Frank Castle (Earth-1010)

Punisher

Gallery

Real Name

Frank Castle

Current Alias

Punisher

Identity

Public

Alignment

Neutral

Affiliation

None; formerly U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Army

Relatives

Maria Castle (wife, deceased);
Lisa Castle (daughter, deceased);
Frank Castle, Jr. (son, deceased)

Universe

Earth-1010

Base Of Operations

Mobile; usually New York City, New York

Characteristics

Gender

Male

Height

6' 1"

Weight

200 lbs (91 kg)

Eyes

Blue

Hair

Black

Unusual Features

A scar on his left eye inflicted by Vulture

Status

Citizenship

American

Marital Status

Widowed

Occupation

Vigilante, Formerly U.S. Marine

Origin

Origin

A 4-year Vietnam 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.

Place of Birth

Queens, New York City, New York

Creators

First appearance

Worthington

History

Early Life

As a Marine

Frank Castle was born in New York and joined the Marine Corps at age 18, where he was placed under the command of Colonel Ray Schoonover. Castle eventually earned the title of Scout Sniper and joined Marine Corps Force Recon, undertaking classified missions behind enemy lines.

Back with his Family

The day he returned from Iraq, Castle reunited with his children at school. However, he was weary from the war, and found himself neglecting family traditions and the requests from his children, such as reading to his daughter and tucking her in.

Central Park shooting

For her, there was never going to be any tomorrow, see. The last time I'd see her, I'd be holding her lifeless body in my arms. Meat was spilling out of her, Red. The place that her face used to be.

—Punisher

Castle took his family to Central Park the day after he returned from Iraq, where they ended up in the middle of a three way mob fight and everyone in his family was killed. Castle survived after getting shot in the head, but at the hospital, a Do Not Resuscitate order was placed for him. Although he flatlined, he came back to life a few seconds later without any medical aid.

Becoming the Punisher

Getting revenge on gangs

Castle targeted the three gangs that were involved in the firefight that killed his family - the Kitchen Irish, the Dogs of Hell, and the Juárez Cartel.

Targeting Grotto

Seeking to find any surviving members of the Kitchen Irish, Castle went to an illegal pawn shop, where he spoke to Clint, offering him a considerable amount of cash for police radios and the shells in his shotgun. Once he had what he wanted, Castle prepared to leave, but the greedy Clint tried to convince him to stay by offering him pornographic films. Castle ignored the offers until Clint told him that he had a film involving a 12-year-old girl. Furious and disgusted, Castle locked the door and proceeded to kill Clint by brutally beating him with a metal baseball bat.

Grotto survived Castle's initial attack on his gang, and was taken to Metro-General Hospital as the wounds he had received got the better of him. Punisher learned of Grotto's survival and decided to ensure his death by tracking him to the hospital. Punisher charged into the hospital, fighting off a security guard on the way before blasting through the hallways with a shotgun. However Grotto, who was recuperating in the hospital from his wounds, was only saved by the timely intervention of Karen Page, who rushed him out of the room away from Punisher.

Although Grotto was able to get out of the hospital with Page taking him downstairs and putting him in her car to be driven away, the Punisher managed to get onto the roof of the hospital and used a sniper rifle to attempt to take out his target. Although Grotto made it to the car, the Punisher took aim and fired off several shots at Grotto, while aiming away from Page who he did not wish to harm as he viewed her as an innocent in this situation. Before long, Punisher managed to find his shot and took aim at Grotto.

Just as the Punisher prepared to take the shot and execute Grotto, he was interrupted when Daredevil rushed onto the rooftop and disarmed the Punisher with a kick, knocking the gun from his hands. The pair engaged in a brutal fist fight during which the Punisher attempted a few times to shoot his attacker. However the Punisher knew that his attacker was not a criminal and when he finally got the upper hand and managed to pull out his gun, he choose not to kill Daredevil. Instead Punisher shot Daredevil in the helmet, ensuring the wound was not fatal, before escaping.

Preparing an Ambush

The Punisher was then used as bait by Samantha Reyes and the District Attorney's office to attract his attention by offering him another attempt on Grotto's life. Knowing that this would be an ambush for him, the Punisher made his own plans about how to protect himself and ensure that his target was killed. So the Punisher attacked a base for the Dogs of Hell, massacring the members inside the base and taking control of one of the trucks to be used in his plan.

