Punisher and His BFF- Jigsaw. Punisher jigsaw comics
Punisher and His BFF- Jigsaw
I recently wrote about the upside of investing in Punisher #1, which led me to his almost nonexistent rogue gallery. Frank has rarely had persistent antagonists since his first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #129 because he is the most successful mass murderer in comics. Of the handful of exceptions, the first to come to mind is his long-reigning arch-nemesis, Jigsaw. Let’s take a look at the Beaut’s first appearance in Amazing Spider-Man #162 and see if this personal favorite would make a Smart investment with the cancellation of Punisher on Netflix and recent attention on Amazing Spider-Man #129.
A Brief History
Debuting in 1974, the Punisher has murdered his way through the Marvel Universe with a body count of over 40,000. Billy Russo, aka Jigsaw, has beaten the odds and survived Frank’s rampage since his introduction in Amazing Spider-Man #162 in 1976. Jigsaw is not an example of Frank’s mercy, however, but a continuation of his violence, only being spared to send a message to the mobsters that killed his family. Being disfigured and humiliated has fueled Jigsaw’s vengeful rage for decades, giving him a unique place in Punisher lore. Jigsaw has served as Punisher’s primary antagonist for over forty years now. The only other continual thorn in Frank’s side, excluding the heroes trying to end his murder spree, would be Kingpin.
Jigsaw On Screen
Jigsaw has enjoyed his fair share of screen time thanks to his distinct role in Punisher Canon. The character was first played by Dominic West in Punisher: War Zone in 2008 and again by Ben Barnes in both seasons of the extremely popular Punisher Netflix series in 2017 and 2019. We have seen more of Jigsaw than many other popular characters in the MCU. That being said, Jigsaw does not survive on the Netflix show as he does in the comics. Rumor has it The Punisher will return to Disney, and these are comics, so maybe Jigsaw will return with another season. I know that I am crossing my fingers.
Aside from Jigsaw, Amazing Spider-Man #162 has broader cultural significance. You might recognize the Roosevelt Island tram on the John Romita and Ross Andru cover. It served as the inspiration for the classic scene in 2002’s Spider-Man movie. Since the film’s release, the Roosevelt tram has consistently served as a popular tourist destination on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. I rode on the tram only a few months ago. I overheard numerous tourists referencing the beloved movie scene, demonstrating its continuing influence and relevance. There was even a graffiti mural underneath the tram in the 1980s paying tribute to the issue. Locals still call the wall “The Punisher” to this day.
The Breakdown
Where does this leave us? When fellow GoCollect columnist Michael Vlachakis wrote about Amazing Spider-Man #162 two years ago, Jigsaw was enjoying his day in the sun with Punisher season 2 on the horizon. 9.8 graded copies were being listed for 700. Today, GoCollect data shows us there are 126 9.8s on the CGC census and their fair market value has dropped to 375. If you bought a 9.8 two years ago, you will see some negative returns if you sell it right now. Interestingly, year to date returns for a 9.8, however, are 19.8%.
Amazing Spider-Man #162’s historic performance shows us it can double its current fair market value given the right catalysts. Personally, I try to buy graded comics before they explode. If they’ve blown up, I will wait until they cool down. Chasing books when their ship has sailed is an easy way to lose money. Jigsaw’s first appearance is a perfect example. Jigsaw is clearly a reoccurring character in and out of comics. The book has leveled out after his Netflix appearance and is now at a good entry price. Punisher’s first appearance has seen renewed interest lately which is a good sign for his arch enemy’s first appearance as are the year-to-date upward trends.
Comparing to Other Villains
I tend to lump Jigsaw together with Sabretooth and Bullseye in terms of his place as an antagonist in comics and film, probably because all three characters debuted within one year of each other and their similar relationships to their antihero counterparts. While they have similar CGC populations, Bulleye’s first appearance in Daredevil #131 has an FMV of 2,200 in 9.8 while Sabretooth’s in Iron Fist #14 has an FMV of 2500 in 9.8. Is Jigsaw as popular as these other two villains? No. Do I think Amazing Spider-Man #162 is comparatively undervalued with all of the above factors considered? Yes.
Jigsaw has proven himself to be Punisher’s main villain for decades in both comics and film. His first appearance has a low CGC population, is reasonably priced, and has a classic cover by seminal Spider-Man artists that will undoubtedly see tribute again in future films. It is also one of the earliest Punisher appearances, predating his solo title by ten years. While Jigsaw might be ugly, future returns on his first appearance will be pretty.
