Warning: SPOILERS for Punisher #8
Marvel’s Punisher is officially a superhero, with powers far beyond the abilities of normal humans – including a Wolverine-level healing factor. Frank Castle’s new adventure turns the entire Punisher origin around, reviving his beloved wife Maria, but at a terrible cost. Punisher #8 reveals Frank Castle’s many superpowers, including a brand-new one – which will aid him in his fight with an ancient Green God.
In Punisher’s new storyline, Frank Castle is now a high-ranking member of the Hand, a criminal organization with whom Frank had fought in the past. Normally, the usually-uncompromising Punisher would murder every Hand member he sees, but they have important leverage: his wife Maria is back from the dead, with fractured memories of her past. Now acting as the “High Slayer”, Frank Castle commands an army of ninjas and still murders violent criminals and murderers – but this time, with a sword and without his classic Punisher skull logo.
In Punisher #8, written by Jason Aaron, Jesus Saiz & Paul Azaceta with art by Dave Stewart, multiple criminals are brought before Frank Castle. The Punisher, surprisingly, orders his men to release the criminals and arm them; if he is killed, they are allowed to go free. Unfortunately, this is a rigged fight: aside from the Punisher’s considerable skill with a sword, he also has a new superpower: the ability to heal from life-threatening injuries (one criminal even runs Frank Castle through with a sword, but Frank is unharmed).
Punisher Now Has A Wolverine-Level Healing Factor
“The eyes, the fire, the marrow…the healing blood. You have now mastered all but one of the five gifts of the Beast” announces the triumphant High Priestess while the Punisher removes the sword from his gut. Frank Castle’s powers, surprisingly, have not made him any more (or less) violent than before, but they will certainly help in his upcoming fight with the God Ares. Unfortunately, it is heavily hinted that the Punisher’s powers can be taken away; Maria’s life is only sustained thanks to the magical potions of the High Priestess, and Frank’s abilities could be similarly removed if the High Priestess deems it so.
Frank Castle’s powers allow him to survive nearly any attack – but he has yet to be attacked by a supernatural force. The “Beast” of which the High Priestess speaks is not a metaphorical monster, but an actual demon chained up in the compound of the Hand. The Punisher faces an uphill battle regardless of his Wolverine-like healing factor; if he fights Ares, the God could cut right through his powers, but if he fights the High Priestess, she could simply take them away.
