The Punisher
Marvel · 2001–2004 · 37 issues
About the series
Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s landmark run on The Punisher (2001–2004) redefined Marvel’s vigilante icon, stripping him of superhero trappings for a gritty, blackly comedic crime saga. Over 37 issues, Ennis, with artists like John McCrea and Manuel Gutierrez, pitted Frank Castle against absurdly brutal foes—including the hulking Russian—in a visceral, morally complex world that balanced ultraviolence with sharp, dark humor. This series cemented the Punisher as a force of nature in Marvel’s mature-readers line, influencing the character’s tone for decades.