Frank Castle, Dan Panosian, and Me: Back in the Marvel Knights Trenches
Hey guys,
Some of my favorite early years in comics were spent taking on the Marvel Knights line of books with my buddy Joe Quesada. Back then I was inking Garth Ennis and Steve Dillon’s Punisher, Inking Daredevil and co-editing the line of books, so when Joe brought the line back with Priest this year in The World to Come, we both thought it would be a good idea to get a book going with me involved. The pitch was to dig into Frank Castle’s recent past and explore his future under the new banner. There was one guy I wanted drawing it: Dan Panosian. Dan and I have known each other forever, I mean like a really long time, and both started in the business as Inkers…and he gets Frank on a gut level like nobody else. Before we started, Dan said we have to make Punisher is raw and unapologetic, full of grit you rarely see in mainstream comics anymore. That we needed to push the envelope, and I agreed on every level. That became our compass. I’d write a scene, Dan would push it further illustrating it, and I’d go back and push the next one to keep up. My only job was to say “dial it up” and get out of his way. I think what you see on the page says it all.
The working relationship was a blast. I’d throw Dan a meat grinder, a bazooka, a mob boss who thinks he’s safe, and he’d come back with pages that made me laugh out loud at how nasty they were. Honestly, there is nothing like working with a buddy on a character like this and I hope that came across in the series.
Comic Watch described our Frank as a behemoth who skulks through every page, stomping skulls with methodical precision, and called Dan’s art rough-hewn in a way that fits Frank’s dusky corner of the Marvel Universe. They also gave Dan’s cover a perfect 10 and Dean’s colors a 9. That’s the stuff that makes you grin at the drawing table. Marvel Knights: The Punisher #1: Zombie Stomp – Comic Watch
The response from readers has been everything we hoped. AIPT called it a “brutal, unapologetic return” with authentic creative voices and plenty of bone-crunching action, and singled out Dan’s visceral, grounded art and his striking use of blood and shadow. That’s exactly the book we set out to make: no apologies, no softening, just Frank doing what Frank does, drawn by a guy at the top of his game.
All four issues are out now, and the full series is collected in a 112-page trade paperback, collecting Marvel Knights: Punisher #1–4. If you missed the singles, we have some signed copies of the #1 book available at the Paperfilms website (use the link below to order and I’ll sign it for you!!!). And if you’re one of the folks who’s been sending Dan and me notes about the series, thank you. This one was for you guys…crushed skulls and all.
— Jimmy
DID YOU MISS OUT ON MARVEL KNIGHTS: PUNISHER?
We always enjoy Jimmy sharing some stories and look back on some of the titles he had a run on. The Marvel Knights: Punisher series was one for the ages. If you missed out, we have some signed copies of the first printing of Punisher #1, signed by Jimmy! Head on over to the website and snag a copy for yourself!
UPCOMING CONVENTIONS
LOS ANGELES COMIC CON
📍 Los Angeles Convention Center, Los Angeles, CA
📅 Friday, October 30 – Sunday, November 1, 2026
🕐 Fri 3–9 PM · Sat 9:30 AM–7 PM · Sun 9:30 AM–5 PM
L.A. Comic Con celebrates 15 years in Los Angeles this fall, Amanda and Jimmy are heading west to close out October with one of the biggest pop culture weekends on the West Coast. This year’s show lands on Halloween weekend, and on Saturday kids can trick-or-treat at participating exhibitor booths, so come in costume. With 800+ artists and vendors packing the hall and headliners like Nicolas Cage, Aaron Paul and Dean Norris, it’s a full weekend. Stop by the table to visit with the team. Saturday tends to sell out, so lock in your tickets early.
L.A. Comic Con | Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2026
MOTOR CITY COMIC CON
📍 Vibe Credit Union Showplace, Novi, MI
📅 Friday, November 13 – Sunday, November 15, 2026
🕐 Fri 12–7 PM · Sat 10 AM–7 PM · Sun 10 AM–5 PM
Paperfilms brings the tour to Detroit for the fall edition of MC3, Michigan’s largest and longest-running pop culture convention and a show that’s been going strong since 1989. The venue is the former Suburban Collection Showplace, now renamed, at 46100 Grand River Ave. Jake Weary and Shawn Hatosy lead the early celebrity lineup, with more guests on the way.
Motor City has always been a great show for comic fans who want real time at the table, so come by to get books signed, swap stories about Harley, Punisher and Painkiller Jane, and pick up Paperfilms books you won’t find at your local shop. Grab your passes at MotorCityComicCon.com before you go.
More info at:
Brian Isaacs - Executive Editor / Publisher