Warning: Contains spoilers for The Punisher #9!The seek to turn the Punisher into the Beast, the High Slayer of the Hand and in issue nine, the extent of their manipulations of his life are revealed–showing the deck was stacked against Frank from day one and making him a far more sympathetic character.
The issue, written by Jason Aaron, illustrated by Jesus Saiz, inked by Paul Azaceta, colored by Matt Hollingsworth and lettered by Cory Petit, features flashback sequences revealing that the Hand has been manipulating the Punisher’s life since he was a child, all in an attempt to groom him to be their High Slayer. The High Priestess, calling killing a “blessing,” recounts the Punisher’s long history of violence, stretching back to when he was 10 and continuing through his teenage years and military service. The Hand has been spying on the Punisher, noting that he is in the process of becoming a family man. One of the Hand suggests killing Frank’s family, which will turn him into the Beast. The High Priestess refuses, saying that while she has been watching the Punisher since he was a child, if he is to become the Beast, it must be on his own accord.
The Punisher Never Stood A Chance
Becoming the High Slayer of the Hand is the latest chapter in the life of the Punisher. The Hand resurrected his dead wife and children in exchange for his service to them. Since then, the group has slowly groomed Frank, teaching him the ways of the Hand all while he continues to grow in power. The Punisher has a new symbol as well, to reflect his newfound status. The heroes of the Marvel Universe are beginning to take notice, namely Daredevil, who has been slowly preparing his group, the Fist, for a final battle with the Hand. The Daredevil and the Punisher have scrapped many times, but this time the stakes are higher than ever.
The Hand, while not outright interfering in the life of young Frank Castle, have still played a role in it nonetheless, watching him from the shadows. The Hand played the long game, sitting through the periods of (relative) peace and quiet in Frank's life and biding their time until the Punisher would one day become the Beast. When the Punisher’s wife and children were killed in a mob crossfire, the Hand were there, hiding in the bushes and watching, soaking in their victory–their Beast had arrived. The Hand’s High Priestess makes it clear that the spark that would turn Frank into the Beast was always there, hiding under the surface and never able to be truly vanquished. The deck was stacked against the Punisher from day one; his life was destined to be one of violence and brutality–and the Hand cheered it all on in the shadows.
Now the Hand have their wish: their Beast is active and has led them to numerous decisive victories, including one over their hated foe Ares. Thanks to the Hand, the Punisher is deadlier than ever; indeed, he is progressing towards being an Avengers-level threat. The Hand have been a part of the Punisher’s life from the beginning, and this revelation changes the character, making him far more tragic.
The Punisher #9 is on sale now from Marvel Comics!