Ray Stevenson’s Punisher: War Zone Was An Underappreciated Gem That Future Adaptations Shouldn’t Ignore
Jon Bernthal will return as Frank Castle in “Daredevil: Born Again,” which is good news for fans of Marvel’s sociopathic vigilante. The actor is passionate about the character, and he’s already proven that he can play him with nuance and fierceness. That’s great — no doubts about it. However, as we look toward the future, we also shouldn’t forget the past, and all future adaptations of this gritty comic character also need to learn a thing or two from Lexi Alexander’s “Punisher: War Zone,” an underrated cult classic that deserves more respect.
“Punisher: War Zone” was released in 2008, the same year that “Iron Man” gave birth to the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The film follows a darker version of Frank Castle, played to perfection by the late Ray Stevenson, as he rampages through New York City’s criminal underworld, sparing no mercy as he leaves a pile of bodies in his wake. It’s nothing like “Iron Man,” or any other comic book adaptation for that matter. These days, it’s a forgotten gem in the grand scheme of things.
Alexander’s take on Frank Castle’s story is easily the most unhinged and chaotic of all of the “Punisher” live-action adaptations to date. However, on could also argue that it’s the most entertaining of the bunch, precisely because the film isn’t afraid to lean into the inherent absurdity of the source material that inspired it.
Punisher: War Zone is the most entertaining Punisher adaptation to date
Every “Punisher” adaptation so far has been vastly different from one another, and they’re all good in their own way. The 1989 version is a solid action movie, despite the fact it’s a “Punisher” flick in name only. The Thomas Jane-led reboot from 2004, meanwhile, sees the actor deliver an emotional performance that tugs at the heartstrings. but, truth be told, it’s quite dull at times. The MCU TV series, starring Jon Bernthal, gives Castle the most depth out of any adaptation thus far, but its unrelenting darkness makes for grim viewing.
“Punisher: War Zone” is great because it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s a lean, mean, action-packed machine, that channels the spirit of Garth Ennis’ “Punisher MAX” run — which, to this day, is one of the most beloved series about Marvel’s vigilante out there. And most importantly, while Alexander’s film is over-the-top in the best kind of way, it’s anchored by a deliciously gritty performance from Ray Stevenson. As Castle, Stevenson exudes all of the pain and menace that’s synonymous with the skull-shirted antihero, adding just the right amount of seriousness to what is otherwise a live-action cartoon.
Overall, though, “Punisher: War Zone” is all about spilling blood and guts, and that’s where it really shines.
Punisher: War Zone is a splatter movie masterpiece
The opening scenes of “Punisher: War Zone” set the tone perfectly. Ray Stevenson’s titular harbinger of justice interrupts a mob dinner party, immediately decapitates someone, and proceeds to feed the bad guys with a buffet of bullets — while spinning around on a chandelier and firing guns with both hands. After that, he jumps down from the ceiling and shoves a chair through some poor goon’s eye. The chaos doesn’t stop after that.
Granted, “Punisher: War Zone” isn’t for the easily squeamish, but fans of bombastic action and splatter will have a blast with it. There are also some moments that wouldn’t seem out of place in a horror movie, especially when it comes to Jigsaw (Dominic West). Castle leaves the villain looking like a Mafia version of Frankenstein’s Monster after throwing him into a glass crusher, making him a truly nightmare-inducing villain.
Of course, every “Punisher” adaptation is going to pack a punch when it comes to bloody violence. However, “Punisher: War Zone” also boasts another quality that future adaptations should adopt in order to stand out from contemporary comic book movies and TV shows.
Punisher works best when separated from other Marvel characters
“Punisher: War Zone” felt like an anomaly when it was released in 2008, and that’s certainly even more true in the current climate of comic book adaptations. These days, interconnected universes are all of the rage, and “Punisher” has become part of this trend, too. There’s nothing wrong with that per se, but “Punisher: War Zone” rules because it marches to the beat of its own drum.
Future “Punisher” adaptations should consider distancing the character from some of his Marvel peers. While it’s fun to watch characters interact as part of a grander narrative, interconnected universes require creators to be beholden to an overarching vision. The downside is that it can limit creative freedom and dilute the power of each character’s individual story, which is a criticism that some fans had about Netflix’s “Punisher” series.
Now that Marvel Studios and Disney are in charge of Castle again, he’s going to be part of a bigger puzzle. That means we won’t get to see anything as singular and deranged as “Punisher: War Zone” for quite some time, and that’s a shame. That said, the House of Mouse should at least embrace the fun elements of “Punisher: War Zone” and cater to fans who crave over-the-top, debaucherous absurdity.
Jigsaw, Agent Orange, the Battle Van, and more from The Punisher’s comic book history turn up in the Netflix series.
