NEW PUNISHER ART! Frank Castle and his Konghou

Aug 12, 2016

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Mike Zeck is one of the most celebrated Punisher artists out there. His work with The Punisher is among the very best in Punisher artistry. Here’s one example of his tremendous work showing both The Punisher and Batman together.

If only DC Comics and Marvel agree to share the rights to The Punisher. (*sigh*)

Now imagine Mike Zech’s version of The Punisher trying out on playing a very exotic harp only a few people outside the country of China is lucky enough to see and hear in person. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, feast your eyes on my newest Punisher harp art showing Mike Zeck’s incredible version of The Punisher trying out on playing the exotic harp known as the Konghou!

Now does anyone know what a konghou is? If not, let me explain. The Konghou is an ancient form of Chinese harp that has been played by many Chinese musicians for thousands of years. First appearing during the Eastern Han Dynasty, this ancient instrument was said to be created by a music craftsman named Kan Hou who was commissioned by the emperor to create a musical instrument that can produce sounds that are highly pleasing to everyone. As a result, Kan Hou created the KanHou, which produced such sounds that greatly pleased everyone including the emperor and his royal court, and named the instrument after himself. That instrument, later renamed the Konghou, became the top rated choice for Chinese musicians to play at feasts and ritual dance shows. It was played in palace orchestras, bands, and as a solo instrument for many centuries until the instrument gradually disappeared during the 17th century to make way for more advanced musical instruments.
Years later, in the mid-twentieth century, the Konghou experienced a great revival when musicians demanded an instrument that’s ancient, yet contemporary for them to play. The Konghou proved to be the one that met such demands. In 1964, in Shenyang, China, the Konghou was revived. But it was no ordinary Konghou. While ancient forms of Konghou was either a log, bow, or a boat shaped instrument, the modern Konghou took the shape of the modern pedal harp that Frank enjoys playing while he’s not giving felons the ultimate punishment. Like the pedal harp, it has pedals, a curvy neck, and a pillar. But it also has a soundboard arranged in a flat, vertical position and 2 rows of strings, one on each side. Each of the 2 rows of strings are arranged to face each other in a single line. Each string is supported by a bridge that is located in the middle of the soundboard. There are 72 strings in all; 36 in each row. All of them are tuned to the same note with the help of special adjustable pins located at the very back of the harp.
The Konghou is rarely seen outside of China. But that doesn’t stop Frank from discovering the instrument while he was literally busting up The Dragon Scales, a gang of meth dealers that has been operating along the borders of China and Myanmar for some time. One of the treasures that’s being used to purchase a large cargo of meth from another gang contains a Konghou that was stolen from a family of Chinese officials that were mercilessly attacked and killed by thugs working for the Dragon Scales gang while staying at a summer home. Punisher tracked down and killed the thugs, avenging them. He then rummage through the stolen treasure trove and saw the Konghou which reminded Frank of “Ravenna” one of his harp children that he keeps in a safe area way back in the US.
Frank took a liking to the Konghou and tried to play it. It’s a very complicated instrument for Frank to play, but what’s to stop Frank from playing around with all those strings he can use to strangle the gang leader, hang his henchmen until they’re dead, set fire to the meth cargo (the old fashion way), and above all, take this big Chinese beauty home back to the States where he adopts it into his wonderfully beloved harp family? Why nothing, of course!

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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About the author

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

NEW PUNISHER ART! Frank Castle and his Konghou