The Punisher

The Punisher is a fictional anti-hero and star of several comic book series published by Marvel Comics.

The Punisher character will return in December 2008, when the role is recreated by Ray Stevenson in the film Punisher War Zone.

Ex-Marine Frank Castle was enjoying a picnic in New York's Central Park with his wife and children when the family witnessed an organized crime execution. The Costa Crime Family could not have any witnesses, so they attempted to slay the hapless family. Frank Castle survived, but the rest of his family did not. Because the killers were tied to a powerful criminal syndicate, the police could do nothing to bring the killers to justice. Castle chose to start a one-man war on crime, to stop any criminals that were beyond the reach of the law. He quickly dispatched the killers of his family, but continued his campaign against crime as the merciless Punisher.

The Punisher is notable for being one of Marvel's most violent heroes. The majority of Marvel's heroes have a strict code against killing, but The Punisher does the opposite, killing any criminals who cross his path. The Punisher is one of Marvel's more popular characters, appearing in cartoons and comic books. There have been two feature films titled The Punisher. The 1989 film starred Dolph Lundgren and Thomas Jane played the title character in 2004.Variety: Punisher gets Lionsgate Overhaul (August 1, 2007)

• Note: Some of the links in this timeline are to IMDb, which has pop-ups.

• 1989 The Punisher: IMDb

• 2004 The Punisher: IMDb | Rotten Tomatoes

• 2005 Punisher: First Round: IMDb

• 2008 The Punisher: War Zone: IMDb | Mahalo