Perhaps more than any of the other Marvel Television programs on Netflix, The Punisher created a number of key characters and situations out of whole cloth. Characters like DHS Agent Dinah Madani (Amber Rose Revah), her family, Lewis Wilson (Daniel Webber), and Carson Wolf (C. Thomas Howell) are new additions to the lore. The plot itself also re-writes Frank Castle’s mob-centered origin story into a modern tale of black ops and blowback. But it also makes great use of some of The Punisher’s long and storied history within Marvel Comics. Here (in no particular order) are six of the best comics-to-TV adaptations in Marvel’s The Punisher.
“Welcome Back, Frank.”
At the end of episode 1, Micro (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) watches video of Frank’s attack on the Gnucci poker game and says, “Welcome Back, Frank.” The line itself is the title of a 2000 Punisher story line by Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon of Preacher fame. The story, published as part of the Marvel Knights imprint, saw Frank get back to basics after years of working with teams, running a crime family and even becoming an agent of the angels; killing on behalf of the highest authority. Ennis jettisoned all of that for a satire starring a man with a lot of guns and a bone to pick with the Gnucci crime family. It also features the best Punisher/Spider-Man team-up ever published.
But quoting it in the context of the television series is more than just a nod to fans of the Ennis/Dillon run on the comic book. It also heralds Frank’s acceptance of violence after a five-month sabbatical and Micro’s glee at finally finding the man.
Curiously, Welcome Back, Frank also inspired two of the three Punisher feature films. 2004’s The Punisher loosely adapts elements from the story and features several members of its supporting cast. 2008’s Punisher War Zone adapts the satirical tone of Ennis’ writing and some the series’ color palette.
The Battle Van
Since 1975, The Punisher’s Battle Van has been a key part of his mission to end all crime his way. Initially modeled on a generic Ford-style delivery van, the vehicle was eventually tricked out with everything Frank would need to shoot the bad guy. It also probably got terrible gas mileage despite a “high-efficiency” a/c unit. But considering the van had a habit of getting destroyed, maybe Frank eventually found an engine that could get great MPG in one of his replacements.
In the series, Frank has two Battle Vans. The first is briefly glimpsed in the opening moments and recalls the generic look of the initial van. The second one Frank and Micro “acquire” together at a chop shop. It is a sleeker ride with some modest customization, but it never receives the high-tech upgrade Frank’s vans get in the comics. Granted, it’s not like Micro had much time to soup it up with onboard weapons, hide-away racks for Frank’s firearms, peel-away paint or a permanent mobile command unit for that ever-helpful drone. And considering the van is maybe two or three years old, it probably gets OK gas mileage. Those gas stations stops on the way to Kentucky must’ve been a hoot, though.
No matter the specifics of the van, its inclusion is a welcome homage to the days when Frank tooled around in a slightly incongruous ride.
Top 10 Differences Between The Punisher TV Show and Comics
Curtis Hoyle Stan Ori
From the late 1980s to the mid-1990s, The Punisher was such a successful title for Marvel Comics that the company started two spin-off titles: The Punisher War Journal and The Punisher War Zone. With that much Punisher on the shelves every month, it meant plenty of opportunities to introduce new villains or dig into Frank’s past.
Senator Stan Ori (Rick Holmes), for example, appeared in two issues of War Journal during “The Sicilian Saga” story line. Though an antagonist in that that story, he suffered a quick death — an ongoing problem in trying to create a rogues gallery for Frank. But a great name for the pro-gun-control senator with a weak constitution and a penchant for lying featured, somewhat pointlessly, in the television series. Perhaps his inclusion will lead to a bigger story should there be a second season.
Comic Books Origins: Jigsaw | Punisher Season 2 Villain Explained
Curtis Hoyle (Jason R. Moore) is another name plucked from the deepest reserves of The Punisher’s comic book history. On TV, he is Frank’s most trusted ally. But in The Punisher (Vol. 2) #1-#2, he played more of a Billy Russo role as private military contractor who recognizes fellow Vietnam vet Frank Castle when the latter tries to infiltrate the business. Attempting to lure Frank into a trap, Curtis soon finds himself pushed out of a helicopter by The Punisher.
It is interesting to note that showrunner Steve Lightfoot would pick that name for a character who is, for the most part, original to the television series and who highlights the plight of Afghanistan and Iraq War veterans. In fact, reframing Frank as an Afghanistan vet makes very pointed connections to Vietnam and the state of mind of The Punisher in his original comic book form. It would be interesting to see a second season of Punisher take more cues from this concept.
Agent Orange (William Rawlins)
From the way Frank and Micro throw around the name “Agent Orange,” you might think he’s based on a flamboyant – and topical – Punisher foe from the early 1980s. Surprisingly, there are a few Marvel Comics characters claiming the name Agent Orange. One is an obscure S.H.I.E.L.D. agent with no connections to Frank whatsoever. A more villainous S.H.I.E.L.D. agent named Roger Goshaw also used the name in Captain America/Nick Fury: Blood Truce #1, but also never became a Punisher antagonist.
