The following contains spoilers for Punisher War Journal: Brother #1, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
Since Frank Castle became a pawn of the Hand, his journey got even bloodier. It's a tall order, given his past has been mired with so much death and destruction. But as the Fist of the Beast, imbued with supernatural powers, this god-like Punisher has taken murder to extreme levels, even by his standards.
It's why the Japanese ninja clan adores him, and why the High Priestess, as well as the Beast, don't mind resurrecting his wife, Maria, or trying to bring back his kids -- although that's been unsuccessful thus far. Now, courtesy of the Punisher War Journal: Brother one-shot (by Torunn Grønbekk, Rafael T. Pimentel, Matt Milla and VC's Cory Petit), fans are privy to further insight into the early days of Frank's new rampage, which surprisingly remixes The Walking Dead's most horrific sequence.
The Walking Dead Broke Fans with Glenn's Death
The Walking Dead painted a monstrous picture with Negan and his barbwire-wrapped bat, Lucille. Negan used it, as well as his Saviors, to establish order, taking tributes from camps such as Rick's Alexandria along with so many others. And, whoever up came short, died, so Rick's fearful team did their best to abide. But before they became these slaves, Negan sent the most brutal message to the crew by bashing Glenn's head in with his bat.
It remains one of comics' most graphic, squeamish moments, the way Negan beats Glenn's brains to a pulp and knocks his eye out. The TV series added an extra layer to this by having Negan smash Abraham's skull in, as well. No matter the medium, though, the acts have remained controversial, as many felt writer, Robert Kirkman, went over the edge, hopped up on a gratuitous shock factor.
Frank Castle Tries to Cave in Jigsaw's Head
In Brother, Jigsaw attacks Frank in Croatia, causing an explosion that rocks the Hand after they slaughter a warlord. A bloody fight ensues in the warlord's lair, which results in Frank grabbing a bat that has nails embedded. It subverts Lucille, but the result is the same -- Frank bashing Jigsaw's head in -- reiterating why Ares has considered Frank a pseudo-war god. However, with the metal plate in his head, and all the other work Jigsaw had done to his scarred face over the years, he just plucks the bat out, ensuring Frank can't crush his head.
Frank does eventually put a sword through his throat, killing Jigsaw, but what makes this even more of a Negan moment is Jigsaw's speech. He tells Frank how they need to be cruel in the world because evil will always run through the hearts of mankind. No matter what, they'll always be monsters, so they need alphas to rein them in. To him, there's no good or bad in the world -- which is the same doctrine Negan held. It's why Rick kept him alive after they beat the Saviors; to show humanity could be inspirational, hopeful, and a light in the dark. However, in Jigsaw's case, he doesn't get to experience this fate, with Frank ensuring he's sent to the afterlife.