Okay, so I’m going to go ahead and say that Jon Bernthal is probably the best actor ever cast to play the Punisher. He managed to bring the comic book version of Frank Castle to life, which is no easy task. Granted, given some of the pretty bad films and miscast actors who have taken up the role in the past, that’s not saying a whole lot. But Bernthal’s excellent performance in Daredevil Season 2 and the first Season of the Punisher last year is the main reason I’m looking forward to the quickly approaching second season of the Netflix Marvel’s Punisher series (available January 19).
Unfortunately, since Bernthal was so good that also makes it all the sadder that this will probably be his last outing as Frank Castle.
In case you haven’t heard, or don’t watch Marvel Netflix Series, the Marvel programs currently on Netflix are being unceremoniously cancelled. Once it happened to Daredevil, none of the other shows stood a chance, but the cancellations had nothing to do with quality or ratings (see here).
So, given the fact that we know Netflix is not supporting these shows anymore, will the current season have any effect on Punisher comics?
Well, television portrayals of comic characters have always had less weight than major movie appearances, but they do have a small effect on prices.
As regards the Punisher/Frank Castle – his first appearance in Amazing Spider-man #129 (February 1974), is practically immune to any bad movies or cancelled tv shows. It’s a popular key book in the run of the most popular super-hero in the world. Currently worth over $13, 000.00 in 9.8 certified condition and with strong positive returns in all grades, good or bad the Punisher series will have little effect on this baby.
The Punisher #1 (January 1986) - First Punisher in solo title
So the books to watch regarding Punisher comic activity are probably the standalone Punisher comics, of which the 1986 first issue of his solo limited run title is the more valuable (the 1987 first issue of the longer running series has also been gradually gaining in value). Punisher #1 with a script by Steven Grant and pencils by Mike Zeck is currently worth $400.00 in 9.8 certified grade. A fraction of what Spider-man #129 costs, but not bad for a Copper Age book. The last three eBay sales of 9.8 graded copies went for: $429.99 (12/28/2018), $475.00 (12/28/2018) and $380.00 (12/29/2018). Currently returns on 9.8’s are slightly positive at 4% after 159 sales since 2008. Issue #4, the first appearance of Microchip from the 1987 second Punisher series is also worth seeking out since we know that character will also be coming back.
Amazing Spider-man #162 – First Appearance of Jigsaw
Where things get interesting is with the rest of the supporting cast of characters. For example, Ben Barnes will be back to reprise his role as Billy Russo aka Jigsaw. Russo’s betrayal of Castle and the confrontation and fight between the two at the end of Season One was a highlight of the series. Jigsaw’s first appearance can be found in Spider-man #162. With 772 copies on the CGC census, this comic is an up and comer and you should keep an eye on it. Currently fetching a respectable $525.00 in certified 9.8 condition, but best returns have been on 9.6 copies. With a positive +78.3% return on investment after 100 sales since 2009. 9.6 copies currently have a fair market value of $220.00.
Finally, Josh Stewart has also joined the cast this season as a character called John Pilgrim. This character is far less well known. The blurbs from various entertainment websites claim that John Pilgrim is not a Marvel Comics character, so this new villain (an alt-right preacher according to various sources) has no comic history.
Still there was a Pilgrim character in the Marvel Universe. Mosely Wilson aka Pilgrim Wilson. First appearing in Fantastic Four 2099 #2 (February 1996) he was also quickly killed in the very next issue. Since he is from the future and another Marvel Universe (Earth 928) barring a sci-fi twist, I doubt this character will be the one in the series.
