Punisher goes back to the basics in Matthew Rosenberg's Punisher #1

Aug 23, 2018

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People everywhere are excited and raving about Matthew Rosenberg and Szymon Kudranski’s highly acclaimed Punisher #1 Vol. 12 and I don’t blame them. Each page in the comic is chock full of extreme blood spilling violence done in the name of Frank Castle who goes back to the basics after the events of the Punisher War Machine storyline. Frank descends into the underground sections of NYC and begins to lay waste on every criminal hideout and bar he comes across, and he’s not stopping there.

_____________________Warning Spoilers!______________________

Punisher wants revenge on Hydra lead by the evil Baron Zemo, arch-villain of Captain America, for tricking him into joining the group in the Secret Empire storyline of last year. To do that Punisher must make his way to the UN building where people have gathered to place a vote for an evil island country controlled by Hydra to become part of the United Nations. This is something that has been planned by Hydra for some time. Some of the Avengers are there as well including Tony Stark (aka Iron Man). And another Marvel villain, The Mandarin, arch villain of Iron Man, is also there to help Hydra make their plans a success. But not if The Punisher can help it. In spite of the 10 magic rings which Mandarin has on his fingers to protect himself and give him power, Mandarin ends up getting a magic bullet in his eye courtesy of The Punisher (Nice job, Frank!) and that killed him.

With no one to endorse the island, the UN decided not to vote, leaving Zemo furious that his plans have failed! Zemo vowed to destroy the Punisher and ordered his men to go after him. The Avengers begin to follow suit as well.

So now Frank ends up leading a wild goose chase all over the city which will continue in Punisher #2 which will be out next month.

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

Punisher goes back to the basics in Matthew Rosenberg's Punisher #1