WELCOME BACK, FRANK
Practically since Netflix and Marvel parted ways beginning with the infamous 2018-2019 cancelations, there’s been gossip surrounding the casts of those particular shows.
Once Charlie Cox reprised his role as Matt Murdock for Spider-Man: No Way Home, the wheels were in motion. Vincent D’Onofrio arrived as Kingpin in Hawkeye, then Cox returned in full DD costume (albeit one inspired by the character’s original threads) in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law before Born Again was announced.
Now we can add Berthal’s Punisher to the list.
THE KEYS
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #129
This issue has been ranked among the Bronze Age holy grails for years. Anytime a hot Punisher/MCU rumor surfaced, prices immediately spiked. Now that we know he’s coming back to the fold, collectors have been all over ASM #129. On the higher end, the graded 9.2 has sold twice since March 8, earning as much as $3,749.
As recently as March 9, a graded 3.5 sold for over $800. Surprisingly, that is down from the $867 90-day average and $1,103 12-month fair market value.
THE PUNISHER #1 (1986)
Next on the wish list is his first self-titled series, which has been a prime target since Frank’s debut in DD season two. Of course, it’s part of the process for collectors to take aim at a character’s solo comic premiere when gathering those key issues. In this case, prices are still well within reason.
The graded 9.0 brought $80 on March 8, which was the same day that a 9.6 sold for $370, so there are plenty of options to fit practically any budget.
THE PUNISHER #1 (1987)
A year after the success of Punisher’s limited series, he was given his very own ongoing run in 1987. Although not as collectible as the ‘86 #1, this comic has plenty of fans and is gaining traction on the market.
Just last month, the 9.8 had sold for as much as $300. Personally, I’m just here for the cover art with Frank one-arming a bazooka at point-blank range.
PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #82
In the comics, the Punisher has always been linked to Kingpin. They are a natural pair, being that Wilson Fisk is the mob boss of mob bosses in the Marvel Universe, and Frank is intent on murdering him. They will no doubt be put together in the MCU, and that could inspire a new wave of interest for Peter Parker: The Spectacular Spider-Man #82 as this issue marked the first meeting between the characters. If you’re looking for a copy, the graded 9.8 brought $134 on March 7.
A KINDER, GENTLER PUNISHER?
Which Punisher will we get in Born Again? Marvel Studios continues to lean heavily into kid-friendly territory, especially with its Disney Plus selections. Does that mean Frank Castle will be watered down and reinvented as a comedy act? There is that possibility; it happened to DD when he made his She-Hulk debut.
While he wasn’t meant for laughs, Kingpin was given a full cartoon-style makeover and diluted for the glorified kids’ show, Hawkeye. Hopefully Frank will still be Frank when Born Again premieres.