Punisher strapped the last remaining member of the Dogs of Hell to the driving seat of the truck and made him drive to the meeting point, so as Reyes' soldiers mistook the gang member for Castle they began shooting at the truck, killing the man, while they were unaware of the Punisher's true location. Punisher meanwhile took position on a nearby rooftop and once again took aim at Grotto, however once again he was interrupted and attacked by Daredevil who attempted to ensure that Grotto was not harmed by the Punisher.

As the Punisher and Daredevil continued to fight, Samantha Reyes ordered the New York City Police Department to aim their largest lights at the roof to expose the Punisher and Daredevil while the SWAT teams began shooting at them. The Punisher and Daredevil continued fighting as the rain poured down and they continued to attempt to dodge the many bullets being fired at them. Eventually they fell through a glass ceiling and the Punisher was able to take the wounded Daredevil hostage onto another rooftop for interrogation and a discussion about their differing methods of justice.

Debating with Daredevil

Look around, Red. This city, it stinks. It's a sewer. It stinks and it smells like shit and I can't get the stink out of my nose. I think that this world, it needs men who are willing to make the hard call. I think you and me are the same!"
"That's bullshit, Frank, and you know it!

—Punisher and Daredevil

As Daredevil slowly began to wake up, having been tied to a nearby chimney with chains that ensured he was unable to move or escape from his situation, Castle watched close by. When Daredevil tried to pull himself free, Castle poured himself a coffee before mockingly greeting the vignette as he continued to desperately try to free himself from his chains.

Castle commented on the theory that it was impossible to hear the bullet that kills you being fired, leading to him asking Daredevil if he heard the bullet being shot into his helmet. Daredevil continued to try to free himself but Castle made it clear that the only way to leave was if he allowed him to. As Castle treated his wounds, Daredevil asked why he was still alive and hadn't had his mask removed, but Castle ignored his comments and began going through the boxes of weapons he had stored on the roof.

Daredevil began trying to predict how many missions Castle had done and how long he'd been doing it, but Castle remained silent until he suggested he could walk away from his mission. As Daredevil tried to learn more about him, Castle tried to get him to stop but Daredevil continued to discuss how New York City affects people. As Daredevil tried to comment about Castle enlisting, he told him not to comment on things he could not understand and make noted how soldiers did not wear masks like vigilantes.

Despite Castle's warnings, Daredevil continued to make comments about how war affected people and how it changed them, but Castle dismissed all these views as Daredevil was not a soldier and had never been to war. As they began mocking each other for their different viewpoints and their different codenames which were both given to them by the newspapers, Castle walked closer to Daredevil and accused him of being half measure, a coward and being one bad day away from being a killer like him. However Daredevil paused and warned Castle that someone was coming.

Castle greeted Jerry who had come to investigate the noise and Castle claimed to be just up there for a cigarette to avoid his sister, who Jerry assumed was a woman named Betty. When Daredevil tried to free himself and made more noise, Castle distracted Jerry and quietly aimed his gun at his head to warn Daredevil to remain silent. The pair realised they had both been a part of the United States Armed Forces which gave themselves great respect for each other as Jerry left Castle alone to enjoy his cigarette and peace and quiet.

As Castle returned once Jerry had gone, Daredevil accused him of taking pleasure with risking the lives of innocent people, noting how he had been ready to shoot Jerry, although Castle claimed that had only been for his benefit. Daredevil continued to accuse Castle of making widows and orphans through his actions. Despite Daredevil noting how Punisher had hung members of the Mexican Cartel of meathooks and fired in a hospital like New York City was his own shooting gallery, but Castle accused Daredevil of treating the city like a playground where criminals should be treated like mere bullies but Castle argued that his method was more effective.

A Fatal Test

You still think this piece of shit is worth saving."
"I'm not gonna shoot him."
"Yeah, okay, I will, if you don't kill me first.

—Punisher and Daredevil

Castle eventually knocked Daredevil out for the insults and collected Grotto while he was out while also attaching a gun to Daredevil's hand. Castle threw Grotto out and explained how he had found him trying to steal a car to escape. Castle made Grotto admit how he had murdered a man as well as an old woman for the Kitchen Irish. Castle completed the story but informing Daredevil how the old woman had left a husband and children after Grotto had killed her.

