that run of the comics, you may want to get this. Otherwise skip.
  • Does it need a remake?
    • No. 

Camoflague

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Fan Channel Exclusive Marvel Legends 80th Anniversary Punisher

  • Background:
    • While Frank usually stays with the black and white colors, there have been a number of times when he wore camo during his take downs of drug lords., He has even been known to paint his face with a skull image.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • If you want something that is different from the classic designs of the previous Hasbro version and is a more modern version and less costume then this could make a great figure. If not, then skip.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No.

War Machine

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Fan Channel Exclusive Marvel Legends War Machine Punisher

  • Background:
    • After the death of James Rhodes during the second Civil War, Castle was offered the War Machine Armor by Nick Fury Jr. He wants Castle to help him take down a rogue state using SHIELD tech. Afterwards he used the armor against criminals until Iron Man force him to give up the armor.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • Unless you are a hardcore Punisher fan or want to build a Iron Man / War Machine armory, I think this can be skipped. It’s a nice figure but not for everybody.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No.

War Of the Realms’ Kill Krew

Recommend Figure:  Hasbro Marvel Legends Riders series Punisher

  • Background:
    • During the War of the Realm arc, Punisher began hunting down trolls or any of Malekith minions who choose to hurt people. This led to him gathering unwilling teammates as the Kill Krew.
  • Why you need it for your collection?:
    • If you are a Punisher fan, then this is the most modern version. If you missed the previous version, then this is a nice figure. Many people will also want to get a black bike as well as a baseball bat and viking helmet.
  • Does it need a remake?:
    • No.

Needs

Below you will find a gallery of suits that still need to be made. Please let me know if I have missed anything.

Alternates:

Teams:

Universe: