The Punisher | A Frank Retrospective 

So - what are your favourite runs of the comic, and which on screen adaptation do you think works the best? If you're in a position to do so and want more stuff like this - consider checking out www.patreon.com/inframeout IFO x

In my mind the biggest problem all the adaptations have is they really haven't embraced the idea that The Punisher is meant to be a villain for super villains. He's supposed to be deranged and cruel, just that it happens his hatred is aimed at very bad people. In the end I think Ma Gnucci was kinda right, he's a serial killer obsessed with a war he's very aware is meant to be endless

As someone living in rural America, thank you for covering The Punisher. A lot of people use that logo as an excuse to be an oppressive rude boy.

All these modern game revivals and not one remaster of the PS2 Punisher. Definitely one of my favorite adaptations.

"Sad dad turned mad lad" is the best summary of the Punisher's origin story I've ever seen

Honestly, the idea of the Punisher is just hilarious now. He's a regular man who's good with guns, surrounded by androids, wizards, space-aliens, and interdimensional-travelers. Even a character like Spawn who also uses guns, understands their ineffectiveness from actual hell-demons. Hell, one of the MCU characters has literal bulletproof skin. I honestly love Jon Berenthal's version of Castle. He's battle-damaged and it absolutely shows. When he's in combat, he growls, he seethes, he roars, he's damn-near animalistic. When he's not fighting, he's constantly haunted by his traumas, even before his family dies. That one event only worsened his mental-state tenfold. He's a bad-ass, but you would NOT wanna be on an elevator with him.

I believe that Jon Bernthal's Punisher is the best one. His two seasons are both great action and an insight into what it truly means to be Frank Castle.

I think the biggest problem is that people want the punisher to be a hero instead of an anti hero... where he is more of an anti villain in my eyes... i mean he's more or less an active shooter who goes after "mostly" bad guys...

I think the perfect Punisher was season 2 of Daredevil and the first half of season 1 of The Punisher

A tough character to pull off but a compelling one when you do. My favourite version isn't even The Punisher but a Punisher-adjacent character in Omar Little. Also, I loved that clip from the short film, especially the character who reacts how we all would if a maniac attacks us then started quoting philosophy to you.

I'd love to see a _Punisher_ film (preferably with Jane as lead) that goes the _Batman_ (2022) route. Have the villain be another vigilante inspired by Frank only somehow even more extreme - eg they have no problem killing innocent civilians - or even make them an updated version of Payback who calls Castle out for focusing on the wrong targets. That way you can still have Frank as the "hero" but also make him reflect on his own actions

punisher warzone is the best boondock saints movie ever made and somehow it took me till today to realize that it stars the bad guy from RRR

Lions gate are cowards and didnt want to give us the punisher punching a polar bear is a quote i never expected.😅

Your take is so spot on here. Just got put on to your channel, really great work. Personally, Bernthal's Punisher in DD S2 is hands down the best take on the character that sadly fell by the wayside in the solo series. If the Daredevil show runners had been brought on to do the spinoff I think it probably would have been exactly what fans had been looking for. Also, love your Converge reference, you're clearly my people.

Who would be the perfect director to make a Punisher film? For me it may be Sam Rami bc his style is so dynamic and memorable and he adores comics a lot. However Robert Rodriguez could pull off a very good version too given his track record for insane violence mixed with fantastical oddness.

I haven’t watched the movies, but I feel like the show definitely brings in such subjects as Frank’s mental state, the ethicality of his actions, while also showing that he does have a human side (sometimes)

Thomas Jane is the best Punisher. He's let down by the questionable characters around him, the dodgy script, the lack of real budget and Travolta's underwhelming villain. But Jane brought a real understanding and humanity to the role. I only wish that he had a chance to reprise his role in a real sequel. War Zone, however, is one of the all time so-bad-its-good films. It's a heaping helping of WTFness.

First time I ever saw the punisher was in the 90s spiderman cartoon and since then I've become of big fan of the punisher my favorite comic storyline was welcome back Frank

Ooooh sweet. The Punisher's my first and favourite comic-book character, to the point of inspiring me to become a comic artist. I'm glad to see you talking about him ! Run speaking, the top 3 (in my opinion) is : 3- Rucka and Checchetto 2- Aaron and Dillon 1- Every. Single. Ennis. Issue.

I still think that he was done way better in DD S2 than in either of the seasons of his own show.