Castle demanded that Daredevil make his choice, as he was unwilling to allow Grotto to go free as he was sure that Grotto would kill again if given the chance. Castle began slowly counting down from five and ignored both Grotto's pleas and Daredevil's insistence that he would be handed over to the New York City Police Department. The Punisher gave Daredevil a final choice, to kill him or allow Grotto to die, either way making him a killer, insisting that this was the choice he made every time that he pulled the trigger against a thug or murderer.

Unwilling to give in, Daredevil used his shot to free himself of his chains and attacked Castle, although he was unable to stop him before he shot and fatally wounded Grotto. While Daredevil looked after Grotto in his final moments, Castle took the opportunity to fire upon the Dogs of Hell. Once he subdued Daredevil again, Castle took aim at Jimmy the Bear but had to continue fighting Daredevil, who knocked him out and managed to take him out of the building before the Dogs of Hell could kill him until Castle awoke and escaped.

Hunted

Don't shoot! We want him alive!"
"Who? Who needs me alive?!

—Rory and Punisher

Returning to his current base, Castle arrived just in time to witness members of the Kitchen Irish led by Finn Cooley leaving having been searching for Castle with the aim to kill him and recover the money he had previously stolen from them, and taking his dog at the same time. Having seen this, Castle knew that he was being hunted by the Irish and knew that sooner or later they would undoubtedly find him and kill him. Castle decided that he would use this inevitable confrontation to his advantage, despite the risks to his own life and well being.

Castle prepared to set up a trap for the Kitchen Irish, knowing that their main focus would be to find their money and therefore would likely keep him alive for a prolonged period of time until he gave up it's location. Castle left the money in his van and attached a bomb to it, which would detonate if anyone attempted to move it. He then hid a razor blade under his skin on his arm, with the intention of using it to escape when he would be tied down and tortured by the mob. He then left the van and prepared to allow the Kitchen Irish to find and capture him so he could wipe them out.

Castle took time to himself to sit alone in Central Park in front of the carousel where his family were massacred, watching the families play and enjoy their time together. Castle remained in the same spot until the lights were turned on, however he discovered that he was not alone as members of the Kitchen Irish began to surround him. As more and more people came around him, Castle prepared himself for a fight, despite being highly outnumbered by the mobsters, all of whom were armed although they claimed to want him alive, shooting Castle in the neck with a dart gun.

With the group coming closer and closer, Castle grabbed one of the mobsters and stole his gun, killing several of his attackers and using his hostage as a human shield. The Irish gangsters began shooting Castle with tasers which barely slowed him down. Finn Cooley revealed that he was leading the group and that he wanted Castle after he killed several of their members, including Nesbitt and Cooley's youngest son and taken his money. Castle was eventually stopped by the taser guns being fired at him.

Finn Cooley's Revenge

I counted on it, now I can ask you face to face, whose the guy who did it? Who killed my family?"
"Your family? Who cares?

—Punisher and Finn Cooley

Castle was taken to the mob's hideout where Finn Cooley explained that Castle had killed his son during a shooting and had stolen his money. With Castle refusing to talk and managing to headbutt Cooley, he was tortured, with Cooley drilling a hole into Castle's foot. Castle remained strong, but finally broke when Cooley threatened to unleash the same torture methods onto Castle's dog. Castle finally admitted where the money is, but when Cooley sent people to check the money, a bomb was revealed to be inside, and Castle laughed as Cooley realized that he had been betrayed and lost all the money.

Castle managed to free himself with a hidden razor blade that he had previously placed under the skin in his arm, and fiercely fought back against the mob. Castle stole his captor's guns and shot Cooley twice in the back. Despite his injuries, Castle was able to walk over to Cooley and threaten him with a shotgun, demanding to know who had killed his family. When Cooley refused to answer and mocked Castle's search for revenge, Castle killed him by shooting him point blank in the face. Castle was then rescued by Daredevil, who helped him break out, but refused to let Castle kill anyone else.

