Punisher tales available in “Essential” format, among others

WORD BALLOONS

The grim anti-hero the Punisher has sold a lot of comic books since his debut in the February 1974 issue of “The Amazing Spider-Man.” The Punisher is also known as Frank Castle, a former soldier whose family is killed by the mob. Swearing vengeance for his family, the Punisher wages war on criminals without consideration of due process.

The Punisher’s first adventures have been collected by Marvel Comics in “The Essential Punisher” series. “Essential Punisher” No. 1 contains the Punisher’s adventures guest-starring in titles including “The Amazing Spider-Man,” “Captain America” and “Daredevil.” The volume closes with the five-issue miniseries “The Punisher” from 1986, written by Steven Grant with art by Mike Zeck. The success of that miniseries led Marvel to give the Punisher an ongoing series.