The 2004 punisher is the best one hands down, at least in my opinion. sure there are some imperfections with it, but overall nails the methodical nature while still showing that crushing brutality of Frank Castle. It also was a film that showed his more human side when it could. Making him more than a one dimensional mess

I honestly feel that the Punisher works best in contrast. A lot of my favourite moments from the comics are when his brutal ethos clashes with characters like Daredevil, Spider-Man or Captain America. I feel another way Netflix could have made Defenders a compelling show would have been if they had thrown punisher in the mix. That show needed more character conflict (And Frank would have butted heads with everyone on that team in different ways) and a more distinct variety of styles to the fight scenes (defenders ended up with a bland mix of two agile fighters and two powerhouses punching guys in suits. Throwing the punisher in would have added guns and knives into the mix perhaps spicing things up ) I can just imagine the intriguing changes to the big defenders fight scenes with the others not only having to fight off the hand ninjas but constantly trying to reign in the Punisher who is shooting and slicing his way through the enemies. Itd be like a game of pass the parcel where they each have a moment where they react to the Punishers bloodlust and respond in their own ways using their abilities or skills to block him from killing someone. Maybe some of them dont even bother because of their own views raising the question of which defenders are the most and least aligned to his world view.

I feel like you didn't give Dolph Lindgren Punisher his due. He's very much a good punisher

very good retrospective. I had forgotten about Ma Gnucci. Ennis and his absurd characters. And you managed to summarize my thoughts on Netflix show: "... eeehhh" I didn't know about the whole appropriation bs. But I think it was well explained by a couple of frames at 23:14

I just wanted to rewatch that show, This is Great!!Thank you!!👍

Ah, Converge. You've made me nostalgic for Jane Doe.

The “Russian,” is actually Arnold Schwarzenegger’s stunt double for Conan, snd many movies in the 80’s. He was also a character in many of those movies.

This is a great video which deserves far more views

I really liked Punisher 2004 as a kid, but I haven't seen it again since then

I think Netflix got him wrong on purpose to make him more sympathetic.

putting the pun in punisher I see

I think I’d like to see that part in the comics when Frank becomes a full on Angel of Vengeance. I’d also love love love, and this is a big ask, to hear your defense of Garth Ennis and his other work. I’m a huge fan of him and Steve Dillon, and I think I’d really just like to hear you talk about Preacher for as long as possible.

I saw a while back you said that any youtube comment over a couple of lines sucks, so i'll do my best to keep it short. A couple of things though. First, thanks for turning your eye to this. I've always had a tough time explaining to people my issues with the Netflix Punisher, but you summed a lot of it up for me. Second, did you listen to the episode of 'How did this get made?' with Lexi Alexander? She talks about making WarZone and there are a lot of super interesting nuggets in there. (Also even though her twitter presence is annoying, she's pretty fantastic). Third, I was hoping you'd tackle 'movies that aren't actually punisher movies but work as one.' There are some movies out there that feel spiritually like the punisher. John Creasy in MAN ON FIRE is one and I really love THE GUEST as a punisher flick, though I think the director mentioned The Terminator as more of an inspiration. I think examining those could be a way to discuss why the adaptations here don't work. If you look at the 80's punisher comics, it was more just about this brick shithouse psycho going from town to town, from criminal to criminal and wiping out 'bad' guys. It wasn't about him being sad that his family was gone, or even solving a mystery. It was removing a cancer. I think the best model for a Punisher show would be the A-Team. Sure, you could do a longer arc, maybe he needs to get somewhere and is stopped along the way wiping out dirtbags until he meets the Big Bad. Imagine that setup, but (like in the PS2 game) he pisses off Iron Man for some reason and has to tangle with him. That brings me to my fav Punisher books. Three immediately spring to mind. The third isn't even in the punisher, but in Daredevil when he gets arrested to protect Daredevil in prison (which is what I thought the Netflix show was going to do). The second is Remender's first arc where Frank takes on the Sentry. Finally, my all time fav is Marvel Universe vs Punisher from Maberry. Manhattan is hit with a virus that turns everyone into their most base, animal form and Punisher is (for reasons later explained) immune. He decides he has to kill every single infected hero and villain. It turned into a 12 issue thing, with four dedicated to him, four to Wolverine and four to Avengers but it hits on all cylinders. Anyway, sorry to break the rules on good comment etiquette, but I genuinely love the vid and I'm glad you tackled it.

I doubt we'll see Frank any time soon on the big screen considering what Marvel and Jason Aaron just did to him. They could have just opted not to use him anymore, or retire him, but they dug his wire up, and humiliated him first. Jon Bernthal has said he'd never betray the character so we'll see how his second go as Frank goes. I liked him, but my favorite is Thomas Jane, followed by Ray Stevenson.