Arrest

That part of it was always easy for me. Killing. Even watching my buddies die, it just... it didn't mean nothing. The first time I got scared... was on a plane on the way home. I kept thinking God was gonna pull the rug out from under us, you know?

—Punisher to Daredevil

Daredevil carried the injured Castle to a graveyard, where he eventually found he could no longer walk and sat beside a grave. Knowing he could not get away from his arrest, Castle took the time to explain why he became a vigilante, telling Daredevil about how he came home from the United States Armed Forces only to witness his wife, son and daughter massacred by mobsters.

Going into great detail, Castle told Daredevil how his daughter had begged him to read her a book, but he had been too tired and tragically the next day she was gunned down and died in his arms. When the New York City Police Department arrived on the scene, Castle did not attempt to escape and instead allowed himself to be arrested by Brett Mahoney. He was taken on a stretcher and moved to an ambulance for treatment for his injuries while the city's news reporters gathered around and photographed the now infamous Punisher being arrested.

Trial and imprisonment

Hiring Nelson and Murdock

The other night, babysitting that shit-prick, running around with that Grotto, I just, I only hurt people that deserve that, I wanted you to know that."
"You think he deserved it?"
"I do. You know he used to do hits for the Irish.

—Punisher and Karen Page

Castle was taken to Metro-General Hospital where his wounds were treated and he was kept under watch by the New York City Police Department. Castle was originally assigned Christopher Roth as his attorney, but he was visited by Nelson and Murdock and Matt Murdock explained that they wished to represent him. Murdock explained that they believed that Samantha Reyes wanted him dead for some reason. When Castle mentioned their failure to protect Grotto, he was confronted by Karen Page who showed him a picture of his family and demanded answers.

Nelson and Murdock were pulled out of the room by Reyes but Castle informed Brett Mahoney that he wanted them to be his lawyers, requesting to speak to Page without Foggy Nelson present. Once they were alone, Castle demanded to know what Page knew about his family, so she told him that Reyes wanted to run a story about him and his family being involved in a road side shooting not a gang shoot out in Central Park. Castle told Page what he remembered about the day, reliving the horror and regret of failing his family.

Castle assured Page that she was not in any danger the night that he shot at her in the hospital while she was protecting Grotto, noting that he only killed those who deserved it and he believed that Grotto deserved to die. When Page asked why he wanted to see her he began asking about the layout of his house as he had forgotten in all the years he had been away from it, telling her stories of his son hiding cookies and his daughter's toys. Castle thanked her and invited her to ask him questions about the case.

Nelson returned to the room and explained that he had lost the death penalty and changed three life sentences down to one with a chance on parol in twenty-five years, although he'd still likely be sent to Ryker's Island where he would likely be murdered. Although Page insisted this was impossible, Castle joked that he would enjoy the fight while Nelson told them it was the best deal they would get and recommended that Castle take it, advising that he tell Reyes that he would guilty to get the deal and be over with the case.

Reyes and Judge Cynthia Batzer were brought into Castle's hospital room alongside Nelson, Page and several armed guards. However when Batzer asked how Castle pleaded, Castle starred straight into Reyes' eyes and pleaded not guilty so he could destroy Reyes' career in the court room. Batzer confirmed the plea and announced that his bail was now denied. Reyes and Batzer stormed out the room while Nelson and Page were forced to think of a plan ready for the next week when Castle's fate would be decided.

The People v. Frank Castle

All of them, they all think that you're a monster, but I know that you're not, you're not!"
"You sure about that? If I find these men who did that to my family, what if? What if nothing changes? What if this is just me now?

—Karen Page and Punisher

The trial was highly publicized, with the Judge Cynthia Batzer complaining about how impossible it was to find an at least semi-impartial jury as everyone in New York City had an opinion on Castle, until at last both Samantha Reyes and Nelson and Murdock agreed on a jury and the trail was allowed to take place. Castle meanwhile was locked in his cell where he shaved and prepared for the trail.

Castle was later visited in the interrogation room of the prison by Karen Page who suggested that they bring forward a character witness from Castle's time in the United States Armed Forces. Castle quickly deduced that they were trying to make a plea for PTSD but Castle insisted that it was an insult to those soldiers who were truly suffering with it unlike him. Castle did however advise that they locate Ray Schoonover to be the witness. The pair then sat down to look at his family's murder case to find new evidence.

