Before Frank Became Punisher!

Mar 15, 2015

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Garth Ennis is without doubt the greatest Punisher writer ever. He is the one who wrote the highly acclaimed Punisher Max series which features one of his greatest Punisher storylines ever written Born which tells of Frank Castle’s part supernatural – part physical transformation into The Punisher during his third tour in Vietnam. Now Garth has completed a story called The Platoon which accounts Frank’s first tour in Vietnam.

Ennis has been working on the story for over a year and a half now. Word first came down in August 2013 that things were in “very early stages.” Then in January last year, Ennis told CBR that he’d finished writing the tale and that his “Punisher MAX” collaborator Goran Parlov was coming on to draw it. On Saturday, Ennis finally revealed more details at London Super Comic-Con (via Bleeding Cool).

At a panel discussion with Avatar Press publisher William Chirstensen, Ennis said the series will be titled “The Platoon” and released under the Marvel MAX banner. According to Ennis, the story will follow Frank Castle on his first tour of duty in Vietnam. That means it will be way before he became The Punisher, so don’t expect any giant white skulls on his body armor.

Marvel Max is entirely adult rated just like DC’s Vertigo Comics is. It’s not at all for children and sensible adults, but it’s definitely for hardcore Punisher fans who enjoy reading Punisher Max stories including Born, The Slavers, and soon, The Platoon.

OwossoHarpist

Sherry Konkus lives in Owosso, MI. She is the proud owner of the Camac Athena EX Concert Grand Harp named “Grover” and Camac Mademoiselle named “Ernie.” She’s also the proud author of The Punisher Harp Zone. Sherry is the one who came up with the idea of portraying The Punisher from Marvel Comics as the punishing harpist who plays the harp in memory of his family who was killed by the mob years ago.

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Why does The Punisher play the harp?

It’s easy to imagine The Punisher shooting up criminal hideouts and blowing off the heads of thugs and mob bosses as the ultimate punishment for their crimes. But it’s hard to imagine (and believe) that there is also very gentle side to The Punisher no one knows about except for The Defenders (Daredevil, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage, and Iron Fist), Microchip (aka David Linus Liberman), and Spider-man (aka Peter Parker) who actually saw and became amazed at him doing something no one has ever thought he could do with his violent hands– play the harp. A gentle stringed musical instrument no one could ever believe that The Punisher would have such talent and ability to use his otherwise destructive hands to gently and tenderly pluck and caress its strings.

Indeed, it’s very hard to imagine and believe that the Punisher’s violent hands that brake bones, strangle necks, and punch out guts are the very same hands that softly and tenderly pluck, caress, and gracefully sweep across the strings of the harp.

Why does he do it, you asked? Because Frank is doing this in memory of his family whom he communes with through songs, poems, and prayers as he gracefully wave his battle-scarred arms and hands across the strings to fill his private family shrine with harp music that moves The Punisher to joyful tears.

Where did the Idea of The Punisher and his Harp come from?

It’s a concept I, Sherry Konkus made up myself. It combines my new found obsession with The Punisher that I had since 2014 and my life long love for the harp. It is the very best concept I ever made. This is my version of The Punisher from Marvel Comics who is portrayed by me as the punishing harpist who plays the harp in memory of his late family who got killed by a criminal mob years ago and whenever he needs a break from waging a one man war against organized crime.

The Punisher was created by Gerry Conway with the help of artists John Romita, Sr. and Ross Andru. His name coined by Stan Lee. The Punisher is owned and trademarked by MARVEL.

The idea, concept, and inspiration behind The Punisher’s portrayal as The Punishing Harpist who plays the harp in memory of his family is in fact my own. Sweetest. Idea. Ever.

The Punisher Harp Zone Archive

Before Frank Became Punisher!