When it comes to comic book anti-heroes, there are few more bad ass than the Punisher. And while there are countless key issues featuring the blood soaked exploits of Frank Castle, in this list we’re looking solely at the best Punishers comic covers of all time. In other words, we chose these issues because of their amazing cover art, not necessarily because they feature a key moment in the Punisher’s long and bloody criminal-capping career. To keep things simple, we’ve listed the books in publication date, along with estimated prices and all the details on why each issue made the cut.
But enough talk. Time to load up your hollow points, slap on your skull vest and set your sights on… the 20 best Punisher comic covers ever made.
1. Amazing Spider-Man #129
- Published: February 1974
- Estimated Price: $2,400 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key:1st appearance of the Punisher
- Why We Picked It: Not only did this issue first introduce the Frank Castle to the Marvel universe, but it stands the test of time thanks to the classic John Romita cover, which has been reproduced, swiped, parodied and praised for almost 50 years. The end result is a classic Punisher comic cover that also just happens one of the best Spider-Man comic covers of all time.
2. Marvel Preview #2
- Published: July 1975
- Estimated Price: $300 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Origin of the Punisher
- Why We Picked It: While this black and white, magazine format issue introduced a grittier, blood-soaked Punisher to the Marvel masses, we added it to this list because of the stunning Gray Morrow cover that features a trigger happy Frank Castle doing what he does best.
3. Marvel Super Action #1
- Published: January 1976
- Estimated Price: $90 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Classic cover
- Why We Picked It: Another sought-after magazine-sized comic issue, this book added yet another layer of blood and guts to the character of Frank Castle. Featuring stunning artwork by Bob Larkin, the end result is a classic Punisher comic cover.
4. Daredevil #183
- Published: June 1982
- Estimated Price: $20 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: 1st battle of Daredevil and the Punisher
- Why We Picked It: Over the years the Punisher and Daredevil have thrown down more than a few times. But this classic Punisher cover by Frank Miller marks the very first time they locked horns. Incidentally, this iconic book is also in the running for one of the best Daredevil comic covers of all time.
5. Punisher Limited Series #1
- Published: January 1986
- Estimated Price: $160 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: First Punisher solo series.
- Why We Picked It: In the decade after he was first introduced, the Punisher quickly grew to become a Marvel fan favorite. So it was no real surprise that he was eventually given his own series in the mid 80s. The issue, however, has remained a classic Punisher comic cover thanks to this jaw dropping art by the great Mike Zeck.
6. The Punisher #1
- Published: July 1987
- Estimated Price: $50 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: First issue of ongoing Punisher series.
- Why We Picked It: While this comic is the first issue in the ongoing Punisher series, it’s really this epic cover from Klaus Janson that makes it classic, with Frank proving that there’s no problem on earth that can’t be solved with a bit of ingenuity and a bazooka.
7. Punisher War Journal #6
- Published: June 1989
- Estimated Price: $20 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: First battle of the Punisher and Wolverine.
- Why We Picked It: While this issue represents the first time Logan and Frank exchanged adamantium and ammo, it’s really this iconic Jim Lee artwork that makes it stand out. Incidentally, this also remains one of the very best Wolverine comic covers of all time.
8. Punisher Magazine #1
- Published: September 1989
- Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: 1st issue of
- Why We Picked It: While there are countless incredible Mike Zeck Punisher comic covers to choose from (many of which are on this list), it’s hard to top this hand painted work of art that brings a unique level of realism to Marvel’s gun-totting anti-hero.
9. Amazing Spider-Man #330
- Published: January 1990
- Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Classic cover
- Why We Picked It: While Spider-Man and the Punisher have had numerous run-ins over the years, occasionally they’re able to put aside their differences to get the job done. That’s what makes this unique Erik Larsen cover a classic (and often overlooked) Punisher cover we just had to include on this list.