When the trail prepared to finally begin, Castle sat beside Page while they awaited the arrival of Matt Murdock, who was running very late. As the trail began Reyes gave a statement to the jury were she accused Castle of murdering thirty men outside the law, calling him a serial killer who was guilty. Foggy Nelson then made his own statement where he noted that Castle was a soldier who had been betrayed by the system after his wife and children were murdered, accusing Reyes of using Castle as a pawn for a coverup.

Gregory Tepper was called in to discuss the examination of the bodies found at the massacre at Central Park. Once Blake Tower had finished his questioning, Murdock stepped up asking him about his career. However just as Murdock began questioning him, Tepper asked to confess something, so Judge Batzer had the room cleared of the jury, viewers and Castle. While Castle was gone Tepper confessed to falsifying documents as he'd been threatened by a mysterious woman demanding his confession on record.

The next day Ray Schoonover was bought in to be a character witness for Castle, describing their time together in the United States Armed Forces and telling the story of how Castle had saved the lives of many soldiers by single handedly taking on the enemy soldiers. When Nelson asked Schoonover to describe Castle, he told the jury that Castle was a man who would gladly give his life to protect others and was a hero. When Reyes tried to question Schoonover's story, she only succeeded in confirming it and helping Castle's case.

In order to discuss Castle's brain injuries, Nelson and Murdock called in Andrew Lee to discuss the bullet wound Castle sustained during the massacre in Central Park, with Lee explaining that it made Castle relive the trauma each and every day, with Lee concluding that Castle's murders were crimes of passion not premeditated. Just as the court seemed to be on Castle's side, Finn Cooley's son burst out yelling, accusing Castle of murdering his father before being escorted out of the courtroom.

While speaking to Page outside of the courtroom, Castle confessed to killing the boy's father, although Page insisted that she would not judge him for it. Page recommended that Castle take the stand himself and defend his actions in front of the jury, as she felt it was the only chance they had of winning after the outburst in the courtroom. Castle argued that they would not win the case but Page insisted that they must try and reduce the charges regardless to prove he was not the monster they thought he was.

Confession of Guilt

You call me the Punisher, ain't that right? The big bad Punisher. Well, here I am! You want it, you got it! I am the Punisher! I'm right here! You want it, I'll give it to you. And anybody who came here today to hear me whine, to hear me beg? Well, you can kiss my ass! I'm guilty, you hear me! I'm guilty!

—Punisher

As Castle prepared to take the stand in the courtroom, he was approached by Roy Olsky who informed him that Wilson Fisk had information about who killed his family, information he would only get if he was sent to Ryker's Island. Castle took the stand and was questioned by Matt Murdock, who asked him to describe what happened the day that his family was killed while he also told the fury that New York City needed men like him to control the crime.

Once Murdock finished his statement, Castle asked Judge Cynthia Batzer if he could make a statement, and proceeded to tell the jury that he would commit the murders all over again, promising that he was not crazy and did not need Nelson and Murdock's help and that he would never be sent to a mental hospital for treatment. Castle became more enraged as he insisted that he enjoyed killing those men and told the people that he was the Punisher and would continue killing whoever he wanted. Castle was removed from the courtroom and sentenced to jail immediately.

Dealing with Wilson Fisk

Well I don't help shit-bag has been mob bosses."
"Has been?"
"You heard what I said.

—Punisher and Kingpin

Transferred to Ryker's Island for imprisonment, Castle was escorted by Roy Olsky to meet with Wilson Fisk. As Castle walked down the corridors of the prison, the inmates watching his arrival yelled out abuse and threw paper and various other materials at him. Castle met with Fisk in the outdoor gym, initially Castle declined Fisk's offer for him to kill fellow prisoner and ruler of Ryker's, Dutton, in exchange for forming a beneficial partnership between them to survive in prison.

It was only until Fisk revealed to Castle that Dutton had information on the deaths of his family in Central Park and could likely give him the name of whoever was responsible for the massacre. Giving Castle the only weapon he could provide him with, a shiv, he informed that he would to taken to Dutton's location by Olsky and would have only seven minutes to get the information he needed from Dutton, kill him, and escape. Castle agreed to kill Dutton, however he remained highly suspicious of Fisk's true intentions.