Like Curtis above, the use of the term “Agent Orange” — a herbicide used as a chemical weapon in Vietnam and later identified as the source of mysterious ailments suffered by veterans of that war — makes a very pointed connection between the United States’ actions in Vietnam and Afghanistan; which makes sense once Frank and Mirco discover who “Agent Orange” really is.
William Rawlins (Paul Schulze), unlike the various Marvel Comics Agent Oranges, is a Punisher antagonist with a very similar agenda to his television counterpart. A corrupt CIA man who first appears in issue #14 of Ennis’s Marvel Max Punisher series, he involves himself in a mob plan to get The Punisher. Frank eventually gouges his eye out, setting the tone for their relationship. Rawlins uses everything from CIA assets to mob grudges to his own flexible sexuality to get information and further his objectives. Most of his operations took place in Afghanistan, with Frank eventually murdering him in the Kabul Airport.
In choosing him as a primary antagonist for the television series, Lightfoot and the rest of the writers had a perfect character to slot into Frank’s heavily revised origin. It is no accident that he is one of the more successful characters on the show — well, at least until he gets goofy while torturing Frank. But he also continues the thread of powerful officials sending men and women in to commit immoral acts on the battlefront. An antagonistic force that Frank will always have to confront if he continues to be The Punisher.
Jigsaw
Perhaps no character on the series is more successfully recontextualized than Billy Russo. In the comics, he was a mob hitman known as “The Beaut” whose first encounter with Frank led to some unwanted cosmetic surgery. With their conflict now personal, he adopted the “Jigsaw” moniker and became one of the few guys in New York who was definitely more dangerous than The Punisher.
In turning him into a vain war profiteer with hints of sociopathy, the show creates a man whose connection with Frank goes very deep. It is also tragic — particularly in light of the scene at the carousel before Frank’s family is murdered. And it all leads to a particularly gruesome moment in which Billy’s face is literally destroyed.
Fans of Punisher knew it was coming from actor Ben Barnes first onscreen appearance, but nothing puts a finer point on his eventual need for face work than when Billy introduces the notion of Frank looking at himself in the mirror a few episodes before the finale. The actual moment is filled with emotion while grossing out the viewer. But it also frames Billy as the antagonist of the series.
At the same time, the writers should be commended for never introducing the word “jigsaw” in any way so the moment could have maximum impact for those new to The Punisher and its lore. It would have been very easy to tip the hat and make “Jigsaw” Billy’s callsign, for example.
Turk Barrett
This one is mainly a bonus as Turk Burnett (Rob Morgan) once again finds himself on the wrong end of a Marvel protagonist’s mission. In the Netflix New York, he’s been confronted by Daredevil and Luke Cage. He also had a run-in with the Defenders. In the pages of Marvel comics, he’s faced just about everybody since his debut in a 1970 issue of Daredevil; stealing costumes from Mauler and Stilt-Man in his attempts to get back at Daredevil.
But whether he’s in a costume or getting pistol-whipped in a shipping container, it’s nice that the Marvel TV shows can keep this character alive and offer small interconnecting ideas — even if The Punisher‘s story line makes Iron Fist look like Muppet Babies.
Marvel’s The Punisher is now streaming on Netflix.
The trailer of the new season of Netflix show The Punisher shows the latest instalment as a grittier, bloodier version.
Netflix has released the trailer of the second season of Marvel’s The Punisher, and the sophomore season seems to be way darker, grittier and bloodier than the first instalment.
A still from The Punisher season 2 trailer. YouTube screengrab
A Daredevil series spin-off, The Punisher revolves around Frank Castle, who uses lethal methods to fight crime as the vigilante “the Punisher“, with Jon Bernthal reprising the role from Daredevil. The last season may have indicated that Castle was heading towards a happier life, but the trailer situates him again in the midst of utter violence and vigilante battle.
In this season, Castle will be seen getting embroiled in the attempted kidnapping and murder of a young girl Amy Bendix (Giorgia Whigham). As he digs deep to uncover the mystery behind the constant attacks on the girl and the information that she bears, he is confronted with Marvel Comics villain named Jigsaw, the alter ego of Billy Russo (Ben Barnes), one who was introduced in the plot of the finale of the last season.
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The Punisher is the only other Marvel show, apart from Jessica Jones that has yet not been axed from the streaming platform. Netflix pulled the plug on three of Marvel’s shows, Daredevil, Iron Fist and Luke Cage.
Updated Date: January 11, 2019 14:51:33 IST
