Warning! This post contains SPOILERS for Daredevil: Born Again Episode 8I'm pretty confident I know which MCU special. As Daredevil: Born Again reaches the end of its first season, it's expected that Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle will reunite with Matt Murdock for the finale episode. Keeping that in mind, I do think the finale will help set the stage for the Punisher series and its potential antagonist.

Announced at the beginning of 2025, just ahead of Daredevil: Born Again's premiere episodes in March, it was confirmed that The Punisher will be getting his own MCU Special Presentation, not unlike Marvel's Echo series, which was released in 2024. It was also confirmed that Jon Bernthal himself will be co-writing the special, presumably spinning out from his appearances in Dardevil: Born Again season 1. Keeping that in mind, I think Frank Castle's Punisher is about to get an all-new nemesis following Daredevil: Born Again's finale.

Cole North Is Taking A Lot Of The AVTF's Spotlight in Daredevil: Born Again

I'm Not Surprised, Considering North's Marvel Comics History

Officially created by Mayor Fisk to deal with the serial-killing artist known as Muse in Daredevil: Born Again episode 6, the Anti-Vigilante Task Force has now been deployed in full force. Not having to answer to anyone other than Fisk himself and allowed to operate freely using extreme prejudice, the AVTF is made up of corrupt and aggressive NYPD officers and detectives who idolize Frank Castle's Punisher. Likewise, many of these cops have co-opted the Punisher's skull logo, representing their willingness to use whatever means necessary in the name of "justice".

Keeping that in mind, one of the AVTF officers with a large spotlight is Detective Cole North (Jeremy Isaiah Earl). Shown by Mayor Fisk's side at the Black and White Ball in Daredevil: Born Again episode 8, North was also falsely given public credit by Fisk for the murder of Muse in Daredevil: Born Again episode 7. This makes sense, considering Cole North's history in the comics as a detective who started his journey in a similar fashion, going after vigilantes and causing problems for both Daredevil and Spider-Man. He's also had conflicts with The Punisher in the comics as well.

I'm Confident North Killed White Tiger And Took The Punisher's Logo

Going After Vigilantes Before The Task Force Was Even Made

Interestingly enough, Cole North has yet to be shown without a Punisher logo tattoo like many of his fellow officers. This feels intentional, especially because we still don't know who it was that posed as The Punisher and killed White Tiger in Daredevil: Born Again episode 3. I'm willing to bet Cole North was Hector Ayala's killer, having spray-painted a white skull on a bulletproof vest just like Frank Castle himself.

Regardless if the killer is revealed to be Cole North, what's going to be interesting is learning whether the hit was put out by Mayor Fisk before the official formation of his task force or if the murder was carried out independently. Either way, the possible reveal that North killed White Tiger while dressed as the Punisher could put him right in the crosshairs of Frank Castle, not to mention Daredevil himself. After all, Punisher made it clear in Daredevil: Born Again episode 4 that he has no love for his "bulls*** fanboys."

Theory: Cole North Becomes A Key Rival In The Punisher's MCU Spinoff

Tasked By Mayor Fisk To Track Down Frank Castle Personally

I expect Cole North to be featured in Daredevil: Born Again's finale episode, presumably as the ATVF races Daredevil (and likely Punisher) to get their hands on Bullseye. Assuming North survives the ordeal, I could easily see Mayor Fisk asg him to track down the Punisher in the aftermath of Daredevil: Born Again season 1, setting for the Punisher Special Presentation. It would certainly mirror how Fisk assigned North to track down and arrest various New York vigilantes like Spider-Man. The opportunity to see The Punisher clash with an impostor and effectively reclaim his skull does have some exciting potential for the MCU.

Daredevil: Born Again's finale premieres April 15th on Disney+, while The Punisher special releases in 2026.

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