10. The Punisher Armory #1
- Published: July 1990
- Estimated Price: $30 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: 1st armory issue
- Why We Picked It: While The Punisher Armory series offered a unique behind-the-scenes look at Frank Castle’s arsenal, we choose it for this list because of the gorgeous, action-packed cover by the legendary Jim Lee.
11. Punisher Magazine #14
- Published: September 1990
- Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Jim Lee cover painting
- Why We Picked It: Another overlooked book, this issue of The Punisher Magazine features a rare painting by Jim Lee that showcases Frank Castle in all his moody and murderous glory.
12. The Punisher War Zone #1
- Published: March 1992
- Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: John Romita Jr. cover
- Why We Picked It: With John Romita Sr. being the first artist to draw the Punisher, it’s only fitting that his son John Jr. would take up the pencil and carry on the legacy in this classic wrap around Punisher cover that remains an iconic piece of 90s comic book lore.
13. Punisher #1
- Published: April 2000
- Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: First Marvel Knights.
- Why We Picked It: In addition to marking the first issue in Garth Ennis’ absolutely epic run on the Punisher (through Marvel Knights and later the Marvel MAX line), this particular book stands out to use because of the incredible cover art by the great Tim Bradstreet.
14. Deadpool #54
- Published: July 2001
- Estimated Price: $50 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Iconic battle of Punisher and Deadpool.
- Why We Picked It: While this book remains a fan favorite because of the blood-spattered showdown between two of Marvel’s most violent anti-heroes, we added it to this list because of the incredible cover art by longtime Punisher artist Steve Dillon, which features a Marvel-sized Mexican standoff.
15. Punisher War Journal #13
- Published: January 2008
- Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Iconic cover.
- Why We Picked It: While the Punisher is perhaps best known for taking down low life scumbags, he has occasionally set his sights on a super villain or two, which is exactly what happens in this issue when Frank hunts down the Rhino. We, however, love it for the absolutely gorgeous cover by the incomparable Ariel Olivetti.
16. Punisher MAX #6
- Published: July 2011
- Estimated Price: $3 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: 1st appearance of Shelton Pendergrass (the Earth-200111 version of Bullseye)
- Why We Picked It: While Jason Aaron’s run on Punisher MAX remains an absolute masterpiece, this issue shows why Steve Dillon is arguably the greatest Punisher artist of all time, with a stylish and modern cover that is 100% on target.
17. The Punisher: Trial of the Punisher #1
- Published: September 2013
- Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Iconic cover.
- Why We Picked It: Justice may be blind, but even She would appreciate this amazing Punisher comic cover by the great Leinil Francis Yu, which we had to include on this list as an iconic image of Marvel’s most morally murky hero.
18. Thunderbolts #30
- Published: August 2014
- Estimated Price: $10 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Iconic cover.
- Why We Picked It: Sure, Frank Castle may be a cold blooded mass murderer, but even he needs a little love from time to time. And who better to give it to him than the sai-wielding assassin Elektra? It’s a match made in sociopath heaven and beautifully captured in this epic cover by David Yardin.
19. Punisher #218
- Published: January 2018
- Estimated Price: $50 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: 1st cameo of the Punisher War Machine armor.
- Why We Picked It: Recent rumors claim that actor Jon Bernthal may reprise his role as the Punisher in the MCU via the Punisher War Machine armor (which first appears in this issue). Combine that potential with this stunning Clayton Crain cover, and the end result is one Punisher book that’s worth specing on.
20. Punisher #1
- Published: March 2022
- Estimated Price: $5 USD (Raw High Grade)
- Why It’s a Key: Punisher become warlord for the Hand
- Why We Picked It: While this issue might have angered some fans due to the controversy of replacing the Punisher’s iconic “skull” chest symbol with a new image, we included it on this list because of the incredible cover art by Jesus Saiz.
So there you have it! Our picks for the 20 best Punisher comic covers of all time. Are there any issues you think we missed? Let us know in the comments below!
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