*In certain extreme situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue... natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, it's an emotional response. No. Not vengeance. Punishment.*

Awesome punisher video like the take on anti heroes my favorite type of heroes. Thanks for bringing these 3 punisher movies back to my attention.

He's back and badder then ever

Seeing John Pinette in the 2004 film is so awesome 13:28 hearing Pendelum desribed as frathouse crushed my heart 😆

Disney's MCU Phase 7: Angel of Vengeance Punisher joins the Avengers. The movie is considered the high-water mark for Phase 7.

"They deserve . . . gun-ishment!" sones up the character to me. Can't get on board with Punisher at all. Liked him in second season of Daredevil but gave up on his own show when they used the Tom Waits song 'Hell Broke Luce' for a scene of him brutally killing some overly horrible villains. I was like, fuck sake, how can you hear that song and not recognise how ANTI-WAR it is?

'punching a polar bear in the face' methinks the comic is not meant to be taken 100% seriously.

Stage diving at Converge is still bad ass. Did a few last week in fact, so I may yet love Punisher: War Zone

I think the Punisher is best as a supporting character, not has a main character. I love when other characters measure their ethics against his.

Daredevil season 2 was a perfect depiction of the character.

If you take it as a whole the Netflix punisher doesn’t work but that one hour where he waits in his lair and destroys everyone is the best version of Home Alone I’ve ever seen

i love your fuckin videos my boi.

I love the pun title

Interesting topic definitely hope you explore doing more why this didn't work out and explore why type videos

as much as i disagree with you (i loved the netflix show, and i preferred season 1 over season 2, don’t @ me) i still really enjoyed this video! watching the show and reading a little more into his character, i can see with what intentions he was created. but in the 50 years since, society has changed a lot and i would love to see the next season or show created about the punisher reflect on those changes. i‘d love to see an even more deranged and brutal version with an even more in your face message about why he is an ANTIhero and not just a hero. i feel like the producers often water down the satire he is to not risk any controversy and it’s sad.

You had me and lost me.

I always look forward to your simpsons inserts

The perfect non-comic Punisher property is hands-down Punisher '66. Did you check out Moon Tooth yet?

I love all 3 Franks. I don’t personally think I have one I prefer. Janes voice and look was magnificent, Steven’s was literally the most comic book accurate looking at least and he acted his ass off and bernthal I have problems with the story for sure but he played it so raw, and his mil spec look is by far my favorite especially with his head shaved like daredevil or season 1. They all did great. If not for Ray Steven’s passing I’d love to see a “no way home” style punisher film lol. Oh crap I completely forgot lugdren lmfao, his is not terrible but by far the worst, no skull and his voice always bothered me, sounded like a drunk rocky lol

The devil on Kevin Feige's shoulder: C'mon Kevin, you know the adaptation they really want! You can have Blade, and Man-Thing! It's the one story everyone loves! DO FRANKENCASTLE

Maybe The Punisher works bear under a satirical framework instead of a self seriously anti hero or maybe a mixture of the two. In my mind Punisher is a character built on extremes but cynical extremes and not altruistic extremes.

It’s that he speaks to the child in every man, ‘if x happened I’d do y cos I’m so hard’. I think we grow out of it but it sort of always exists in us somewhere however small

Great video. Can't wait for a truly great Punisher movie or TV show

Another great video. Thanks.

It's not my favourite, but the Dolph Lundgren was fun for me on a stylistic level. I enjoyed the weird intro, the cheap-as-fuck but striking sets, etc.

somehow i've been in your community for this long without realizing you're into comics lol. Have you read The Immortal Hulk run, written by Al Ewing and Joe Bennett? Some of the most leftist themes I've seen packaged into a comic, and it's also just a really great story to boot with some awesome body horror elements

The thing about The Punisher is he is completely incapable of seeing anything outside of black and white. He treats everything like if it either does or doesn't need to be nuked. I really have no clue why the rest of the Marvel heroes put up with besides needed someone to deal with freaks like Jigsaw. I liked all the Punisher films, even with their various flaws. I thought his stuff in the Daredevil series was compelling. His own Netflix show was ok. The first season tried dealing with the topic of mass shooters and even had a scene with a debate from both sides of the gun debate but nobody watches Punisher stuff for disputation. I only watched the first episode of the second season.

Isn't the massacred family plot device just a vile cliche.

A Brass Eye reference and an RLM reference in one video? It's Christmas come early/late!