Assassination of Dutton

You make any noise, anything at all, I'm gonna open you up like a bag, I'll watch you bleed out all over the floor. Now you nod if you understand me. Okay, state massacre, the carousel hit, I hear you were there."
"What if I was?... You're a goddamn lunatic.

—Punisher and Dutton

With Roy Olsky's assistance, Castle went to Dutton's cellblock and killed one of his guards by slicing his throat before interrogating Dutton on what he knew on the day his family was killed, slowly pushing the shiv into his gut. Dutton revealed that the supposed gang shooting was in fact a sting operation to bring out a significant crime lord known as the Blacksmith, who did not appear, causing the gangs to panic and begin shooting.

With his information, Castle fatally stabbed Dutton in the gut and attempted to escape the block. However to Castle's horror, the guards had locked the door and were walking away, trapping Castle in a small corridor filled with Dutton's most loyal men. As Castle attempted to convince the guards to free him, Wilson Fisk looked down from the upper level and tauntingly thanked Castle for his help in assassinating Dutton, before leaving Castle to be murdered by the other furious inmates who were still loyal to Dutton.

As the rest of the inmates, quickly realized Castle was the one who stabbed Dutton and proceeded to charge at him. The defenseless but determined Castle faced them head on, charging in with a battle cry and began fighting back, desperately trying to stay alive. The inmates continued to attack him with various weapons and shivs, but Castle's superior training allowed him to quickly disarm the men and use their weapons to stab them or crush their skulls, shrugging off a stab in the arm and strong blows from them.

Eventually, after a prolonged a brutal battle to the death, Castle remained the last man standing, with dead men covering the floor, his white prison uniform now completely stained with blood has his face red from cutting another man's throat. As Castle slowly rose up from the carnage, he was created by the prison guards, all of whom were dressed in full riot gear and ready to capture him. Once a smoke grenade had been dropped in the room, the exhausted Castle briefly tried to defend himself before he was subdued by the overwhelming number of trained guards and arrested once again.

Escape

You want me on the outside so I step on every piece of shit I see. That way, nobody gets strong, and we... The city's yours for the taking."
"Something like that. Yes.

—Punisher and Kingpin

Castle was taken into solitary confinement where he was eventually visited by Wilson Fisk, who ordered the guards to remain outside. Castle confronted Fisk for attempting to have him killed after murdering Dutton, but Fisk explained that since Castle's survival he had made a new plan involving him, since he was impressed by his violent nature and wished to recruit him. The handcuffed Castle took the chance to attack Fisk, headbutting him and causing his nose to bleed, but Castle was soon overpowered and beaten senseless.

Fisk ordered the guards to remove Castle's handcuffs and informed him that he would set him free, when Castle asked why, Fisk explained that he wished the Punisher to massacre all other criminal empires in New York City so that when Fisk got free, he could easily become the new Kingpin of Crime. Despite his desire to kill Fisk, Castle took the offer and was given a riot gear uniform by the guards which he used to walk out of Ryker's Island and be free to continue his mission to kill all the criminals he could find in New York City.

Framed by the Blacksmith

Okay, so walk away, go."
"Blacksmith already tried to get me once, I really don't want to give him a second chance."
"He's not gonna get it.

—Punisher and Karen Page

As Castle went on the run, the Blacksmith began murdering anyone connected to the massacre at Central Park, including Samantha Reyes and Gregory Tepper and blaming it on the Punisher. Seeking to clear his name, Castle sought out Karen Page, who had been working with J. Jonah Jameson at the Daily Bugle to write a story about the real Castle. Finding her at her apartment, Castle knocked out her guards and greeted Page.

Page pulled out a gun as Castle denied having anything to do with Reyes and Tepper's murders. But before he could finish, the apartment was swarmed with a flurry of gunfire. Castle managed to tackle Page to the ground and shielded her from the unknown attacker. Once the gunfire had ceased, Castle pulled Page to her feet and they made their way outside, keeping themselves low to the ground incase any more bullets were fired at them. Castle then allowed Page to go to the New York City Police Department while he stayed hidden.

