The following contains spoilers for Punisher #2, now on sale from Marvel Comics.
Marvel gives the Punisher the first of five superpowers.
In Punisher #2 written by Jason Aaron with art by Jesus Saiz and Paul Azaceta, Frank Castle questions a member of the Apostles of War, a group of black market gunrunners, about who leads the organization. As the conversation escalates in hostility, Castle reveals that he can see those who have suffered at the hands of this criminal (much like Ghost Rider's Penance Stare), as well as a bomb wired to his heart and set to go off if he dies. When he asks the arch-priestess of the Hand how he knows these things, she reveals that it is part of the Awakening, which grants Castle the "Five Gifts of the Fist," the first being "The Eyes of the Beast."
In his latest solo series, Castle became the new leader of the Hand, a criminal organization that has fought other Marvel heroes before, particularly Daredevil/Matthew Murdock. It was revealed in Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #3 that the Hand once again hopes to bring the Beast into the world, this time with Castle's assistance. The Beast is a demon worshipped by the Hand with many mystical abilities, though the full extent of its powers is unknown.
In the past, the Beast possessed leaders of the Hand like Daredevil. A decade before the current title, Marvel's Shadowland event explored the hero leading the organization in New York City, eventually succumbing to the control of the Beast. While he was possessed by the demon, Daredevil showed feats of super strength, the ability to drain Ghost Rider's hell-fire and influence over New York City's residents, forcing them to all fight one another.
Speaking of old hornhead, Daredevil and the Punisher are once again on a collision course in comics. While Castle leads the Hand, Daredevil ventured off with Elektra in Devil's Reign #6 to form the Fist, which serves as an exact opposite to the Hand. This journey for the two will be explored starting in June 2022 when Daredevil relaunches with writer Chip Zdarksy and artist Marco Checchetto returning.
Daredevil and the Punisher have fought multiple times before, but never have they commanded their own respective armies and gone to war. When or if readers will see this from Marvel remains to be seen as of writing.
Punisher #2 is written by Aaron with art by Saiz and Azaceta, colors by Dave Stewart and letters by VC's Cory Petit. Main cover art for the issue was created by Saiz, with variant covers made by Azaceta and Marc Aspinall.The issue is now available from Marvel Comics.
Source: Marvel