'Punisher': Through the years

A look at the Marvel superhero’s life of crime and punisher-ment

The Punisher is a one-of-a-kind comic book hero: Not only does Vietnam vet Frank Castle cross the line few superheroes will and actually kill his enemies in a violent war on crime, but he’s also one of the few Marvel heroes who has so far fizzled on the big screen.

That’s something Marvel is looking to change with the release Dec. 5 of “Punisher: War Zone,” a new film starring Ray Stevenson that marks the third attempt at turning the ultra violent vigilante into action movie sensation.

What follows is a look back at the character’s long and storied career—one marked by more than its shares of thrilling highs and embarrassing lows. —Thomas J. McLean, Special to Metromix