Castle stayed in Page's car and listened to music until Page was finished being interviewed by Detective Brett Mahoney. When Page returned she berated Castle for stealing her car as he joked about singing along to the music. Page made it clear that she was having second thoughts about staying beside Castle, considering the fact that she was not a lawyer and therefore was now lying to the police. Castle suggested that she could walk away but she decided to help Castle find the Blacksmith.

Shootout at the Cafe

You call the police, get protective custody, get away from this thing, away from me. Just stay away from me.

—Punisher to Karen Page

To be added

Attack at Pier 81

Help me, work with me to find the man who gave the order."
"And then what, Red, we gonna... we gonna bring him in for justice, is that what we're gonna do? Your way's bullshit, Red, it doesn't work, I need him... I need him gone, it's gotta be permanent, it's gotta be finished!

—Daredevil and Punisher

From the information gathered from the thug at the diner, Castle tracks the Blacksmith to Pier 81, where a ship is docked. He proceeds to gun down several criminals on the dock who are guarding the ship, before he boards, and finds a significant stash of heroin onboard.

Taking numerous cans of gasoline from the docks nearby, he douses the boxes of heroin with it, while taunting and calling for the Blacksmith. A man emerges with a SIG pistol and shoots at him then retreats, as Castle returns fire with his H&K 416 rifle.

Castle hunts down the man and shoots him in the shoulder with his rifle when he runs out of ammunition, and tells him to admit he is the Blacksmith before shooting him in the leg with his S&W 1911 pistol. The man pleads for his life and then half-heartedly admits to being the Blacksmith before Daredevil arrives and intervenes.

Daredevil throws a hammer to knock the pistol out of Castle's hand before the two engage in an unarmed fight, which ends with Daredevil revealing that the man is not the Blacksmith, but just a patsy to bait Castle.

Daredevil senses there is a substantial amount of gunpowder below decks, which will cause a massive explosion if the gasoline from earlier is ignited. As more henchmen arrive, Castle agrees, but then pushes Daredevil into the water to save him, and reveals himself so they open fire and the ship explodes.

Finding the Blacksmith

One shot, one kill, you taught me that."
"You stupid son o-

—Frank Castle and Ray Schoonover

After Page visits Ray Schoonover to inquire further about Castle, it is revealed he is actually the Blacksmith when he kidnaps her at gunpoint, and forces her to drive them away from the house in her car. As the radio comes on, the song (which the Punisher had previously commented about to Page) plays. They pull away while Schoonover remarks that Page should've left it all alone as the others who know the truth are already dead. Suddenly Page braces and an SUV T-bones the car.

As Page awakes, she follows the drag marks on the ground to find Castle dragging Schoonover into a nearby shack. Page asks him to stop, and that if he kills him, he'll be dead to her. Castle responds that "I'm already dead".

Schoonover taunts Castle's moniker as the Punisher, and how he had to teach him how to use his first firearm at age 18, before Castle replies "One Shot, one kill. You taught me that." and executes him with a headshot. After killing Schoonover, Castle finds a hidden room within the shack that contains an impressive armory filled with military-grade weapons and a bulletproof vest that had all previously belonged to Schoonover.

New Departure

See you around, Red.

—Punisher

Castle returned to his family's home and looked around before sitting in at the kitchen table with a newspaper featuring an article on his trial, with the x-ray of his skull as the front image. He then goes into the garage with the bulletproof vest he found in the armory and begins spray painting an image onto it. Castle, now donning his bulletproof vest with a spraypainted skull-like symbol, embraces the mantle of the Punisher. He returns to New York City to assist Daredevil in his confrontation with the Hand. Using his sniper rifle, he dispatches four assassins, giving Daredevil an opening to knock Nobu Yoshioka off the roof. As the battle concludes, Castle watches from the roof, seen by Karen Page down below while he promises to see Daredevil another time before walking away.

With all those who had a hand in the deaths of his family laying dead in morgues, in the streets, and other places throughout Hell's Kitchen, the Punisher accepts closure, and proceeds to burn away the last memories of his former life, setting his home on fire. Armed with the weapons from Ray Schoonover's armory, Castle prepares to leave Hell's Kitchen to continue to punish crime the only way he sees fit. He is last seen in search of a mysterious ally from Frank's past called "Micro" after retrieving a CD with his name on it.