I loved warzone and the 89 movie I have always liked, the other movie I didn't like but the Netflix show came so close but dropped the ball with jigsaw and the supporting characters

Another candidate to club "comics are soo much better pls read comics" featuring Thor Good killer plus Ragnarok, Vision, Moon knight Ellis and Lemire run ....and soo much more" (I am curious if we ever will get Immortal Hulk)

The problem with people adapting the Garth Ennis stuff, comes from the fact that Ennis understands something about Frank that no one in adaption has. Frank Castle is not a good guy, he's not a hero. He's a serial killer who has been pointed in a somewhat constructive direction. He's like Dexter Morgan or Paul Kursey (Death Wish) who is really his spiritual father. Frank Castle is not meant to be empathized with. He's not right in what he does, he's a lunatic on a prolonged killing spree. Ennis understands this about him. But no one else seems to and honestly that's kind of depressing. Like knowing some people genuinely think that Rorschach is a cool badass, and not a weird smelly hobo man with repugnant political and social views.

Great video. Been a big fan of Punisher since freshman year of high school but a lot of the association with the skull over the recent years has had me seriously considering a rebranding a name Ive used since 2008. I stay current with the mainline comics and still love the character, but think he and his way of thinking needs to stay in fiction.

My 2 cents: 1) I think the Lundgren '89 version is a bit underrated. Yes, it's '80s cheese, but the psychotic feel he provided is closer to the darkness of the comic book. 2) Hated the 2004 Jane one. He looks like a celebrity cosplaying the Punisher for Heidi Klum's Halloween bash. Too "pretty boy" Hollywood, and his "strutting" looks so contrived. Also - setting it in Florida (I think?) was a TERRIBLE move, because in the comics, NYC itself is a character, so to speak. Moving it elsewhere diminished the mythos significantly.

Thats So Reagan. Lmao

I'd love for them to end the new disney series with a comic civil war nod and have a "real" superhero kick his ass and call him a murderous piece of trash like Capt America did 😅

Finally some love for Tom Jane's performance!

Why the fuck do you think the punisher is "the perfect candidate for political debate"? Hes an angry dude who kills criminals cuz he wants to avenge his family, but really he just likes it. How the hell SHOULD this guy be politicized????

Thomas Jane absolutely kills it (no pun intended) as Frank Castle and for the record stage diving at a Converge show is still pretty badass

I haven't seen 1989 movie and Netflix show. ... But i really like 2004 movie, one of my favorites, its in my top10. It has its problems, some cringe and weak parts, but still, i like it. ... But i don't know why i didn't like 2008 War Zone that much ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ . It's not bad, its fine good, but it was kind of eehh for me. ... Dirty Laundry short film was nice. ... But that 2003 game was nice, i have re-played it 2-3 times on PC. It can get a bit boring in story in some places and it can get repetitive at times, but it's still fun. ... But i am interested to watch that 1989 movie and rewatch 2004 and 2008 movies.

Best punisher in order Dolph, Ray Stevenson, then TV series and we don't mention Tomas Jane as he's was terrible

Punisher 1989 was my favorite and followed the comics well. The skull teeshirt is a big white bullseye and is the dumbest thing for a covert killer to wear. It had great scenes and really fit Frank as a depressed man out for revenge. 2001 punisher only had a great short film. The movie itself sucked butt. Not until the Netflix series was there anything worth watching.

Thomas Jane is in no way intimidating and thus, is a terrible choice.

Hi

The Netflix adaptation was so dour.

@inframeout what makes barracuda a racist depiction?

Yeah we already have a ton of woke characters. Can we not get a hardened old school character that is anti woke. He would sell tickets thats for sure

Jon Bernthal show was great in my opinion. Utterly loved his portrayal and the show was very dark, just how I like it. I liked the Thomas Jayne movie as well, had pretty much everything I expected from The Punnisher movie of that era. Was not fan of War Zone but I can see how people can enjoy it.

Punisher isnt a right wing power fantasy, its genuinely people like you spouting that, thats the reason marvel have absolutely torched everything punisher related and replaced him with a "safe" version.

The Thomas Jane Punisher was WEAK! Dolph Lundgren IS The Punisher!

0:45 Disliked the video here

In my opinion, season 1 of The Punisher was amazing, but the 2nd season was trash.

The irony of injecting your political bias whilst talking about the character in question as a Rorschach test isn't lost on me, but it seems to be lost on you.

You have a way with words but my favourite was ‘a snuff cartoon for morons’