Frank Castle was a multiply decorated U.S. Marine Corps Captain who had fought in the Vietnam War. Later, he ran Special Black Ops training missions for Marine Commandos in the upper New York state area. One day, while picnicking with his family in Central Park, they become witness to a Mafia execution. Seeking to eliminate all witnesses, the Costa Family murdered them on the spot.
Castle was believed to be dead until he awoke sometime later in a body bag. Furious and confused, Castle struck out at the medics. It took the entire police squad on the scene and several tranquilizers to incapacitate him. He was hospitalized. Though two assassins attacked him in the hospital, he managed to kill one of them and savagely beat up the other. Though he was able to identify the killers who shot his family, the police were unable to help him as the killers were well tied with the Costa Family. Depressed, Frank turned to drinking and nearly shot himself in the head. Another attempt on his life resulted in the total obliteration of his house. Everything that had been left of his family, had gone up in flames.
From the flames of his anger and frustration, was born the persona known now as The Punisher. In his own words, “Frank Castle is dead. He died with his family. In certain extreme situations, the law is inadequate. In order to shame its inadequacy, it is necessary to act outside the law. To pursue… natural justice. This is not vengeance. Revenge is not a valid motive, it’s an emotional response. No. Not vengeance. Punishment“.
Armed with a wide variety of weapons - mines, pistols, a shotgun - and his extensive combat experience, he started his Holy Crusade against war by first eliminating the Costa Family - only the first of a four-figure body count - making Castle’s vendetta, a very bloody one. Ruthlessly, the Punisher hunted down and killed any one whom he deemed should be punished. Waging a one-man war on organized crime, he savagely and ruthlessly killed many villains, more than any “hero” ever. Highly skilled in martial arts, stealth tactics and marksmanship, Castle used killing, kidnapping, extortion, coercion, threats of violence and torture to wage his war against crime.
His willingness to kill has brought him into conflict against other costumed crusaders, often ending in a battle between them. Undeterred by others’ opinions, he continues his war on crime, maiming and killing evildoers and striking fear into those who prey on the innocent.