Powers and Abilities

Powers

As the Punisher, he has no superhuman powers.

Abilities

Master Martial Artist: Castle is a very thoroughly seasoned combat veteran of exceptional skills. He is very well-versed in the arts of warfare and hand-to-hand combat. His styles of choice being Nash Ryu Jujutsu, (the four-style martial art founded by his Sensei Adam Nash and the Marine Corps LINE/MAPS combative systems) Ninjutsu, Shorin-Ryu Karate, Hwarang Do, and Chin Na. He is an exceptional knife fighter who carries up to 3 or 4 different types of edged weapons, preferring the knife he learned to fight with in the USMC: the Ka-bar.

Expert Marksman: He is an exceptional marksman of every type of firearm who is sometimes depicted as being ambidextrous in this respect. He is skilled in sharpshooting and knife throwing as well.

Expert Pilot: Castle received helicopter training with the U.S. Army and U.S. Naval Special Warfare Command.

Interrogation Expert: Castle uses his interrogating skills to get information from people who has links to criminals through very creative use of torture as well such as water boarding, electrocution, suffocation, sleep deprivation, starvation etc.

Demolitions Expert: He also received a U.S. Navy SEAL/UDT (Underwater Demolition Team), EOD (explosive ordnance disposal), US Army Ranger training, Army Special Forces Q-Course, and LRRP (Long Range Recon Patrol) training.

Expert Tactician: Armed solely with conventional weapons and motivated by a fanatical hatred for criminals like those who murdered his family, the Punisher has single-handedly incapacitated up to a dozen well-armed and experienced opponents in a single encounter and escaped uninjured. It is his military training and his attention to detail that allows him to achieve this.

Strength level

The Punisher possesses the normal human strength of a 6'1" 200-pound man, who engages in intensive and extensive physical exercise. Frank is capable of press lifting up to twice his body-weight and can press lift 400 lbs. Frank engages in a brutal regimen of calisthenics, katas and firing range practice daily, maintaining his combat skills and he does not drink alcohol or do drugs.

Weaknesses

Castle once relied on a "synaptic glue" medication to keep his mind together due to brain damage caused by his fight with Daken and becoming Franken-castle.

Non-Superhuman Physical Conditioning: Castle is as susceptible to physical injury and disease as any other normal human, often having to rely more on strategy than strength when up against a superhuman opponent. However, different characters like Nick Fury have commented on how extraordinarily high his pain tolerance is. Frank does not take even over-the-counter painkillers, believing that their benefit of dulling pain isn't worth the side effects of drowsiness or slowed reflexes.

Paraphernalia

Equipment: Military equipment as appropriate.

The Punisher's first outfit was a form-fitting black Kevlar bodysuit with a large white skull on his chest. According to Frank Castle, this drew the attention and the aim of the criminals to his heavily armored body, instead of his more vulnerable head. Each tooth of the skull was actually spare ammunition for firearms.

Punisher chose not to utilize any costume outside of a black shirt with a white skull splashed across the front. His other clothing, which sometimes included combat boots, blazers, leather jackets, trench coats, bulletproof vests, body armor, black battle dress uniforms, and camouflage outfits was worn for the sake of protection or camouflage in urban and wilderness areas.
Transportation: Many vehicles
Weapons: The Punisher employs a vast array of conventional firearms including machine guns, rifles, shotguns, handguns, knives, explosives and other weapons culled from common and organized criminals and military sources during his operations.

A vast majority of his weapons have roots in military forces around the world, and typically employs weapons and accessories limited to military operations.

The Punisher often customizes his weapons for greater effectiveness with both standard and custom items including magnified optics, reflex sights, night vision scopes, flashlights, grenade launchers, sound and flash suppressors, bipods, high-capacity magazines and drums and various ammunition including hollow point or armor piercing bullets.

Notes

• No special notes.
  

Trivia

• No trivia.

See Also

• Appearances of Frank Castle (Earth-1010)
• Character Gallery: Frank Castle (Earth-1010)
• Quotations by Frank Castle (Earth-1010)

Discover and Discuss

• Search News for: Punisher · Frank Castle · Frank Castle (Earth-1010)

Links and References

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