Warning! Spoilers for Heroes Reborn: Squadron Savage #1 by Marvel Comics below.
The Punisher has one of the most tragic origins in all comics, and in the Heroes Reborn universe, a new wrinkle was added that makes it even sadder. In a world without the Avengers, Frank Castle has joined the Squadron Savage, where his memories have been altered to make him believe his family is still alive – a mirage that quickly comes crashing down during a deadly mission.
Frank Castle’s family was murdered in front of his eyes, leading him to become a vigilante known as the Punisher. Castle would get revenge on his slain family by rampaging against crime in the most violent ways imaginable, as he killed whoever stood in his way. Seen largely as an antihero, a number of other heroes have taken umbrage with the Punisher’s tactics. However, Castle hasn’t stopped killing as his psyche was permanently changed when his family was killed. Now, in a Marvel Comics reality where almost everything has changed, the Punisher is tricked into believing his family is still alive.
In Heroes Reborn: Savage Squadron #1 by Ethan Sacks, Luca Pizzari, Carlos Lopez, and VC’s Travis Lanham, Frank Castle is introduced surrounded by his family, when he’s called into action by Elektra to take on The Redeemers. Castle joins a team featuring Elektra, Murder Hornet, Crossbones, and Cloak. However, when he kills during the mission, he immediately regrets it, saying he could have just orphaned a kid. When the team reaches the Redeemers, Cloak finds Dagger, who tells the team they’ve all been brainwashed. That’s when Punisher starts to remember his family is actually dead.
As Castle starts to piece together his real life, he’s approached by Elektra – who tells him if they don’t kill their target, everybody he cares about will be erased. Punisher realizes Elektra’s mirage and tells her everybody he cares about is already dead. Elektra responds by stabbing her Sai through Castle’s chest, killing him. After killing her target, Kang, Elektra awakens to Kingpin telling her he wiped her memory as well.
Even in a world that’s been radically changed by Mephisto, Frank Castle’s biggest tragedy still occurs. While Elektra and Kingpin messed with his memories to make him believe his family was actually alive, he eventually figured out the truth, which led to his death. The Punisher can’t escape his haunted past it seems, no matter what reality he is in. Being made to believe his family was still alive is incredibly cruel, even if it served Elektra’s mission. Squadron Savage: Heroes Reborn: Squadron Savage #1 is in comic book stores now.
