Line #2 ComicBook/ThePunisherPurgatory


1	[[quoteright:350:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/b6b528fc_b3e0_4951_a614_c42c8a448dde.jpeg]]
2
3	-> '''ComicBook/{{Deadpool}}:''' The feather -- it's like it knew you -- like it wanted to be near you, to help you. But it's from an angel. Why would an angel feather care about you, Castle?\
4	'''Punisher:''' [[DiscontinuityNod I don't want to talk about it.]]
5	-->-- ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}'' Vol. 2, #22 (2014)
6
7	''The Punisher'' (subtitled ''Purgatory'' for collected editions and interior titles) is a 1998 comic book miniseries by Creator/MarvelComics, released under the ''Creator/MarvelKnights'' imprint. The series is the fourth volume of ''ComicBook/ThePunisher''.
8
9	The series, set in the shared Franchise/MarvelUniverse, stars the eponymous [[Characters/MarvelComicsFrankCastle Punisher]], reinventing the BadassNormal vigilante as a supernatural being.
10
11	Some time ago, Frank Castle killed himself. But he came back [[EmpoweredBadassNormal with strange divine powers]], and uses them in his war against crime. He is then pulled into a conflict between angels and a power-hungry demon, and learns the truth behind his work as a vigilante.
12
13	This iteration of Punisher appeared for the second (and last) time in a crossover miniseries with ComicBook/{{Wolverine}}, subtitled ''Revelation''.
14
15	----
16	!!''The Punisher: Purgatory'' provides examples of:
17
18	* AsLethalAsItNeedsToBe: Justified. Frank's supernatural weapons are as deadly as he needs them to be, as they respond to his thoughts.
19	* AsTheGoodBookSays: Each issue's title page features a Biblical passage.
20	* BaldOfEvil: All of the Stalkers are bald and [[SinisterShades wear sunglasses]].
21	* BigBad: Olivier, who seeks to conquer the realms of all Lords of Hell.
22	* BloodBath: Olivier sits in a bathtub full of blood, singing "I've Got You Under My Skin" before he is interrupted by a visit from his right-hand man.
23	* BookEnds: When the Punisher makes his first appearance with [[GunsAkimbo guns in hand]] in the first issue, it is accompanied with narration and him telling the criminals to pray. The final issue closes with an identical setup.
24	* ButForMeItWasTuesday: Olivier's [[{{Mooks}} Stalkers]] are made from men whom Frank has killed once before. He doesn't remember any of them.
25	* ChildhoodFriends: Lucy Mellace is revealed to be a childhood friend of Frank's.
26	* DiscontinuityNod: The events of the series are vaguely recapped at the beginning of ''ComicBook/ThePunisherWelcomeBackFrank'', and obliquely referenced in issues of ''ComicBook/MoonKnight'' and ''ComicBook/{{Thunderbolts}}''. Olivier would also go on to cameo in ''Nightcrawler'' and ''ComicBook/FearItself''.
27	* DomesticAbuse: Lucy Mellace goes to pray to Punisher's shrine for him to stop her husband beating her. Later that night, Frank appears in their apartment to beat the guy in turn.
28	* TheDragon: [[spoiler:Bruno Costa]], the brother of Olivier's earthly form.
29	* DrivenToSuicide: Convinced by invisible demons whispering into his ear, Frank put a gun into his temple and pulled the trigger. Some time later, [[RiseFromYourGrave he dug his way out of his grave]].
30	* EpicFail: Gadriel for failing to protect Frank's family due to him being too busy getting drunk and hitting on women. It's especially bad since it's made clear that being assigned to watch over the Castle family was Heaven's way of giving Gadriel a largely unprecedented second chance... which he promptly squandered in the worst way possible by giving into the same Earthly temptations that caused him to screw up the first time.
31	* FireBreathingWeapon: Frank pulls a flamethrower out of his coat during a raid on a drug factory.
32	* {{Forgiveness}}: Gadriel needs Frank's forgiveness to get back into Heaven.
33	* GuardianAngel: Gadriel was the guardian angel of Frank's family, who failed the job because he was busy drinking and whoring at the time.
34	* {{Hammerspace}}: Frank's new divine powers allow him to produce any weapon he desires from inside of his coat.
35	* {{Hellgate}}: A vortex to hell is accidentally opened during the fight at the Flatiron Building. [[spoiler:[[HeroicSacrifice Gadriel sacrifices himself]] to close it]].
36	* OutOfTheInferno: After being engulfed by the building he set on fire, Frank walks out of it unscathed.
37	* ThePowerOfHate: Conversed.
38	-->'''Gadriel:''' Give me a chance to explain. It's the least you can do after I brought you back from the other side.\
39	'''Frank:''' You?\
40	'''Gadriel:''' What did you think? It just happened all by itself? Your hate is powerful, but not ''that'' powerful.
41	* RedEyesTakeWarning: Frank has red glowing eyes when his powers are activated.
42	* RetCon: Random chance was actually a part of a supernatural conspiracy. Check TheReveal for more.
43	* TheReveal: [[spoiler:The human whom Olivier became after he was kicked out of Hell was Frank Costa, the guy responsible for the deaths of Frank's family. Moreover, Frank becoming the Punisher after the massacre at Central Park was planned in advance, to create a vigilante who unwittingly kills in Olivier's name, strengthening his status as a demon]].
44	* SequelHook: Olivier's right-hand man swears to return after his defeat.
45	* SuperWindowJump: Tariel flees from Olivier's ambush in the abandoned church by jumping through one of the windows and flying away.
46	* TitleDrop: "Part of me died to bring you back. Call it purgatory, Frank."
47	* UnwittingPawn: Unknown to Frank, every man he has killed over the years has been a sacrifice and an addition for Olivier's personal army.

Context ComicBook / ThePunisherPurgatory