The following article contains spoilers for Punisher #11, on sale now from Marvel Comics.
The Punisher now has supernatural powers, and those powers include the ability to conjure up a deadly weapon, as seen in Punisher #11, written by Jason Aaron, illustrated by Jesús Saiz and Paul Azaceta, colored by Matt Hollingsworth and lettered by VC's Cory Petit.
Rather than the type of firearms The Punisher is normally associated with, the new weapon is instead a fiery sword Frank Castle draws from his demonic powers during his battle with the Avengers. His hellish blade is directed specifically at Captain America, who successfully deflects the otherwise deadly blow with his shield. Cap survives the encounter, but Frank's powers later prove to be too great for Cap and the other heroes -- Doctor Strange, Black Widow, Moon Knight and Wolverine -- to overcome.
The Origin of The Punisher's Superpowers
Frank's ability to produce a sword of fire -- as well as his other enhanced powers including increased strength and flight -- derive from Frank's possession by the demonic entity known as the Beast. The Beast is the demon at the root of The Hand, the centuries-old cult of ninja assassins, referred to as the Fist of The Hand. The Hand's Archpriestess has recruited Frank to become the clan's High Slayer, whom Frank agrees to serve after The Hand's resurrection of The Punisher's wife Maria.
The Punisher, however, tried to back out of the dark and unusual alliance when he learned several members of The Hand had actually murdered their own families in a twisted attempt to increase their own strength, as the Beast had done for him. Frank is now not only fighting the Avengers, but the Beast himself, attempting to extricate himself and his resurrected wife from The Hand's control. Following Frank's battle, though, The Punisher may have been killed by his own wife, after she learns of Frank's dark misdeeds committed on behalf of The Hand.
This isn't the first time The Punisher has wielded supernatural powers. In Tom Sniegoski, Christopher Golden and Bernie Wrightson's 1998 Punisher mini-series, Frank himself is resurrected after committing suicide by an angel known as Gadriel. The Punisher's superpowers this time were angelic in nature, meaning the normally non-powered Punisher has now wielded powers granted him from both demonic and angelic beings. Frank later lost said powers and reverted to his mortal but still-living form.
Punisher #11 features cover art by Saiz and variant cover art by Matteo Scalera. The issue is on sale now from Marvel.
Source: Marvel