Ambiguously Evil: This has mostly do with inconsistent writing, but it's still debatable whether Frank is an Anti-Hero or a psychotic serial killer. Many story settings and writers end up presenting him as both, but many will attempt in-story to present him as strictly the former or the latter.

This problem is finally dealt with in Punisher War Zone where the Avengers capture Punisher and Iron Man puts him in a highly technological custom prison with no other inmates for him to kill and no loose parts for him to break and free himself with.Costello, Matthew J. (2009). Secret Identity Crisis: Comic Books and the Unmasking of Cold War America. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 978-1-4411-0859-3. Rage Against the Heavens: Frank was raised Catholic, but didn't have much use for the idea of forgiving people who'd done terrible things. The fact that he saw a lot of terrible things while still a child also caused him to have serious doubts about the idea of a loving God. Now when he sees terrible things done to innocent people, he's pretty direct about the way he feels: "There are times I'd like to get my hands on God."

Several encounters with Thou Shalt Not Kill superheroes end with him on the receiving end of a Curbstomp Battle, but he says that until they start killing criminals (starting with him), he's going to keep killing criminals (even in prison). Stealth Hi/Bye: While Frank doesn't do this much in his own books, it is a fairly common way for him to take his leave at the end of a superhero team up. He once used an unconscious Spider-Man as a shield while fighting the resurrected Russian. When Spidey came to, he had one hell of a headache. Everyone Has Standards: Believe it or not, there ARE some lines he will not cross, though note that some of these are Depending on the Writer: The MAX version of the Punisher ends with the character's death. After killing the Kingpin, Castle dies from his own wounds in issue #21

Inspired by the Tony Stark-designed War Machine technology, this collector electronic helmet features 2 LEDs for light FX in the eyes, as well as awesome sound FX Despite his violent actions and dark nature, the Punisher has enjoyed some mainstream success on television, making guest appearances on series such as Spider-Man and The Super Hero Squad Show, where the depiction of his violent behavior was toned down for family viewers. Genre Blindness: The numerous gangsters, mobsters, and other crooks who think that they will be the one to finally bring Frank down. Punisher Noir (2009) — An Alternate Continuity miniseries, where the Punisher does his work in the 1930s New York. Astonishingly not written by Garth Ennis. He has fought many super powered heroes and villains, sometimes beating them or at least fighting to a draw, with nothing more than his wits, aim, and guns. Averted of course at times... Depending on the Writer.

Chased by Mafia goons through a zoo, Frank runs through the polar bear enclosure, punches the first sleepy one he sees, and keeps running. By the time the goons get there, they are facing three very pissed-off polar bears. The Greatest Style: Played for Laughs in one story where a martial arts assassin is sent to take out the Punisher. After commenting on how many styles the guy's mastered, Frank introduces him to one he doesn't know: Car Fu. The Punisher MAX begins with Frank sneaking up on the birthday party of the centenarian Don Cesare, shooting him and as many of the invited high-rankers as he can. The resulting power vacuum fuels much of the series. Hero Antagonist: Any superhero that shows up in his comics is likely to become this. Especially Daredevil, who is the superhero most determined to put a stop to the Punisher, to the point where they might as well be members of their respective rogues galleries. The Only One Allowed to Defeat You: Jigsaw started to feel this way about Punisher when he heard about his (fake) death in the electric chair.Yet another has Frank booby-trap a building where various organized crime members are having a meeting. He pushes down the detonator, making it clear that if he dies, everyone dies, and promptly starts shooting the helpless criminals. In a Take That! to several real-life police groups that have begun superimposiong the Punisher logo over the "Thin Blue Line" flag, another story features a couple cops who come across him proudly displaying his logo on their cars, who are a part of a group of other officers who want to emulate Frank's example. Frank is not amused, and tells them in no uncertain terms if he finds out that they've broken their oaths as officers, he'll be gunning for them next because the police are supposed to be better than him, not sink to his level. With premium sculpting and design, this helmet is an impressive addition to any Marvel collection. The helmet interior and the faceplate are detailed to evoke the electronic design, while the exterior boasts a remarkable attention to detail and a beautiful finish. Collectors, fans, and Marvel enthusiasts alike can imagine suiting up and create their own vigilante adventures!

Arch-Enemy: For obvious reasons, criminals rarely make repeat appearances. The closest thing Frank's got is Billy "Jigsaw" Russo, whose main claim to fame is tussling with Frank a few dozen times and actually living to talk about it. Cold-Blooded Torture: Frank: (looking down at a merc who'd just fallen into a pit full of sharpened stakes that Castle had dug for him) "Two through your chest. One through the groin, it looks like. You'll die if you don't get medical attention soon." Merc proceeds to tell Castle everything he wants to know. When he's finished, he asks weakly "...that medical attention...?" Frank: " No." Of course, said merc was already dying; even if Frank wanted to, he couldn't have saved him.Punisher (2022) - a series written by Jason Aaron that repositions the Punisher as a sword-wielding killer and leader of ninja-clan The Hand. The Villain Must Be Punished: It's his name, after all. Unlike heroes like Spider-Man or The Avengers, he doesn't content himself with just stopping criminals, he wants to make them pay for their crimes with their lives. Naturally, he avoids lethal force against superheroes as well, with the exception of the Elseworld issue The Punisher Kills the Marvel Universe as well as heroes who can heal off typically dangerous injuries.